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Dog critically injured in hit-and-run crash on GW Parkway, driver sought

Published March 30, 2026 at 1:45PM

Buck, a 2-year-old Australian shepherd, at Belle Haven Animal Medical Centre after he was seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash (photos courtesy Alicia Naylor)

A Belle Haven family is turning to the community for information and financial support after their beloved dog was seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash on the George Washington Memorial Parkway earlier this month.

Owner Alicia Naylor was plastering her Belle View neighborhood with flyers for Buck — a 2-year-old Australian shepherd who went missing after slipping out of his harness around 8 p.m. the previous night — when she received a call that he had been struck by a driver at approximately 5:30 p.m. on March 12.

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Longtime Reston accessibility advocate in need of support to retain housing

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 27, 2026 at 10:00AM

The Reston Accessibility Committee, with Ken Fredgren as its chair, gives a Universal Access Leadership Award to Kaiser Permanente's Allan Aziz for his help securing accessibility upgrades (courtesy Ken Fredgren)

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.

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Vienna fire department tops fundraising goal to save ‘Santa’s sleigh’

By Jared Serre

Published December 17, 2025 at 3:45PM

Vienna VFD's 1946 Maxim Fire Engine (photo via Vienna VFD/Facebook)

All is bright for the Town of Vienna’s volunteer fire department headed into the thick of the holiday season.

A recent fundraising campaign organized to provide upkeep for Santa’s special sleigh — a 79-year-old antique fire engine — shattered the initial goal by more than $27,000, the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department announced last week.

Around Town

Local eateries use desserts to raise funds for breast cancer research

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 16, 2025 at 3:45PM

Tatte at Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

For the next week, desserts will be a force for good at several restaurants and bakeries in Fairfax County.

Tatte, Bourbon Boulevard and other local establishments are participating in this year’s Bakes for Breast Cancer, an annual fundraiser that encourages bakers to donate proceeds from their dessert sales to support breast cancer research.

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Vienna fire department raising money to keep revered Christmas tradition alive

By Jared Serre

Published October 9, 2025 at 3:00PM

Vienna VFD's 1946 Maxim Fire Engine (photo via Vienna VFD/Facebook)

Vienna’s volunteer fire department needs help to keep one of its longest-running holiday traditions alive.

The department launched a fundraiser this past Saturday (Oct. 4) to provide upkeep for Santa’s special sleigh — a 79-year-old antique fire engine.

Around Town

Annual Dulles Plane Pull returns to airport this weekend

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 12, 2025 at 8:30AM

A United Airlines team participates in the annual Dulles Plane Pull (via MWAA)

Dulles Day is coming in for a landing this Saturday (Sept. 13).

The annual Special Olympics Virginia fundraiser will return to Dulles International Airport for a 34th year with a variety of activities, including the signature Dulles Plane Pull organized by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Police Department.

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Family launches GoFundMe after FCPS student, dad killed in crash

By Jared Serre

Published August 21, 2025 at 1:45PM

Isabella Rios with her mother Milenka Rios after graduating from Silverbrook Elementary School (photo via GoFundMe)

A local family is seeking help for funeral expenses after a rising South County Middle School student and her father died in a crash earlier this week.

Isabella “Izzy” Rios, 12, and Alberto Samperio, 46, were killed Sunday (Aug. 17) after their vehicle crossed a center line and struck an oncoming vehicle, the Virginia State Police said.

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Family of pedestrian killed in Lincolnia crash seeks help with funeral costs

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 14, 2025 at 1:45PM

Eastbound Little River Turnpike at Beauregard Street in Lincolnia (via Google Maps)

The family of an Alexandria man who was killed in a crash on Little River Turnpike earlier this month has launched an online fundraiser to help with the funeral costs.

Angel Benito Matom Velasco, 19, was walking in the road’s eastbound lanes past the Beauregard Street intersection in Lincolnia shortly after midnight on Aug. 1 when he was hit by the driver of a 2003 Lincoln Town Car, the Fairfax County Police Department says.

Around Town

Reston Cardboard Boat Regatta set for Lake Anne return this weekend

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 7, 2025 at 2:45PM

A team sets out from the Lake Anne Plaza dock for the 2024 Cardboard Boat Regatta (courtesy Reston Museum)

Reston’s annual cardboard boat race is set to make a splash this weekend.

The Cardboard Boat Regatta will return to the waters of Lake Anne on Saturday (Aug. 9) for a friendly competition to raise money for the Reston Museum, the nonprofit that organizes the event.

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Dramatic transformation underway at Tysons’ 1st Stage theater

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 28, 2025 at 9:15AM

Welcome banner at the entrance to 1st Stage theater in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

For its next act, 1st Stage Theatre in Tysons will get a major face-lift.

The nonprofit theater company is in the midst of a three-year campaign to raise $4 million that will be used to upgrade its home in the Spring Hill Business Center (1524 Spring Hill Road), increase staff pay, expand programming and more.