McLean Connection

For six years, Rohan Kapil, a rising senior at Westfield High School in Chantilly, has dedicated his weekends to TOPSoccer, an adaptive soccer program managed by the Great Falls Reston Soccer Club. His support earned him a nomination for the 2025 "Buddy of the Year" award. TOPSoccer is a community-based program designed for athletes ages 6 to 18 with physical, developmental or intellectual disabilities, bringing the enjoyment of playing soccer to young athletes of all abilities.

Virginia’s Drought Monitoring Task Force updated the state’s drought status on July 31: “The recent rain has prevented drought conditions from worsening, although severe drought continues in many parts of Virginia.” A drought warning advisory continues for Northern Virginia which includes Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park.

After 15 years of planning, a major effort to rebuild Reston Town Center North is moving to its final approval hurdle following a unanimous 11-0 recommendation by the Fairfax County Planning Commission on July 22. Led jointly by Fairfax County and Inova Health System, the project covers 47.9 acres across 11 blocks, transforming aging civic buildings and irregular parcels into a transit-oriented core. The Board of Supervisors will hold its public hearing and final vote on Sept. 15.

Lancaster County Circuit Judge John Martin issued a preliminary injunction on Thursday, June 25, blocking a law that would ban the sale and manufacturing of certain semi-automatic firearms and large-capacity magazines. Because of the ruling, the weapon ban does not take effect as scheduled on July 1.

A dark, damp, overgrown corner hidden behind a blue trash dumpster in a church parking lot became a portal to a complex history born in early America more than 250 years ago.

Before 12-year-old Alexa Paino took the floor for her routine at the Junior Women’s Rhythmic Twirl U.S. Trials — the highest competition for a junior American twirler — she grounded herself with a powerful reminder. “I wasn’t comparing myself to the other competitors; I kept telling myself to stay focused on myself and enjoying the experience,” Alexa, a rising eighth grader at St. Mark’s Catholic School in Vienna, said.

Nevra Ledwon is harvesting the first honey of the season from the bee hives in her backyard in McLean. She has invited friends and neighbors who are interested in the process. They can just watch or they can get messy and help if they want to give it a try. Ledwon has brought in 12 honeycomb frames which sit in a box on her kitchen floor.

The McLean Area Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) recognized five winners of its 2026 STEM Essay Contest at the Branch annual potluck dinner held at the McLean Community Center on March 24. 2026. The contest was open to 7th and 8th grade students (girls and boys) at six local public and private schools.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a distinct redevelopment project in McLean during its meeting on March 17. It is a modern seven-story residential building in the heart of the McLean Community Business Center that will serve as a catalyst for the downtown area.

Sign in to favorite this Share this Email, Facebook, Twitter Sara Holtz, cooking and eating with her host family in Togo peace corps