A federal judge has dismissed a Centreville High School teacher’s lawsuit alleging retaliation and violations of whistleblower protection laws by Fairfax County Public Schools after she claimed that school staff helped minors obtain abortions.
In his memorandum opinion, issued May 8, Judge Anthony J. Trenga wrote that the teacher, Zenaida Perez, had “failed to plead facts which, when viewed most favorably to her, plausibly give rise to a claim for whistleblower retaliation.”
The Fresh Market is leaving the Town of Vienna.
The North Carolina grocery chain’s last day of business after nearly 15 years at Danor Plaza will be May 31, employees confirmed to FFXnow.
The Virginia Supreme Court’s nullification on Friday (May 8) of the redistricting referendum narrowly approved by voters last month left local and state-level Democrats reeling.
The Fairfax County Democratic Committee blasted the ruling as “a stunning betrayal” of the majority of Virginia voters — including nearly 70% of Fairfax County voters — who backed the proposed constitutional amendment, which would’ve let the General Assembly implement new Congressional districts drawn to favor Democrats in 10 out of 11 seats.
Man Fatally Shot by Police on Columbia Pike — “A police standoff inside a Columbia Pike 7-Eleven ended with gunfire” last Friday (May 8). A man who had barricaded himself in the convenience store and was reportedly armed with a knife “was shot and killed after officers tried to take him into custody,” Arlington County police said. [ARLnow]
Road Closures in Fairfax, West Springfield — “Willowmeade Drive (Route 5407) between Route 29 and Knight Arch Road (Route 7699) will be closed from 7 a.m. Monday, May 11, until 7 a.m. Thursday, May 14, for Route 29 intersection work as part of the Route 29 widening project.” In addition, a portion of Taft Drive is going to be closed for about a month, starting at 9 a.m. today, for the Rolling Road widening project. [VDOT]
Vehicle Sales Approved for Office Site — “The Board of Supervisors on May 5 authorized a new use for a property in a hidden corner of Mason District with two vacant office buildings. The board passed a motion to rezone the property [at 6850 Versar Center in Springfield] from I-5 to the C-8 [district] to allow the sale of passenger vehicles.” [Annandale Today]
Some Skepticism of DOJ Investigation — “The Department of Justice says it formally launched a new investigation [last] week into Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano … But former federal prosecutor Gene Rossi is skeptical. He says the point may be the announcement rather than the investigation.” [WVTF]
Man Faces Federal Gun Charges — “A Woodbridge man faces federal firearms charges after a Feb. 18 domestic dispute in Herndon … Federal authorities took over prosecution after state-level charges of carrying a concealed weapon and obstruction of justice were dropped in Fairfax County General District Court on May 5.” [Patch]
Fairfax Native Leads Softball Team to First Title — “At the center of the breakthrough season is head coach Maggie Mrowka, a Fairfax County native who became the youngest head coach in Division I college softball when she took over the program last year. Now, in her first season leading the Cougars, Mrowka has guided Charleston to one of the biggest accomplishments in program history.” [WJLA]
Falls Church Plans Cemetery Tours — “A series of monthly walking tours will explore Oakwood Cemetery and the lives of some of those interred there,” starting at 4 p.m. on May 24. “The tours are part of Falls Church’s commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026 and are a welcome addition, said Jim Coyle, who chairs the Falls Church250 Committee.” [ARLnow]
VR Tool Offers Caregivers Insight Into Aging — “Taking care of a loved one at the end of their life can often be a stressful and confusing task, so Fairfax County wants to help. The Virginia county is offering a new virtual training series, developed by Embodied Labs, called Exploring the Dimensions of Aging through Virtual Reality.” [WTOP]
It’s Monday — Expect a 40% chance of rain before 2 PM. The weather will start cloudy but should gradually become mostly sunny, with a high near 67°F and a north wind at 7 to 9 mph. Night will be mostly clear with a low around 45°F. [NWS]
Fairfax County supervisors saluted the Garden Club of Fairfax on May 5 for its members’ efforts over the past century.
“Thank you for all you do in our community,” said Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman, who sponsored the centennial resolution while acknowledging that he, unlike club members, lacked a green thumb.
By DAVID A. LIEB and GEOFF MULVIHILL Associated Press
The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday struck down a voter-approved Democratic congressional redistricting plan, delivering another major setback to the party in a nationwide battle against Republicans for an edge in this year’s midterm elections.
The Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office isn’t backing down on its policy guidance for cases involving undocumented immigrants as defendants.
A day after the U.S. Department of Justice announced it’s investigating the policy for potential civil rights violations, a spokesperson for the prosecutors’ office criticized the probe as “the latest example of the Trump Administration’s own ‘pattern or practice’ of misusing the Justice Department to launch partisan attacks.”
Despite recent discussions regarding zoning changes in the town, Herndon has never been the target of Comstock Companies’ plans for a Fairfax County casino, the developer said in a rare public statement on the issue.
“Comstock has not proposed, pursued, or supported casino development anywhere in Herndon,” the developer said yesterday (Thursday), also denying that it has ever harbored plans for a casino in Reston.
Man Charged in Reston Assaults Arrested Again — “A man who last month entered pleas in connection with a series of assaults in Reston is facing new charges after an abduction attempt in Pentagon City last night. The latest incident happened just before 8 p.m. Wednesday on the 1400 block of S. Hayes Street.” [ARLnow]
Fire Limited in West Falls Church Business — A fire that broke out in Mavana Nails & Waxing, a nail salon in Graham Park Plaza, around 10:35 p.m. on April 28 was limited by the activation of ceiling sprinklers, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department says. “Fire Investigators determined the fire was caused by the discharge of a lithium-ion battery.” [FCFRD]
Double Murder Case Draws True Crime Interest — “The Northern Virginia au pair who had an affair with her boss and helped scheme to kill his wife and a stranger may have a good chance of selling her story. But the law limits whether she can cash in.” During Brendan Banfield’s double murder trial in January, Juliana Peres Magalhães “told jurors she was fielding calls from producers from behind bars.” [NBC4]
Opposition to Proposed Annandale Development — “Residents of Willow Run and nearby neighborhoods filled a conference room at the Mason Government Center on May 6 to confront the developer of a proposed 120-unit multifamily building at 6675 Little River Turnpike.” They argued that the building would be “inappropriate for the property.” Developer George Hong wasn’t present at the meeting. [Annandale Today]
McLean Man Sentenced for Ponzi Scheme — Warith Deen Muhammad, 39, was sentenced Wednesday (May 6) “to four years and two months in federal prison for running a $1.5 million Ponzi scheme” involving a precious metals investment business he owned and operated in Alexandria. “In addition to paying earlier investors, Muhammad used investor funds to finance what prosecutors described as a lavish lifestyle.” [Alexandria Brief]
Virginian Part of Deadly Viral Outbreak — “The Virginia Department of Health says one Virginia traveler who was aboard a cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak has returned home and is under public health monitoring … The traveler ‘is currently in good health, not showing any signs of infection,’ the department said.” [FOX5]
Hybla Valley Park Renovation Complete — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate recent improvements at Hybla Valley Park, located at 3431 Lockheed Blvd. in Alexandria, on Friday, May 8, at 4:30 p.m. … Recent improvements transformed underused areas into vibrant community spaces.” [FCPA]
County Appoints New HR Director — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has appointed Christina Peterson as director of the Department of Human Resources. Her appointment is effective Monday, May 18.” The board has also appointed Nicole Rawlings as the next director of the county’s Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs. [Fairfax County Government]
It’s Friday — Expect increasing clouds with temperatures reaching a high of around 70°F. Light winds from the northwest will shift to the southwest at 5 to 10 mph in the morning, with possible gusts up to 20 mph. Overnight, the weather will be mostly cloudy with a low around 54°F. [NWS]
Local “Blade Runner” fans who’ve thought the viewing experience could be improved by being more completely enveloped in Vangelis’ synth-heavy score now have an opportunity to live out that dream.
Later this year, Ridley Scott’s classic sci-fi noir will screen with live music at Capital One Hall in Tysons, following up on the success of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra’s (FSO) sold-out concert in March for “How to Train Your Dragon.”
