News

Fairfax County police have filed new charges against a Reston man who was already facing sexual assault and child porn allegations.

Arturo Elmore-Adon, 25, was charged yesterday (Tuesday) with seven counts of unlawful filming after detectives found videos he had allegedly taken of four girls, all of them Fairfax County Public Schools students, the Fairfax County Police Department announced today.


News

Panda Express is zooming into the Town of Herndon.

The fast-food chain will take over the former Burger King drive-thru restaurant at 598 Elden Street, proposing renovations that the Herndon Architectural Review Board will discuss at a work session tonight (Wednesday).


People eat outside at Fairfax Corner (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Schools Start Cell Phone Storage Pilot — Fairfax County Public Schools officially started requiring students at participating middle and high schools to secure their cell phones during class. At Robinson Secondary School, the policy is already getting positive reactions from teachers, parents and even students. [WAMU]

West Falls Church Homes to Be Removed — “A major stream restoration project in the planning stages is expected to reduce flooding in the Bel Air neighborhood in the Falls Church area of Mason District. The project calls for the demolition of nine homes on Barrett Road that were built on a floodplain” to allow a stormwater retention basin. [Annandale Today]

Advocates Say Help Needed for Reston Hill Residents — The local advocacy group Reston Strong “is calling on the community to contact the Hunter Mill District supervisor’s office on behalf of three elderly residents who have been told by the county they have just one week to vacate the homeless encampment on a hill near the Fairfax County Human Services Center in Reston.” [Patch]

Fries Chain From Canada Coming to D.C. Area — “New York Fries, a fast-food chain serving up NYC-style fries and hot dogs, has set its sights on the D.C. area as part of a larger U.S. expansion…The company hasn’t selected any local spots or franchise partners yet. For locations, it’s looking for space in high-traffic areas including Bethesda, Georgetown and Tysons.” [Washington Business Journal]

Stop Signs Added At Falls Church W&OD Crossings — “After a few months of construction, three intersections of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail in Falls Church have new all-way stops. These stops are now in place at the intersections of Little Falls Street, N. Oak Street and N. Spring Street.” [ARLnow]

FCPS Leaders Mostly Cheered by Test Scores — “Fairfax County Public Schools students’ standardized-test scores, with a couple of exceptions, continue to exceed those recorded statewide, officials told the School Board Aug. 29.” Officials attributed the mostly positive trends to “professional development…and a concerted effort to have counselors approach students about taking more challenging classes at earlier ages.” [Gazette Leader]

Former Nats Pitcher’s McLean Home Snapped Up — “The nearly 12,000 square-foot McLean house of former Washington Nationals pitcher and World Series champion Stephen Strasburg has found a buyer. The six-bedroom home listed for just south of $10 million back in June…went under contract with contingencies late last week.” [DC Urban Turf]

It’s Wednesday — Expect a partly sunny day with temperatures reaching up to 77°F. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy, with the temperature dropping to around 58°F and a gentle northeast wind ranging from 3 to 7 mph. [NWS]


News

A homemade ice cream parlor can set up shop in the Crossroads of Dulles after receiving approval from Herndon late last month.

The Herndon Planning Commission unanimously approved a special exception on Aug. 26 for Ice Ice Ice Cream at the office condominiums, expanding the operating hours and number of permitted seats beyond what was allowed for previous occupants.


Countywide

After two years of meticulous data collection and analysis, Fairfax County’s Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is moving into the second phase of its ActiveFairfax Transportation Plan.

Starting today (Tuesday) at 6 p.m. at the Graham Road Community Center in West Falls Church, FCDOT will host a series of in-person and virtual open houses throughout the fall to gather input from residents on enhancing the county’s extensive network of pedestrian trails and bicycle pathways.


Around Town

Reggae on the Lake, an annual event in Reston that celebrates reggae music and culture, will be back for its third year this weekend.

Hosted by Reston Community Center and the Lake Anne of Reston Condominium Unit Owners Association (LARCA), the festival will take place from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Lake Anne Plaza (1609 Washington Plaza).


A walkway to the Filene Center’s loge in Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Falls Church Man in Classified Docs Case Detained — “A civilian engineer for the Air Force who is accused of mishandling more than 150 pages of classified documents will be held in jail as he awaits trial, a federal judge in Alexandria ruled Thursday…Gun, a dual citizen of Turkey and the United States, was arrested…shortly before he was scheduled to fly to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.” [Washington Post]

Tysons Rents Are Region’s Highest — “Tysons recorded the highest median apartment-rental rate across the Washington region in August, according to new data, with tenants typically spending 4 percent more than they did a year before. The median apartment-rental rate of $2,666 for the month in Tysons compares to $2,203 for the Washington region as a whole.” [Gazette Leader]

West Falls Church Restaurant Changes Owner — “Panagiotis Fotopoulos, the new owner of the region’s storied Anthony’s Restaurant on Annandale Road just outside the City of Falls Church, has been running the establishment since June 1 while the long-time previous owners” take an extended trip to Greece. The name, employees and the majority of the menu will be retained. [Falls Church News-Press]

Virtual “Stuff the Bus” Food Drive Returns — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed September 2024 as Hunger Action Month in Fairfax County. From Sept. 1-30, 2024, individuals and community groups can make monetary donations directly to local non-profit organizations that provide food assistance in Fairfax County.” [Neighborhood and Community Services]

Airline Revives Dulles Airport Service — “Low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines will return to Dulles International Airport this fall for the first time in years, launching service to two southern destinations already served by rivals Delta and United. The Denver-based carrier…will begin service from Dulles (IAD) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta and Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Nov. 14.” [Washington Business Journal]

Metro Shakes Up Social Media Approach — “When [Whitney Nichels] was hired as Metro’s vice president of communications late last year, it wasn’t to make viral videos. But as part of her role overseeing the agency’s messaging on everything from police interventions to long-term financing, she has also casually revolutionized its Instagram and TikTok accounts.” [Washington Post]

Quantum Tech Conference Coming to Tysons — “Registration is open for the third annual Quantum World Congress, set for September 9-11, 2024, at Capital One Hall in Tysons…This year’s theme, ‘Convergence,’ focuses on exploring the value at the intersection of quantum technologies and adjacent fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, photonics, optics, and cryogenics.” [Fairfax County Economic Development Authority]

Tysons Library Book Sale This Week — “Friends of the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library will host its next quarterly book and media sale Sept. 5-8 at the library, 7584 Leesburg Pike. A wide array of items will be available for purchase from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Donations of items are welcomed in advance of the sale, and volunteers also are needed.” [Gazette Leader]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunshine and a high near 75, accompanied by a gentle 6-8 mph northeast wind. As nighttime falls on Tuesday, watch for increasing clouds and a low around 56. An east wind at 5 mph will become calm later in the evening. [NWS]


Live Fairfax is a bi-weekly column exploring Fairfax County. This week’s column is sponsored and written by Hannah Wolf of McEnearney Associates. Questions? Reach Hannah at 724-561-4816.

Hey there, coffee lovers! Looking for that perfect caffeine kick or a cozy spot to unwind?

Whether you’re a morning riser or a night owl, a visit to a local coffee shop can be just what you need. Today, I’m excited to take you on a tour through three fantastic coffee spots in southern Fairfax County, each offering not just delicious drinks but also a welcoming space to connect, unwind, and savor the moment.

Bread and Water Company

Meet Bread and Water Company! This gem started at local farmer’s markets and quickly became a beloved fixture in the Belleview area.

Why You’ll Love It:

  • Freshly Baked Goods: From mouth-watering pastries to delectable apple pie, everything is baked on-site.
  • Versatile Menu: Enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning and come back for lunch with their delicious soups.
  • Evening Delight: At night, their buns transform into gourmet dishes at their dinner restaurant, Bun Papa.
  • Outdoor Seating: Perfect for a sunny day. Don’t miss their seasonal specialty, the pumpkin pie latte — it’s a must-try!

Grounded Coffee

Nestled between Telegraph Road and S Kings Highway, Grounded Coffee is a popular spot for the Kingstowne, Groveton, and Hayfield neighborhoods.

Why You’ll Love It:

  • Ethical Brews: All their coffees are fair trade and organic.
  • Decadent Treats: Indulge in croissants, pain au chocolat, cupcakes, and made-to-order sandwiches.
  • Kid-Friendly: There’s a cute game area for kids, so moms can catch up over coffee.
  • Inviting Vibe: Think French café with Parisienne decor. Plenty of seating makes it ideal for conversations or quiet work sessions.
  • Seasonal Specialty: The crème brûlée latte is so delicious, you’ll keep coming back for more.

Cervantes Coffee Roasters

The first thing you’ll notice at Cervantes Coffee Roasters is the intoxicating aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans. This woman-owned business sees coffee as their passion and you can definitely see that in the entrance display highlighting their personal relationship with the growers of their single-origin coffees.

Why You’ll Love It:

  • On-Site Roasting: They roast all their coffees right there, ensuring the freshest brews.
  • Hidden Gem: Although the exterior is unassuming, the interior offers a welcoming, industrial vibe with plenty of seating. They also offer classes on coffee roasting and brewing, as well as host events.
  • Award-Winning Blends: Take home a pound of their award-winning Quixote blend or try their Swiss-process decaf — no harsh chemicals and tastes just like regular coffee — I promise you won’t be able to tell the difference!

Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to work, a cozy nook to read a book, or a friendly spot to catch up with a friend, these local coffee shops in Fairfax County offer much more than just a caffeine fix. Next time you need a break, consider visiting one of these local treasures.

I’ll see you there!

Do you love these spots? Are there others I should check out? Let me know in the comments or send me an email.


News

A Sterling man is facing a criminal charge in connection to a recent fatal pedestrian crash in Great Falls.

Guanglu Xia, 63, has been charged with a felony hit-and-run after he allegedly struck Giomarie Davila-Ocasio, a 26-year-old woman from Reston, and initially left the scene, the Fairfax County Police Department announced today (Friday).


Around Town

Reston’s North Point Village Center will soon swap one local bagel maker for another.

Bobby’s Bagel Cafe is set to permanently close its shop at 1484 North Point Village Center on Oct. 31, an employee told FFXnow. In its place, the popular “Jew-ish” deli Call Your Mother will reportedly rise, continuing its recent expansion into Northern Virginia.


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