Around Town

Good Friday 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 — Feb 27, 2026.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  • BREAKING: Man shot, killed by police after stabbing family members in Mantua (25954 views)
  • Ex-Trump White House attorney charged after Springfield hockey stick attack (15072 views)
  • Large-scale farmers market to open near Reston Town Center Metro (10891 views)
  • Reston leads Fairfax County in total snowfall from Sunday storm (7614 views)
  • Burke ranked as N. Va.’s most in-demand zip code for homeowners (6928 views)
  • Workers at Springfield Plaza store prevent robbery by disarming suspect (6824 views)
  • UPDATED: Fairfax County schools cancel Monday classes as snow continues (6713 views)
  • Glory Days Grill not reopening in Merrifield after fire, new tenant sought (6616 views)
  • Over 100 townhomes proposed for first phase of Merrifield office park development (6352 views)
  • Dick’s House of Sport coming to Tysons Corner Center (5941 views)
  • Source of gas leak identified days after Centreville house explosion (5603 views)
  • FCPD identifies man killed by police after triple stabbing in Mantua (4573 views)
  • 📅 Upcoming events

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

    Here are the events planned for Sunday:

    ☀️ Saturday’s forecast

    Expect sunshine and a high of about 62 degrees, accompanied by a gentle south wind blowing at 3-5 mph. Later on Saturday night, the skies will remain mostly clear as the temperature drops to around 41 degrees. A calm breeze will turn southeast and reach 5 mph after midnight. 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.

    We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋


    Countywide

    It took three attempts by two different patrons, but legislation to potentially allow a casino in Fairfax County appears to be heading toward adoption.

    After setting aside a similar bill last year, the Virginia House Appropriations Committee voted 18-4 earlier today (Friday) to advance SB 756, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, to the full chamber.


    News

    All Centreville residents displaced by the natural gas leak that resulted in a house explosion and fire on Feb. 15 have now been cleared to return home.

    Washington Gas says it restored gas service to the 19 remaining evacuated homes by 10 p.m. on Tuesday (Feb. 24), and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) has now lifted its evacuation order after detecting no gas in the environment for 48 consecutive hours.


    Announcement

    A Step In Time Chimney Sweeps is proud to provide professional chimney services for homeowners for over 25 years. As part of our Summer Special, we are currently offering professional chimney inspections to help homeowners prepare their fireplaces and chimney systems before the heavy winter burning season begins again.

    Our experienced team specializes in chimney inspections, chimney cleaning, chimney repairs, chimney relining, chimney cap installation, crown repairs, masonry work, fireplace services, wood stove installations, dryer vent cleaning, and much more.


    Countywide

    While the Fairfax County has worked on boosting affordable housing, local officials are wary of state bills that would reduce local zoning authority over residential development in commercial zones.

    HB 816 by Del. Dan Helmer (D-10) and SB 454 by state Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-16) would require local zoning ordinances to permit by-right multifamily and mixed-use residential development on a portion of commercial or business zoning district land.


    Countywide

    Apartment hunters across most of Fairfax County are seeing lower rental rates than they were at this time last year, but higher costs are likely come springtime, according to new data.

    Six of seven Fairfax communities included in Apartment List’s March rental report for the D.C. area showed year-over-year declines in median asking rents during February.


    Opinion

    Whether you’re planning a major addition or a remodel of a single room, there are contractors across Fairfax County waiting to deliver your dream home — hopefully without breaking the bank.

    Here are the nominees for “Best Home Renovation Firm in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite business below? If not, write them in!

    Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, March 13.

    Voting for the Best Bicycle Shop around Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, March 6 at 8:30 a.m.

    Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Barbershop in Fairfax. The results are now official:

    1. Great Clips in Fairfax
    2. Andy’s Barber Shop
    3. The Standard Barbershop

    News

    Every dog owner knows that greeting — the steady, joyful welcome that makes even the longest day feel worth it. At Giving Tree Pet Resort, we’ve built our daycare and boarding programs around that same devotion: consistent, structured care that feels safe, calm, and genuinely attentive.

    We are not a high-volume, drop-off facility. We are a relationship-based pet resort designed for families who want more than supervision — they want peace of mind.

    What Sets Giving Tree Apart

    As the pet care industry has grown rapidly across Northern Virginia, Giving Tree was built around clearly defined operational standards rather than trends. (more…)


    News

    After decades of serving his community, a longtime Reston resident and advocate for people with disabilities is now in need of that same community’s help.

    Family friends of former Reston Accessibility Committee (RAC) chair Kenneth Fredgren are seeking to raise $75,000 through GoFundMe so he can stay in an assisted living facility.


    News

    The Fairfax City Council was briefed Tuesday (Feb. 24) on two proposed redevelopments — a revised pitch for the Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center and an office-to-residential conversion.

    Council members received pre-application presentations on the multi-phase mixed-use development for the Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center at 10300 Willard Way and 3922 Blenheim Blvd as well as a potential conversion of an office building into a six-story multifamily residential building at 10340 Democracy Lane.