Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

JUST IN: Driver killed in crash on I-495 prior to winter storm

Published January 25, 2026 at 10:15AM

Virginia State Police vehicle (photo by John Calhoun/JC Photography)

Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred last night (Saturday) on the Capital Beltway (I-495) in Springfield prior to the ongoing winter storm.

Troopers responded around 8:24 p.m. after a sedan exiting from southbound I-395 to northbound I-495 “lost control” when approaching Backlick Road.

Countywide

JUST IN: Fairfax Connector will suspend service during Winter Storm Fern

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 24, 2026 at 3:30PM

A passenger boards a Fairfax Connector bus at a stop on Sunset Hills Road in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax Connector will not provide any bus service during the upcoming Winter Storm Fern.

With heavy precipitation and ice accumulation expected, the county bus system announced this afternoon (Saturday) that it will suspend service starting at 9 p.m., continuing through Sunday (Jan. 25).

Countywide

NEW: Fairfax declares local emergency for Winter Storm Fern, FEMA to assist

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 24, 2026 at 11:15AM | Updated February 5, 2026 at 7:25PM

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and other state officials discuss their preparations for an expected winter storm on Jan. 22, 2026 (via Abigail Spanberger/YouTube)

Fairfax County has issued a local emergency declaration for Winter Storm Fern, enabling it to mobilize additional resources and seek outside assistance.

Expected to hit the D.C. region tonight (Saturday) and linger into early Monday morning (Jan. 26), the storm could bring “catastrophic” ice accumulation and “heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain,” totaling between seven and 14 inches, according to the National Weather Service. A Winter Storm Warning has been issued, starting at 11 p.m.

Countywide

Fairfax County facilities, schools to close tonight for winter storm

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 24, 2026 at 10:20AM | Updated January 24, 2026 at 11:05AM

Fairfax County school buses lined up in the snow outside Vienna Elementary School (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Activities on Fairfax County government and school grounds will largely grind to a halt starting tonight (Saturday), as the region hunkers down for a potentially crippling snowstorm.

Fairfax County will close all of its facilities at 8 p.m. today through Sunday (Jan. 25) in anticipation of Winter Storm Fern, which is expected to bring snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice that could snarl roads and power lines for days.

News

Reston Association head resigns, setting up third search in eight years

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 23, 2026 at 3:45PM

Mac Cummins served as Reston Association's CEO from August 2022 to Jan. 22, 2026 (via RA)

Reston Association CEO Mac Cummins has stepped down, requiring the homeowners’ association to conduct its third search for a top executive in less than a decade.

Cummins resigned effective immediately to “pursue new professional opportunities,” RA President Travis Johnson announced at a board of directors meeting last night (Thursday).

Countywide

JUST IN: Watch elevated to Winter Storm Warning for Fairfax County

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 23, 2026 at 10:35AM

A snow plow near the Park Street and Maple Avenue intersection in Vienna on Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The National Weather Service continues to pile on alerts for the potentially massive snowstorm barreling toward the D.C. area.

The agency has now upgraded a previously announced winter storm watch for the region, including Fairfax County, into a Winter Storm Warning that’s scheduled to take effect at 11 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday) and remain in place until 4 a.m. Monday (Jan. 26).

News

Townhomes on former Rudy’s Golf site to begin construction this year

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 23, 2026 at 9:15AM

A rendering of the Banner Heights townhome development coming to Kingstowne (courtesy EYA)

A longtime destination for local golf enthusiasts will soon give way to Kingstowne’s newest residential neighborhood.

Developer EYA anticipates breaking ground this spring on Banner Heights, bringing 174 townhomes to a 17.4-acre site on South Van Dorn Street that once hosted Topgolf’s original facility.

Countywide

Va. declares state of emergency ahead of expected snowstorm, cold weather

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 22, 2026 at 3:45PM

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and other state officials discuss their preparations for an expected winter storm on Jan. 22, 2026 (via Abigail Spanberger/YouTube)

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger declared a State of Emergency today (Thursday), as the D.C. region steels for what could be its biggest snowstorm in years.

With the National Weather Service predicting significant snowfall starting Saturday night (Jan. 24), Spanberger and other state officials urged residents across the Commonwealth to make preparations now to stay at home throughout the weekend and potentially into the coming week.

News

Terminal redesigns, people mover alternatives and more proposed for Dulles Airport

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 22, 2026 at 10:00AM | Updated January 22, 2026 at 10:38AM

New terminal for Dulles Airport proposed by Bermello Ajamil and Partners (via Zaha Hadid Architects)

A building exclusively for diplomatic visits, an autonomous shuttle system and a conversion of its distinctive main terminal into a museum are just some of the changes that could be in store for Dulles International Airport.

The U.S. Department of Transportation requested proposals in early December for ways to “revitalize” the airport on the Fairfax/Loudoun county border, claiming that it’s in “a state of disrepair” and already-planned renovations are “insufficient” for a global gateway to the nation’s capital.

News

McLean Chocolate Festival postponed as region braces for winter storm

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 22, 2026 at 9:15AM

A sign marks a snow emergency route prioritized for plowing in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The McLean Chocolate Festival has been postponed, and other events across Fairfax County are likely to follow, as a potentially major snow storm bears down on the D.C. region.

Originally set for this Sunday (Jan. 25), the McLean Chocolate Festival will instead return for its 14th year on Sunday, March 15, the Rotary Club of McLean announced yesterday. It will be held at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Avenue) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.