Countywide
The Battery at Fort Hunt Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

Bren Mar Park ES Safe After Fire — “Sunday afternoon, there was a fire at Bren Mar Park Elementary School in Alexandria … While the investigation into the cause continues, the Fire Marshal has determined that it is safe for students to return to school tomorrow. We are grateful that classes will be able to continue without disruption.” [FCPS]

Dr. Cerina Fairfax’s Patients Mourn — “Patients of Dr. Cerina Fairfax dropped off flowers outside her closed office door. She was killed by her husband, former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, police said … People who knew Cerina remembered her as bright and caring.” [NBC4]

No AC a Struggle in Annandale Apartments — “While the area experienced an early heat wave [last] week, residents of the Wedgewood Apartments in Annandale suffered without air conditioning … Inside Wedgewood tenant A. Osmani’s home, a thermometer recorded a temperature of 103 degrees on April 15.” [Annandale Today]

Capitals Stars Spotted at Tysons Brewery — Potentially retiring Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin was one of several players who visited Starr Hill Brewpub last Thursday (April 16), two days after the team concluded its season. Capitals fans and local realtors Morgan Samson and Colby Smythe ran into the players as they were leaving and took some photos in front of Capital One Hall. [RMNB]

Bagel Shop Opens in Vienna — “Bagel Street, a new shop on Maple Avenue in Vienna, plunges everyone’s favorite savory rounds with the most varied bagel case I’ve seen in our region … The brainchild of married founders Jenny Liu and Julio Santana, the creations owe more to her Chinese American roots than his Dominicans ones. But it’s clear that diversity knows few boundaries here.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Reston Startup Acquired — “Fortreum LLC, a cybersecurity assessment firm based in Lansdowne, has bought Kovr.ai, which helps companies doing business with the federal government obtain cybersecurity compliance sign-offs.” The acquisition was announced less than a year after former Amazon Web Services Inc. executives Andrew Black and Sri Iyer officially launched the Reston-based software developer. [Washington Business Journal]

Reston Man Wins $100K From Lottery — “A Reston man won a $100,000 Powerball prize after buying his ticket online for the March 16 drawing, according to the Virginia Lottery. Bharat Chatani matched four of the first five numbers plus the Powerball number, a combination that normally wins $50,000.” [Patch]

Renovations Coming to Park in Groveton — Starting Wednesday (April 22), the tennis and basketball courts at Stoneybrooke Park will close for renovations, including the installation of new surfacing, goals and fencing as well as the addition of gravel to improve drainage. “Parking will be limited during construction. Weather permitting, construction is expected to be completed in early July.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]

It’s Monday — Expect mostly sunny weather with scattered sprinkles and a high near 55°F. Northwest winds will blow at 13 to 15 mph, with gusts reaching up to 26 mph. Overnight, the sky will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 34°F and a north wind at 6 to 9 mph. [NWS]


News

A two-alarm fire broke out at Bren Mar Park Elementary School in Lincolnia this afternoon (Sunday), sending a sizable plume of black smoke into the air.

Units with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched to the two-story school at 6344 Beryl Road around 3:22 p.m. for a building fire, according to the county’s emergency scanner.


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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 — Apr 17, 2026.

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

  • BREAKING: Former LG Justin Fairfax killed wife, self in Annandale, police say (33811 views)
  • Ruthie’s All-Day to start opening at Fairfax Corner tomorrow (16945 views)
  • Life-size Lego Star Wars event coming to Seven Corners (11853 views)
  • FlixBus adds Tysons stop as part of N. Va. service expansion (11139 views)
  • State health officials warn against eating two fish species from Occoquan Watershed (10845 views)
  • FCPS nixes student holiday for Veterans Day after debate over school calendar (8768 views)
  • Unveiled concept for new Lake Anne signs reflects midcentury origins (8617 views)
  • Morning Notes for April 16, 2026 (8179 views)
  • Va. tightens student cell phone bans under newly signed law from Fairfax senator (8091 views)
  • Police: Motorcyclist killed in crash on I-495 (7533 views)
  • Award-winning restaurant Clarity aims for May opening in Reston (7182 views)
  • Spanberger proposes delaying start of retail marijuana sales allowed by Fairfax delegate’s bill (6428 views)
  • Paris Baguette hosts ‘soft opening’ today at Reston Town Center (5408 views)
  • Fairfax senator decries ‘toothless’ amendments to bills restricting ICE activities (4512 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 sunny skies with a high of 83°F and east winds at 6 to 10 mph, gusting up to 18 mph. Saturday night brings likely showers, mainly after 2 a.m., with increasing clouds and a low of 51°F. Winds will shift from southeast to northeast at 6 to 13 mph, gusting up to 21 mph. There is a 70% chance of rain, with expected accumulation between 0.1 and 0.25 inches. 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. 👋


    Countywide

    The drought conditions plaguing parts of Virginia, including Fairfax County, since last fall are officially the worst the state has experienced in almost 20 years.

    Yesterday (Thursday), the U.S. Drought Monitor classified over 60% of Virginia as being in a severe drought based on data collected through Tuesday (April 14). That’s the most widespread drought seen in the state since October 2007, surpassing levels recorded during previous droughts in 2008, 2010, 2023 and 2024, according to Fairfax County.


    Event

    Imagine a life of charm, comfort, and community in historic Williamsburg.

    Join Cody Chance and Dick Nathan from Long & Foster, Lisa Bates from Williamsburg Landing, and Alexandra Fry from Orchestrated Moves, move manager, for an educational workshop for seniors, and learn how to:


    Around Town

    Reston’s annual celebration of its founding is set to return tomorrow (Saturday) — only this time, the festival will honor the nation’s origins as well.

    The 2026 edition of Celebrate Reston, which was renamed last year after two decades as Founder’s Day, will feature a number of activities nodding to the U.S.’s 250th anniversary, while also putting a spotlight on the local community.


    News

    The thousands of patients who visit VHC Health in Arlington for pregnancy-related services and other women’s health needs can now find similar care in Tysons.

    The nonprofit health system celebrated the launch of a new location for the Charlotte S. Benjamin Center for Women’s Health at its Tysons Pavilion (1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 210) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 9.


    Opinion

    Whether you’re a newcomer to Fairfax County, switching neighborhoods or leaving for another town altogether, you’ll want a trustworthy mover who can help carry both the physical and mental weight of an often stressful life change.

    Here are the nominees for “Best Moving Company Serving 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 1.

    Voting for Best Roofing Company in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, April 25 at 8:30 a.m.

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

    1. Clemyjontri Park
    2. Chessie’s Big Backyard
    3. Burke Lake Park

    Around Town

    In addition to learning about the country’s history through educational programs or taking in local attractions, Fairfax County residents will be able to celebrate America 250 by partaking in specially crafted alcohol.

    The county will unveil a series of unique craft beverages to commemorate the U.S.’s 250th anniversary, starting this Sunday (April 19) with the launch of a pair of new wines developed by Fairfax County’s two wineries.


    Countywide

    Fairfax County Circuit Court Chief Judge Penney S. Azcarate will be honored by the local Board of Supervisors ahead of her retirement later this summer.

    The 10-member board voted unanimously Tuesday (April 14) to prepare a resolution honoring Azcarate, who will retire June 31 after nearly 20 years as a judge in Fairfax County — including the last 10 as chief judge of the Circuit Court.