Super Bowl Ties, Food Bank Expansion, State Champions: NoVA Good News

VIRGINIA — This week's good news stories in Virginia include a ribbon-cutting for a food bank's new facility in Merrifield, a Fairfax City man finds a second career in selling coffee, and a Fairfax County retiree wins a $1 million Powerball prize.

Plus, read about the Loudoun County courthouse getting named after a famed civil rights attorney, the cross country teams at Woodson and Lake Braddock winning state titles, and Virginia's connections to Sunday's Super Bowl between the Eagles and Chiefs.

Here are some of this week's good news headlines:

Shopping With Dignity Aim Of Food For Others Expansion In Merrifield

Elected officials and local community activists converged on Merrifield on Thursday to help Food for Others cut the ribbon on its expanded warehouse and food distribution center. The regional food bank's new facility includes 10,391 square feet of warehouse and office space, and the new "My Market," where Northern Virginians eligible for emergency food assistance can shop.

Coffee Was Always Fairfax City Man's Passion, Now It's His Career

Scott Orange and his wife moved to Northern Virginia in 2021. After a career in market research and consulting, Orange decided it was time to take a leap and start his own coffee-roasting business. Index Coffee Roasters in Fairfax City sells specialty coffee, which traditionally means the seller is using higher rated beans as determined by people who taste and import coffee for a living.

• La Coop Coffee To Celebrate Grand Opening Of New Arlington Location

Loudoun County Courthouse To Be Renamed For Civil Rights Attorney

The Loudoun County courthouse will soon bear a new name. The Board of Supervisors approved a motion on Tuesday that would rename the historic courthouse in honor of civil rights attorney Charles Hamilton Houston. The courthouse itself will be renamed for Houston, while the broader collection of building will be known as the "Loudoun County Courthouse Complex."

West Springfield, Woodson Championship Cross Country Teams Honored

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed resolutions honoring the West Springfield Girls and W.T. Woodson Boys Championship Cross Country teams at its meeting on Tuesday. The resolutions were requested by Chairman Jeff McKay and Supervisors James Walkinshaw, Penny Gross, Dalia Palchik, Pat Herrity and Rodney Lusk.

• Former Mayor David Meyer Recognized By Fairfax County Supervisors
• Reston Native Nate Mook Honored For Humanitarian Relief Efforts
• Fairfax County Selects 6 Historical Markers To Honor Black Experience

Super Bowl LVII: 3 Chiefs, Eagles Players Have Virginia Connections

When the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs face off Sunday for Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona, fans in Virginia may see some familiar faces. One player on the Kansas City Chiefs roster and two players on the Philadelphia Eagles roster have ties to Virginia.

Retiree Wins $1M Powerball Prize From Ticket Bought In Kingstowne

A Fairfax County man claimed the $1 million Powerball prize he won after purchasing the winning ticket in Kingstowne, according to the Virginia Lottery. Dennis Mastie matched five of the six winning numbers to win $1 million for the Jan. 23 Powerball drawing. Mastie, who is retired, said he has no immediate plans for his winnings.

• $50K Powerball Winning Ticket Bought At 7-Eleven In Falls Church Area
• $50K Powerball Ticket Sold At Dale City 7-Eleven

Star NoVA Students

• Oakton High Star Student Helps With Food Bank, Other Causes
• Ashburn Star Student Shines On Stage And In The Community
• Reston Theatre Student Works Backstage In Emerson College's 'Paris'
• Star Ashburn Student Is A Speaker, Entrepreneur, And Activist
• Ashburn Star Student Balances Straight A's With Volunteer Work

Where to Find Girl Scout Cookies in NoVA

• Girl Scout Cookie Season: Where To Find Stands Around Woodbridge
• Girl Scout Cookie Season: Where To Find Stands Around Manassas
• Girl Scout Cookie Season: Where To Find Stands Around Leesburg
• Girl Scout Cookie Season: Where To Find Stands Around Ashburn
• Girl Scout Cookie Mania: Where To Find Stands Around Reston
• Girl Scout Cookie Mania: Where To Find Stands Around Herndon
• Girl Scout Cookie Mania: Where To Find Stands Around Vienna
• Girl Scout Cookie Mania: Where To Find Stands Around Alexandria
• Girl Scout Cookie Mania: Where To Find Sales Around Route 1 Corridor
• Girl Scout Cookie Mania: Where To Find Stands Around Fairfax City
• Girl Scout Cookie Mania: Where To Find Stands Around Falls Church

A Few More Good News Stories:

• Top McLean Realtor Team Joins Chantilly-Based Samson Properties
• Arlington Wants Next Poet Laureate To 'Awaken The Poet In All Of Us'
• Nominations For Favorite Library Staff Requested By Fairfax County
• GMU Students Tag Monarch Butterflies To Help Save Endangered Species
• 5K Fun Run In Kingstowne To Raise Awareness Of Mental Health Issues