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Federal investigators searched Virginia Senate President L. Louise Lucas’s hometown office and an adjacent cannabis shop Wednesday, bringing a reported corruption investigation into public view. Two people familiar with the matter said the inquiry began during former President Joe Biden’s administration.
Authorities are also asking for help investigating a fire at a vacant, one-story building in the 11100 block of Popes Head Road near Fairfax Station. The blaze occurred during the weekend of May 3. Investigators found evidence that trespassers had previously used the property for campfires or vandalism and want information about anyone seen there on or before that weekend.
A kayaker who died after falling from his boat Sunday in the Potomac River near Great Falls has been identified as William Lankford, 22, of Lynchburg. Maryland Natural Resources Police are leading the investigation, and an autopsy will seek to determine his cause of death.
Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn will host a May 11 town hall about ranked choice voting and its potential use in the county. The event at the North County Governmental Center in Reston will include Arlington’s elections director and the executive director of UpVote Virginia.
NeoSystems, a Reston cybersecurity company serving defense contractors, is shutting down after 26 years. President Jeff Huckle told employees May 1 that the firm’s deteriorating finances left no viable way to continue operating. The closure has raised concerns for companies that rely on NeoSystems to maintain compliance with Pentagon requirements.
Another Reston company is preparing to expand. Scout Space, which develops observation systems used in space, has raised $18 million in Series A funding. The company plans to build a 2,600-square-foot manufacturing facility in Northern Virginia but has not disclosed its location.
Fairfax County Park Authority rec centers are offering free tours and activities Thursday with advance signup. Special programming from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. varies by location and may include fitness demonstrations, sample classes, membership information, arts and crafts, and other activities.
Park and Bark returns to Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly on Saturday, May 9. The free festival for dogs and families will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the lawn outside the Walney Visitor Center at 5040 Walney Road.
Thursday’s forecast calls for a 30% chance of afternoon showers, followed by skies changing from cloudy to mostly sunny and a high near 65 degrees. Thursday night should become clearer after mostly cloudy conditions, with a low around 48.