News

In 1944, eight young black women boarded a segregated bus heading from Fairfax County to D.C. and sat in the front area, setting in motion a fierce challenge to Virginia’s Jim Crow laws.

The Howard University students’ story is the subject of a new, nine-minute documentary released last week by NOVA Parks and Howard University, “The Student Bus Protest That Challenged Jim Crow.”


Around Town

Dogfish Head Alehouse’s long-awaited return to Fairfax County will take a little longer than expected.

While the restaurant had originally targeted a summer 2026 opening, owner Viswa Vasireddy has confirmed to FFXnow that the new location at 11995 Inspiration Street in Reston Town Center is now likely to open in the fall.


Countywide

More than 20,000 Fairfax County residents were counted as jobless for the 10th consecutive month in new employment data.

With 612,551 Fairfax residents employed in the civilian workforce and 20,272 looking for jobs, April’s unemployment rate of 3.2% was up from 2.8% year-over-year, according to data reported June 3 by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.


News

Police are still searching for a Herndon man who allegedly attacked people at his home and then fled the scene in one of the victim’s vehicles — with the victim inside it.

Officers were sent to the house in the 1000 block of Knight Lane around 9:40 p.m. on Saturday (June 6) after 911 received a call about an “altercation,” according to the Herndon Police Department.


Red, purple and pink flowers planted at the Vienna Town Green (photo by Amy Woolsey)

Divide Over Data Center Tax Breaks Persists — “The new fiscal year starts next month, but Virginia still has no budget. And leaders in the General Assembly are still divided over what to do about a tax break for data centers.” [WVTF]

More Details on Ex-CIA Official’s Alleged Gold Bar Stash — “The former senior CIA official found with more than $40 million worth of gold bars in his house allegedly created a fake, highly classified intelligence program that he used as a conduit to funnel millions of dollars for his personal use, according to people familiar with the criminal investigation.” [Washington Post]

Bill Would Require DHS Reports to Congress — “Rep. James R. Walkinshaw, who represents Virginia’s 11th District and serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security, introduced legislation that would require the Department of Homeland Security to notify Congress within 72 hours of any serious bodily injury or death involving people in federal custody or caused by DHS personnel.” [Patch]

Vienna Man Challenging Traffic Tickets — “A Northern Virginia man says he has spent years fighting traffic tickets tied to a car he doesn’t own, after someone allegedly created fake copies of his vanity license plate and used them on other vehicles.” The citations, tickets and violations have mostly come from D.C. and Prince George’s County in Maryland. [FOX5]

Va. Bans Weapons in Mental Health Care Facilities — “Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Thursday signed legislation prohibiting firearms and other dangerous weapons in medical facilities that provide mental health and developmental services, saying the measure will help protect patients, visitors and healthcare workers from workplace violence.” [WSET]

Road Closure in Lincolnia — “Weather permitting, Fifth Street (Route 1144) between Cherokee Avenue (Route 2246) and Chowan Avenue (Route 2241) will be closed to through traffic Monday, June 8; Tuesday, June 9; Wednesday, June 10; and Thursday, June 11, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day for drainage pipe replacement … Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs.” [VDOT]

Photos for America’s 250 Time Capsule Wanted — “The Virginia congressional delegation invites individuals across the Commonwealth to submit photographs to be considered for the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule. The delegation is collecting photographs that represent the many treasures Virginia has to offer in 2026 … The capsule will be opened on the nation’s 500th anniversary, July 4, 2276.” [Sen. Mark Warner]

MLK Pool Splash Pad Opens — “Fairfax County Park Authority welcomes the local community to beat the heat this summer at Martin Luther King, Jr. Pool — with an inclusive splash pad … The new, all-access splash pad opens for the 2026 summer season, replacing the tot pool that once stood in its place.” [FCPA]

It’s Monday — Expect sunny conditions with a high of around 83°F and an east wind at 7 to 9 mph. Night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 58°F. Winds from the southeast at 5 to 10 mph will become lighter after midnight, with possible gusts up to 18 mph. [NWS]


News

Three people employed by Fairfax County Public Schools were arrested this week for different crimes at local schools, including one case of allegedly inappropriate behavior with a student.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, Langley High School math teacher Matthew Thorsen, 38, was taken into custody at his home in Reston yesterday (Thursday) after detectives found that he had “engaged in unlawful and inappropriate contact with a student.”


Countywide

The Fairfax County government’s efforts protecting seniors from scams is about to enter the texting era.

As part of the Silver Shield anti-fraud effort of the Department of Family Services, a text-message service is being developed to provide timely but not overwhelming amounts of messages for those who sign up. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors was briefed on the program at the June 2 meeting of its Older Adults Committee.


News

A Herndon man was sentenced in Fairfax County Circuit Court today to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of his wife and a stranger he lured to their home through a fetish website. 

Brendan Banfield, a former IRS law enforcement officer, claimed that he shot Joseph Ryan after he came across Ryan attacking his wife on the morning of Feb. 24, 2023. But earlier this year, a jury convicted him of murder after prosecutors argued that Banfield and the family’s au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, set Ryan up in a scheme to murder Christine Banfield, a pediatric intensive care nurse. 


In a competitive, increasingly pricey market like Fairfax County, homeownership can seem unattainable. For those able to take that plunge, it’s important to find a trustworthy financial backer who’ll help you stay above water.

Here are the nominees for “Best Mortgage Lender in Fairfax County” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite business below? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, June 19.

Voting for Best Summer Activities in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, June 12 at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best After School Program in Fairfax County. The results are now official:

  1. U.S. Arts Center
  2. FCPS after school programs
  3. McLean’s Old Firehouse Center

Countywide

A new law from a Fairfax County state delegate will set statewide limits on minimum parking requirements years after the county completed a major overhaul of its standards.

Del. Irene Shin (D-8), who represents parts of Herndon, Oak Hill and Chantilly, introduced HB 888 to limit the minimum amount of parking that localities can require for mixed-use and residential developments within a half-mile of mass transit facilities or public transportation stations.


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