A congressional committee is urging Fairfax County to rethink its approach to the use of drones — specifically those manufactured in China.
In a letter sent to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors last month, top members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party raised national and economic security concerns related to the county’s use of drones made by DJI Technologies.
Halloween is still lurking around the corner, but Tysons Corner Center has a treat in store for anyone who wants to get a head start on their Christmas shopping lists.
Returning to Tysons after a stint at Fair Oaks Mall in 2023, Creative Collective will open a pop-up holiday shop at the mall on Oct. 25, occupying a currently vacant space on the first floor across from Camp through Dec. 24.
Northern Lights Visible in Fairfax County — Thanks to a strong geomagnetic storm, the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, became visible across the D.C. area last night (Thursday), with sightings reported from Reston and Herndon to Fairfax Station, Lincolnia and neighboring Arlington County. Thank you to everyone who shared photos with FFXnow! [FFXnow/Twitter]
Fairfax Nonprofit Joins Hurricane Milton Response — “Members of the nonprofit, Tidewater Disaster Response, had been working to ease suffering in western North Carolina but rushed down to Florida this week to be in the path of Milton.” The civilian organization deployed a four-person “swift water rescue team that’s been cross trained with chain saw and route clearance operations.” [WTOP]
Beyer Family’s Auto Dealerships Acquired — “A Fairfax-based investment group has acquired a majority stake in Beyer Auto Group. Open Road Capital closed a deal today (Thursday) on the family business of U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), the congressman confirmed with ARLnow.” [ARLnow]
Global Earthquake Drill Coming Up — “Knowing what to do before a big earthquake can determine how well you survive and recover. Join in and participate in the world’s largest earthquake drill at 10:17 a.m. on Oct. 17. Register today so that you or your organization will be counted.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]
Army to Study D.C. Area Water Supply Alternatives — “The District and its Virginia and Maryland suburbs are dependent on the Potomac River as the main — or sole — source of drinking water … The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is set to begin a three-year feasibility study of ways to bolster the resilience of the area’s water supply.” [WTOP]
Playground Near Fairfax Station Closed for Construction — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin work on replacing the wooden border that surrounds the playground at Country Club View Park. Active construction activities are scheduled to begin on October 10. Weather depending, work is anticipated to be completed by October 18.” [FCPA]
N. Va. Houses Go All Out for Halloween — “If you’re looking for more than jack-o-lanterns and scarecrows, visit the houses that have some of the best Halloween decorations across Northern Virginia.” Options include The Historic Herndon Halloween House, which teamed up with The Beastro at Queens Row to create a “space alien-themed display.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Friday — Expect sunshine and a high of around 68 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind between 5 and 8 mph. In the evening, the sky will remain clear with temperatures dropping to approximately 48 degrees, and a southwest wind of around 6 mph. [NWS]
It took a few weeks of tinkering for the lineup to be firmed up for the Flint Hill Huskies.
Now firmly in place, the arrangement has helped the perennial power girls high-school volleyball team improve, own a 17-2 overall record, and as has been the case for so many seasons, be ranked No. 1 in the Division 1 Virginia private-schools state poll.
An Oakton man has died after he was hit by a driver while riding an electric bicycle in the Fair Oaks area yesterday (Wednesday), the Fairfax County Police Department said in a news release today.
Officers responded to the intersection of West Ox Road and Tilton Valley Drive at 12:14 p.m. for a crash involving a bicyclist who was struck by a gray Kia sedan, according to police scanner traffic.
If everything goes according to plan, the Potomac School will start building a new middle school next summer, its chief financial officer says.
After wrapping up advance utility work this summer, the private school took another step toward implementing the long-planned renovation on its McLean campus (1301 Potomac School Road) last month, filing an application with Fairfax County to allow temporary classrooms while the building undergoes construction.
A Fairfax County supervisor’s request for information about creating a financial oversight body to control Metro drew rebukes from his colleagues during a meeting on Tuesday (Oct. 8).
It also led to some testy exchanges between Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity, the lone Republican on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and some of the board’s Democrats.
Fairfax County’s commemoration of the nation’s 250th birthday isn’t on the move just yet, but it soon will be.
A “mobile museum” housed in a recreational vehicle is expected to be the county government’s signature educational offering during the 2025-26 celebration of America’s declaration of independence from England, members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors heard Tuesday (Oct. 8).
The Washington Post has a new round-up of dining recommendations for the D.C. region, and two Fairfax County establishments made the cut.
Newington’s Afghan Bistro and Neutral Ground Bar and Kitchen in McLean are among the “40 Best Restaurants In and Around D.C.,” says the newspaper’s longtime food critic Tom Sietsema, whose annual fall dining guide published yesterday (Wednesday).
MS-13 Member on Trial for Murders — Elmer Alas Candray, allegedly a key leader for the gang’s Reston crew, “faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison if convicted. Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia say it is the biggest murder case they have taken to trial in recent years, with five victims in Fairfax County and one in Massachusetts killed between 2018 and 2022.” [Washington Post]
Two Injured in Vehicle Crash — “First responders took two people to the hospital after a serious multi-vehicle crash Wednesday at the intersection of Roberts Road and Collingham Drive in the Kings Park West area.” In one case, the injuries are considered life-threatening, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said. [FOX5]
Dulles Airport Access Highway Entrance Closes — “Starting Thursday, October 10, the first entrance to the @Dulles_Airport Access Highway west of I-495 will close 24/7 for paving. Westbound airport traffic should keep left and follow signs. All local traffic should keep right.” The closure will be in place through Sunday (Oct. 13). [Dulles Toll Road/Twitter]
Stir-Fry Chain to Expand Fairfax Presence — “Philadelphia-based fast-casual restaurant honeygrow recently announced that it had signed leases with two locations in Northern Virginia, one on Old Keene Mill Road in Springfield and the other at 9650 Main St. in Fairfax City. The Fair City Mall location is scheduled to open in spring 2025.” [Patch]
Look Out for Spotted Lanternflies — “It’s spotted lanternfly season … If you see adult spotted lanternflies, stomp/kill them immediately. If they evade you, then scrape them into the bottom of a cut plastic water bottle, shake it to disorient them, then dump them on the ground and stomp on them.” [Fairfax County government]
Local Schools Awarded by State — “Five Fairfax County public schools have been awarded a 2024 Virginia Board of Education Exemplar Award,” which are based on academic, attendance and graduation criteria. Sangster Elementary and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology won achievement awards, while Lewis, South Lakes and West Potomac high schools were recognized for improvement. [FCPS]
Virginia Wineries Showcase Native Grape — “Nearly two dozen vineyards and wineries are embracing the only grape native to Virginia, sharing best practices about growing Norton and turning it into wine — and getting wine enthusiasts to try it.” A wine tour organized by the new Norton Network will include events at Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton and The Winery at Bull Run in Centreville on Nov. 8-10. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny conditions and a high temperature near 63 degrees, accompanied by a north wind blowing at 6 to 10 mph. The evening will remain clear with temperatures dropping to around 42 degrees, and the north wind will decrease to 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]
