• Fourth of July fireworks spark $1.2 million house fire in Ashburn. Loudoun Fire & Rescue blamed improperly discarded fireworks for the blaze that gutted a home on July 4. Three people were taken to the hospital. Officials urge residents to rethink firework disposal habits. Full details from Loudoun Fire & Rescue and WTOP coverage
• Flood Watch and Severe Thunderstorm Watch blanket Arlington and the D.C. area through early Monday. Forecasters warn of strong storms and torrential rain overnight. Stay alert for possible flooding and power outages. ARLnow has the alert

• Ayers Variety and Hardware, a Westover mainstay since 1948, is closing. The family-owned shop on Washington Blvd announced it will shut its doors after nearly 80 years. Loyal customers are already mourning the loss of a neighborhood institution. ARLnow breaks the news
• Pie-Tanza, a local pizza favorite, is opening a new spot in Ashburn's Goose Creek Village. The exact Fall opening date is still under wraps, but the owners say they're bringing their signature pies to Loudoun soon. The Burn has the scoop
• Twisted Cat Tavern sets July 21 as opening date for its Lovettsville location. The new spot promises a fresh menu and a boost for western Loudoun's dining scene. See the announcement at The Burn

• Virginia mother charged after leaving 8-year-old daughter in a hot car in Prince William County. Police say the girl was left unattended for nearly an hour on July 1. She is recovering; the mother faces child neglect charges. WTOP reports

• 150 people from 50 countries became U.S. citizens at Mount Vernon during America's 250th birthday celebration. WTOP
• Loudoun County opened cooling centers as extreme heat continues. Loudoun County News
• New retail and restaurant center planned for Loudoun. The Burn
• Relay for America runners passed through Loudoun and Fairfax over the weekend. The Burn

NoVA is sweltering, stormy, and on edge after a holiday weekend full of weather warnings and fire scares. The region's resilience is showing, but so is its exhaustion.

Stay cool, stay safe, and keep an eye on the sky.

Know someone who'd find this useful? Forward it their way; they can subscribe at thenovasignal.com.