Around Town

As it approaches five years at Tysons Corner Center, Cha Street Food is shaking up its drink offerings with a new cafe concept.

The Pakistani restaurant will officially launch Cha Cafe tonight (Thursday) with a DJ and free drinks for the first 50 customers to stop by, starting at 7 p.m.


News

Fairfax County Public Schools is increasing opportunities for public input on the proposed attendance boundary for the new Skyview High School.

Superintendent Michele Reid told the Fairfax County School Board at its work session Tuesday (May 5) that she wants to add a third round of community engagement.


Sponsored

No matter your age, having a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family. A properly prepared will ensures your wishes are carried out, helps reduce family disputes, and can make the estate administration process much smoother.

Unfortunately, many Virginians make avoidable mistakes that can create unnecessary stress and expense for their loved ones. Here are five of the most common.

1. Trying to Write a Will Without Legal Guidance

Online templates and DIY wills may seem like an easy way to save money, but they often create bigger problems later. Virginia law has specific requirements for a valid will, including proper signatures and witness requirements. Even small mistakes can leave a will open to challenges or delay the administration of an estate.

2. Forgetting to Update Your Will

A will shouldn’t be something you create once and forget. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, buying a home, or losing a loved one can all affect your estate plan.

Reviewing your will every few years—or after a major life event—helps ensure it still reflects your wishes and keeps your loved ones protected.

3. Overlooking Federal Estate Tax Planning

Virginia no longer has a state estate tax, but federal estate taxes may still affect larger estates. As home values and investments continue to grow, more families may find themselves closer to the federal exemption than they expected.

Planning ahead can help minimize tax consequences and preserve more of your estate for your beneficiaries.

4. Not Planning for Minor Children

For parents, a will does more than distribute assets—it allows you to name a guardian for your minor children. Without that designation, a court may ultimately decide who will care for them.

Many families also choose to establish a trust so inherited assets can be managed responsibly until children reach an age or milestone they determine is appropriate.

5. Choosing the Wrong Executor—or Not Naming One at All

Your executor is responsible for carrying out your wishes, paying debts, and distributing your assets. Selecting someone who is organized, trustworthy, and capable of handling those responsibilities is just as important as deciding who inherits your property.

It’s also essential to clearly identify your beneficiaries. Vague language or outdated information can create confusion and, in some cases, disputes among family members.

Don’t Forget the Rest of Your Estate Plan

A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:

  • A revocable living trust
  • A durable power of attorney
  • An advance medical directive
  • A transfer-on-death deed for your home

Together, these documents can help protect your finances, outline your healthcare wishes, and simplify matters for your family if you’re ever unable to make decisions yourself.

The Bottom Line

A well-prepared estate plan provides peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. By avoiding these common mistakes and keeping your documents up to date, you can help ensure your wishes are honored while reducing stress for your family in the future.

If it’s been several years since you’ve reviewed your will—or you’ve never created one—it may be time to speak with an experienced Virginia estate planning attorney about your options.

PJI Law, PLC: Estate Planning Attorneys in Fairfax, VA

At PJI Law, PLC, we work with clients across Fairfax and Northern Virginia to build estate plans that reflect their intentions and align with Virginia law. Our estate planning attorneys take the time to review your assets, beneficiary designations, business interests, and family structure so your plan works as intended.

Whether you’re creating your first will or revisiting an existing one, our team will help you avoid the mistakes that can undermine your entire estate plan.

Call (703) 865-6100 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary consultation today.

PJI Law, PLC
3900 Jermantown Rd, 2nd Floor
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
(703) 865-6100
https://pjilaw.com


Countywide

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved the elimination of two Fairfax Connector bus routes and reduced schedules on more than a dozen others to trim $7.3 million in budget costs.

The vote on Tuesday (May 5) was unanimous but, in several cases, unenthusiastic.


Countywide
Tysons Tower behind the elevated plaza over Tysons One Place (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Help Wanted With Fire Investigation — Investigators are seeking tips from the public about anyone who might’ve been in the area of a vacant, one-story building in the 11100 block of Popes Head Road near Fairfax Station on or before the weekend of May 3, when it caught fire. “There was evidence that the location had been used previously by trespassers starting campfires or performing general vandalism.” [FCFRD]

FBI Raid on Va. Senate Leader’s Office — The FBI searched the Virginia Senate President L. Louise Lucas’s “hometown office and her neighboring cannabis shop Wednesday, bringing into public view what two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press was a corruption investigation. One of the people said the investigation … was opened during Democratic former President Joe Biden’s administration.” [Associated Press]

Kayaker Who Died in Potomac River Identified — “The kayaker who died after falling out of his boat in the Potomac River [near Great Falls] on Sunday has been identified as 22-year-old William Lankford from Lynchburg … Maryland Natural Resources Police are leading the investigation; an autopsy will be conducted to determine cause of death.” [WTOP]

Town Hall on Ranked Choice Voting — “As ranked choice voting becomes increasingly more popular, Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn will hold a town hall meeting on May 11 to discuss this voting method and what it could mean for Fairfax County.” The town hall at the North County Governmental Center in Reston will feature Arlington’s elections director and the executive director of the democracy reform organization UpVote Virginia. [Hunter Mill District Office]

Reston Cybersecurity Business Closing — NeoSystems, a cybersecurity firm that supports defense contractors, “is shutting down, raising concerns about impacts on companies that depend on it to maintain Pentagon compliance.” Jeff Huckle, president of the 26-year-old company, told employees in a letter last Friday (May 1) that a “deteriorating financial condition” left “no viable options” for continuing operations. [Washington Business Journal]

Reston Space Company Plans New Facility — “Scout Space, a Reston developer of in-space observation systems, said Wednesday it has raised $18 million in Series A funding to support expansion of its manufacturing, including the buildout of new Northern Virginia facility … The company said its new manufacturing facility will span 2,600 square feet” but didn’t share the location. [WBJ]

County Rec Centers Host Open House — “Bring friends and family to tour and try out any of the Park Authority’s Rec Centers all day [today] for free with sign up. Stop by between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. for special programming, such as fitness demonstrations, sample classes, a membership table with arts and crafts, and other fun activities depending on the location.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]

Dog Celebration Returns to Chantilly — “Dog lovers, mark your calendars: Park and Bark returns Saturday, May 9, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly. The free, dog- and family-friendly festival takes place on the lawn outside the Walney Visitor Center at 5040 Walney Rd.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Thursday — There is a 30% chance of showers in the afternoon, with cloudy skies transitioning to mostly sunny and a high near 65°F. Thursday night will see mostly cloudy conditions clearing to a low around 48°F. [NWS]

Support local journalism. Join the FFXnow Press Club to boost our reporting and to get upgraded newsletters.


Event

The George Mason Friends will hold their semi-annual Fall Book Sale at George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale from Wednesday evening, September 23 through Sunday, September 27, 2026.

A Preview Sale will be held on Wednesday evening from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm for a $20 entry fee per adult. A no entry fee, General Sale, will begin on Thursday, September 23 and run through Sunday, September 27, with hours 10:00 am to 5:30 pm daily.


Around Town

Good Wednesday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — May 6, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Thursday throughout the county, from our event calendar.

[‘⛅️’] Thursday’s forecast

Expect showers in the morning before 1 p.m. and a slight chance of rain after 2 p.m. The day will start cloudy but gradually turn mostly sunny, with temperatures reaching around 65°F and a north wind blowing at 5 to 8 mph. There is a 30% chance of precipitation. Thursday night will start mostly cloudy and will gradually clear, with a low of around 47°F and a northwest wind at 5 to 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.


Countywide

The Trump administration has launched an investigation into the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office over its handling of cases involving undocumented immigrants as defendants.

The Justice Department notified Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano today (Wednesday) that it has opened an investigation into his office’s policy advising prosecutors to consider defendants’ immigration status when making decisions about plea agreements, charges and sentencing.


Around Town

A new play area for kids that will also offer their parents sustenance is taking shape at Tysons Corner Center.

Tiny’s Corner Play Cafe is in the process of obtaining permits to build out an approximately 3,000-square-foot store on the mall’s second floor. The business will be located in Unit D9U in the former Lord & Taylor wing, next door to United Barber and the future Dick’s House of Sport.


News

A proposal that would’ve established zoning rules for casinos is expected to be withdrawn when it goes before the Herndon Town Council later this month.

The Herndon Planning Commission indicated at a work session on Monday (May 4) that it will recommend denial of the zoning ordinance amendment, which defined a casino and set parameters for how one could be approved, Mayor Keven LeBlanc confirmed to FFXnow and other outlets, including Patch.


News

Youth baseball players in Annandale marked the ceremonial start of their spring season on Saturday (May 2) with practices, visits from Little League alumni — and a first pitch thrown by Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli.

The visit was courtesy of the Nationals’ Team UP program, which supports local youth leagues throughout the D.C. metro area, including the Mason District Little League.