Author: FFXnow.com

Cases of Viral Disease Rising — “Over the last two months, there has been an increase in the number of people seeking emergency care for hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), especially involving young children, ages 0 to 4-year-olds in Fairfax County.” The Fairfax Health District has seen six outbreaks of the viral disease so far this year, including five reported within the past two months. [Fairfax County Health Department]

Agriculture Dept. Moving D.C.-Area Jobs — “The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it will relocate about 2,600 jobs out of the D.C. area and vacate the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center building in Prince George’s County. The positions are more than half of the agency’s workforce in the region,” where about 4,600 employees live. [NBC4]

Washington Gas Bills to Go Up — “The utility said in a statement to customers that due to above-average temperatures from October 2024 to May 2025, it collected lower revenues than approved by the State Corporation Commission. Therefore, Washington Gas said, the utility will be collecting additional charges from Virginia customers during the billing months of August, September and October.” [WTOP]

Virginia Braces for Medicaid Changes — “As Virginia lawmakers heard from state health officials Wednesday about potential effects of federal healthcare funding changes approved by Congress earlier this month, it became clear to Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News: ‘we at this time do not have a true sense of what we’re up against.'” Virginia Medicaid Director Cheryl Roberts said the 600,000-plus people who became eligible for Medicaid starting in 2018 will be most affected. [Virginia Mercury]

‘Walking Taco’ Eatery Now Open — “Flavor Hive, the beloved food truck that turned heads with its viral walking taco, is officially opening its first brick-and-mortar location [Thursday] in Annandale.” Located at 4260 John Marr Drive, the restaurant serves Mexican and Middle Eastern-style food, such as “quesadillas, loaded fries, rice bowls, pita pouches, pita melts, and falafel pieces.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Medical Office Buildings Acquired — “Chicago’s Remedy Medical Properties and Los Angeles-based Kayne Anderson Real Estate recently acquired eight medical office buildings in Fairfax County and the city of Alexandria.” The sales include the Children’s National Health System building (3023 Hamaker Court) in Fairfax, Prosperity Medical Center (8501, 8503 and 8505 Arlington Blvd) in Merrifield, Woodburn Medical Park (8289-99 Woodburn Road) in Annandale, and Metro Park III (6354 Walker Lane) in Springfield. [Washington Business Journal]

New Athletic Field for Annandale School — “Sixteen years after the Westminster School purchased an adjoining property on Gallows Road in Annandale, it’s clearing the site for a full-size athletic turf field. The field will be used for soccer, lacrosse, and softball. Tree clearing is expected to be done next week, and the field should be completed in January 2026, says Nancy Schuler, head of the highly acclaimed private school.” [Annandale Today]

Registration Coming for Fall Camps and Classes — “Registration for FCPA classes opens Tuesday, July 29 at 9 a.m. Don’t wait, explore the full lineup today at by visiting the Parktakes website. Register by Aug. 8 and save $8.” The Fairfax County Park Authority will also host camps for kids throughout the fall on topics from sports to the performing arts. [FCPA]

It’s Friday — There’s a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 2pm and 5pm. Despite increasing clouds, temperatures will reach a scorching high of 98 with a heat index up to 106. Friday night, more precipitation is possible before 7pm, followed by partly cloudy conditions and a low of 77. [NWS]

Medicaid Cuts Could Affect Hospitals — “Virginia hospitals will lose out on $26 billion over 14 years under changes to the Medicaid program in President Donald Trump’s tax and spending law, according to new state estimates … The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates it will lead to 10 million fewer people with health insurance in 2034.” [Virginia Public Media]

Driver Killed in I-495 Crash Identified — “The Virginia State Police provided more information on the beltway crash on July 21 that resulted in the death of a driver … According to the VSP, five vehicles were involved, not four as initially reported. Suzzane K. Colbert, 60, of Arlington, the driver of a Scion XB, was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.” [Annandale Today]

Immigration Lawyer on ICE Arrests — Fairfax-based immigration lawyer Ofelia Calderón “says that since Donald Trump took office for his second presidential term in January, she has had about the same number of clients but she’s getting a lot more calls from clients in ‘drastic situations.'” She advises documenting everything if people see ICE agents in their neighborhood. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Lawsuit Challenges Felon Voting Ban — “In a high-stakes voting rights battle with roots in the Reconstruction era, civil rights groups on Friday filed two new motions in a federal lawsuit that could restore voting rights to thousands of Virginians with felony convictions.” A bid for class-action status would expand the case’s impact beyond its plaintiffs to the “more than 300,000 Virginians who they say remain disenfranchised.” [Virginia Mercury]

Mental Health Center Opens — “On Tuesday, Dominion Hospital cut the ribbon on its new Fairfax Mental Health Assessment Center in Fairfax City, providing individuals ages 5 through adulthood with timely evaluations and care recommendations for free … Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., the Fairfax Mental Health Assessment Center is located at 10721 Main St., Suite 1300.” [Patch]

Parking Ticket Fight Leads to Charges — “A grand jury indicted a 29-year-old Virginia woman after she allegedly robbed a parking enforcement officer of their ticket machine in late June.” The Annandale woman allegedly took the D.C. officer’s machine after a “verbal altercation” over a ticket issued to her sister for not moving out of a “no parking zone.” [WJLA]

Fairfax City Economic Development Head to Leave — “After nearly a decade of leading Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED), Christopher Bruno will step down as CEO and Director in late August. Bruno will join New York Law School as its inaugural Chief of Economic Development Programs and Strategies and as a member of its Senior Leadership Team.” [FCED]

Tysons Contractor Boosts Startups — “McLean, Virginia-based government contracting giant Booz Allen Hamilton has tripled its commitment to investing in promising startup companies, specifically in cybersecurity, defense and intelligence. Booz Allen Ventures, launched with $100 million in 2023, has invested in 17 startups to date.” [WTOP]

Bank Eyes N. Va. Expansion — “Powhatan-based, New Horizon Bank has hired two local bankers from M&T Bank to help build a book of business in Northern Virginia as it eyes a branch opening in the region in the next 12 to 18 months.” The company hasn’t identified a location yet but aims to draw “$20 million and $30 million in deposits and $50 million in loans” in the region over the next year with a primary focus on real estate deals. [Washington Business Journal]

It’s Wednesday — Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 87 degrees, accompanied by a calm wind that will shift to the southeast at 5 to 7 mph in the morning. On Wednesday night, the skies will be mostly clear as the temperature drops to around 69 degrees, with a south wind of 5 to 8 mph. [NWS]

Arrest in Bus Driver Assault — An 18-year-old man from Lorton was arrested in Loudoun County on Saturday (July 19) after police identified him as the passenger who allegedly assaulted a Fairfax Connector bus driver on July 8. The man has been charged with aggravated malicious wounding after the driver reportedly suffered serious, though not life-threatening, injuries. [FCPD]

IKEA Looking at Possible Chantilly Restaurant — “Swedish furniture company IKEA recently submitted a food permit application in Fairfax County noted as “IKEA Chantilly,” the Washington Business Journal reported. The application is for a 142-seat, full-service restaurant at 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center Dr. at the Dulles Expo Center.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Guilty Verdict for Deadly Propane Explosion — “A Loudoun County, Virginia, jury has found former propane service technician Roger Bentley guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the February 2024 home explosion that killed volunteer firefighter Trevor Brown … Prosecutors told jurors in closing arguments that Bentley’s ‘actions and failures to act’ caused the Feb. 16, 2024, explosion that killed Brown and injured 14 others.” [WTOP]

Lake Accotink Fix Likely Years Away — “Three studies are underway on Lake Accotink, but it’s going to be years before any action is taken to preserve the lake at a smaller size … The public got a chance to learn about those studies and talk to experts at an open house on July 19 at Kings Glen Elementary School in Springfield.” [Annandale Today]

Local Man Arrested on Drug Charges — “A 33-year-old man, formerly a resident of Alexandria, is being held without bond for multiple narcotics possession charges.” The man was arrested on drug possession charges in December, released on bond and then arrested again on June 11 after a worker at the UPS store in Annandale “reported to police that he was receiving packages of drugs, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.” [ALXnow]

Former Capitals Stars List McLean Homes — Newly retired Washington Capitals forward TJ Oshie and his family moved out of their McLean home, listed for $9.85 million, and returned to Minnesota on Sunday (July 20), the fan blog Russian Machine Never Breaks says. Meanwhile, longtime Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom has moved to his native Sweden and is looking to sell his McLean mansion for just under $12 million. [Washingtonian]

Fairfax Nonprofit Reopens Dental Clinic — Last Thursday (July 18), “the Lamb Center celebrated the grand re-opening and dedication of its on-site dental clinic, a critical resource that will provide compassionate, comprehensive dental health care to 100’s of vulnerable City of Fairfax residents — many of whom are experiencing homelessness or housing instability.” [Patch]

Seafood and Ramen Restaurants Open — “Sea Friend, a carryout-only establishment serving fully cooked seafood, has opened in the former Father & Son Seafood shop at Gunston Plaza in Lorton.” Also in the Route 1 corridor, Yi Do Ramen and Sushi opened June 26 at Belle View Shopping Center. It’s the second location for the Japanese restaurant, which can also be found in Tysons. [On the MoVe]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunshine and a high of around 85 with a gentle northeast wind at 6 mph. Moving onto Tuesday night, the sky will be mostly clear, with the temperature dropping to around 68. The east wind at 6 mph will become calm as evening progresses. [NWS]

Correction: The man arrested on drug possession charges did not work for UPS as initially stated. The drugs were allegedly mailed to the Annandale store, and a worker there reported them to the police.

CD 11 Candidate Forum Scheduled — “The Reston Citizens Association is hosting an 11th Congressional District Forum featuring candidates James Walkinshaw (D) and Stewart Whitson (R) on Monday, July 28, at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods. WJLA TV will be live-streaming the forum, which will be rebroadcast in the days following.” [Patch]

Change Name Back, Trump Tells Football Team — “President Donald Trump is threatening to hold up a new stadium deal for Washington’s NFL team if it does not restore its old name of the Redskins, which was considered offensive to Native Americans.” Whether Trump actually has any authority to hold up a stadium deal is unclear, seeing as President Joe Biden signed a bill in January transferring the land from the federal government to D.C. [Associated Press]

Watch for Road Closures — “Weather permitting, Popes Head Road (Route 654) will have one lane of alternating traffic via flagging just west of Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) Monday, July 21, through Thursday, July 24, for work related to the Fairfax County Parkway and Popes Head Road interchange project.” A segment of Oakton Road will also be closed on those days for a drain pipe replacement. [VDOT]

Longstanding Pizzeria Closes — “Casa D’Mama Pizzaria, an Annandale mainstay for the past 45 years or so, appears to be permanently closed. The family-operated restaurant at 7406 Little River Turnpike specialized in New York-style pizza, subs, calzones, and Italian and Greek entrees.” [Annandale Today]

Dulles Greenway Toll Increase Denied — “The Supreme Court of Virginia has upheld the State Corporation Commission’s September 2024 decision denying a toll increase for the Dulles Greenway, the 14-mile stretch of roadway that links Leesburg to the Dulles International Airport … The court found that the rate increase was neither reasonable nor beneficial to drivers, according to a news release.” [WTOP]

Falls Church Domino’s Moving — “The only Domino’s in Falls Church will soon relocate to a shuttered bike shop, possibly making way for another pizzeria to set up shop.” The pizza chain is expected to move to the former Bike Club storefront at 438 S. Washington Street in mid-November, according to operations manager Himel Uddin. [ARLnow]

Falls Church Foodie Challenge Underway — “Get your passport ready. You’ll need it for the inaugural Greater Falls Church Foodie Trek taking place now through the end of August. The food challenge, held in a dozen local dining destinations, offers prizes and discounts if diners eat at participating restaurants.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Warehouses to Replace Fuel Tank Farm — “On a unanimous vote, the five members of the Fairfax City Board of Architectural Review approved a plan Wednesday night that will see two warehouse buildings replace 10 fuel tanks at the Pickett Road tank farm within the next two years.” Property owner Brookfield hopes to bring “Fortune 500 companies, like Target, like Walmart, and Pepsi” to the area, a legal representative said. [Patch]

It’s Monday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 85°F and a northward wind at about 6 mph. In the evening, there will be clear skies, and temperatures will drop to around 66°F with a gentle northeastward breeze between 3 and 5 mph. [NWS]