Author: FFXnow.com

Voting Underway in Special Election — Polls opened at 6 a.m. today (Tuesday) in the special election to choose a new Braddock District supervisor. “Do you know if you live in the Braddock Supervisory District? Before you head to the polls, confirm your registration status and polling place.” [Fairfax County Government]

Pedestrian in Fatal Crash Identified — Fairfax County police have identified the pedestrian killed in a crash on Richmond Highway on Sunday (Dec. 7) as Roger Brown, a 67-year-old Fort Belvoir resident. The crash remains under investigation, but police say “alcohol and speed do not appear to be factors.” [FCPD]

State Pulls Back Funding for Lake Accotink Dredging — “The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has withdrawn $60.5 million in construction loans previously allocated for dredging Lake Accotink, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services announced.” County staff say the move doesn’t affect their ability to reapply for loans in the future, but they will “continue pursuing alternative funding sources” in the meantime. [Annandale Today]

Mount Vernon Mansion Reopens — “George Washington’s Mount Vernon is celebrating the completion of several phases of a $40 million revitalization project. In late November, the Mount Vernon Ladies Association reopened all first and second-floor rooms in the historic mansion for the first time since January 2024.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

GMU Rector Defends Meeting Without Quorum — “As George Mason University Rector Charles Stimson addressed his colleagues Thursday, he sat across from faculty members, students and campus workers holding signs plastered with images of his face, gathered in opposition to his decision to hold a second executive committee meeting with only six voting members.” [Virginia Mercury]

Dems Split on Right-to-Work Repeal — “A Virginia Democrat has filed legislation that would repeal its “right-to-work” law, which would allow for mandatory fees on employees who benefit from union-negotiated contracts. While a repeal of the law is popular with labor groups, debates among General Assembly Democrats could showcase rifts within their party.” [VPM News]

Sidewalk Project Starts Despite Objections — “Despite strong opposition from nearby residents, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation is proceeding with a sidewalk project next to Justice Park along Peace Valley Lane … Residents’ outrage is less about the sidewalk than the lack of communication, said Ravenwood resident Kathleen Brown.” [Annandale Today]

Walkinshaw Visits Reston Book Store — Rep. James Walkinshaw visited Scrawl Books yesterday (Monday) for a roundtable with local business owners, who discussed how they’re being affected by rising costs and the Trump administration’s tariffs. “Local small business owners told me plainly: Trump’s tariffs are driving up costs, forcing some to raise prices and lay off employees,” the Congressman says. [James Walkinshaw/Bluesky]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 35 with calm winds turning south at 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Tonight, it will be mostly cloudy with a low around 30 and south winds at 8 to 10 mph. [NWS]

Family Seeks Help Finding Missing Man — “A family is pleading for help to find a missing 78-year-old man who left his home in Northern Virginia Monday and hasn’t been seen since that afternoon. Quang Hang left his Chantilly home about 2:30 p.m. to take his car, a 2007 red Toyota Camry, to a mechanic in Leesburg but never arrived.” [NBC4]

Shooting in Burke Under Investigation — “Fairfax County police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred on Sunday in the 5500 block of Burley Court in Burke. Shots were fired around 5:40 p.m., resulting in damage to multiple vehicles, police said.” A man was driven to a hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. [WJLA]

Man Convicted for Fatal Crash — “A jury today (Friday) found a Fairfax man guilty of aggravated involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol for a series of crashes on April 16 that killed a teenager.” Jilmar Doria-Medina, 42, was charged with fatally striking 19-year-old Abdullahi Mumin on King Street in Alexandria while the teen was walking with his brother to a nearby McDonald’s. [ALXnow]

GMU Board Denies Settlement Drafted — “George Mason University officials said Thursday that no settlement agreement has been proposed with the federal government as it navigates four civil rights investigations … Outside of the meeting, a group of faculty members protested against the board, accusing it of meeting improperly because it lacked the required members to form a quorum.” [Virginia Mercury]

Braddock Candidate Suggests ‘Mega Mansion’ Tax — Carey “Chet” Campbell, an independent candidate to become the next Braddock District supervisor, says funding county schools is his top priority. He’s also proposing a “progressive tax on ‘mega mansions’ valued at more than $5 million,” among other measures, to fund services without raising property taxes on everyone. [WJLA]

Tires Piling Up Under Springfield Mixing Bowl — “FOX 5 inspected the scene underneath the Mixing Bowl in Springfield, along the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks that carry VRE’s Manassas line — a somewhat hidden place that’s become a dumping ground for car and truck tires.” While the sources of the tires is unknown, the Virginia Department of Transportation said it’s “aware of the situation” and will lead cleanup efforts “since it is located within our right of way.” [FOX5]

Portable Solar Systems Proposed — “Allowing Virginians to generate their own electricity using small solar panel systems plugged in at home was among more than a dozen proposals that a state commission voted Thursday to recommend to the Virginia General Assembly.” The report from the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation could inform legislation considered during the 2026 session. [Cardinal News]

Fairfax City Restaurant Adds Play Space — “Ned’s New England Deck in Fairfax was already a family-friendly destination for lobster rolls and fried clam strips … Now, with their own two- and four-year-old boys, the [owners] wanted to do more for families with young kids. Recently, they opened Play Date Social on the top floor of the restaurant, featuring a 500-square-foot play area in the middle of the dining room.” [Washingtonian]

It’s Monday — There’s a 20% chance of snow from 8am to 2pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 32. Monday night, the clouds will gradually clear, and the temperature will drop to around 20. [NWS]

Va. Man Charged in Pipe Bomb Investigation — “A man suspected of planting pipe bombs outside Democratic and Republican party headquarters in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, siege, on the U.S. Capitol was arrested Thursday, authorities say. Brian Cole Jr., 30, of Woodbridge, Virginia, was charged with transporting an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction by means of explosive materials, according to charging documents.” [NBC4]

D.C. Congestion Worsened in 2025 — “Drivers in the D.C. area spent more time stuck in traffic in 2025 than the year before, according to data from the analytics firm INRIX. The average driver in D.C. lost 70 hours to traffic in 2025, which the company calculates by looking at the difference between peak and off-peak congestion. That’s a 13 percent increase from last year’s 62 hours, according to the report.” [Washington Post]

County Considers Easing Accessory Unit Rules — “The Fairfax County Planning Commission is considering changes to make it easier for residents to establish accessory living units (ALUs) … The board authorized ALUs in 2021 as part of a major overhaul of the zoning code. At that time, there was opposition from residents who raised concerns that ALUs would destabilize neighborhoods and turn single-family homes into ‘boarding houses.'” [Annandale Today]

Federal Officers Seen at Vienna Park — “A group of about 10 to 15 federal law enforcement officers dressed in khakis and carrying firearms gathered at Nottoway Park outside the Town of Vienna around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. ‘We are not ICE. This is not immigration,’ an officer with ‘DEA’ on his uniform told a Patch reporter.” [Patch]

Startup Tackles Prescription Drug Costs — “Founded in McLean last year, Crux works with global pharmaceutical companies and employers to bring quality-of-life medications such as those for weight loss, addiction and sleep to U.S. consumers at discounted rates.” Funded with $6.5 million from the venture capital firm Red Cell Partners, the company will first provide access to a “name-branded” diabetes/weight loss drug “through employee-benefit programs in early 2026.” [Washington Business Journal]

Holiday Events Coming to Local Parks — “Join family, friends and neighbors at the parks this holiday season. With more than 50 holiday-themed activities and events to choose from, Fairfax County Park Authority has something for everyone — from wagon and train rides to candlelit tours and, of course, Santa himself!” [FCPA]

Woodburn Students Visit Sen. Warner — “Wonderful to welcome kids from Woodburn Elementary School to see my office and decorate my Christmas tree today. At the end of the day, everything I do in the Senate is about building a better and stronger country for them to grow up in. Happy holidays, Virginia!” [Mark Warner/Bluesky]

Annual Pancake Breakfast at Historic House — “The Turner Farmhouse Foundation invites the community to its annual Pancake Breakfast and Open House on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the historic Turner Farmhouse in Great Falls. The event is free, open to the public and includes onsite parking. Guests are encouraged to RSVP online; tickets are provided at no cost.” [FCPA]

It’s Friday — Snow is expected before 11am, with temperatures reaching a high around 33°F. There is an 80% chance of precipitation. Ice accumulation is not anticipated, and new snow will likely be less than half an inch. Friday night will see patchy fog and mostly cloudy conditions, with a low temperature of approximately 26°F. [NWS]

FCPD Details Thanksgiving DWI Arrests — “Between November 26 and November 30, the FCPD arrested and charged twenty impaired drivers with a variety of DWI offenses. This enforcement push marked the department’s commitment to improve safety and remove impaired drivers from our roadways.” [FCPD]

New Agreement to Protect Chesapeake Bay — Outgoing Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin joined his counterparts from Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and “other regional representatives” on Tuesday (Dec. 2) to enact “a new, 15-year agreement to reduce pollution, build habitats, and protect the Chesapeake Bay.” [Virginia Mercury]

Virginia Lagging in Traffic Safety Laws — “When it comes to laws aimed at keeping drivers and passengers safe, D.C. and Maryland are ahead of Virginia, according to a new report from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. But all three jurisdictions have room to improve … Among the improvements needed in Virginia include a need for a strong seat belt law.” [WTOP]

Bill Could Allow More Faith-Based Affordable Housing — “By some estimates, the Commonwealth has a shortage of some 300,000 homes and apartments, but some lawmakers are hoping to boost construction by relaxing some regulations for faith-based and nonprofit groups.” Legislation proposed by state Sens. Jennifer Carroll Foy, whose district includes Burke, and Jeremy McPike would allow religious organizations to develop affordable housing by-right. [NBC4]

Dems Committed to Redistricting Push — “Virginia Democrats appear to be sticking to a plan to put a constitutional amendment before voters that would allow a new congressional map in 2026, despite a sweeping victory in November’s general election and a fluid redistricting landscape nationwide.” Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell expects Democrats could flip at least the 1st and 2nd Congressional districts with redrawn maps. [VPM]

Juveniles Arrested for Vape Shop Burglaries — “A heavy police presence shattered the calm of a quiet street in the Broyhill Crest neighborhood in Annandale on Tuesday morning. Armed with a search warrant, police found evidence in a home on Bradley Circle tying a juvenile to burglaries at nine vape shops.” Police have identified a total of five juveniles they believe were involved, including three were arrested on Dec. 2. [Annandale Today]

Massive Debris Removed From Mount Vernon Trail — “The Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail discovered the debris, a large sling fender, sitting in the Potomac River’s low tide line near the Marina Towers building at 501 Slaters Lane during the Nov. 15 Mega Trash Bash cleanup.” Volunteers needed to return a week later to cut up the fender, which weighed an estimated 500 pounds, so they could remove it. [ALXnow]

Mini Art Vending Machine Offers Holiday Prints — Fairfax City’s Mini-Art Machine has reemerged at Cinema Arts Theatre (9650 Main Street), where it will sell winter and holiday-themed watercolor prints by artist Tommy Tang for $1 through Sunday, Dec. 28. “These stunning mini art prints would make perfect gift tags or holiday card enclosures for those special people on your list!” [Fairfax City]

It’s Thursday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 42 degrees and wind gusts up to 24 mph. Evening will be partly cloudy, with lows near 23 degrees. Northwest winds of 5-10 mph will become light and variable after midnight, with gusts potentially reaching 18 mph. [NWS]

Miyares Sides with Feds in FCPS Funding Lawsuit — “Outgoing Attorney General Jason Miyares and other Republican officials jointly filed a brief last Tuesday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, arguing that the U.S. Department of Education was right to label APS and Fairfax County Public Schools as ‘high risk’ and place restrictions on their funding” based on their policies supporting transgender students. [ARLnow]

Stronger Stance on Casino Proposed — “For the first time since news of the controversial Tysons casino project became public in January 2023, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will consider adding language to its draft 2026 Legislative Program to oppose legislation that would pave the way for the project to move forward.” The amendment will be proposed by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn. [Patch]

Warner Launches Reelection Bid — Virginia Sen. Mark Warner officially announced yesterday (Tuesday) that he’s running for reelection in the 2026 Congressional midterms. In a video announcing his campaign for a fourth term, “Warner shared concerns about artificial intelligence’s potential impact on the job market and general affordability, including grocery prices, housing and energy costs.” [WTOP]

Republican Challenges Beyer — “Luke Nathan Phillips, a freelance tour guide, is running as a Republican against Rep. Don Beyer in Virginia’s 8th congressional district. In launching his campaign on Dec. 1, Phillips said his main priority is protecting the National Park System and other public lands.” He will compete against Vienna resident and former CIA agent Anthony “Tony” Sabio for the GOP nomination in a June primary. [Annandale Today]

Teen Arrested for Stolen Gun — “On November 28, at 6:42 p.m., detectives were alerted to a larceny in the 1900 block of Chain Bridge Road in Tysons. Our officers learned that Loss Prevention officers had observed the suspect concealing items and left the [store] before being apprehended.” The 18-year-old from D.C. has been charged with possessing a gun that was reported stolen from Prince George’s County, larceny and other offenses. [FCPD]

Cause of Kings Park West House Fire Found — “On Monday, December 1, around 5:15 p.m., the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) responded to reports of a house fire in the 4700 block of Twinbrook Road … Fire investigators with FCFRD’s Office of the Fire Marshal determined the fire originated in the discarded construction material at the rear of the structure. The fire was accidental and caused by improperly discarded smoking material. Damages are estimated at $108,600.” [FCFRD]

CUE Bus Stop Temporarily Moves — “The CUE Bus stop at Fairfax Boulevard and Campbell Avenue (Green 2, stop #8) will be unavailable during construction of the Beacon Landing housing development, which is scheduled to begin the week of Dec. 1. Westbound riders should use the bus stop located at Fairfax Boulevard and Spring Street.” [Fairfax City]

Metrobus Introduces Digital Signage — “Innovation is the name of the game! Check out our new digital bus sign (the first in the nation!) rolling out as part of a new pilot program. For now, you’ll only see this sign on one bus, but it offers a glimpse into the future of external communication & advertising on Metro.” [WMATA/Bluesky]

It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny skies and a high of 42 degrees, with northwest winds at 5 to 10 mph turning light from the west in the afternoon, and gusts possibly reaching 21 mph. Wednesday night will be mostly clear with a low around 28 degrees and calm winds. [NWS]