Community Corner

šŸŒ± Patch AM: What Fairfax and Reston leaders will fight for in Richmond

Coming up: Superh 5k Run Walk & Wheel on the Reston Patch calendar

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Greetings Reston! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Fairfax and Reston leaders will fight for in Richmond
  • How 75 new tech jobs are coming to Reston soon
  • Reston's Anna Harris joins a top-ranked college field hockey powerhouse

Also on today's calendar: Superh 5k Run Walk & Wheel and 15 more events.

Today's riddle: What do an island and the letter "t" have in common? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 85 and low of 64 degrees.
  • Monday: Cloudy with a thunderstorm, temps: high: 71, low: 62.
  • Tuesday: Periods of rain, with a high of 65 and low of 55 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Local leaders set legislative priorities (fairfaxtimes.com) — Reston residents will see their local priorities carried to Richmond as Fairfax leaders push for better K-12 funding, more authority over speed limits, and stronger transit and housing support. The Reston Citizens Association remains firmly opposed to any Fairfax casino and backs a unified Virginia Gaming Commission to tighten oversight. Officials also highlight affordability, vulnerable residents, and long-term Metro and Connector funding as key concerns.
   

2. Reston tech contractor announces expansion, adding 75 jobs (ffxnow.com) — A Reston tech contractor, Data Machines, is expanding its RTC West headquarters and creating 75 new jobs, with hiring starting immediately. The company will nearly triple its office space to support work in AI, cyber defense, and data analytics, backed by state job-training support. Local and state leaders say the move underscores Reston's growing role in Virginia's tech economy.
   

3. People and Places - Week of September 18, 2026 (fairfaxtimes.com) — Reston's Anna Harris is heading into the 2026 season with nationally ranked Kutztown University's field hockey team, joining a 31-player roster coming off a record-breaking year. Local readers can follow her as the Golden Bears defend their top-two national ranking and build on last season's 20-2 run and conference honors.
   

4. Empower AI Lands Potential $205M DCSA Task Order for IT Customer Support (govconwire.com) — Reston-based Empower AI has won a potential $205 million Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency task order to provide IT customer support, though the work will be performed in Quantico. The contract runs from late September 2026 through June 2027 and could grow significantly if all options are exercised. It continues a string of major federal IT wins for the Reston company.
   

5. Virginia man charged after dog found stabbed 14 times on Middletown roadside (wbal.com) — A Reston resident has been charged with felony aggravated cruelty to an animal after deputies say they found his dog stabbed 14 times along a rural roadside near Middletown. Investigators report recovering a knife from his vehicle, noting inconsistent statements before he allegedly admitted stabbing the dog because he thought he needed to put it down.
   

📸 Around Reston

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Reston

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • South Lakes Football Faces West Potomac Test After Dominant 3-0 Start —Brian McNicoll Read on Patch
  • It takes a village to raise a family, but finding that village isn't always easy.
    That's why we're starting a local Parent Group Gathering meeting twice a week—a welcoming space to connect, share experiences, swap advice, and… (Nextdoor Old Trail)
  • I know I posted something similar to this but now I have decided on Herndon Animal Hospital to take one of my cats.
    Can those of you who use Herndon what vet do you recommend for a 16 year old difficult but loving cat. Thank you. (Nextdoor Whisperhill Cluster)
  • Cava posted a job opening for Team Member in Reston. Apply here.
  • Addison Group posted a job opening for Payroll Specialist in Reston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Reston here.

Ok Reston! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: They are both in the middle of water. (Thank you Curt K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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