Both the past and the future were on the minds of elected officials and public safety leaders, as they gathered at the Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters this morning (Friday) to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.
During the approximately 40-minute ceremony, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Deputy Fire Chief Bill Betz led two moments of silence for those lost as a result of the attacks.
The fall equinox is still a couple of weeks away, but as temperatures and tree leaves start to drop, Fairfax County will offer an abundance of events and activities to welcome pumpkin spice season.
Here are the nominees for “Best Fall Activities in Fairfax County” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite activity below? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25.
Voting for Best Dentist in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, Sept. 18 at 8:30 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Summer Camp in Fairfax County. The results are now official:
Rechargeable batteries and pressurized gas tanks erroneously placed in the trash or recycling for regular curbside pickups have been wreaking potentially dangerous havoc on Fairfax County’s waste management operations.
Just last week, some trash collection workers were injured when a compacted gas container exploded, according to the county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES).
Local Residents Remember 9/11 — “To mark the 25th anniversary of that infamous day — in which D.C.’s tragedy is often eclipsed by New York’s — City Paper sought out the stories of those who were here when American Airlines Flight 77 felled a part of the Pentagon. From librarian Gail Kouril to City Paper’s own Darrow Montgomery, six longtime D.C.-area residents shared their memories and reflections.” [Washington City Paper]
Motorcyclist Injured in Route 7 Crash — “A motorcyclist was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after they were involved in a crash on Leesburg Pike in Fairfax County, police said. Details are limited; however, the collision happened along Leesburg Pike near Rio Drive in the Seven Corners area.” [DC News Now]
Prison Sentence for Home Contractor — “Virginia home contractor Richard Craig Tadlock was sentenced to 12 years in prison Thursday after his construction fraud conviction.” Residents testified during the sentencing hearing in Fairfax County court that “Tadlock agreed to build their homes, and either wouldn’t finish or didn’t even start the projects,” despite taking money through home construction loans. [WUSA9]
Police ID Couple Shot in Centreville — Fairfax County police are investigating the fatal shooting that occurred in a Centreville home Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 9) as a murder-suicide. “Preliminarily, detectives believe Brandon [Brown] shot his wife, Lavinia, before shooting himself.” [FCPD]
Student Killed While Bicycling Mourned — “The boy, a student at Frost Middle School, was riding home when he was struck [by a truck] on the 3900 block of Pickett Road, about a half-mile from the school. Parents said many students bike or scooter to and from Frost Middle School, and they worry about the safety of the roads surrounding the campus.” [WUSA9]
Senators Seek DCA Flight Limits — “Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Virginia Democrats, are set to introduce a bill next week that would restrict flights at National, also known as DCA, in an effort to make Washington’s chronically congested airspace safer following the deadly 2025 plane crash near the airport.” [Washington Post]
Herndon Man Indicted for Carjacking — “A Herndon man accused of taking a Jeep at knifepoint with another man inside before leading police on a pursuit through Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland has been indicted on federal carjacking and kidnapping charges.” [Patch]
DACA Renewal Delays Continue — “Virginia DACA recipients are facing months-long renewal delays that are causing their work permits and deportation protections to expire while they await approval, Richmond-area immigration attorneys tell Axios … Renewal processing times nationwide have climbed from roughly a month last year to at least 6.5 months this year, per the USCIS site.” [Axios Richmond]
Herndon Considers E-Bike Rule Changes — “The town of Herndon is considering changes to its e-bike rules to improve safety on local roads and trails.” At a community meeting on Wednesday (Sept. 9), residents shared their concerns, while Mayor Keven LeBlanc said town officials are looking into their options for potentially changing age and helmet requirements for riders of e-bikes, scooters and other vehicles. [WUSA9]
It’s Friday — There is a 20% chance of precipitation, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 81°F. Winds will be from the northeast at 3 to 6 mph. Night will remain mostly cloudy with a low around 67°F and calm winds. [NWS]
No time to read? Now you can listen to your local news. Subscribe to the FFXnow Daily Update on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.
A heavily used but awkward intersection at the heart of Vienna’s commercial corridor could get an overhaul in the coming years.
Despite some qualms about an initial concept design, the Vienna Town Council voted unanimously at its Aug. 24 meeting to enlist an engineering firm to start work on a reconfiguration of the Church Street NW and Lawyers Road NW intersection.
The Washington region will likely fall well short of its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the rise of data centers is the prime culprit.
With just four years to go, the region is less than halfway toward meeting agreed-upon emissions reduction targets by 2030, according to new data presented by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) on Wednesday (Sept. 9).
Fairfax County is proposing a revamp of its zoning requirements for food trucks, child care centers and other ancillary uses in commercial, industrial and some residential zoning districts.
As shared with the Board of Supervisors at its Land Use Policy Committee meeting on Sept. 1, the revamp would affect the regulations for associated services uses, food trucks, recycling centers, vehicle sales and specialized instruction centers.
Fairfax County is getting set for the return of its annual deer archery program, part of an ongoing population control initiative that will also include police sharpshooting at some parks.
Starting this Saturday, Sept. 12 through Feb. 13, 2027, licensed and trained archers will be allowed to target white-tailed deer at more than 100 properties across the county, including many parks, the Fairfax County Police Department announced yesterday (Wednesday).
Motorcyclist Critically Injured in Woodlawn — “A motorcyclist was hospitalized with serious injuries Wednesday evening following a crash during rush hour near Woodlawn, police said. In a post to X just after 5 p.m., Fairfax County police said officers were on the scene of a crash involving a motorcycle and a vehicle at Mount Vernon Highway and Battersea Lane, near Mount Vernon High School.” [DC News Now]
Former Student Convicted of Assault Deported — “An undocumented immigrant who was convicted of groping girls at a Virginia high school has been deported to El Salvador, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).” Israel Flores Ortiz was sentenced to serve approximately 140 days in jail in April after a judge found him guilty on nine counts of assault and battery. [FOX5]
Candidate Shares Antisemitic Videos — Shelly Arnoldi, the Libertarian candidate in Virginia’s 8th Congressional District, has shared videos on social media defending Nazi book burning and depicting an Adolf Hitler rant. She has rejected accusations of antisemitism, but similar posts shared during an unsuccessful bid to chair the Fairfax County Republican Committee drew criticism from the Jewish Community Relations Council. [ARLnow]
Data Complicates D.C. Region Driving Cliches — “Jeff Dooley, a Virginia native and current D.C. resident who runs The Washington Sun’s local and sports coverage, asked if we could confirm the D.C. region’s most enduring stereotype: Are Maryland drivers really the worst. At first glance, the data seemed to confirm our suspicions,” but a deeper dive suggests drivers with Virginia plates are most likely to be at fault. [Washington Sun]
Kaine Sees Chance to Reverse Medicaid Cuts — “During a roundtable discussion at … a food bank in Henrico County Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said he believed there’s a growing chance Congress could adjust or undo Medicaid changes the Republican-controlled legislature enacted last summer — with or without flipping Congress to Democratic control.” [Virginia Mercury]
Congressman Unveils Data Center Bills — “Rep. Suhas Subramanyam stood outside Discovery Elementary School in Ashburn, Virginia, on Tuesday. State lawmakers, local officials and community leaders gathered around him … The Northern Virginia Democrat was there to announce a package of four bills that would set national requirements for data center development.” [WTOP]
Seafood Eatery Eyes Fall Opening — Construction on Hot N Juicy Crawfish’s new restaurant in Centreville (14245H Centreville Square) is on track to finish by Oct. 23, the chain says. The company, which currently has just one location in Virginia in Falls Church, is planning to hold a soft opening near the end of October. [FFXnow]
New Paintings Celebrate Mason District — “Four paintings highlighting Mason District have been installed in the office of Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez. The artist, Todd Crespi, says he was inspired by Jimenez’ goal to celebrate the vitality of Mason District through the arts.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 89°F and a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Night will see showers and thunderstorms before 3am, then likely showers, with a low around 68°F. There’s an 80% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Support local journalism. Join the FFXnow Press Club to boost our reporting and to get upgraded newsletters.
A Fairfax County legislator on Sept. 1 was honored by the Virginia League of Conservation Voters for his work on clean energy legislation and addressing the impacts of data centers.
Del. Rip Sullivan (D-6) was one of six General Assembly members awarded by the group for their legislative leadership during the 2026 session.
