🌱 High Winds Cause Power Outages + Man Arrested For Laser Strike

Hey, neighbors. It's Friday in Oakton and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening locally.

But first, your weekend weather:

• Friday: A passing afternoon shower. High: 62 Low: 39.
• Saturday: Breezy with clouds and sun. High: 52 Low: 29.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny; breezy, cooler. High: 44 Low: 27.
• Monday: Clouds and sun. High: 49 Low: 27.

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Here are the top three stories in Oakton:

1. High winds in the DC region have caused widespread power outages in Fairfax County. A fallen tree on power lines and the resulting fire closed Georgetown Pike in both directions on Tuesday. The National Weather Service issued a Wind Advisory on Wednesday alerting residents that gusts could reach up to 50 mph. (FFXnow)
2. A man in northern Virginia was arrested in connection with a laser strike that targeted a local police helicopter during a pursuit. The suspect, a 25-year-old man, had been released on bond and was initially taken into custody for interference with the operation of an aircraft. Pointing lasers at aircraft is illegal and dangerous, with 47 pilots reporting injuries linked to laser strikes in 2021, according to the FAA. (CBS News)
3. The Tysons Urban Team and Fairfax County Police Department recovered a stolen car and firearm on Mar. 12, as reported in a Facebook post. The police department received an alert from a license plate reader that a stolen 2018 BMW X5 was detected in the area, leading officers to locate the vehicle and detain a man and a woman returning to it. The suspects were found in possession of the stolen vehicle, a stolen firearm, narcotics, and false IDs. (DC News Now)

Coming up in and around Oakton:

Saturday, March 18

• Photos With The Bunny At Springfield Town Center, Springfield (12:00 PM)
• Film Festival At Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Persons (1:00 PM)

Sunday, March 19

• Todd Wright Duo At Starr Hill Brewery, Tysons (2:00 PM)

Monday, March 20

• Game Night/Karaoke Night At Earp's Ordinary, Fairfax (7:30 PM)

Tuesday, March 21

• Verdant Meadows At George Washington Masonic National Memorial, Alexandria (7:00 PM)

Wednesday, March 22

• Toast Of Oakton Aloha Open House At Oakton Library (7:00 PM)

Thursday, March 23

• Blippi At EagleBank Arena, Fairfax (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Fairfax County schools will offer AP African American Studies in its high schools next year. (Dogwood)
• New homes have been listed for sale in the Oakton area! Get all the property details at the link. (Oakton Patch)
• Visit the Fairfax County Animal Shelter today through Sunday for your chance at adoption fees from five dollars to $25 from the pot of gold. Make a pet at the shelter feel their luckiest this weekend when they are adopted! (Oakton Patch)

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• Silver and Brass Restoration Services: MONDAYS 10-4 (March 20)
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You're all caught up for today! I'll catch up with you next week with another update.

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.