Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

DEVELOPING: Three killed in single-vehicle crash in Reston

Published March 14, 2026 at 10:40AM

Fairfax County police car lights flashing (file photo)

Three people were killed and two were hospitalized as a result of a single-vehicle crash near Crossfield Elementary School in Reston earlier this morning (Saturday).

As of 10:30 a.m., Fox Mill Road remains closed in both directions at Folkstone Drive, where the crash occurred, as detectives with the Fairfax County Police Department’s Crash Reconstruction Unit investigate.

Countywide

BREAKING: Revised bill would allow temporary Tysons casino without local approval

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 13, 2026 at 10:30PM | Updated March 14, 2026 at 10:49AM

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell seeks support for SB 756, which would make Fairfax County eligible to host a casino (via Senate of Virginia/YouTube)

The bill to allow a casino in Fairfax County has reemerged after nine days of negotiations with some significant changes from the version that passed the Virginia House of Delegates earlier this month.

The State Senate voted 22-16 today (Friday) to accept a substitute for Senate Bill 756 that would allow a temporary casino establishment in Fairfax before a referendum to permit a permanent development goes to voters.

News

UPDATED: GMU gives all-clear after bomb threat closed library

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 13, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated March 13, 2026 at 4:11PM

The lobby of George Mason University's Fenwick Library (staff photo)

Update — George Mason University Police have determined that the bomb threat targeting Fenwick Library was unfounded.

“Law enforcement conducted an extensive search of the building and no devices were found,” a GMU spokesperson said. “The area has been deemed safe and normal operations may resume.”

News

Board calls for initial analysis of planned Reston Parkway, Hunter Mill intersection projects

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 13, 2026 at 8:30AM

Northbound Reston Parkway approaching Bluemont Way (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County might soon start making headway on intersection improvements slated for funding by the Reston Transportation Service District created nearly a decade ago.

The advisory board that provides input on the district’s tax rate and priorities voted without objection on Tuesday (March 10) to request that the county allocate $1 million each to initiate analyses of proposed projects on Reston Parkway at Bluemont Way and New Dominion Parkway as well as one for Hunter Mill Road at Sunset Hills Road.

News

Vacant site near Tysons water tower acquired for affordable housing

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 12, 2026 at 2:45PM

The vacant land south of the Booz Allen Hamilton office building in Tysons Central was turned into a temporary green space with benches and trees (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

More housing could be coming to the partially finished Tysons Central neighborhood outside the Greensboro Metro station, but it will take a slightly different form than what developers pictured over a decade ago.

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) has partnered with the developer Lincoln Avenue Communities to acquire a long-vacant lot near the Tysons water tower and turn it into affordable housing.

Around Town

JUST IN: Reston Station CVS not closing after all

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 12, 2026 at 1:45PM

CVS Pharmacy at 1906 Reston Metro Plaza, Suite 100, in Reston Station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

CVS has backtracked on plans to shutter its pharmacy at Reston Station.

The drug store chain told FFXnow today (Thursday) that it has decided not to close the store at 1906 Reston Metro Plaza, Suite 100, next month after reevaluating its “upcoming store closure plans.”

Countywide

Fairfax County schools to close for redistricting referendum special election

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 12, 2026 at 8:30AM

Cunningham Park Elementary School's cafeteria hosts a polling place for the Nov. 4, 2025 general election (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Schools students will have an unexpected day off this spring, as polling sites take over many school buildings for the upcoming special election on mid-decade redistricting.

FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid announced yesterday (Wednesday) that all schools will close on April 21 in anticipation of high turnout for the referendum, which asks voters to temporarily amend Virginia’s Constitution so the General Assembly can adopt a new Congressional district map.

News

Former Va. first lady Dorothy McAuliffe to run for Congress in proposed 7th district

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published March 11, 2026 at 10:20AM

FILE - Dorothy McAuliffe speaks during a campaign event for her husband Virginia democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe at Lubber Run Park, July 23, 2021, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

Former Virginia first lady Dorothy McAuliffe is officially running for Congress.

The onetime state department official and wife of former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced today (Wednesday) that she will campaign for the proposed 7th Congressional District seat, which would include Annandale, Burke, West Springfield, West Falls Church and Pimmit Hills in Fairfax County.

News

Reston Association resumes consideration of Lake Audubon renaming

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 11, 2026 at 9:15AM

Homes along Lake Audubon in Reston on an autumn day (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Nearly three years after a medical emergency abruptly halted a community meeting on the topic, Reston Association is reviving its consideration of a possible renaming of Lake Audubon.

The homeowners’ association anticipates holding a new community meeting to gather input on the proposal later this spring, while staff finalize a policy establishing a formal process for changing amenity names.

Countywide

Fairfax County offers free trees to residents in bid to expand canopy

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 11, 2026 at 8:30AM

A family plants a tree from the Arbor Day Foundation (courtesy DPWES)

Fairfax County is teaming up with the Arbor Day Foundation to give away free trees to residents as part of its efforts to nurture the local tree canopy.

Starting today (Tuesday), all county residents can sign up online to receive up to two one-gallon trees that will be delivered directly to their homes, according to the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services’ (DPWES) Urban and Community Forestry Division.