Author: James Jarvis

James Jarvis covers county government, local politics, schools business openings, and development for both FFXnow and ARLnow. Originally from Fauquier County, he earned his bachelor’s degree in government from Franklin & Marshall College and his master’s degree in journalism from Georgetown University. Previously, he reported on Fairfax, Prince William, and Fauquier counties for Rappahannock Media/InsideNoVa. He joined the ARLnow news team as an assistant editor in August 2023.

Countywide

Fairfax County School Board’s new budget chair suggests change in approach to funding challenges

By James Jarvis
At-large Fairfax Board of Supervisors representative Kyle McDaniel (staff photo by James Jarvis)

After Fairfax County Public Schools got much less funding than it wanted for teacher pay raises and other investments, new budget chair Kyle McDaniel suggests it’s time for a change in strategy.

McDaniel, who was elected to the school board as an at-large member last year, worries growing divisions in the budget process between the school board and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors could strain relationships as the county tackles its own financial challenges.

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Around Town

Fairfax City’s De Clieu Coffee expanding with second location

By James Jarvis
De Clieu Coffee and Sandwich in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

De Clieu Coffee & Sandwiches is expanding west of Fairfax City, setting its sights on a second location along Route 29 this fall.

A popular destination for its lattes, espressos, house-made sandwiches and baked goods, the cafe has served customers at its original location on Main Street since 2014.

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News

Fairfax County seeks to stifle bad smells from Herndon water plant

By James Jarvis
Getting tap water in a glass (via Swanky Fella on Unsplash)

Complaints from Herndon residents about a pungent odor from the James Corbalis Water Treatment Plant have led Fairfax County officials to consider diverting the wastewater into the sewer system.

Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman explained at a Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday (Tuesday) that the issue began several weeks ago when rising algae levels in the Potomac River led to more organic matter being discharged into a state-permitted tributary of Sugarland Run, resulting in the unpleasant odor.

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News

Chantilly named third-best place for families to live in the U.S.

By James Jarvis
A family looks out at Walney Pond at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fortune magazine has named Chantilly the third-best place for families to live out of 2,000 cities across the U.S.

This is the first time that Chantilly has appeared in the annual rankings, which began with 25 locations in 2022. The 2023 and 2024 rankings expanded to 50 communities — one from each state — with Alexandria representing Virginia last year.

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Countywide

BREAKING: Fairfax County delays vote on data center rules due to staff error

By James Jarvis
Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has postponed all public hearings set for today (Tuesday), including a pivotal vote on proposed data center regulations, to Sept. 10 due to a staff error.

The delay will also affect public hearings held at the board’s last meeting on July 16. It stems from a “regulatory oversight” related to new rules for advertising public hearings that the Virginia General Assembly passed earlier this year, the county announced.

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News

Glade tennis court renovations in Reston to finish ahead of schedule

By James Jarvis
Construction is nearing completion on the Glade tennis courts in Reston (via RA/YouTube

The renovations at Reston’s Glade Tennis Courts, which were initially damaged by a storm in 2018, are nearing completion and expected to wrap up by Labor Day weekend.

Crews are currently installing a French drain — a trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe that directs water away from an area — at the front entrance to address previous runoff issues, Reston Association Director of Capital Projects Chris Schumaker said in a YouTube video released last Friday (July 26).

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News

Vacant Springfield commercial properties eyed for redevelopment

By James Jarvis
Fairfax County is considering allowing multi-family residential development at existing office and retail sites on Springfield Blvd and Amherst Avenue (via Fairfax County)

Developers are looking to transform several acres of unused office and commercial properties between Old Keene Mill Road and Springfield Blvd into multi-family residences.

To allow for the developments, Fairfax County could amend its comprehensive plan to permit 732 residential units and retail on several properties at the intersections of Backlick Road, Amherst Avenue, and Springfield Blvd.

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Around Town

Chicken salad chain sets opening date for Idylwood location, first in Northern Virginia

By James Jarvis
Chicken Salad Chick is coming soon to the former Loyal Companion space at Idylwood Plaza (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

If you live in the Falls Church area and enjoy chicken salad, you’re in luck. Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s only fast-casual chicken salad restaurant, is set to open its first D.C area location in Idylwood in two weeks.

Chicken Salad Chick will celebrate its grand opening at Idylwood Plaza (7505 Leesburg Pike) on Wednesday, Aug. 7, offering one free large chicken salad every month for a year to the first 100 guests, among other prizes, according to a press release.

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Countywide

Fairfax County to add more speed cameras in school zones following successful pilot

By James Jarvis
A sign warns drivers that an upcoming school zone in Fairfax City is enforced by a speed photo camera (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Get ready for more speed cameras in Fairfax County school zones.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors gave its support this week for the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) to move ahead with the installation of 50 additional speed cameras in school zones following the success of its speed camera pilot program.

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News

Wiehle Avenue pedestrian bridge opens to W&OD Trail users — for real this time

By James Jarvis
The new Washington & Old Dominion Trail pedestrian bridge over Wiehle Avenue in Reston (courtesy Hunter Mill District Supervisor's Office)

Let’s try this again: The long-anticipated pedestrian bridge over Wiehle Avenue in Reston is now officially open to Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail users.

Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn had previously announced that the 147-foot-long, 16-foot-wide bridge would open on July 9, but the launch got delayed due to pending final inspections.

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