Around Town

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Oct 2, 2026

By FFXnow.com
FFX Now Daily Debrief for Oct 2, 2026 with a turtle resting on a log in dark water background

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 — Oct 2, 2026.

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

  • Town of Herndon ‘stunned and disappointed’ by court’s ruling in favor of Comstock (11865 views)
  • Man sentenced in Herndon shooting death of man who kicked Tesla (5608 views)
  • Onelife Fitness plans big Tysons expansion with relocation to Galleria (5565 views)
  • German Doner Kebab to open first Va. outpost in Idylwood this week (4859 views)
  • Herndon town manager fired after less than a year on the job (6024 views)
  • Former Hayfield Secondary School principal accused of embezzling school funds (3790 views)
  • Lakeside Asia Cafe to close at Reston’s South Lakes Village after 13 years (3455 views)
  • Garbage truck driver charged in Fairfax City crash that killed 13-year-old e-bike rider (3255 views)
  • FCPD: $600K worth of jewelry stolen in Springfield armed robbery (3093 views)
  • Police identify woman killed after being struck by multiple vehicles on Route 28 (4179 views)
  • Federal job cuts and rising costs disrupt Fairfax County, rest of DMV, report finds (2823 views)
  • Lake Braddock teachers push back against weapons detection duty with union grievance (2626 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 a 30% chance of showers in the late morning between 10 AM and noon, with cloudy skies transitioning to mostly sunny in the afternoon and a high near 68°F. Winds from the north will range from 6 to 9 mph. Saturday night brings another 30% chance of showers after 5 AM, with increasing cloud cover and a low of around 58°F, along with light winds from the east. 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

    Fairfax County residents can still claim a free tree for their home

    By Mary Stachyra Lopez
    Two kids and an adult planting a young tree in a grassy yard, kneeling around the sapling.
    Kids help plant a tree (courtesy Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services)

    Just in time for fall planting, Fairfax County residents can obtain a free tree to plant on their property — and even have it delivered to their front door.

    The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services’ Urban and Community Forestry Division (UCFD), in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, is offering the trees to all residents, while supplies last. The initiative launched in the spring and was revived in August.

    Go to Fairfax County residents can still claim a free tree for their home Read more
    News

    Police identify woman killed after being struck by multiple vehicles on Route 28

    By Mary Stachyra Lopez
    Fairfax County police car close-up (file photo)

    A Fairfax woman killed while walking on Route 28 in Chantilly earlier this week was struck by multiple cars, police say.

    Fiona Hagengimana, 32, was walking in the northbound lanes of Route 28 (Sully Road), just north of Route 50, when she was struck by a vehicle around 11 p.m. on Tuesday (Sept. 29), according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

    Go to Police identify woman killed after being struck by multiple vehicles on Route 28 Read more
    Announcement

    Come and Create at AH7

    By Art House 7
    Triptych image advertising Art House 7 fall classes: kids painting, a teacher guiding a student, and a student pottery‑making on a wheel.

    While our Fall 1 season is in swing, we have some terrific opportunities for making art coming up soon. Our Fall 2 season runs late October through December, with six-week and three-week classes you’ll love. We have some new themes in the mix, including Acrylic Painting Fundamentals (adults) and Sculpting with Nature and Found Objects (4th-6th graders). Explore the wheel together at our parent-child ceramics class. And our perennials always shine: painting, drawing, ceramics, sewing, sculpture, and printmaking. Take a look now!

    Fall 2 Session, Oct. 27-Dec. 20

    Go to Come and Create at AH7 Read more
    News

    Teen charged with shooting at Mount Vernon Plaza that injured two men

    By Angela Woolsey
    Mount Vernon Plaza (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

    A teen is in custody days after a shooting at Mount Vernon Plaza in Hybla Valley sent two men to the hospital.

    The 16-year-old boy was charged with willfully discharging a firearm in a public place, causing injuries, yesterday (Thursday) after the Fairfax County Police Department identified him as the alleged suspect in the Sept. 29 shooting.

    Go to Teen charged with shooting at Mount Vernon Plaza that injured two men Read more
    Event

    5dollar5k

    Group photo of runners and families posing on a sunny field behind a banner that reads '5 Dollar 5K' during a community run event.

    Event location

    Bluemont Park

    601 N Manchester St

    Arlington, Virginia 22205

    Add to Calendar

    Join Comunidad for its Annual 5Dollar5K—a fun, family-friendly race that brings neighbors together in support of local children, teens, and families in Falls Church and Arlington. Run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, and bring the little ones for a special Kids’ Dash! Registration is just $5, and children ages 12 and under participate for free. Comunidad is a community development organization based in the Seven Corners area of Falls Church. We hope you'll join us and together help us build comunidad!

    Go to 5dollar5k Read more
    Around Town

    Nationals team pup to visit Reston Town Center for annual DogFest

    By Angela Woolsey
    Yellow Labrador wearing a white jersey sits on the curb in front of a Canine Companions Miller Family Campus sign, with a pink leash trailing behind them.
    Natty outside Canine Companions' training center in Medford, New York (courtesy Canine Companions)

    The Washington Nationals have closed out their 2026 season, but the team’s official dog will stay plenty busy during the offseason, starting with a visit this weekend to Reston Town Center.

    Natty will exchange the company of baseball players for local community members with a booth at the nonprofit Canine Companions’ annual DogFest Washington D.C. on Saturday (Oct. 3) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    Go to Nationals team pup to visit Reston Town Center for annual DogFest Read more
    Opinion

    Poll: Best gutter cleaners in Fairfax County

    By FFXnow.com
    Worker in safety gear pressure-washes a mossy clay tile roof beside a white gutter, with a blue circular 'FFX NOW CHOICE' badge overlay on the right.

    With leaves starting to fall, Fairfax County has many professional contractors ready to help property owners keep their gutters clog- and damage-free.

    Here are the nominees for “Best Gutter Cleaners in Fairfax County” 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, Oct. 16.

    Voting for Best Lunch Spot in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, Oct. 9 at 8:30 a.m.

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

    1. Great Falls Park
    2. Burke Lake Park
    3. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
    News

    Herndon town manager fired after less than a year on the job

    By Angela Woolsey
    The Herndon Municipal Center front doors (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

    The Town of Herndon has parted ways with its top executive less than a year into his tenure.

    The Herndon Town Council voted in a closed meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 29) to “end the employment of Town Manager Dan Hoffman, effective immediately,” the town announced on its Facebook page yesterday afternoon (Thursday).

    Go to Herndon town manager fired after less than a year on the job Read more
    Around Town

    Danish juice and coffee bar opens today in Tysons Corner Center

    By Mary Stachyra Lopez
    Outside Joe & The Juice store with a pink facade, large glass windows, and white outdoor tables beneath trees
    Joe & the Juice's new location at Tysons Corner Center (Courtesy Joe & the Juice)

    A new juice and coffee bar is opening today (Friday) at Tysons Corner Center.

    Following today’s launch, Joe & the Juice, a Danish brand known for its juices, coffee, shakes, and sandwiches, will hold a grand opening for its first Virginia location tomorrow (Saturday), starting at 9 a.m.

    Go to Danish juice and coffee bar opens today in Tysons Corner Center Read more
    News

    Need to monitor data center noise stressed in review of Lake Fairfax Business Center redevelopment

    By Nolan Stout
    Modern multi-story apartment complex with glass balconies, retail on the ground floor, and a landscaped plaza with red umbrellas nearby.
    A multifamily residential building with a public plaza and retail space at Business Center Drive and Wildlife Center Drive in EYA's proposed Lake Fairfax Business Center redevelopment (via Poole & Poole Architecture/Fairfax County)

    Fairfax County planners want a little bit more time before making a recommendation on the proposed redevelopment of Lake Fairfax Business Center.

    At its Sept. 23 meeting, the Planning Commission deferred a vote on the plan to turn the mostly vacant office park in Reston into a large residential neighborhood.

    Go to Need to monitor data center noise stressed in review of Lake Fairfax Business Center redevelopment Read more
    Announcement

    Annual Day of the Dead Celebration

    By National Museum of the American Indian

    Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a time for commemorating our ancestors. Rather than a period of mourning, it is an occasion for celebrating with family—both living and dead—and honoring the cycle of life. Learn about La Catrina and her joyful view of life and mortality. Enjoy family-friendly activities throughout the day, including dance performances, coloring activities, and paper marigold and mask making. Visitors are invited to leave photos and mementos of their loved ones on the ofrenda (altar) or commemorate them by writing their names on a butterfly to attach to the memorial arch.

    SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

    Go to Annual Day of the Dead Celebration Read more
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