When Herndon voters head to the polls tomorrow (Tuesday), they will have a dozen candidates to choose from for the next town council, including five incumbents and a diverse slate of challengers.
Justin Britt is hopeful that his multi-faceted connection to the town as a longtime resident and community volunteer who also owns a small business will distinguish him in a crowded field of contenders.
Some of the most high-profile actions the Fairfax County School Board is expected to take during the 2026-27 school year will relate to the use of technology, particularly in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence.
Based on feedback from a newly established advisory committee, Fairfax County Public Schools staff presented early drafts of two policies — one for use of educational technology in general and one for emerging tech — to the school board’s governance committee for its input last week (Oct. 27).
Most of Fairfax County recorded year-over-year declines in median apartment rents in October, according to new data.
The median countywide rent for the month stood at $2,041 for one-bedroom units, $2,364 for two bedrooms and $2,382 overall, according to data reported on Oct. 28 by Apartment List.
A Reston man will go to trial next month for allegedly killing his roommate less than 24 hours after being released from the custody of the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office.
Marvin Fernando Morales Ortez, 24, is charged with second-degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony for the December 2025 shooting of 40-year-old Marvin Ernesto Morales. He has been scheduled for a four-day jury trial in Fairfax County Circuit Court on Dec. 7 before Judge Michael Devine.
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An 82-year-old driver died on Halloween following a three-vehicle crash in Burke that started when he collided with a traffic signal pole on Fairfax County Parkway, police say.
Daniel Locke Jr., an 82-year-old Fairfax Station resident, was driving south on the parkway in a 2014 Infiniti Q-70 Saturday afternoon (Oct. 31) when he “made several lane changes before veering onto the right shoulder, striking a traffic signal pole” at the Burke Lake Road intersection, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
Va. Sues Over Trump Arch — “The legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s proposed memorial arch are mounting, with the District of Columbia and Virginia suing in federal court today (Saturday) as the administration says construction could begin as early as next week.” [Associated Press/ARLnow]
HOAs Oppose Accessory Housing Changes — “Dozens of residents urged the Fairfax County Planning Commission to avoid making changes to the rules for accessory living units that would harm the character of stable neighborhoods. One of the biggest concerns cited … was a rule change stating that owners of a home with an ALU would not have to live on the property.” [Annandale Today]
Police Seek Help With ‘Bank Jugging’ Case — “On October 23, at 10:20 a.m., the victim withdrew $2,400 from a bank in the 4400 block of Backlick Road in Annandale. The victim then drove to a nearby gas station in the Franconia District. While the victim was inside the gas station, the suspect … entered the victim’s vehicle and stole the cash. The suspect fled the area before police arrived.” [FCPD]
Colleges Urged to Review Sexual Violence Policies — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) is asking all of Virginia’s colleges and universities to update their sexual violence policies as gang rape allegations at Cornell University continue to make national headlines. The letter … includes instructions as to how colleges and universities should review and, if appropriate, update their policies related to sexual violence.” [WRIC]
Reston Station Offices Refinanced — “Comstock Holding Companies has completed a $299.1 million refinancing of three fully leased office towers at Reston Station, replacing an existing loan as the developer prepares for the next phase of the mixed-use development near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station.” [Patch]
State Losing Its Forests — “A new nationwide report on permanent deforestation shows that Virginia was one of 11 states responsible for 70% of all forest loss from 1990 to 2017. Christopher Williams, the report’s lead author, said new pressures from agriculture and development appear to be accelerating deforestation.” [VPM News]
Va. Education Secretary Shares Priorities — “Starting in January, the executive branch and lawmakers are expected to discuss a slate of K-12 topics, including school technology, expanding career and technical education and preparing children under five for kindergarten by closing the childcare affordability gap. At Wednesday’s Board of Education work session, Secretary of Education Jeffrey Smith shared the foundation of the administration’s K-12 education plans.” [Virginia Mercury]
Kayakers Paddle Over Great Falls — “I headed to Great Falls early Sunday morning to photograph the waterfalls framed by colorful fall foliage. As I was taking photos, two kayakers arrived and paddled over the falls … After an extended stretch of rain-free weather, the Potomac River’s water level has remained remarkably steady, providing favorable conditions for kayaking over Great Falls.” [Capital Weather]
New Legal Notice — Public hearing scheduled on middle school advanced academic program changes, with testimony signup and livestream options available. [Public Notices]
It’s Monday — Cloudy skies will linger through mid-morning before clearing, with a high near 66. Winds will be calm early, becoming southerly around 5 mph in the afternoon. Night will be mostly clear with a low around 47. [NWS]
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Good Friday evening, Fairfax County. Here’s a look back at today’s most-read stories and a look ahead to tomorrow.
Everything else we published today, Oct 30, 2026.
Settle Down Easy Brewing – Mixed Beverage License
After 8 years in operation, Settle Down Easy Brewing would like to expand their offerings to… [Announcement]
Always Becoming: Next Chapter
Join artist Nora Naranjo Morse (Kha’p’o Owenge ([Santa Clara Pueblo]), creator of Always Becoming… [Announcement]
Artful Evenings: Water’s Edge with Artist Sky Hopinka
Reserve your spot for an after-hour event with multi-disciplinary artist Sky Hopinka, Thursday… [Announcement]
Here is what’s going on Saturday in Fairfax County, from our event calendar.
Here are the events planned for Sunday:
Fairfax Funky Flea – Large outdoor flea market 10/31 from 9-3PM
Oct 31: Outdoor Flea Market with 70+ vintage dealers, food, fun and trick or treating! [Event]
Diwali: A Celebration of Inner Light – Hosted by the Brahma Kumaris
Nov 1: Celebrate the spirit of Diwali with us at the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center for a joyful and uplifting afternoon for the whole family. [Event]
Dialogue for Democracy
Nov 3: Dialogue for Democracy invites high school students from across the DMV to George Mason University. [Event]
How Retirement Communities Work – A Free Workshop
Nov 4: Interested in learning about how Continuing Care Retirement Communities work, but don’t know where to start? Join us on 11/4 to learn more! [Event]
🎗️ Do It for Dan Fall Fundraiser
Nov 8: Join the Do It For Dan Foundation on Nov. 8 at Caboose Commons for live music, trivia, raffles & more, benefiting lung cancer research at Inova Schar Cancer Institute. [Event]
Submit events, announcements, or home listings to FFXnow.
Today: Fairfax County saw a high of 75° at 1:05 p.m. (11° above normal), a low of 50° at 5:20 a.m., no rain and a peak gust of 28 mph.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 44. North wind 6 to 9 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. North wind around 6 mph.
Thanks for reading!
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors saluted the Fairfax Women’s Soccer Association earlier this week for 50 years of community service.
The organization is among those across Fairfax providing “opportunities for all people to engage and participate,” Board Chair Jeff McKay said at a proclamation ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
As he campaigns for a third term, Herndon Vice Mayor Clark Hedrick is well aware that an electoral victory would come with some daunting responsibilities.
Among the tasks awaiting the next Herndon Town Council are the hiring of a new town manager, a resolution of the ongoing legal battle over Comstock Companies’ downtown property, the development of an affordable housing policy and the completion of a comprehensive plan update that will guide the town’s evolution over the next quarter-century.
