Virginia travel, real estate & services

4+ hour, 1+ min ago (449+ words) November 28, 2025, 4:34 PM With millions of new dollars to help attract tourists to Fairfax County, leaders in the Northern Virginia suburb are recommending a grant program for local businesses and the possibility of upgrading sports fields to make it a more attractive place to host events. During a Board of Supervisors Economic Initiatives Committee meeting this week, Visit Fairfax CEO Barry Biggar said new investments can help the county increase its economic activity from tourism to $5 billion within three to five years. Tourism contributed $3.9 billion in economic activity in 2024, Biggar said. "We will expand direct sales," Biggar said. "We will elevate our marketing to key areas that we know will perform. We will also utilize this to attract major events such as the National Senior Games, something we have never been able to do before." The county is expecting to have…...

5+ hour, 55+ min ago (507+ words) November 28, 2025, 7:39 PM What started as a school project for Sukhi Mahadevan and Rithika Kanakamedala when they were sophomores in high school has become a larger effort to curb domestic violence in Virginia. The pair wanted to do something to give back to their Loudoun County community, so they began arranging local fundraisers. But then, they came across Loudoun County's women's shelter and Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services. It draws people from nearby jurisdictions and those as far as Richmond, and some of them are looking for legal help or financial resources, Mahadevan said. The circumstances inspired them to try and do more. The revelation ultimately led to the launch of Her Voice, a nonprofit that aims to help teens prevent dating violence. Using events and a podcast, the group is evolving to spread potentially life-saving messages. "We felt that…...

6+ hour, 15+ min ago (786+ words) SSC gets floodlights as five World Cup games are set for Maitland Place Peace Corps returns North: 23 new volunteers sworn in Chameera, Mishara take Sri Lanka to the final with a thrilling win Sri Lanka back Asalanka as captain Sansa, Lisa shine at BSC Athletics Meet Norfolk Foods (Pvt) Ltd, a pioneer in the Sri Lankan frozen food industry, has expanded its product portfolio with the introduction of Crumbs by Crescent, a frozen bakery solution designed to bring restaurant-quality taste and convenience to both households and professional kitchens. The Culinary Art Food Expo served as a launchpad for the brand, where chefs from leading star-class hotels sampled the products and offered positive feedback. Many highlighted how the range could seamlessly complement hotel buffets, high teas, and " la carte menus, while also serving as a convenient, ready-to-bake option for restaurants and…...

8+ hour, 25+ min ago (550+ words) A video showing a Suffolk and Norfolk mayoral candidate using a swing while furiously debating Labour's budget has been called out for being "a bit odd". Tim Passmore, who is running to be mayor of Suffolk and Norfolk - and is currently the police and crime commissioner in Suffolk - uploaded the video on his social media on Wednesday. The video shows the 66-year-old swinging back and forth while shouting his criticisms of Rachel Reeves at the camera. It also appears to be shot in a playground and includes around 42 seconds of energetic swinging by the politician. Kevin Keable, who is also running to be regional mayor as a Liberal Democrat, described the video as "a little strange" and "a bit odd". He said: "It's just a bit of a stunt, and it doesn't really show any vision or ambition. "I want…...

9+ hour, 10+ min ago (170+ words) LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) " A new boba tea shop just opened up today at the Rosedale Apartments on Graves Mill Road. Happy Lemon offers an assortment of fun treats and tea, as well as smoothies, frozen lemonade, and bubble waffles. The owners say this is one of three businesses they own. "Actually, we have a salon, a nail salon, and we wanna like challenge ourselves. By going to a different, like different criteria. This is our first time doing food and beverage," said co-owner Khai Ngo. SEE ALSO: Postal workers gear up for holiday rush with high tech sorting and Operation Santa The owners also mentioned that this location is the first to have an AI drink maker, which precisely measures ingredients to make sure your favorite drinks taste the same every single time. The owners noticed that boba tea is…...

10+ hour, 18+ min ago (463+ words) November 28, 2025, 3:17 PM Black Friday is the Super Bowl of shopping for bargain hunters. Nearly three and a half hours before sunrise, there was a line of people waiting outside the JCPenney at Potomac Mills in Winchester, Virginia. Yes, people were looking for deals, but that was not the only reason people stood outside in the cold air, waiting for the store to open at 5 a.m. "The sales, getting out around the people," Beverly Newbell, of Dumfries, said. "And the rush." Several of the people in line were out-of-towners visiting relatives for Thanksgiving, including Rusty and Bill. Rusty said this was the first time in the decades of Black Friday shopping that her husband Bill joined her. Bill said since they were not home in Charlotte, North Carolina, he didn't want her to shop alone, and he jokingly said he wanted to…...

11+ hour ago (201+ words) The Lynchburg Police Department recently conducted a high-risk stop involving two men wanted for a recent shooting incident. Octavion Taylor, 19, and Amare Scruggs, 18, both of Lynchburg, were both taken into custody and are being held without bond, according to police. On Tuesday, the two men were observed in a vehicle by law enforcement. Based on a history with firearms, outstanding warrants and a recent incident on Hillside Court, a traffic stop was conducted on Timberlake Road. During the stop, two stolen handguns were seized from the vehicle. Taylor had two outstanding warrants for his arrest at the time of this incident. The shooting incident happened on Monday at 520 Hillside Court where the two men are suspected of shooting into an occupied dwelling. As a result of the investigation, both Taylor and Scruggs were charged. Both Taylor and Scruggs were taken…...

11+ hour, 45+ min ago (264+ words) Holiday travel could bring a rise in contagious illnesses such as the flu and respiratory syncytial virus, according to Virginia health specialists. As of Nov. 22, the most recent data available, the Virginia Department of Health reports that overall respiratory illness activity in Virginia is "low and stable." "We're starting to see indicators that things are most likely going to take off really quickly here in the next few weeks with respiratory illness trends," Diskin said. "We're keeping a close eye on that." Older adults, younger children and those with underlying conditions are the most at-risk, she said. Public health officials encourage the public to be proactive to prevent the spread of illness, and Diskin said that incorporating small habits can make a big difference in spreading illness. "Because we're seeing the flu season starting a little bit late this year,…...

12+ hour, 4+ min ago (124+ words) A man is dead following a late-night shooting on Jefferson Street in Portsmouth. Police have not released any information about a suspect. PORTSMOUTH, Va. " A man is dead after a late-night shooting on Jefferson Street in Portsmouth. Portsmouth Police were called to the 600 block of Jefferson Street around 10:19 p.m. Wednesday for reports of a shooting. They found 39-year-old Darryl D. Ferguson suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. Ferguson was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries. Detectives have not released any information about a possible suspect. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Portsmouth Police Department or submit an anonymous tip through the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP....

12+ hour, 8+ min ago (119+ words) WILLIAMSBURG, Va. " About 30 people showed up outside the Williamsburg Premium Outlets along Richmond Road with signs and flags, chanting "Abolish ICE" on Black Friday. Video from the protest, which aimed to draw attention to the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the Trump administration. The group said they are protesting ICE agents appearing "all over town" and have been "terrorizing our neighbors." They had planned to join the "ice scraper" protest, a movement against raids occurring at Home Depots across the U.S. " where protesters purchase a cheap ice scraper and then immediately return it " but a nearby Home Depot did not have any ice scrapers in stock Friday, an organizer said. WTVR CBS 6 Web Staff...