A longstanding staple at the South Lakes Village Shopping Center in Reston is saying farewell at the end of September.
Lakeside Asia Cafe (11130 South Lakes Dr J) will close after its last day of business on Wednesday, Sept. 30, according to notices posted outside the restaurant and on its website.
Economic headwinds and the Middle East military conflict are impacting the bottom line at Dulles International Airport.
Through July, the airport’s year-to-date passenger count of 16.3 million was down 2.6% from 2025 figures, according to new data reported by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
The Fairfax County School Board voted unanimously Thursday (Sept. 24) to ban the use of Flock cameras and other automated license plate readers (ALPRs) on school property.
The motion, introduced by at-large member Kyle McDaniel and seconded by Springfield District representative Sandy Anderson, prohibits the “installation, procurement, or leasing” of ALPRs on property owned by the school board. It has no impact on the school system’s internal video cameras, speed cameras or school bus stop-arm cameras.
Guilty Plea in Federal Agent Impersonation at Polling Place — “Officials said 44-year-old Alex Nguyen, faces three years in prison for dressing up as a Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) agent outside Timber Lane Elementary School. Armed with an air pistol that looked like a Glock, and wearing sunglasses, a blue zip-up sweatshirt with the FBI logo, and a fake badge, prosecutors said Nguyen lied to election officials that he was on assignment with the FBI’s ‘Election Security’ team several times.” [WJLA]
Fire Causes Partial House Collapse in Hybla Valley — “Crews tried to enter the house, the fire service reports but were blocked by the intense flames and a partial collapse of the second floor and front porch. Eventually, they were able to control the fire and protect a neighboring house by attacking from the exterior. The fire service also reports that it was able to cool a fuel oil tank at the rear of the home.” [Patch]
Pro-Data Center Party Held in D.C. — “On Saturday, PubKey, the cryptocurrency-themed bar in downtown D.C., hosted hundreds — a thousand RSVP’d to the Partiful invite — for a celebration of data centers. It was a party planned on the defensive, counterprogramming what the invite described as a ‘bipartisan psychosis’ over data centers.” [Washington Sun]
New Signage Unveiled at Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail —”The more than 40-mile Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail stretches across Fairfax County, connecting parks and communities along the way. Connolly died on May 21, 2025, after serving Virginia’s 11th Congressional District since 2009. Before going to Congress, he spent 14 years on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, including five years as chairman. Connolly’s family joined local leaders at Lake Accotink Park for the unveiling on National Public Lands Day.” [WTOP]
Defense Health Agency Headquarters Acquired in West Falls Church — “The sale, recorded Sept. 2, was between longtime owner GBA Associates LP and the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), which bought the 43.6-acre campus at 7700 Arlington Blvd. on behalf of the Department of War and the Defense Health Agency …” [Washington Business Journal]
FCPS Hosts First K-12 Quantum Computer — “The quantum computer planned for Skyview [High School] is about the size of a small refrigerator and is designed for learning. Students will have hands-on experience with a technology that operates very differently from the computers we use every day. They will explore fundamental quantum concepts, test problems such as finding the most efficient way to organize a schedule, and compare how a quantum computer approaches a problem with how a traditional computer would solve it.” [Fairfax County Economic Development Authority]
One of I-95 Landfill Entrances to Close — “Due to ongoing safety concerns, the Furnace Road entrance with the U-turn into the I-95 Landfill Complex will be permanently closed [as of Saturday, Oct. 10]. All traffic must use the main Mordor Drive entrance next to I-95.” [Fairfax County Public Works/X]
New Boundaries Considered at Lincolnia School — “FCPS has dropped a previous proposal opposed by many Bren Mar Park parents that called for students to move to Key Middle School and Lewis High School. Under the latest options under consideration, BMP students would continue to attend Holmes Middle School and either continue at Edison High School or move to Annandale High School.” [Annandale Today]
Timeline for Arlington’s Potential Governance Changes Holds Steady — “Pressed forward by the Arlington County Civic Association, potential governance changes could include increasing the size of the Board beyond the current five members; changing the election cycle for Board members; having some or all Board members elected by districts; and/or separately electing a chair … Likely not on the horizon is a switch to city status, since there currently is a statewide moratorium on the creation of new cities until the early 2030s.” [ARLnow]
Enforcement Ramps Up on Maryland Cars with Virginia Registrations — “Maryland law already requires residents to register their vehicles within 60 days of moving to the state. Beginning Oct. 1, the state is adding new fines and enforcement measures for residents who continue using out-of-state plates when their vehicles should be registered in Maryland. The new enforcement applies to all out-of-state tags, not just Virginia plates.” [WMAR2]
Nor’easter Batters Mid-Atlantic Coast — “The storm’s most significant impacts remained along the Delmarva coast, where rough surf, dangerous rip currents, beach erosion and coastal flooding continued. In Ocean City, officials urged residents and visitors to avoid flooded areas after storm conditions forced the cancellation of the three-day Oceans Calling festival … The National Weather Service said tidal flooding remains a concern through early Monday in some Chesapeake Bay and tidal Potomac shoreline communities, with coastal flood advisories in effect for parts of the region.” [WTOP]
It’s Monday — The weather will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures reaching a high of around 70 degrees and a northwest wind at approximately 8 mph. Overnight, the sky remains mostly cloudy with a low temperature near 60 degrees and a northwest wind of 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]
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Fairfax County leaders are setting the stage to become more aggressive and nimble in competing for economic development deals.
That could include new financial incentives for businesses seeking to relocate to or within the D.C. region.
A man who repeatedly tried to exploit a purported 14-year-old — who was actually an undercover Fairfax County police officer — for lewd images and sex last year was sentenced to 18 years in prison earlier this week.
According to court records, Mario Alexander Bonilla Canales, 50, was found guilty of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and attempted sexual exploitation of a child during a two-day bench trial held in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in June.
Whether you’re visiting a neighborhood deli, cozy cafe or bustling full-service restaurant, the best lunch spots can strike a balance between quality and speed of service. Fairfax County’s lunch spots are places regulars will return to again and again thanks to their quality menus, attentive staff and lunch specials.
Here are the nominees for “Best Lunch Spots in Fairfax County” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite restaurant below? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9.
Voting for Best Park in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, Oct. 2 at 8:30 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Fall Activity in Fairfax County. The results are now official:
Fairfax County leaders have reacted favorably to a Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) proposal for expanding Express Lanes on I-95 to reduce traffic bottlenecks.
VDOT officials sketched out their plan on Tuesday (Sept. 22) for converting the existing reversible I-95 Express Lanes, which can be used only in one direction at a time, into a bidirectional network running 45 miles from Fairfax south to Spotsylvania County.
Despite some lingering concerns, Fairfax County officials are moving forward with a large mixed-use development proposal near the Innovation Center Metro station.
At its Sept. 16 meeting, the Fairfax County Planning Commission recommended approval of several applications for the Aurora Station at Dulles development.
Fight Brewing Over Federal Worker Pay Freeze — “Over 100 members of Congress are calling on their colleagues to approve a 4.1% raise for federal employees in 2027 as opposed to enacting a pay plan proposed by the Trump administration that would prevent most civilian workers from getting an increase in their base pay next year.” [Fox5DC]
Voting Rights Being Restored for Some with Felony Convictions — “Nearly 235,000 Virginians are being notified that their felony convictions should have never kept them from voting and they can now register in time for the 2026 general election, according to the Department of Elections (ELECT) … The notifications come after months of confusion on who are now eligible voters, and as early voting is underway in the 2026 general election. [VPM]
Meeting Planned on Oakton Congestion and Safety Study — “The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is hosting the third public meeting for the Oakton Congestion and Safety Study on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, 7-9 p.m., in the Oakton High School cafeteria (2900 Sutton Road, Vienna). FCDOT will present results from the first survey, the analysis conducted for future traffic scenarios and proposals for active transportation improvements.” [Fairfax County]
Fort Belvoir’s Oktoberfest Continues Through Weekend — “The four-day festival will bring authentic German cuisine, beverages, music and dancing to the Fort Belvoir community. Guests can also enjoy a carnival, the Volksmarch 5K/10K Walk and family-oriented activities throughout the event.” [Inside NoVA]
Dolly Parton Day Events Set for Friday —Sept. 25 has been proclaimed as Dolly Parton Day, and various activities are planned around the region to mark the occasion. Among the festivities are a Dolly Parton Concert and Look-Alike Contest in Reston and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Fundraiser in Herndon. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
New Fantasy Bookstore Coming to Falls Church — “The Dark, Unbound, in the works for over a year, has been gradually taking form at 112 W. Broad Street. A new sign for the ‘mystic parlor,’ which plans to sell incense, herbs and candles in addition to books from diverse authors, says it’s planning to open this fall.” [ARLnow]
New Legal Notice — Restaurant seeks on/off-premises mixed-beverage, wine, and beer license. [Public Notices]
It’s Friday — It will be mostly sunny with a high of around 72°F. Expect a north wind at 11 to 14 mph, with gusts reaching up to 23 mph. Overnight, the weather will be mostly clear with a low of about 56°F, and the north wind will continue at 10 to 13 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph. [NWS]
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