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.

News

Fairfax County seeks input on Gallows Road revamp before final report next year

By James Jarvis
Gallows Road at Prosperity Avenue in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County’s study of the Gallows Road corridor is entering its final stages, with a report expected to head to the planning commission early next year.

The project aims to address long-standing safety and mobility challenges along the busy stretch of roadway connecting Tysons and Annandale, but proposed redesigns have sparked debate among residents.

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Countywide

FCPS agrees to teacher pay raises in union contract, but county might struggle to fund them

By James Jarvis
Tina Williams, president of the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers, speaks at a rally prior to a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to allow collective bargaining of county government workers (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

With Fairfax County facing another major budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year, local public school leaders are once again confronting difficult decisions regarding teacher pay raises.

This time, though, there’s a twist: Fairfax County Public Schools has a tentative agreement with the Fairfax Education Unions representing teachers and other employees that includes a roughly $150 million request for a 7% across-the-board pay hike for educators and support staff.

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Countywide

Ongoing boundary review complicates FCPS middle school start time debate

By James Jarvis
Fairfax County Public Schools school bus (file photo)

The Fairfax County School Board is debating whether to delay changing middle school start times until after Fairfax County Public Schools completes its review of school boundary adjustments.

At a work session yesterday (Tuesday), the school board delved into several proposals from the North Carolina-based consulting firm Prismatic Services that would push middle school start times to 8 a.m. or later. Advocates say aligning start times with adolescent sleep patterns could improve students’ mental health and academic performance.

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News

McLean Central Park reopens with major upgrades, including new playground

By James Jarvis
Newly renovated sign for McLean Central Park (staff photo by James Jarvis)

McLean Central Park has reopened to the public following a major revitalization project nearly two years in the making.

The upgrades include modernized playgrounds, a new pavilion, improved walkways and enhanced green spaces. While the Fairfax County Parking Authority is still finalizing a new donor wall, a grand reopening ceremony is scheduled for 9 a.m. this Saturday (Dec. 7).

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News

Fairfax City mayor pushes for ranked-choice voting, staggered elections amid council shake-up

By James Jarvis
Fairfax residents head to the polls during the 2024 general election (staff photo by James Jarvis)

After a transformative election ousted most of Fairfax City Council’s experienced members, Mayor Catherine Read is pushing for election reforms to improve stability and representation.

Her plan includes adopting ranked-choice voting (RCV) and extending council terms to four years with staggered elections. Read says the changes are needed to prevent the kind of turnover seen this year, which she worries could disrupt long-term city projects.

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News

VDOT and Great Falls group clash over safety improvements on Walker Road

By James Jarvis
Walker Road bridge over Piney Run in Great Falls (via Google Maps)

The Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA) is voicing strong objections to safety improvements proposed by the Virginia Department of Transportation for Walker Road, arguing that the plans could make the rural roadway more hazardous rather than safer.

VDOT released an assessment in October of the 2-mile stretch connecting Colvin Run Road to Georgetown Pike in Great Falls. The report recommends several safety improvements, including clearing vegetation, installing new signage and replacing the one-lane bridge over Piney Run with a two-lane structure.

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News

Fairfax City teams up with NOVA to offer free job training to local residents and workers

By James Jarvis
Annandale Campus of Northern Virginia Community Collge, Tuesday, April 24, 2024 (photo courtesy of John Boal Photography)

Fairfax City is launching a new program to provide free training and certifications for fast-growing industries like information technology, health care and cybersecurity.

The Upskill Fairfax City program, a partnership between Fairfax City Economic Development and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), offers no-cost certifications and technical training through specialized courses at the college.

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News

Fairfax debuts affordable housing for seniors and families near GMU campus

By James Jarvis
One University affordable housing development in Fairfax (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The affordable housing market in Fairfax County got a boost this week with the addition of 240 units for seniors and families at the newly opened “One University” development.

Fairfax County officials and community leaders gathered Monday afternoon (Nov. 18) to celebrate the $250 million project, which includes 120 rent-assisted apartment units for families earning 60% or less of the area median income and 120 units for seniors.

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Countywide

Fairfax Water asks residents to help with evaluation of pipes for lead

By James Jarvis
A person fills a glass with tap water (photo by Eric Vance/U.S. EPA)

Fairfax Water has sent about 137,000 letters to customers to help determine whether their pipes might contain traces of lead.

The utility says its source water from the Potomac River and Occoquan Reservoir has no detectable lead and maintains it has “always been in compliance” with federal drinking water guidelines.

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Countywide

Inova settles $2.4M Medicaid fraud case over ‘improperly modified’ claims

By James Jarvis
Inova Fairfax Medical Campus patient drop-off (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Inova has agreed to pay nearly $2.4 million to settle allegations that it falsified Medicaid reimbursement claims tied to sterilization and hysterectomy procedures.

The settlement comes after Inova voluntarily disclosed issues to federal and state authorities, revealing that some Medicaid claims were improperly modified by employees between January and August 2020, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced on Friday (Nov. 15).

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