Around Town

Good Friday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — May 1, 2026.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  • Fairfax County board agrees to reduce tax rate, restore some proposed cuts in budget (29526 views)
  • Free outdoor concerts return to Reston Town Center, starting in May (19710 views)
  • Bed Bath and Beyond coming to Fairfax County’s Container Stores (17364 views)
  • VDOT to present plan tomorrow for widening Route 7 in Tysons (12442 views)
  • FCPD: Four arrested for distributing drugs out of Mount Vernon motel (10987 views)
  • County planners consider future of development in office-heavy Reston East (9391 views)
  • In wake of Fairfax murder-suicide, new Va. laws aim to prevent similar violence (9215 views)
  • Squirrelly discovery in Fairfax resident’s car highlights spring uptick in animal encounters (9046 views)
  • Garbage truck skips over curb, crashes into Lorton house (8812 views)
  • Westpark Plaza developer pitches redesign to revive stalled Tysons project (8639 views)
  • Dulles Airport introduces new, nonstop flights to South Korea (8632 views)
  • Fairfax City seeks input on how to improve crash-prone Main Street intersection (8489 views)
  • Fort Belvoir nurse charged with plotting to assist separatist fighters in Cameroon (8367 views)
  • Where to find live music in Fairfax County this summer (8118 views)
  • 📅 Upcoming events

    Here is what’s going on Saturday throughout the county, from our event calendar.

    Here are the events planned for Sunday:

    ☁️ Saturday’s forecast

    Expect mostly cloudy skies today with temperatures reaching a high of around 60°F. Winds will come from the north at 8 to 10 mph, with occasional gusts up to 20 mph. Tonight, the skies will be partly cloudy, and temperatures will drop to a low of approximately 42°F. Northwest winds will blow at 6 to 9 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

    🌅 Tonight’s sunset

    The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

    We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋


    News

    Once part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon plantation, River Farm is now a historic landmark that has been owned by the American Horticulture Society (AHS) for over five decades. Its gardens and scenic views play host to special occasions such as weddings and memorial services.

    The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust and American Horticulture Society announced that River Farm has received formal, permanent protection with a conservation easement, a milestone celebrated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony this afternoon (Friday).


    Countywide

    Flags across Virginia will be lowered next Monday (May 4) to honor the memory of Dr. Cerina Fairfax and other victims of domestic violence.

    Gov. Abigail Spanberger ordered today (Friday) that U.S. and Virginia flags be flown at half-staff on all state and local government buildings and grounds from sunrise to sunset, expressing a commitment to “helping those who face domestic violence or the threat of domestic violence.”


    Around Town

    A new weekend brunch is coming to NAJA Mediterranean at the Mosaic District in Merrifield, inspired by traditional breakfasts across the Middle East and Mediterranean.

    Restaurateur Tariq Alaeddin’s eatery, described as a “love letter from Beirut to America,” is hosting its first weekend brunch tomorrow (Saturday) at 2911 District Avenue.


    Opinion

    When purchasing a house or other property, it’s helpful to have a trusted partner to assist with research and the financial process, ensuring you’re getting what you’re paying for.

    Here are the nominees for “Best Title Company in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite business below? Write them in!

    Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, May 15.

    Voting for Best Real Estate Agent for Sellers in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, May 8 at 8:30 a.m.

    Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Moving Company in Fairfax County. The results are now official:

    1. JK Moving Services
    2. VanGuard Moving Express
    3. Bookstore Movers

    Around Town

    The Seven Corners store that once housed a Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts is getting a makeover as a new Japanese lifestyle store filled with Hello Kitty and Pokémon plushes and figurines, imported snacks and drinks, beauty products, and household goods.

    Ebisu will host its grand opening at 6320 Seven Corners Center at 11 a.m. today (Friday). The ribbon-cutting also marks the start of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and will feature a traditional lion dance performance.


    Around Town

    With the calendar turning to May, farmers’ market season is blooming across Fairfax County.

    The Vienna Farmers Market, organized by the nonprofit Optimist Club of Greater Vienna, will open for 2026 tomorrow (Saturday) in the Vienna Community Center parking lot at 120 Cherry Street SE.


    News

    The Fairfax County Planning Commission has thrown its support behind a proposed expansion of the Lofts at Reston Station with the expectation that the developer will address several outstanding complaints raised by existing residents.

    All eight commissioners present for a meeting on Wednesday (April 29) voted to recommend that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approve a comprehensive plan amendment that would allow residential development on the 5-acre site at 1810, 1825 and 1850 Samuel Morse Drive, which are currently occupied by low-rise office buildings.


    Countywide
    A goose walks out of Royal Lake in Kings Park West as another floats by (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

    DHS Shutdown Over Except for ICE — “President Donald Trump swiftly signed a bipartisan legislation Thursday to fund much of the Department of Homeland Security, but not its immigration enforcement operations, shortly after the package won final approval in the House, ending the longest agency shutdown in history.” [Associated Press]

    Charges for Attempted CIA HQ Entries — A 28-year-old man from the Fort Worth area of Texas was arrested on Monday (April 27) “after allegedly attempting to breach the CIA’s Virginia headquarters three times since Friday, according to court filings … He was charged with trespassing for the attempted CIA breaches and released on bond with the condition he not return to either government facility.” [Washington Post]

    Fairfax and Arlington Diverge on Real Estate Taxes — “Higher assessed property values mean most homeowners in both jurisdictions will pay more in property taxes, under the new budgets. But how did Fairfax County manage to reduce its rate while Arlington increased it?” [ARLnow]

    Faith in Housing Bill to Become Law — Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed into law a pair of bills that “will eliminate the rezoning step for faith-based organizations and other tax-exempt nonprofits to develop affordable housing on their properties. The law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027 and will sunset on Jan. 1, 2031 unless reenacted by a future General Assembly.” [ARLnow]

    Satellite Company Sets IPO Target — “Herndon defense technology contractor HawkEye 360 Inc. intends to raise up to $416 million from its initial public offering, according to [an April 27] filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.” Planning to offer 16 million shares priced between $24 and $26 each, the $2.4 billion company is expected to debut on the New York Stock Exchange “within the next few days or weeks, though no official date has been set yet.” [Washington Business Journal]

    Sneak Peek of Reston Restaurant in D.C. — The annual New Kitchens on the Block offered visitors at Mess Hall in D.C. “an early taste of the city’s next big cafes, restaurants and bars to find out if the hype is real.” Among the participants was Ebbitt House, a new concept from Clyde’s Restaurant Group that’s expected to open at Reston Station this August. [WTOP]

    Spring Farm Day Returns to Frying Pan — “See life on the farm in full swing — including the spring baby boom — at Spring Farm Day on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park. Experience hands-on activities, live demonstrations and family-friendly fun throughout the day.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]

    Sully District Celebrates Birthday — “Please join Supervisor Kathy Smith to celebrate the Sully District’s 35th birthday on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 11 am to 2 pm. Gather with friends and family to celebrate this milestone, enjoy cake, a flashback of Sully District history, and take advantage of onsite County services.” [Sully District Office]

    It’s Friday — This afternoon will be mostly sunny with a high of 67°F and a slight 20% chance of showers after 2 PM. Overnight, expect mostly cloudy skies with a 40% chance of showers between 8 PM and 2 AM, and a low around 48°F. [NWS]