Daily digest · Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Sterling mother charged in infant's death; Loudoun power line appeals filed
Loudoun led the day with an arrest in an infant's drowning death, state Supreme Court appeals against the Golden to Mars transmission line, and a school hiring pause as enrollment falls. Elsewhere, Manassas named an interim mayor, Herndon police charged a man in a shooting that injured two, and Arlington leaders faced continued anger over a Columbia Pike police shooting.
Arlington
Anger persists over Columbia Pike police shooting
Released body-worn footage of a May police shooting that killed a 33-year-old man on Columbia Pike has prompted calls to fix "institutional failures," as county leaders work to address community anger.
Man assaulted on Columbia Pike
A man was assaulted by a group of seven to eight males in their late teens or early 20s after parking along Columbia Pike.
Three sentenced in apartment arson
Three men received prison sentences for a May 2025 fire started with a lit cup of gasoline at a Columbia Pike apartment building that displaced families and injured residents.
Ballston office demolition begins
Demolition is underway at the Ballston One office building at 4601 Fairfax Drive, while another redevelopment moves forward across the street.
Historic district rules could tighten
Revised rules could make the process for sending local historic district recommendations to the County Board more selective.
Waymo mapping residential streets
Waymo confirmed it is mapping Arlington's residential streets after one of its vehicles was spotted Friday.
County adds PrEP HIV prevention
Arlington Public Health now offers PrEP, HIV testing and follow-up care, with reduced- or no-cost services for eligible patients.
Leeway Overlee marks centennial with stumbling stones
The civic association installed 11 "stumbling stones" honoring people enslaved in the 18th and 19th centuries. Separately, Pentagon City's Saigon Saigon marks 25 years with a special menu next week.
Alexandria
Council to appoint interim policing auditor
City Council was set to appoint an interim independent policing auditor, who investigates allegations of police misconduct, at its Oct. 27 meeting.
Officials press for protections in Dominion-NextEra merger
Alexandria and Arlington officials are seeking more customer protections and clean energy progress if the proposed Dominion Energy-NextEra merger proceeds.
Old Town North development
Carr Properties acquired the Montgomery Center site and aims to start construction in 2028. Nearby, the 237-unit Margot apartments on Montgomery Street opened for pre-leasing, with first move-ins in mid-December.
Bishop Ireton seeks Fannon Field upgrades
The Catholic Diocese of Arlington is asking the city for permission to expand and improve athletic facilities at the school's Fannon Field.
West End transportation open house
The city is hosting an open house on more than a dozen transportation projects affecting the West End.
Visit Alexandria hire
Visit Alexandria named St. Louis tourism veteran Barry Draper vice president of membership and visitor experience.
Fairfax
Prosecutor's widow hospitalized after pedestrian crash
The widow of a prominent Fairfax prosecutor remains hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle Monday near University Mall. Police are investigating.
Guilty plea in e-bike rider shooting
A Falls Church man pleaded guilty in the non-fatal road rage shooting of an e-bike rider near West Ox Road and could face decades in prison.
Woman charged after being found in vehicle
Police say a woman found passed out in a vehicle in a Vienna parking lot was charged with a drug offense.
Park bond could fund Poe Terrace renovation
Annandale's Poe Terrace Park could be renovated if voters approve the $180 million park bond on Nov. 3, which also includes $89 million to replace the Audrey Moore Rec Center.
School Board sets legislative priorities
The Fairfax County School Board is asking Richmond for more K-12 funding, state-funded universal Pre-K and changes to Virginia's Freedom of Information law.
Heat mapping identifies hottest areas
Initial data from this summer's Urban Heat Island Mapping Project points to Tysons, Reston, Fair Lakes and Chantilly among the hottest spots.
Fairfax City seeks budget input
City staff will host a community meeting on FY 2028 budget priorities at 6 p.m. Nov. 5.
Drug Take Back Day collects 1,071 pounds
County police district stations and partners collected 1,071 pounds of medication on Saturday.
Community notes
A new interpretive sign at Pine Ridge Park honors The Pines, a Black community displaced by eminent domain. Food for Neighbors collected 38,000 pounds of food for students for its 10th anniversary, and Vienna's Halloween Parade returns for its 80th year Wednesday night.
Reston & Herndon
Man charged in Herndon-area shooting
Police charged a 32-year-old Herndon man in a domestic-related shooting Monday evening at the Dulles Greene apartments that injured an acquaintance and a bystander. Both were hospitalized with injuries not considered life-threatening.
Person hospitalized in Metro platform incident
A person was hospitalized after getting stuck between a Metro car and the platform at Wiehle-Reston East station.
South Lakes Drive Park renovation
Fairfax County will seek $1.9 million in federal funding to renovate the Reston park, adding a lawn, moving the playground and improving accessibility.
Auria picks Reston for East Coast HQ
Aerospace company Auria, which focuses on space domain awareness and supports Air Force and Space Force work, will establish its East Coast headquarters in Reston.
Loudoun
Sterling mother charged in infant's drowning death
A Sterling woman has been arrested and charged following an investigation into the drowning death of her 8-month-old child.
Golden to Mars power line appeals reach state Supreme Court
Loudoun County, the School Board and local homeowners' associations have filed appeals with the Virginia Supreme Court challenging the State Corporation Commission's approval of Dominion's high-voltage transmission line route through eastern Loudoun.
LCPS pauses hiring as enrollment declines
Superintendent Aaron Spence said Loudoun County Public Schools has begun a "strategic hiring pause." The School Board held its first detailed talks on falling enrollment and growing budget challenges, and members largely opposed school closures.
Two juveniles struck by car in Ashburn
Two juveniles were injured after being hit by a car near Stone Bridge High School on Tuesday night.
Input sought on high school English materials
Families can review and comment, in person or online, on English instructional materials being considered for next school year.
United Way posts record fundraiser
A recent United Way fundraiser collected a record amount to support struggling working families in Loudoun.
Swift water rescue drills
County fire and rescue swift water teams joined the Sheriff's Office dive team Tuesday for annual joint training on emergencies on local waters.
Business notes
Plans to turn a former Leesburg furniture store into a large Latino supermarket appear to be moving forward. Pitango gelato opens in South Riding on Wednesday, and Purcellville's Smokin Willy shared a rendering of its future Leesburg location.
Prince William
Ralph Smith named Manassas interim mayor
Manassas City Council unanimously appointed Council Member Ralph J. Smith as interim mayor on Oct. 26. His term began Oct. 27 and runs until certification of the November 2027 mayoral election.
Federal charges in Iwo Jima memorial damage
A man accused of damaging the Iwo Jima memorial near Marine Corps Base Quantico, reportedly with a sledgehammer, faces federal charges upon transfer to federal custody, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Two fatal crashes
A Woodbridge man was killed in a motorcycle-car collision in Dumfries, police say. Separately, two adults died on Leland Road in Manassas after police say a speeding pickup driver ran a stop sign at Maplewood Drive and hit a car.
Teen assaulted and robbed on trail
Police say a teenage boy was injured when four men assaulted and robbed him on a Woodbridge-area trail Monday.
Arrest in machete road rage case
A Woodbridge man was arrested after police say he brandished a machete and assaulted another driver during a road rage incident.
Testimony in Naresh Bhatt case
A former county crime scene investigator testified she saw reddish-brown stains and hair-like strands inside an electric saw belonging to Naresh Bhatt that was given to a landscaper after a disappearance at the center of the case.
Supervisors adopt 2027 legislative agenda
The Board of County Supervisors unanimously adopted about 125 positions to bring to the General Assembly, including VRE Woodbridge Station funding and Sudley Road.
Petition seeks data center pause
Residents launched a petition calling for a pause on data center development in the county and supporting a statewide moratorium.
Community events
Families marked the third annual Kukur Tihar USA honoring dogs at the county Animal Services Center. Actors Theatre stages Frozen at Hylton Performing Arts Center Nov. 20-29, and the Shannon Air Museum holds its first gala Nov. 14.
Summarized from the headlines and excerpts of 96 stories published that day. The linked stories are the record.