Author: FFXnow.com

Cut-Through Traffic Restrictions Proposed for McLean — “To protect McLean neighborhoods overrun by commuters cutting through to avoid bottlenecks on Route 7, Interstate 495 and other major roads, newly elected Fairfax Supervisor Jimmy Bierman (D-Dranesville) wants to restrict peak-hour traffic in those neighborhoods, but exempt residents living there using a vehicle-sticker program.” [Gazette Leader]

Bill to Regulate Marijuana Sales Advances — “Three years after Virginia lawmakers voted to legalize possession of small amounts of marijuana for adults, the General Assembly is finally moving ahead with efforts to create a marketplace for the manufacture and sale of recreational cannabis. There’s a long way to go. And even supporters don’t agree on an approach — or know whether Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) will go along.” [Washington Post]

Teen Charged With Murder Released on Bond — A 14-year-old charged with fatally stabbing a 17-year-old boy in Annandale earlier this month was released on bond before trial, the victim’s brother says. “The Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said prosecutors asked the judge to keep the suspect in jail until trial, but the judge released him with the ankle monitor on Tuesday.” [NBC4]

Dispute Leads to Stabbing on Fairfax Connector Bus — “A juvenile was injured in a stabbing on a Fairfax Connector Bus Thursday evening in Hybla Valley, according to Fairfax County police. Officers said they responded to the 4300 block of Lawrence Street around 3 p.m. for a report of a juvenile male with a stab wound to their upper body.” [WJLA]

Fairfax County Casino Bill Advances — A Senate committee voted 10-4 yesterday (Wednesday) to advance the bill that would make Fairfax County eligible for a casino despite opposition from many local residents, homeowners’ organizations and some county and state elected officials who represent Reston and Tysons. “The bill now goes to the Senate Finance Committee for another round of review.” [Associated Press]

Vote Deferred on Housing at Franconia Government Center — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to defer its decision on the transfer of the Franconia Governmental Center property to the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority. At a public hearing prior to the Board of Supervisors’ vote, many residents expressed opposition to plans to build multifamily affordable housing at the site.” [Patch]

Annual Homelessness Count Starts Tonight — “Fairfax County, along with the greater Washington D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virgina region, will conduct a ‘Point-In-Time’ count of individuals and families experiencing homelessness, beginning in the evening on January 24, 2024, and continuing through the morning of January 25.” [Housing and Community Development]

Region’s Economy Lagging, Forum Speaker Says — “The Vienna Department of Economic Development’s first-ever ‘State of the Economy’ event provided information, spectacle, tasty food and town-promoting swag to about 70 people who filled the Vienna Community Center’s auditorium Jan. 18.” Keynote speaker Keith Waters said the D.C. region’s “economic output has been lagging the nation’s for about 13 years.” [Gazette Leader]

D.C. Area Restaurant Week Extended — “The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington has decided to keep Winter Restaurant Week going from Jan. 22 to Jan. 28, doubling the amount of time visitors to participating D.C. restaurants can get multi-course meals at high-end restaurants for much cheaper prices. RAMW decided on the extension after this week’s snowstorms moved through the area.” [NBC4]

Fairfax Man Pleads Guilty to Having Machine Guns — “A 67-year-old Fairfax man pleaded guilty on Friday to one count of possessing an unlawful machine gun, according the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. [The man] admitted in court that he possessed four fully automatic machine guns” without “a valid Federal Firearms License or a Special Occupational Tax.” [Patch]