Author: Emily Leayman

Emily Leayman is a senior reporter at ARLnow, ALXnow and FFXnow. She was previously a field editor covering parts of Northern Virginia for Patch for more than eight years. A native of the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, she lives in Northern Virginia.

News

Gov. Spanberger signs energy, contraception bills from Fairfax County legislators

By Emily Leayman
Abigail Spanberger speaks at a campaign event in Annandale (staff photo by Jared Serre)

As the deadline for her to act on 2026 General Assembly legislation approaches, Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed additional bills yesterday (Wednesday) on health care, housing and energy, including a few championed by Fairfax County lawmakers.

The governor has approved hundreds of bills since the General Assembly session ended on March 14. The latest round of bills includes a codified right to contraception, limits on prior authorizations on prescription drugs from insurance plans, stricter emissions standards for data centers, tools to incentivize and preserve affordable housing, and a longer mandatory waiting period before landlords pursue evictions.

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Countywide

Bill in memory of Oakton students would expand possible speed camera locations

By Emily Leayman
Del. Holly Seibold speaks about HB 994 on the House floor (via Virginia General Assembly)

A Virginia bill crafted in memory of Oakton High School students killed on Blake Lane in 2022 is on its way to becoming law.

Del. Holly Seibold (D-12), whose district includes part of Oakton, has been pushing for a bill (HB 994) to expand speed camera locations to “safety red zones” designated by the state. The bill passed the Virginia General Assembly and is awaiting action from Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).

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Around Town

Brewpub aims for late spring opening at Herndon’s Arrowbrook Centre

By Emily Leayman
Arrowbrook Centre in Herndon (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Retail at Herndon’s Arrowbrook Centre continues to grow toward capacity, as more businesses have opened or are in the process of doing so.

NH44 Indian Brewing Company is the latest business planning to open at the Arrowbrook Centre, a mixed-use community near the Innovation Center Metro station with apartments, condos, townhouses and business uses that began opening in 2023.

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Countywide

General Assembly’s data center tax dispute leaves Va. budget unresolved

By Emily Leayman and Associated Press
CoreSite's Reston data center campus (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A dispute over ending a sales tax exemption on data centers stood in the way of the Virginia General Assembly passing a state budget passing before its regular session ended.

Over the past 18 years, Virginia became the world’s largest data hub, but community opposition to data centers has swelled. Most recently, in Fairfax County, environmental groups are questioning plans to sell part of a county-owned parcel at 3721 Stonecroft Blvd in Chantilly to data center developer Starwood Capital Group.

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News

Potential Oakton transportation improvements need more study, residents say

By Emily Leayman
The scope of Fairfax County's Oakton congestion mitigation and safety study (via FCDOT)

As part of a transportation study spurred by a planned redevelopment of the former AT&T campus in Oakton, potential roadway changes were presented at a community meeting on Tuesday (March 10).

The Oakton Congestion and Safety Study was initiated by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors as a follow-up to its unanimous approval of a comprehensive plan amendment to allow mixed-use development on the company’s now-vacant, 33-acre Oakton office campus in 2025.

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Countywide

Stuff the Bus food drive returns this weekend across Fairfax County

By Emily Leayman
Stuff the Bus collection in 2025 (courtesy of Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services)

Fairfax County’s Stuff the Bus food drive to restock local food pantries will return to sites across the county on Saturday (March 14).

Eight grocery store parking lots will serve as collection points from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each site will benefit a different local food pantry. Residents are encouraged to donate non-perishable food or gift cards at the collection sites.

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Around Town

Spring to arrive with Easter Bunny, cherry blossom events at Tysons Corner Center

By Emily Leayman
Blossom Bash at Tysons Corner Center in 2025 (courtesy of Tysons Corner Center)

Spring fever is starting to appear at Tysons Corner Center, with the first day of the new season a little more than a week away.

The mall is hosting several seasonal programs, including the Easter Bunny’s return and official National Cherry Blossom Festival events. The cherry blossom-themed events will coincide with D.C.’s National Cherry Blossom Festival, which runs between March 20 and April 12.

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News

Providence Rec Center closing for two-week maintenance project

By Emily Leayman
The Fairfax County Park Authority's Providence Rec Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Visitors to the Providence Rec Center will have to find another location for their workouts later this month.

The Fairfax County Park Authority announced plans yesterday to close the facility at 7525 Marc Drive in West Falls Church from Monday, March 23 to Sunday, April 5 for maintenance and upgrades.

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Around Town

Mosaic District restaurants partner for late-night pop-ups

By Emily Leayman
Mom and Pop at night in the Mosaic District (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Two eateries around the Mosaic District’s central green space are teaming up to bring new late-night experiences to the mixed-use district.

On two Saturdays (March 7 and 14), NAJA Mediterranean and Mom & Pop will host a late night shawarma and coffee pop-up outside the latter’s location (2909 District Avenue in Merrifield) from 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

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News

Fairfax City sidewalk project rejected for federal funding

By Emily Leayman
Norman Avenue west of the Chain Bridge Road Service Road (via Google Maps)

The City of Fairfax will have to look for other funding means to add a new sidewalk after it missed out on potential financing from the regional Transportation Planning Board.

The city had applied for $3.25 million in funding to construct a sidewalk on Norman Avenue between the Chain Bridge Road Service Road and Hill Street. The funding would have covered a significant part of the project’s $10.8 million estimated cost.

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