A sign for Park Valley Church in Haymarket (via Google Maps)
A man accused of plotting a mass shooting at a Haymarket megachurch last year has been found competent to stand trial on federal hate crime charges.
U.S. District Judge Rossie Alston set an Oct. 21 trial date for Rui Jiang of Falls Church after holding a competency hearing Wednesday in federal court in Alexandria, the Associated Press reported.
The U.S. District Court in Alexandria (via Google Maps)
A one-time assistant professor at George Mason University has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for collecting hundreds of child pornography photos and videos, including from at least two people he coerced, U.S. prosecutors announced yesterday (Thursday).
Daniel Marc Lofaro, a 40-year-old Fairfax resident, was sentenced by a U.S. District Court judge in Alexandria on Wednesday (July 24) after pleading guilty to coercion and entitlement and receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography.
SAVE THE DATE! December 4-6, 2026 Experience the magic of the holiday season at this beloved event that has offered truly unique, handcrafted treasures for more than four decades. Find pottery, glass, jewelry, fashion accessories, woodwork, artisanal foods, and more from eighty exceptional regional artisans. Come discover the perfect gifts, treat yourself to lunch at the onsite café, and celebrate the spirit of the season with us! A juried show since 1982.
• FREE parking | 1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean, VA 22101 • Proceeds support the NVHG Scholarship Program for college art students • Tote bags will be given to the first 200 attendees each day • MCC has accessible entrances and restrooms
A train passes the Huntington Metro station’s parking garage (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Local Couple Behind Drug Ring Going to Prison — “A Fairfax County woman and her husband have been sentenced to more than a decade in federal prison after being convicted of running a massive drug operation. Court documents say they distributed tens of thousands of dangerous fentanyl pills per month in Virginia.” [NBC4]
Gum Springs Cemetery Restoration Planned — “A decaying cemetery in Gum Springs that dates back to the 18th century will be restored and maintained as part of a preservation project between Fairfax County and various stakeholder organizations.” Residents interred at Peake Family Cemetery include friends of George Washington and descendants of Gum Springs founder West Ford. [On the MoVe]
Clifton Road Lane Closures Scheduled — “Weather permitting, lane closures will occur on northbound and southbound Clifton Road/Stringfellow Road (Route 645) between Regal Crest Drive and Autumn Willow Drive Sunday night, July 28; Monday night, July 29 and Tuesday night, July 30 for milling and paving at the Route 29 intersection.” The work is part of the Route 29 widening project. [VDOT]
Georgetown Getting More Visitors Than Tysons, BID Claims — The Georgetown Business Improvement District says the D.C. neighborhood got 12.3 million visitors last year and have been up 5% so far in 2024, “outpacing Tysons Corner.” The organization is studying new designs for its streateries, which have drawn both crowds and complaints. [Axios D.C.]
Tennis Courts Slated for Repair — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin repairing tennis courts #1 and #2 at Woodley Hills Park and #1 and #2 at Country Club View Park…Contractors are scheduled to mobilize onsite in early August weather permitting, and active construction is anticipated to be completed by mid-September 2024.” [FCPA]
Incoming FCPD Officers Graduate From Academy — “Session 86 is comprised of 32 newly sworn Fairfax County Police Officers. This latest graduating class is a unique and diverse session where eight different languages are spoken by 15 different officers…After graduation, officers will be assigned to one of the Fairfax County Police Department’s eight district stations and enter a 12-week field training period. [FCPD]
Animal Shelter Hosts Seminar on Chicken Care — “Kelly Rutkowski, managing director of Adopt a Bird Network, is hosting a free seminar on chicken behavior Sunday in Lorton, Virginia, in conjunction with the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. Topics that will be covered include chicken health, pecking order drama, feeding tips and more.” [WTOP]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly sunny skies today with the temperature reaching a high close to 85 degrees. Overnight, the sky will remain mostly clear, and the temperature drops to around 67 degrees. [NWS]
Here is what’s going on Friday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
☀️ Friday’s forecast
Expect mostly sunny skies and a high temperature around 84°F accompanied by a 7 mph northeast wind. As night falls, conditions will remain mostly clear with the temperature dipping to approximately 65°F. The northeast wind will continue at around 5 mph but is set to become light and variable during the evening. See more from Weather.gov.
Spend the evening with Washington Spirit alum and former USWNT player Joanna Lohman, a true DMV women’s soccer legend.
This is your chance to meet Joanna in person, hear the stories behind the career, the competition, and The Amazing Race, and experience the kind of sports moment you’ll still be talking about long after the night is over.
Championship was team’s 10th in 13 seasons, 21st overall
Officially it’s on a year-to-year loaner, yet the American Legion District 17 tournament-championship trophy continues to remain in possession of the Vienna Post 180 baseball team.
A Starlight Cinema screening at the Sully Historic Site in Chantilly (courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority)
The dog days of August will bring free movie screenings to the Sully Historic Site (3650 Historic Sully Way) in Chantilly.
The outdoor Starlight Cinema events are a part of the “Summer Entertainment Series” organized annually by the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA). The authority is also hosting Arts in the Parks, Evenings on the Ellipse, Franconia District Nights and other programs at various parks around the county.
A sign warns drivers that an upcoming school zone in Fairfax City is enforced by a speed photo camera (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Get ready for more speed cameras in Fairfax County school zones.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors gave its support this week for the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) to move ahead with the installation of 50 additional speed cameras in school zones following the success of its speed camera pilot program.
Kate Spade New York is now open at Tysons Corner Center (courtesy Kate Spade New York)
Kate Spade New York has officially made the jump from Tysons Galleria to Tysons Corner Center.
The fashion brand opened a new store in the larger mall last Friday (July 19) after closing its Galleria location in June. Located on the second floor next to Swarovski, Kate Spade New York sells handbags, jewelry, fragrances and other accessories.