morning notes

Two Injured in Farmers Market Crash — “A woman and a child were taken to the hospital Saturday morning after an older woman drove into them at a Fairfax Farmers’ market … Fairfax County police say it happened around 11 a.m. in a parking lot near the Main Street Center. The driver is said to have confused the gas pedal with the brakes and crashed into a stand at the market, according to police.” [WTOP]

Vigils for People Killed by ICE — “Communities nationwide, including some in the DMV, held vigils Saturday for people killed during interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). There have been two instances this month, one in Texas, the other in Maine. A pack of people lined a busy intersection along Route 29 in Centreville.” [NBC4]

Va. Given Early Primary Spot — “Virginia voters may get a say in picking the next Democratic presidential nominee before most of the country does. The Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee voted [on Friday, July 24] to give the Commonwealth one of six spots in the early window of the party’s 2028 presidential nominating calendar. Virginia would go last of the six, on Feb. 29, 2028.” [ARLnow]

Crash Into Chantilly Post Office — A minivan driver crashed through the front window of a U.S. Post Office in Chantilly on Friday afternoon. Police and firefighters helped the driver extract her vehicle from the building, but no injuries were reported, FFXnow was told. [Reddit]

Judge Rules Against Abortion Drug Restrictions — “A federal judge in Virginia ruled Thursday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration did not sufficiently justify restrictions imposed in 2023 on a drug used to terminate early pregnancies, adding another layer of complexity to a string of legal cases with opposing goals that could affect future abortion access.” [Virginia Mercury]

Regulator Refuted Data Center Pollution Report — “Internal emails obtained by POLITICO through a public records request paint a portrait of an agency that moved quickly to defend the only data center in Virginia that is powering itself — in what former officials and environmental health advocates described as an unusual effort to shape the debate around an industry whose global epicenter is in the state.” [Politico]

New Wine Shop Opens at Lake Anne — “Opening the door to Kinship Wine + Wares feels like you’re stepping into your friend’s cozy living room. That was the goal for owner Jennifer Monago at her new shop at Reston’s Lake Anne Plaza. There, you can try the certified sommelier’s favorite wines and browse the curated vintage décor.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Open House on Reston East Plan Tonight — “Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn invites residents to a July 27 open house on the Reston East Planning Study. This study will consider changing the Comprehensive Plan to allow residential development in the area north of Sunrise Valley Drive between Upper Lake Drive and Hunter Mill Road.” [Hunter Mill District Office]

It’s Monday — Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m., with mostly sunny skies and a high of 87°F. Chance of rain is 50%. Monday night will be partly cloudy with a low of 70°F, with a 30% chance of precipitation. [NWS]

Motorcyclist Killed in Fairfax Station Crash — Fairfax County police responded last night (Thursday) to “a fatal crash involving a motorcycle at Ox Rd and Chapel Rd in Fairfax Station. The adult female motorcyclist was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the other vehicle remained on scene.” [FCPD/X]

Sen. Warner Making Final Reelection Bid — “U.S. Sen. Mark Warner said that, if he’s reelected in November, this upcoming term would be his last, Daily Press reported. Warner said that he believes it was time to bring younger people into office. The senator is 71 and would be 78 at the end of the next term.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Metrobus Ridership Dips After Overhaul — “A year after the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority reconfigured its entire bus network with the goal of improving service, ridership is down and buses are actually moving slower than they were before – frustrating both riders and Metro officials alike.” [The 51st]

History of Va. Gun Debate — A Virginia Declaration of Rights clause supporting “a well-regulated militia” didn’t address individual gun ownership until “1971, when Virginia amended Section 13 to add, ‘the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.’ That’s the moment gun rights and militia rights became legally braided together in Virginia, and why untangling them in court today might be difficult. ” [Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism]

New Watch Boutiques in Tysons Galleria — “The new 2,800 square foot Rolex boutique opened this month alongside a Patek Philippe showroom … Rolex and Patek Philippe have been relocated to the new 2nd floor position at the main entrance to Tysons Galleria and part of a recently upgraded cluster of prestigious brands including Cartier, Prada and Balenciaga.” Louis Vuitton also recently expanded its store at the mall. [WatchPro]

Lifeguards Honored for Pool Rescue — “Four Fairfax County Park Authority staff members were recognized on July 16 with lifesaving awards from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department for their extraordinary actions during a water emergency at Providence Recreation Center earlier this year.” [FCPA]

Peach Truck Visits Springfield Town Center — “The Peach Truck is coming to Springfield Town Center on Sunday, July 26th from 1-2:30pm! Don’t miss your chance to grab a box of fresh, juicy peaches — picked at their peak and bursting with flavor. It’s the perfect way to sweeten up your summer.” Pre-orders are closed, but walk-ups will be allowed “while supplies last.” [Springfield Town Center]

Job Openings at Burke Lake Park — “Spend the rest of your season at Burke Lake Park, one of Fairfax County’s most beautiful outdoor destinations! Positions are available to start immediately and continue through the end of the season in October. Drop-in interviews will be held at the Burke Lake Park Information Center on July 29-31 and Aug. 5-7 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.” [FCPA]

New Legal Notice — Restaurant applying for on/off-premises wine and beer license. [Public Notices]

It’s Friday — Expect mostly sunny weather with a high of about 82 degrees, and a calm wind that will pick up to 5 to 8 mph from the east in the morning. Night will be mostly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 65 degrees. [NWS]

Dulles Airport Roads to Close Overnight — “Construction alert: Arrivals & departures roadways will be closed at the Main Terminal from 11 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday this week for construction. Drivers should follow the detour to rideshare lanes for passenger pick up and drop off. Allow extra time.” [Dulles Airport/X]

Former CIA Director Dies — “R. James Woolsey Jr., a Rhodes Scholar and lawyer who led the CIA and the rest of America’s intelligence community for two troubled years during the Clinton administration, as the nation’s spy services struggled to adapt to the post-Cold War era, died Tuesday at his home in Washington. He was 84.” [Washington Post]

Assault Gun Sales Resume — “Gun shops across Virginia resumed sales of assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines [on Tuesday, July 21] after a statewide injunction blocking enforcement of the new ban officially took effect.” Multiple lawsuits challenging the state’s restrictions, including one filed by the Trump administration, are still working their way through the court system. [WSET]

Va. Drivers See Gas Prices Soar — “Virginia households have paid $573 more for gas since the U.S.–Iran war began in late February, a recent congressional report found, placing them among the citizens who have experienced the highest fuel costs jump in the nation … According to the report, Virginians have paid $1.8 billion more for gas since February.” [Virginia Mercury]

Algae Bloom Spotted in Lake Anne — “RA’s watershed team has discovered a small amount of blue-green algae in areas around Lake Anne … At this time, there are currently no restrictions on boating or fishing, but [stand-up paddleboard] rentals have been temporarily suspended on Lake Anne. Members are advised to avoid contact with lake water.” [Reston Association]

Culmore Clinic Relocating Again — “Five months after the Culmore Clinic moved to a temporary location in Bailey’s Crossroads while a new permanent space is being constructed, it’s being forced to move again … The Culmore Clinic’s new space will be located in a 13-story high-rise office building at 6400 Arlington Blvd., Suite 940B, at the Seven Corners interchange.” [Annandale Today]

More Housing Considered Near Fairfax Border — “The Prince William Board of County Supervisors on Tuesday voted to initiate — albeit not yet approve — two sprawling comprehensive plan amendments” for 256-acre Manassas Preserve and 293-acre Catharpin Valley Estates developments that, combined, could “bring nearly 4,000 new homes to western Prince William.” [Inside NoVA]

Metro Reviews Possible Train Platform Doors — “Metro released renderings of train platform doors that could soon be coming to D.C. Train platform doors are a part of WMATA’s rail modernization plan. They’re used for extra safety, preventing anyone from falling, being pushed or jumping into the train tracks.” [WUSA9]

It’s Thursday — The weather will be partly sunny in the morning, becoming fully sunny later in the day, with a high of around 80°F. Expect a gentle north wind at 5 to 7 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to about 63°F and calm winds. [NWS]

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Call for Special Session on Dominion Merger — “As the State Corporation Commission prepares to begin a months-long review of the potential merger of Virginia’s largest electric utility company Dominion Energy and the Florida-based NextEra Energy, two Republican state lawmakers on Tuesday urged Gov. Abigail Spanberger to host a special legislative session that would allow a vote to extend the review period.” [Virginia Mercury]

Two Injured in GW Parkway Crash — “A serious crash on GW Parkway injured two construction workers and left passengers trapped inside a flaming vehicle on Friday night, authorities say … The crash took place around 10:40 p.m. on southbound GW Parkway near the Boundary Channel exit.” [ARLnow]

Fired Immigration Judges Sound Alarm — “It used to be rare for immigration judges to be fired, and they were generally only fired following serious complaints or issues,” according to Anam Petit, a former judge at Annandale Immigration Court. “But since January 2025, the Trump administration has fired more than 113 out of around 700 immigration judges without cause or explanation,” and many others have been reassigned, accepted buyouts or retired early. [Charlottesville Tomorrow]

Reston Man Arrested for Sterling Shooting — “A Reston man has been arrested in connection with a non-contact shooting that happened in Sterling on July 5. Around 2:22 a.m. on July 5, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Community Plaza for a report of shots fired near Tipicos Los Amigos restaurant. No one was hurt in the shooting.” [Loudoun Now]

Lincolnia Data Center Plans Filed — Starwood Capital Group has submitted a permit application and plans for the first building in its controversial Plaza 500 data center development on Edsall Road near the Bren Mar neighborhood. “The first two-story building, named ‘Plaza 500 South,’ is planned to be 226,469 square feet and stand 75 feet tall,” though the company is still waiting approval of an electric substation on the 34-acre site. [Washington Business Journal]

County Raises Awareness of Domestic Violence Indicators — “Strangulation often leaves little or no visible evidence, but Fairfax County officials say it is one of the strongest warning signs that someone experiencing domestic violence may later become the victim of homicide.” That concern will be the focus of an upcoming training for those who work with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. [Patch]

Va. Eases Rules for Birth Record Requests — “Adult adoptees born in Virginia can now request a copy of their original birth certificate without obtaining a court order, following the enactment of House Bill 301, which took effect July 1, 2026.  Previously, adoptees were required to secure a court order before accessing their original birth records.” [Virginia Department of Health]

FCPD Drone Program Wins Award — “The Fairfax County Police Department’s (FCPD) Drone as First Responder (DFR) program was recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo) with a 2026 Achievement Award and selected as Best in Category for Criminal Justice and Public Safety, the organization’s highest honor within the category.” [FCPD]

It’s Wednesday — There is a 50% chance of precipitation, with partly sunny skies and a high near 85°F. Night will have a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm, with mostly cloudy conditions and a low around 65°F. [NWS]

There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.

Hearing on Jimenez Reckless Driving Charge Postponed — “The reckless driving charge against Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez has been continued to Sept. 21 … The Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney asked to be recused from the case, so Judge Darwyn Easley on July 20 in Traffic Court granted a request by Jimenez’s attorney, Makan Shirafkan, to continue the case.” [Annandale Today]

Seven Corners Apartments Expansion Approved — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on July 14 approved a rezoning of the Cavalier Club apartments in Seven Corners to permit an additional eight-story apartment building with 238 units … The existing 12-story, 220-unit Cavalier Club building will remain.” [Annandale Today]

Springfield Man Convicted in Child Sex Abuse Materials Case — “Police began investigating 39-year-old Nathaniel Lee, who worked as a tax preparer and Franconia Museum guide, in December 2022. Lee was requesting child sex abuse images on the file sharing network Freenet, prosecutors said … Lee was convicted Monday following a bench trial on three total counts in connection to his possession of the images and is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 6.” [WTOP]

Local Schools Given Some Funding Flexibility — “Virginia schools will have greater agency in administrative decisions and flexibility in how they spend federal funds heading into the upcoming school year, potentially affecting low-income student programs and teacher development.” The change is intended to reduce time spent on paperwork, but some worry it will result in funding shifting away from students who need the most resources. [Virginia Mercury]

Arlington to Ban Gas Leaf Blowers — “County Board members on Saturday adopted a 29-month phase-out period for gas-powered leaf blowers countywide, a timeframe officials said would help to make sure the transition goes smoothly.” County staff acknowledged that a challenge to the ban in court might be dicey, considering the General Assembly has yet to explicitly give localities the authority to regulate gas-powered leaf blowers.  [ARLnow]

Mahjong Club Sets Opening Date — “The wait is almost over! We’re thrilled to open the doors of The Bamboo Room and welcome the Vienna community into our new home!” A soft opening is planned for the new social club at 101 Church Street NW, Unit D, on Aug. 2 from noon to 4 p.m. [The Bamboo Room/Instagram]

Early Fundraising Leaders in Fairfax City Elections — “City Council candidate Steve Chang has emerged as the early fundraising leader in Fairfax City’s 2026 election, while mayoral candidate Kirsten Sides Lockhart reported the highest fundraising total among candidates running for mayor, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Virginia Department of Elections.” [Patch]

Charity Softball Game Planned in Chantilly — “Calling all Chantilly Youth Association (CYA) and the Southwestern Youth Association (SYA) alumni: Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Friends (ECLP) is hosting a charity softball game on Saturday, July 25, from noon to 3 p.m.” Funds will go toward scholarships for programs at the park. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Tuesday — Expect showers and possible thunderstorms with a high near 91°F. There’s an 80% chance of rain, with up to half an inch expected. Night will bring more showers and thunderstorms, particularly before 2am, with lows around 73°F. [NWS]

Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.

Banfield Appeals Murder Conviction — “Brendan Banfield, the Northern Virginia man convicted of killing his wife and a stranger in an elaborate plot to be with the family’s au pair, filed notice he will appeal his murder conviction and life sentence. Banfield’s attorneys filed the notice Friday to the Court of Appeals of Virginia, court records show.” [NBC4]

Lorton Man Charged in Fatal Pedestrian Crash — “Nearly three months after a woman was killed crossing the street in Old Town North, a Lorton man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and failure to yield to a pedestrian causing death.” [ALXnow]

Fairfax Starts Phasing Out Pennies — “Fairfax County, Virginia, leaders [last] week approved a plan to round cash transaction totals up or down to the nearest nickel, a step that comes in response to the lack of new penny coins being produced … The change comes after the U.S. Mint stopped making new pennies last November.” [WTOP]

Kevin Bacon Visits GMU as Volunteer — Actor Kevin Bacon “stepped on to the campus of George Mason University Sunday to volunteer with his nonprofit, appropriately called ‘SixDegrees.Org’ … About 100 volunteers packed about 35,000 meal kits that will be distributed in Fairfax County.” [NBC4]

Driver Injured in I-495 Crash — “Virginia State Police (VSP) said a driver was seriously injured after a crash on Interstate 495 on Friday afternoon. According to a VSP spokesperson, the crash happened around 3 p.m. on I-495’s southbound lanes near Route 29 in Fairfax County” after a tractor-trailer appears to have “failed to slow down enough for upcoming traffic.” [DC News Now]

Child Care Center Approved for Lincolnia — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on July 14 approved a zoning special exception for a childcare center on Fairland Street, Lincolnia, next to the Braddock Road intersection, to serve up to 50 children. The applicant and property owner, Deyi Awadallah, initially requested that the center accommodate up to 99 children.” [Annandale Today]

Fairfax City Reviews Zoning Rules — “A proposal intended to bring Fairfax City’s zoning rules in line with its small area plans prompted a broader City Council debate Tuesday over building heights, residential density and the pace of development. The second draft would establish an Activity Center Zoning District for properties in Northfax, Fairfax Circle, Kamp Washington, Old Town Fairfax and Pickett and Main.” [Patch]

Praise for Puerto Rican Restaurant in McLean — “Three years on, Pikoteo is still serving smoked meats, creative appetizers, and chalkboard specials every day. Tucked into a quiet back street near downtown McLean, it’s no surprise the restaurant remains largely undiscovered — even by many locals. But that’s a shame. There aren’t many places left where a pair of diners can share three delightful courses for less than $100.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

New Legal Notice — Applicant seeks ABC brewery license; objections due in 30 days. [Public Notices]

It’s Monday — The weather will be mostly sunny today, with a high of around 85°F. Expect light winds that will shift to the south at about 6 mph in the morning. Overnight, there is a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m., with increasing cloudiness and a low of around 70°F. Winds will be from the south at 5 to 8 mph. [NWS]

More Heat, Smoke and Storms Expected — “Fairfax County residents face a mix of weather hazards over the next several days. Smoke from Canadian wildfires is reducing air quality now, and forecasters expect heat and severe thunderstorms to build in by the weekend.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Nonprofit Youth Programs Shut Down — “Second Story, a nonprofit that serves youths and families in underserved areas, learned with very little notice that four of its programs were at risk of closing on July 1 ‘due to unexpected interruptions to long-standing funding sources,’ said Chief Executive Officer Jade Leedham. Second Story was able to save the Culmore Teen Center, at least temporarily, thanks to donations, but shut down the Safe Youth Projects in Culmore, Annandale, and Springfield.” [Annandale Today]

Dominion Officially Files for Merger — “Dominion Energy on Wednesday submitted their official arguments to the State Corporation Commission to allow the utility to merge with the Florida-based NextEra … The SCC now has six months to review the arguments, hear testimony from both sides and make a decision on if the merger will succeed.” [Virginia Mercury]

New Acting U.S. Attorney Appointed — Former Arlington Commonwealth’s Attorney Theo “Stamos has been appointed first assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. With the U.S. Attorney position currently vacant, she also will serve as acting U.S. Attorney until the post is filled permanently.” [ARLnow]

Youngkin Joins Tysons Company — “Virginia’s former Gov. Glenn Younkin has made a return to the private sector. Youngkin has joined Tysons-based company Red Cell LLC as a partner, chairman, and board member … Youngkin’s appointment at Red Cell follows months of speculation about his future plans, including whether he would return to politics.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Dominion Faces Data Center Connection Backlog — “For years, the number of data centers asking for connection dates from Dominion Energy had been a secret … Now a State Corporation Commission hearing has parted the curtain. What it revealed surprised and infuriated the one dozen data center companies, citizens, and environmental groups that participated.” [Prince William Times]

Negative Approval Rating for Spanberger — “The Summer 2026 Commonwealth Poll, released Wednesday by Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, found 44% of registered voters approve of the job Spanberger is doing as governor, while 47% disapprove. Nine percent said they were unsure. Voters cited economic concerns as their top issue.” [Virginia Scope]

National Ice Cream Day Deals in Fairfax — Moo Thru’s Herndon and Burke locations will celebrate National Ice Cream Day this Sunday (July 19) with 10% discounts on all sales. Meanwhile, Dolcezza will mark that occasion and its 22nd anniversary by offering free scoops of its limited-edition Chocotorta gelato on Tuesday, July 21 from 5-7 p.m. at all locations, including the Mosaic District.

It’s Friday — This afternoon, expect widespread smoke mainly after 2 p.m., with mostly sunny skies and a high near 92°F. Tonight, there is a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m., along with widespread smoke. Conditions will be partly cloudy with a low around 74°F. [NWS]

Wildfire Smoke Enters D.C. Region — “Wildfires burning in parts of Minnesota and western Ontario, Canada, are sending thick plumes of smoke toward the eastern United States.” Smoke concentrations “may increase modestly in the DC area, especially across northern Maryland,” today. An Code Orange air quality alert has been issued for Northern Virginia. [Capital Weather]

Supervisor Charged With Reckless Driving — “Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez has been charged with reckless driving for going 104 miles per hour in a 70-mph zone. Jimenez is scheduled to appear in the Fairfax County General District Court on July 20, 9:30 a.m. The traffic stop, by Virginia State Police trooper Alex Pak, occurred on May 5.” [Annandale Today]

Diarrhea-Causing Parasite Cases Reported in N. Va. — “Ten cases of cyclosporiasis were reported in Virginia between the start of the year and June 6, including four in Northern Virginia, according to data from the Virginia Department of Health. That’s compared to a year-to-date average of 6.6 cases statewide.” [ARLnow]

FCPD Expands Use of AI Tech — “Following a pilot program, Fairfax County police are using AI-equipped body cameras to translate 57 languages … Fairfax also uses AI to assist 911, handling transcriptions and deploying drones to incidents. In some cases, the AI deploys a drone to a scene and the drone pilot has eyes on an incident before officers can arrive in person.” [NBC4]

DOJ Bid for Va. Voter Rolls Dismissed — “A U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit seeking Virginia to hand over its voter rolls to the federal government has been tossed out by a federal judge … The ruling found that the Civil Rights Act does not require Virginia to provide the federal government with unredacted voter rolls.” [ALXnow]

Nightlife Spot Taking Over Chantilly Bob Evans — “An interesting new restaurant and lounge is in the works for the Route 50 corridor in Chantilly.” Taking over the former Bob Evans building at 14050 Thunderbolt Plaza after plans for Raising Cane’s fell through, Neat High Fidelity Indian Lounge will offer “elevated Indian flavors, handcrafted cocktails and magnetic nightlife,” owner Kishan Bikki says. [The Burn]

Reston Student’s Book Shared With County Board — At the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday (July 14), Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn distributed “copies of a book written and illustrated by Lake Anne Elementary School fourth-grader Amaya Samba” with his colleagues. “The small booklet, titled ‘My Mindful Minis,’ was created by Samba to help children and adults manage stress and anxiety.” [Hunter Mill District Office]

D.C. Cracking Down on Ticket Scalpers — “The DC Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to pass the Restricting Egregious Scalping Against Live Entertainment (RESALE) Act, which implements key protections for consumers when buying tickets for live music and theatre. In effect:  concert’s tickets should get a lot cheaper.” [Washingtonian]

It’s Thursday — Expect patchy smoke from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with mostly sunny and hot conditions, reaching a high near 100°F and a heat index up to 104°F. Night will be partly cloudy with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., followed by patchy smoke. The low will be around 76°F. [NWS]

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Heat Could Push D.C. Closer to Record — “With highs forecast to flirt with the century mark Wednesday and Thursday, DC’s total of 100-degree days this year could climb even higher up the record books. DC currently has four days at or above 100 degrees, tied for the eighth-most in any year since modern records began in 1872.” [Capital Weather]

FCPD Uncovers Drug Ring — “A Sterling man has been charged following a Fairfax County Police Department investigation into a drug-dealing ring operating in Loudoun and Fairfax counties … According to court filings, FCPD Narcotics Unit detectives began investigating a drug dealing ring earlier this year” with a sting operation that involved undercover detectives buying cocaine. [Loudoun Now]

Va. Gets Piece of Cash App Settlement — “Cash App’s parent company will pay $45 million and overhaul its fraud prevention and customer service practices under a multistate settlement, resolving allegations that the popular payment app failed to protect users from scams while misleading them about the security of customers’ money.” Virginia is slated to receive about $845,000, Attorney General Jay Jones says. [Virginia Mercury]

New Coffee and Pastry Shop in Reston — “A new coffee and sweet shop opened this past weekend in Reston. It’s called MOTW Coffee & Pastries. MOTW is located at 11830 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 200 … MOTW Coffee & Pastries is a growing national brand with more than 20 locations scattered around the country.” [The Burn]

Gallows Road Development Advances — “The Fairfax County Planning Commission recommends approval of a Comprehensive Plan amendment that would allow the development of 32 single-family homes on Gallows Road in Annandale. The new development, proposed by Madison Homes, would replace 11 existing homes along Libeau Lane and the Raintree townhouse community.” [Annandale Today]

Fairfax Nursing Center Unveils Renovation — “Fairfax Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has completed a $1.5 million renovation of its facility, marking the largest modernization of the skilled nursing center in more than five decades. More than 130 guests gathered June 26 to celebrate the completion of the project, according to the facility.” [Patch]

Miss Virginia Pageant Comes to Tysons — “The Miss Virginia USA and Miss Virginia Teen USA pageants are scheduled for July 17 through the 19, 2026. Brandon McLaughlin will serve as the official host for the three-day event, which takes place at Hilton McLean Tysons Corner.” [DC News Now]

Burke Library Hosts Colonial Game Day — “Step back in time at Colonial Games Day at Burke Centre Library as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday! Families are invited to try their hand at classic games enjoyed by children over 200 years ago, including hoop rolling, ring toss, marbles, jump rope, dominoes, checkers, and sack races.” The event is set for this Saturday (July 18) at 1 p.m. [Fairfax County Public Library]

It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny and hot weather, with temperatures reaching a high of around 101°F and a west wind blowing at 7 to 10 mph. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to about 79°F and a west wind ranging from 6 to 9 mph. [NWS]

There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.

Man Sentenced for Halloween Shooting — “A 31-year-old man who opened fire at a 2020 Dale City Halloween party, killing two guests and wounding two others, will likely spend the rest of his life in prison. Karriem Jackson was sentenced July 10 by Circuit Judge Robert Coleman, receiving a total of 198 years with 55 years suspended, resulting in 143 years of active prison time.” [Inside NoVA]

Va. Joins Rooftop Solar Initiative — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced that Virginia is partnering with the nonprofit Switch Together to help bring down the cost of solar array purchases for homeowners who want to install them on their homes … The organization acquires the solar arrays through a reverse auction where the seller tries to outbid other companies, which allows homeowners to then buy the solar panels for a reduced rate.” [Virginia Mercury]

Townhouse Fire Under Investigation — Fairfax County firefighters responded just after 10 a.m. yesterday (Monday) to a fire in a three-story townhouse garage in the 5800 block of Iron Willow Court in the Kingstowne area. “Units were able to contain the majority of the fire to the garage and to the fire unit occupancy … No firefighter or civilian injuries. Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.” [FCFRD/Facebook]

Walk for Peace Enters Fairfax — “A man with three goats has been seen walking through Fairfax in recent days with a heavily loaded wagon. According to news reports, his name is Jacob Holiday, and he’s walking across the country to Washington, D.C., with the goal of singing the John Lennon song ‘Imagine’ at the Capitol steps to promote peace.” [Annandale Today]

Union Protests Waymo’s D.C. Plans — “Waymo and competitors including Uber and Lyft sat down before the D.C. Council on Monday for a hearing on the future of autonomous vehicles in the District. Outside the Wilson Building, union members said many human drivers will lose their jobs if D.C. gives self-driving taxis the green light.” [NBC4]

LEGO Display Coming to Tysons — “A new interactive LEGO display highlighting Fairfax County’s history, landmarks and communities will open later this month at Tysons Corner Center as part of the county’s 250th anniversary celebration.” The exhibit will be formally unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 22. [Patch]

Meeting on Chantilly Library Relocated — “Fairfax County is in the very early concept stage of exploring the possibility of redeveloping the Chantilly Regional Library site to include a new regional library, affordable housing, and a new technical operations facility … Due to high demand for the first community meeting, the county has moved the location to the Chantilly High School cafeteria.” [Sull-E Newsletter]

Seven Corners Teens Learn to Code — “Twenty-six middle and high school students from the Willston area of Seven Corners completed a free one-week Coding Bootcamp on July 10 hosted by Communidad. The program, held at the Willston Multicultural Center, introduces students to programming fundamentals, machine learning concepts, and real-world problem-solving through project-based activities.” [Annandale Today]

It’s Tuesday — The weather will be sunny, with temperatures reaching a high of 91°F. Winds will be calm, shifting to the southwest at about 5 mph in the afternoon. At night, skies will remain clear, with temperatures dropping to around 72°F and southwest winds at 5 to 7 mph. [NWS]

Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.