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A police drone helped Fairfax County officers lower the intensity of their response to a reported armed man at Fair Oaks Mall, while a Tysons financial planning firm prepared to relocate its headquarters to Alexandria.
The developments were among the notable stories around Fairfax County on Monday, Jan. 12.
Drone clarifies Fair Oaks Mall threat
Police deployed a drone after receiving several reports that a man with a bow and arrow was threatening people outside Fair Oaks Mall.
The aerial view showed that the man, who was experiencing a mental health crisis, was holding a stick rather than a weapon. Police Chief Kevin Davis said that information allowed responding officers to scale back their approach.
Driver killed in Springfield crash
An adult woman died in a crash at Fairfax County Parkway and Huntsman Boulevard in Springfield on Jan. 10. Fairfax County police said officers responded to the intersection and pronounced the driver dead at the scene.
Child care shortages disrupt Virginia workplaces
Virginia employers reported widespread workplace problems tied to limited access to affordable, high-quality child care.
In survey results published in December, 88% of respondents said child care difficulties contributed to employees arriving late or missing work. Another 65% reported that workers had reduced their hours.
The survey was conducted by the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and the Virginia Chamber Foundation.
Tysons financial firm moving to Old Town
Pillar Wealth Partners plans to move its headquarters from Tysons Corner to the Atrium Building at 277 S. Washington Street in Alexandria.
The financial planning firm is scheduled to open its Old Town location on Feb. 1. An office warming and ribbon-cutting celebration is planned for Feb. 10.
Smoothie cafe planned for Bailey’s Crossroads
Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe is preparing to occupy a long-vacant building at 5807 Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads.
Fairfax County issued a commercial addition and alteration permit for the property on Jan. 1, identifying Bora Bora as the tenant. A manager at the company’s Tysons location said the new cafe is expected to open within a couple of months.
Veteran opens Herndon sports card store
Bryan Janick opened Goatz Sports Cardz in Herndon on Jan. 3 after a career that included four years in the Marine Corps and 12 years with the Pentagon police.
A sports card collector since childhood, Janick renewed his interest intensely during the pandemic. He decided to retire and open the store after the Trump administration began offering deferred retirement options in 2025.
Customer returns after using movie-prop bill
A customer at the Vienna Wawa unknowingly paid with a fake bill marked “Movie Prop Use Only” on Jan. 4, according to police.
The man later returned after realizing the mistake and offered legitimate payment for the earlier purchase. The store lost no money, and the counterfeit bill was handed to the Vienna Police Department.
Reston players join Capitals youth hockey event
Two Reston-area hockey players participated in Washington Capitals Youth Hockey Day at Capital One Arena on Jan. 3.
Stephen Reider, a Herndon–South Lakes varsity high school player, and Paxton Worthy, a 14U Reston Raiders player, represented the community. The event preceded the Capitals’ game against the Chicago Blackhawks and was part of Youth Hockey Weekend across the region.
Monday forecast brings sunshine
Monday is expected to be mostly sunny, with a high near 46 degrees. West winds around 8 mph will shift to the southwest later in the afternoon.
Skies will become partly cloudy overnight as temperatures fall to about 31 degrees. Southwest winds near 6 mph are expected to become calm during the evening.