An image of a lake surrounded by pink flowers, green foliage, and trees. Homes are on the right side of the photo. A few paddleboarders are visible in the distance.
Paddleboarders enjoy calm waters on a mild summer day at Lake Audubon in Reston. (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

Missing Swimmer Found Dead in Potomac River — “Crews have found the body of a 25-year-old man who went missing in the Potomac River south of Great Falls earlier this week. He is the third person to die after swimming in that area of the river this summer. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue said its swift water rescue team found the man’s body at 11:30 a.m. Thursday.” [NBC Washington]

Rep. Beyer Opposes Lincolnia Substation Associated with Data Center — “U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) [Thursday] urged the Fairfax County Planning Commission to deny the permit application filed for Edsall Data Center Substation 2232 at the Plaza 500 site at 6299 Edsall Road in Lincolnia, citing serious concerns about the project’s potential impacts on land use, flooding mitigation, light pollution, noise pollution, and whether this proposal is consistent with Lincolnia’s sustainable growth goals.” [Rep. Don Beyer news release]

Affordable Housing Project to Feature Limited Parking — “The Columbia Crossroads affordable housing project in the works for Bailey’s Crossroads might not have enough parking, members of the Mason District Land Use Committee said at a meeting on July 28. The seven-story apartment building will be located on the site of the Crossroads Interim Park on Columbia Pike between Radley Acura and the Alta Nova market-rate apartments.” [Annandale Today]

N. Va. Republicans Vie to Face Sen. Mark Warner — “A trio of Republicans from Northern Virginia are seeking the GOP nomination to battle Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, who’s seeking a fourth term. Warner, 71, has said this will be his last campaign to seek reelection. The candidate who wins the Aug. 4 primary will face a tough challenge against Warner, who has a big campaign war chest and won by double digits in the 2020 election.” [WTOP]

Reston Education Company Sees Leadership Shakeup — “James Rhyu is out as chair and CEO of Reston online education company Stride Inc. after 13 years with the company and five years as its top executive, the company announced Thursday. Robert Knowling, a longtime tech executive and Stride director since 2018, is taking over as CEO effective immediately.” [Washington Business Journal]

Vapes, Other Intoxicants Targeted in AG’s New Enforcement Unit — “Virginia is creating an enforcement unit to oversee the rapidly expanding market for vaping products, hemp-derived intoxicants, THC and kratom, consolidating several regulatory responsibilities within the attorney general’s office … Inspectors assigned to the unit will monitor retailers, conduct compliance checks and coordinate enforcement with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority and other state agencies. The office will also be able to pursue civil penalties and other legal action against manufacturers, distributors and retailers accused of violating state law.” [Virginia Mercury]

Parking Lot Closure at Fairfax County Government Center Starts Aug. 3 — “The work currently underway to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the Fairfax County Government Center is moving along nicely. Phase 2 of the project begins August 3. That portion of the work will result in the partial closure of Parking Lot A through September 25. The project supports Fairfax County’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2040 by expanding EV charging infrastructure for both public and county fleet vehicles at the Government Center.” [Fairfax County Public Works]

In-Person Early Voting Continues Through Saturday — “Early voting for the Aug. 4 Primary Election continues at 16 locations across Fairfax County through Saturday, Aug. 1. The Fairfax County Government Center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All other early voting locations are open weekdays from 1 to 7 p.m. On the final day of early voting, Saturday, Aug. 1, all locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.” [Fairfax County Office of Elections]

It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high of 90°F, accompanied by a gentle northwest wind at 3 to 5 mph. On Friday night, the weather will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 70°F and light, variable winds. [NWS]


News

Since opening in October 2021, Capital One Hall has drawn an array of nationally recognized musical and comedy acts, Broadway shows and even a circus to Tysons, but the performing arts venue has also opened doors for many local community and nonprofit artists.

Thanks to a Community Arts Partnership with ArtsFairfax, Fairfax County’s official arts agency, Capital One Hall (7750 Capital One Tower Road) has hosted 48 local nonprofits so far have collectively drawn more than 61,000 attendees and generated $2.4 million in ticket revenue, officials shared at a July 14 reception celebrating the collaboration’s first five seasons.


Around Town

A staple of local farmers’ markets will soon become a permanent presence at the Mosaic District.

Toimoi Bakery is targeting early 2027 for opening a brick-and-mortar storefront in the Merrifield neighborhood, co-owner Gabriel Santos told FFXnow.


A woman crosses Maple Avenue in Vienna under a banner advertising the Vienna Farmers Market (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Swimmer Missing in Potomac River — “For the third time this summer, a search operation is underway downstream of Great Falls after another swimmer disappeared in the Potomac River … The latest incident occurred on Tuesday south of Sandy Landing, where a 25-year-old man went missing after getting into the water.” [FOX5]

Va. Dems Lobbied for Early Primary Spot — “To earn a place in the early window, Virginia had to persuade the committee they could test candidates among the voters Democrats need to win a general election while offering an affordable and accessible campaign environment. Each state made a 15-minute presentation in May followed by 30 minutes of questions from panel members.” [Virginia Mercury]

Residents Object to Dominion Substation — “Residents of the Bren Mar Park area and beyond packed a meeting of the Mason District Land Use Committee (MDLUC) on July 28 to oppose Dominion Energy’s proposal for a massive substation to serve the Plaza 500 data center on Edsall Road.” [Annandale Today]

Last Push for Beyer Challengers — “With just one week to go until the primary, the four challengers to U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) are trying to stand out from the crowd. Lorena Bruner, Michael Duffin, Adam Dunigan and Mo Seifeldein are attempting to overtake Beyer in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, Aug. 4.” [ARLnow]

Police Seek Help With Theft Investigations — “The City of Fairfax Police Department is asking for the public’s help identifying suspects in three unrelated theft investigations that occurred at businesses across the city in June.” The targeted businesses were Ulta Beauty, Home Depot and a Giant grocery store. [Patch]

Vacant Falls Church Site for Sale — “The owner of vacant Falls Church lot has abandoned its plan to build a mixed-use development there and has instead put the property up for sale. The property, located at 419 W. Annandale Road in Falls Church, is just under an acre and consists of a paved parking lot and overgrown trees … JLL began circulating the listing on Monday.” [Washington Business Journal]

More Memorials Planned for Downtown D.C. — “Several long-planned memorials are finally reaching the construction phase, while President Trump pushes his own additions to Washington’s landscape, including the Arch and his National Garden of American Heroes.” [Axios DC]

Regional Pizzeria Launches Charity Campaign — “The Reston Paisano’s Pizza is asking customers to help provide meals for families experiencing food insecurity. The restaurant has launched the Community Slice Program at all of its DMV locations through its charitable initiative, Paisano’s With a Purpose, partnering with the Pruitt Foundation to provide free pizza slices to school-age children throughout the summer.” [Patch]

New Legal Notice — Applicant seeks beer, wine, mixed beverage restaurant on/off-premises license. [Public Notices]

It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 86°F and a northwest wind at 11 mph, gusting up to 21 mph. Thursday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 69°F and a lighter northwest wind between 3 and 7 mph. [NWS]

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Around Town

The annual Fairfax County Carnival and Fair will return to Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon tomorrow (Thursday) for four days of food, rides and animals.

Now in its 76th year, the event serves as the county’s signature summer celebration and a showcase for the local 4-H organization, which promotes agriculture, civic engagement, science and healthy living through a variety of programs for kids aged 5 to 18.


News

President Donald Trump officially unveiled his sought-after plan to renovate Dulles International Airport this afternoon (Wednesday) at an Oval Office event with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

A presentation of the proposal, which is expected to cost approximately $22 billion and eliminate the airport’s polarizing mobile lounges or “people movers,” was shared this spring by the newsletter Airport Architecture.


News

Tysons will be celebrated on the silver screen tonight (Wednesday) with the premiere of a short film reflecting on the first 150 years of its history.

Produced by Fairfax County’s Channel 16 as part of an ongoing “Providence Perspectives” oral history series, the 42-minute documentary will screen for the first time at LOOK Dine-In Cinemas (1667 Silver Hill Drive) at The Boro at 7 p.m.


Around Town

Idylwood and Pimmit Hills residents will have a new destination for obtaining groceries, starting next month.

Lidl announced today that its latest store will open its doors in Idylwood Plaza at 7511 Leesburg Pike on Aug. 12. The German chain is taking over a portion of the massive space vacated in February 2025 by Whole Foods Market, which relocated to Falls Church City.


News

The Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval at its July 22 meeting of a proposal that could more than quadruple the number of residential units at the Merrifield at Dunn Loring Station Apartments.

County staff’s comprehensive plan amendment would pave the way for Malkin Properties — which has owned the 35-acre garden-apartment complex at 8130 Prescott Drive since its construction in the late 1960s — to replace the existing 706 units in phases with up to 2,975 apartments in high-rise and mid-rise buildings near the Dunn Loring Metro station.


PenFed Plaza at Tysons Corner Center after some rain (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Arrest in Groveton Shooting — Fairfax County police officers have taken a person into custody following a shooting last night (Tuesday) in the 7200 block of Fairchild Drive. “One adult male was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Preliminarily, the parties are known to one another and this appears to be an isolated incident.” [FCPD/X]

Repairs Progress on Potomac Sewer — “DC Water has completed the first major phase of emergency repairs on a critical section of the Potomac Interceptor near Pennyfield Lock in Potomac, marking a significant milestone in an effort to strengthen the aging sewer line. The repairs follow the January 19 collapse of a section of the Potomac Interceptor along Clara Barton Parkway.” [MoCo Show]

Data Center Group Launches Ad Campaign — Promotional campaigns advocating for data centers and challenging critiques have cropped up in Virginia and other states considering regulations or restrictions. “They’re all part of a network of groups created by the nonprofit Data Center Coalition, an industry group hoping to improve public opinion of data centers as pushback grows.” [Virginia Mercury]

Feds Propose Transportation Funding Shift — U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has proposed cutting funding for mass transit and “Complete Streets” projects aimed at improving pedestrian and bicycle safety. “The administration’s key transportation goals include improving transit safety and security, supporting development of autonomous vehicles, ensuring freight railroad safety and building or expanding interstate highways, according to the letter.” [Smart Cities Dive]

Reston Man Arrested for Reported Theft — “Northern Virginia Community College Police Department officers have arrested a man in connection to a July 24 incident at NVCC’s Loudoun Campus. NVCC and Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the campus around 12:30 p.m. for a report of a robbery” involving a theft of $580 in cash from a car belonging to a college employee. [Loudoun Now]

New Mural Celebrated in Annandale — “The artwork, featuring the Statue of Liberty, was installed on July 24 on the fence around a construction site on John Marr Drive. Several volunteers painted the mural on June 27 at an Asian Night Market in Annandale under the direction of Omaid Sharifi, the president and co-founder of the ArtLords international art collective.” [Annandale Today]

RCC Seeks Board Candidates — “Reston Community Center (RCC) is seeking interested candidates to run for seats on its Board of Governors, a nine-member body responsible for oversight of RCC … Statements of Candidacy will be available at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, July 31 at both RCC Hunters Woods and RCC Lake Anne locations and online” until a filing deadline of Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. [RCC]

Thumbs Up for Vienna Ice Cream Shop — Frozen custard is “not an easy thing to find these days, so this summer’s opening of Whistler’s Ice Cream Extraordinaire in Vienna has brought a welcome change to my frozen dessert game. Made with an egg-yolk base, custard may be the antithesis of gut-friendly yogurt, but when treating myself, I see nothing wrong with going for it full force.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Wednesday — It will be sunny and warm with a high of 84°F. Expect northwest winds of 10 to 13 mph, with gusts reaching up to 25 mph. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy with a low of 68°F, and northwest winds around 11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. [NWS]

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