Local law enforcement is searching for a 21-year-old Baltimore woman accused of swiping jewelry from multiple victims through sleight of hand.
Cristina Milhaela Paun has been connected to two different incidents where a woman’s necklace was stolen — both on March 20, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
Herndon leaders took a long-awaited step last week to ensure affordable housing will be a priority in future development.
The Herndon Town Council directed town staff and a hired consultant on March 24 to develop guidance for promoting affordable housing until a more detailed, long-term policy can established as part of a comprehensive plan update for 2050.
Frying Pan Carousel Damaged — “A 108-year-old carousel enjoyed by generations of families in Northern Virginia has gone forever silent and still. The Fairfax County Park Authority said January’s winter storm left the antique carousel at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon severely damaged … Efforts are getting underway to bring a new carousel to the park, hopefully in the spring of next year.” [WTOP]
FCPS Calendar Changes Considered — “To address the logistical challenges frustrating some parents, several school board members, including Dunne, Melanie Meren, Ricardy Anderson and Ryan McElveen, are proposing changes. One would allow schools to remain open on Veterans Day and Indigenous Peoples Day. Another would limit early-release days at elementary, middle and high schools to no more than four per year.” [WTOP]
Pennino Building Won’t Reopen Before Summer — “The Pennino Building, which houses many of the county’s human services agencies and was damaged in February by flooding, will continue to be closed for the next couple of months, at least. The earliest the building will reopen will be in the summer,” though the county says “significant progress has been made” on repairs. [Fairfax County Emergency Information]
White House Ballroom Construction Halted — “U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon ruled Tuesday that construction on President Trump’s White House ballroom ‘must stop until Congress authorizes its completion.’ Using a notable number of exclamation points, Leon said … the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States is likely to succeed in their lawsuit and therefore he is granting a preliminary injunction to halt construction.” [NPR]
Clinics Advocate for State Contraception Funding — “Planned Parenthood clinics are urging lawmakers to move a key contraception access program back to state funding as uncertainty grows around federal health care support. Despite currently being state funded, the budget introduced by former Gov. Glenn Youngkin … shifted the Virginia Contraceptive Access Initiative to a federal funding stream.” [Virginia Mercury]
Springfield Plaza Adding EV Chargers — Electrify America has leased a portion of Springfield Plaza’s parking lot for a “large-format” electric vehicle charging station that will have about 20 chargers. The site had been used by commuters for slugging until Fairfax County opened its new parking garage in 2024, and efforts to market the space for a new retail building found no takers. [Washington Business Journal]
New Thai Restaurant in Falls Church — “After nearly a year of preparations, My Home Thai Bistro plans to host a grand opening this Saturday for its new restaurant at 1009 W. Broad Street. The new eatery aims to bring ‘a modern take on Thai cuisine with a refined yet welcoming atmosphere,’ co-owner Anuchit ‘Andrew’ Suthus-na-Ayuttaya told ARLnow.” [ARLnow]
Walk and Win Challenge Begins — “The 2026 Fairfax County Walk & Win Challenge returns April 1, inviting residents, employees, and visitors to get moving, explore their community, and win prizes — just by walking … Submit your walk by uploading a photo or screenshot along with your name, email and chosen route to be entered into weekly prize drawings.” [Supervisor Rodney Lusk/Facebook]
It’s Wednesday — Expect mostly sunny conditions with a high near 86, and a 30% chance of precipitation after 3 pm. Southwest winds will be 8 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph. Chances of showers and possibly a thunderstorm are 70% at night until 2 am. It will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
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As Fairfax County continues to plan for the future of Lake Anne, a newly conceived award will honor individuals who have helped turn Reston’s oldest village center into the community it is today.
Radhika Murari, owner of Lake Anne Plaza’s OmBaked CBD Boutique (11414 Washington Plaza West), is currently seeking nominations for the inaugural Lake Anne Good Neighbor Award.
As part of a plan to expand out east, a pizza chain currently based mostly on the West Coast has set its sights on Reston’s South Lakes Village Center.
Mountain Mike’s Pizza has secured a space at the shopping center, and intends to open at 11160-D South Lakes Drive — the former Pet Valu storefront — by the end of this year, a spokesperson told FFXnow.
The federal government has launched an investigation of its own into allegations that a Fairfax High School student groped multiple female students.
The U.S. Department of Education announced yesterday (Monday) on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that it’s opening an investigation into Fairfax County Public Schools “following reports from 12 high school girls who have credibly accused one male student — an illegal immigrant — of sexual assault.”
Teen Charged in Reston Stabbing — A teen has been arrested and charged with malicious wounding after allegedly stabbing another teen during a fight at South Lakes Village Center in Reston last Friday (March 27). “The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries,” police said. [FCPD]
Resident Trapped in Home by Fallen Tree — Firefighters from the Fairfax County and Fairfax City departments helped rescue a resident in the 10300 block of Darby Street last night (Monday) after they were trapped by a “large tree” that fell onto their two-story house. “Firefighters made entry and assisted the occupant out. No injuries. Units remain on scene.” [FCFRD/X]
Fire Consumes Lorton Boathouse — Fairfax County firefighters responded early yesterday morning to “a boathouse fire in the 10700 blk of Old Colchester Rd in Lorton. Units arrived to a fully involved boathouse with extension into nearby brush.” No injuries were reported. [FCFRD/X]
Hospitals Concerned by Health Care Changes — Hospital chains in Virginia have largely avoided publicly commenting on any concerns they’re feeling about the changes to health care imposed by last year’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act. “But that’s changing, as the reality of reduced federal funding and spiking insurance costs has set in for facilities statewide.” [Virginia Mercury]
Arabian Leopard Coming to National Zoo — “Make way, pandas, there’s a new emissary coming to town: The Saudi royals are bankrolling a $51.6 million habitat for the Arabian Leopard in the largest donation ever to the National Zoo … Construction aims to begin in late summer — with a target opening for 2029.” [Axios DC]
Commercial Landlord Files for Bankruptcy — “Broad Street Realty Inc., a publicly traded Reston real estate company that owns grocery-anchored retail centers, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation on March 20 after a turbulent year in which it lost control of its portfolio.” Its 15 properties were taken over last year by an investor affiliated with Fortress Investment Group, which planned to market them for sale, according to regulatory filings. [Washington Business Journal]
Reston Contractor Closes $2.4B Acquisition — “Fortune 500 government contractor Leidos announced Monday that it has completed its $2.4 billion acquisition of Illinois-based utilities infrastructure design firm Entrust Solutions Group … With the purchase, Leidos will effectively double its presence in the energy infrastructure market and gain more than 3,100 Entrust employees.” [Virginia Business]
Herndon Brewery Owner on Career Pivot — “After more than 20 years working at the White House, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security, he’s just opened a brewery … [Monte] is the owner of Hawkley Brewing, a newly opened craft beer hub in Herndon that represents a major career shift — and a personal reset.” [WJLA]
It’s Tuesday — Expect mostly sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high of 82°F and a southwest wind blowing at 11 to 14 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph. At night, the weather will be partly cloudy with a low of around 64°F. [NWS]
Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.
America’s birthday party continues.
The United States Mint on [March 23] unveiled a Revolutionary War-themed quarter at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, continuing the yearlong celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday.
A defense technology company in Reston will invest $7 million to expand its headquarters, potentially creating nearly 200 new jobs.
Blue Sky Innovators plans to build out a 20,000-square-foot laboratory called “SkyLab,” which will provide a secure workspace for government customers, atop its current headquarters at RTC West (12120 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 330), according to a press release.
