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.

Published July 15, 2024 at 3:45PM

Tim Pendergrass, Ridges at Edsall HOA president, speaks at a data center rally next to the site of a proposed data center at 6295 Edsall Road (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is gearing up to vote on landmark zoning regulations for data centers, potentially making this a pivotal week for the industry’s future in the area.

The board will hold a public hearing tomorrow (Tuesday) on zoning ordinance amendments that, if approved, would bar data centers from being built by-right in commercial and medium industrial districts and remove over a dozen heavy industrial districts from potentially allowing data centers.

News

Reston Association invites camp staff to 50-year reunion later this month

By James Jarvis

Published July 15, 2024 at 2:15PM

Reston Camps (photo via Reston Camps/Facebook)

Reston Association is marking the 50th anniversary of Reston Camps with a reunion event for former camp staff.

The reunion, which also serves as a fundraiser for the Friends of Reston’s “Send a Kid to Camp” program, will allow former counselors to reconnect, share memories, and reflect on how their experiences with Reston Camps have influenced their careers, according to a press release.

Countywide

FCPS plans pilot as Gov. Youngkin seeks to restrict cell phone use in schools

By James Jarvis

Published July 12, 2024 at 1:30PM

A closeup of an iPhone screen (via Adrien/Unsplash)

Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s recent executive order to limit phone use in Virginia schools may align with a new pilot program being considered by Fairfax County Public Schools.

Signed Wednesday (July 10), the executive order directs the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to gather feedback from parents, teachers, and administrators to create guidelines for enforcing “cell-phone-free” classrooms in public schools.

Countywide

Fairfax County secures funding to buy new hybrid Connector buses

By James Jarvis

Published July 11, 2024 at 2:30PM

A Fairfax Connector bus (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is set to receive close to $51 million from the federal government to buy 60 new diesel-electric hybrid Connector buses.

Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner announced yesterday (Wednesday) that the county has been awarded over $50.5 million for the buses from the Federal Transportation Administration’s Low or No Emission Grant program, which has funded more than 1,100 buses in 47 states.

News

Fairfax City Council says ‘yes’ to new apartments at WillowWood Plaza

By James Jarvis

Published July 11, 2024 at 11:30AM

A proposed mixed-use building at 10306 Eaton Place in Fairfax City (courtesy of Capital City Real Estate)

Fairfax City will soon see the construction of a seven-story residential and retail building next to WillowWood Plaza along Eaton Place following a near-unanimous vote of approval from the city council earlier this week.

The new development, dubbed “N29 Apartments,” will replace a 328-space, 2.96-acre parking lot at 10306 Eaton Place, adjacent to a 1980s-era office complex.

News

VDOT seeks public input on Great Falls road’s safety amid high crash rates

By James Jarvis

Published July 10, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated October 17, 2024 at 10:42AM

The Virginia Department of Transportation is studying Walker Road in Great Falls for potential safety improvements (via VDOT)

Following concerns about frequent traffic accidents and continuous speeding, the Virginia Department of Transportation is gathering feedback from residents via a public survey on the safety of Walker Road in Great Falls.

The survey, which will be active through this Friday (July 12), was initiated at the request of State Sen. Jennifer Boysko, Del. Rip Sullivan, and Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman. It aims to address safety issues along a 2-mile stretch from Colvin Run Road to Georgetown Pike.

Around Town

Bunnyman Brewing gets new outpost hopping at former Lorton prison

By James Jarvis

Published July 10, 2024 at 11:30AM

Bunnyman Brewing's Lorton location at 9514 Workhouse Way (courtesy of Sam Gray)

After a nearly year-long delay, Bunnyman Brewing opened its second location at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton late last month.

The Fairfax-based brewery, which also operates a location in Burke just south of Royal Lake Park, officially launched its new outpost at 9514 Workhouse Way on June 29, coinciding with the Workhouse Arts Center’s Independence Day fireworks event.

Around Town

After 32 years, Herndon’s Russia House restaurant to rebrand as French eatery

By James Jarvis

Published July 9, 2024 at 3:30PM

Russia House in Herndon (via Google Maps)

Russia House in Herndon is set to rebrand as a French restaurant this month.

Owners Ali and Homeyra Darugar recently announced on Facebook that the establishment’s final day after 32 years as Russia House will be tonight (Tuesday, July 9). However, they assured patrons this was “not a goodbye.”

News

Artists wanted to help McLean Community Center celebrate 50th anniversary

By James Jarvis

Published July 9, 2024 at 1:30PM

The McLean Community Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The McLean Community Center (MCC) is inviting local artists to undertake two public art projects to commemorate its 50th anniversary next year.

One of the commissioned pieces is a mural planned for the rear wall of the Old Firehouse Center at 1440 Chain Bridge Road. The second installation is a sculpture targeted for the rear plaza of the community center, located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue.

News

Bridging worlds: Annandale High School club unites and uplifts refugee students

By James Jarvis

Published July 9, 2024 at 11:30AM

Sosan Barakzai (left) and Husna Basiri graduated from Annandale High School in June (courtesy Donnie Biggs/Fairfax County Public Schools)

For nearly three years, a student-led club at Annandale High School has provided emotional and academic support to dozens of adolescent Afghan refugees and other immigrant students who have resettled in Fairfax County.

Recent Annandale High graduates and Afghan natives Sosan Barakzai and Husna Basiri established the Dunya Club in September 2021 to help their peers who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul adapt to their new environment and find a new community.

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