Herndon | FFXnow

Published October 23, 2026 at 3:45PM

Jubilee and her handler race down the track. (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

A crowd cheered on the winner of a race last night (Thursday) at Frying Pan Farm Park, as she approached the finish line. But Jubilee could only be coaxed to wear her crown and sash for a reluctant minute: for a Jersey cow, alfalfa and grains from local breweries were the true prize.

Jubilee was one of seven bovine contenders who took to the “track” — a smooth path around a corral — during the seventh annual NASCOW FundRACER to help support the animals at the farm (2709 West Ox Road) in the Frying Pan area south of Herndon.

Around Town

Cows compete for crown in annual NASCOW race to benefit Frying Pan Farm

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published October 21, 2026 at 1:45PM

2025 NASCOW winner JoJo with her crown and sash (Courtesy Laura B. Poindexter)

Frying Pan Farm Park’s popular bovine competition, billed as “the slowest race you will ever cheer for,” is set to return to the Herndon-area park this week.

Seven cows will take to the “race track” Thursday evening (Oct. 22) for the seventh annual NASCOW FundRACER at the farm (2709 West Ox Road) in the Frying Pan area south of Herndon. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., with cows taking to the track at 6 p.m.

News

FCPD: Herndon man charged after trying to sell drugs for a gun

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published October 15, 2026 at 11:45AM

The FCPD released this image of fentanyl and a firearm with an auto sear and extended magazine. (Courtesy FCPD)

A Herndon man was recently arrested on drug and weapons charges after allegedly attempting to sell fentanyl to an undercover police detective, the Fairfax County Police Department announced this morning (Thursday).

The 19-year-old has been charged with possession with intent to distribute schedule I/II narcotics, possession of a firearm while distributing schedule I/II narcotics, possession of an auto sear, and carrying a loaded firearm in certain localities.

News

County targets empty land near Innovation Center Metro for affordable housing

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 15, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated October 15, 2026 at 9:57AM

Land acquired by the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority at 3625 and 3627 King Johns Way in Herndon (via Google Maps)

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) is continuing an aggressive push to expand its affordable housing supply with the recent acquisition of land near the Innovation Center Metro station.

The agency announced Tuesday (Oct. 13) that it has purchased two parcels at 3625 and 3627 King Johns Way in the McNair area south of Herndon for nearly $23 million.

News

Kelvin Garcia pledges to be a ‘doer’ if reelected to Herndon Town Council

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 14, 2026 at 10:00AM

Herndon Town Council member Kelvin Garcia (photo by PJ Morgan)

If he’s reelected to the Herndon Town Council, Kelvin Garcia has no intention of becoming complacent.

The former law enforcement officer is proud of his accomplishments from his first two years on the council, including the creation of a youth advisory committee and his support of collective bargaining for the town’s police department. But he believes he still has more work to do.

News

Community activist running for Herndon Town Council backs ending use of Flock cameras

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 9, 2026 at 1:45PM

Josif Ezekilov (courtesy Friends of Josif Ezekilov)

Josif Ezekilov originally arrived in Herndon about two years ago as a community organizer for the New Virginia Majority, tasked by the civic engagement group with amplifying the voices of the town’s Latino residents.

After falling in love with the small town and moving there with his wife, Ezekilov now hopes to bring that same activist energy and focus on the needs of immigrants and the working class to the Herndon Town Council.

Countywide

Fairfax County proposes 50-year tax breaks for some affordable housing projects

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 8, 2026 at 2:45PM

A rendering of True Ground Housing Partners' proposed Dulles Greene affordable housing development (via KTGY/Fairfax County)

Fairfax County supervisors reacted enthusiastically, but with some caution this week to a staff plan that would provide long-term tax breaks for affordable housing in order to reduce initial financing costs.

Discussion at the Board of Supervisors’ Housing Committee meeting on Tuesday (Oct. 6) focused on piloting the authority newly granted by the Virginia General Assembly on two upcoming projects: Dulles Greene near the Innovation Center Metro station in the Herndon area and East County in Bailey’s Crossroads.

News

Herndon counselor sentenced to prison for child exploitation

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 8, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated October 8, 2026 at 2:02PM

The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (file photo)

A Herndon man who worked for years as a mental health counselor will spend the next three decades in prison for participating in an online group that shared sexually explicit materials of girls.

Christopher Neal Mishik, 36, was sentenced today (Thursday) to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to engaging in a child exploitation enterprise, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced.

News

Owners of Herndon’s longstanding Upholstery Shop seek to add private events hall

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 5, 2026 at 1:45PM

Designs and Interiors by The Upholstery Shop on Elden Street in Herndon (via Town of Herndon)

A family-owned interior design shop that has been furnishing Herndon homes for two generations could soon embark on a reconfiguration of its own.

The owners of Designs and Interiors by The Upholstery Shop are seeking a special exception from the Town of Herndon to allow a private events venue on the first floor of their historic downtown building at 757 Elden Street.

News

Herndon town manager fired after less than a year on the job

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 2, 2026 at 10:00AM

The Herndon Municipal Center front doors (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Town of Herndon has parted ways with its top executive less than a year into his tenure.

The Herndon Town Council voted in a closed meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 29) to “end the employment of Town Manager Dan Hoffman, effective immediately,” the town announced on its Facebook page yesterday afternoon (Thursday).