Mary Stachyra Lopez | FFXnow

Planning commission backs proposal for housing on vacant Sully District land

Published September 21, 2026 at 10:00AM

A screenshot from a 2025 Fairfax County staff presentation showing the location of the proposed development. (Courtesy Fairfax County)

A missing piece that would complete Discovery Square’s transformation from planned office park into a mixed-use, residential development in the Sully District is nearing the final stages of approval from Fairfax County.

The proposal, which calls for 108 multifamily units and about 31,400 square feet of neighborhood-serving retail on an 8-acre site in the northwest quadrant of Centreville Road and Wall Road, obtained a key endorsement from the Fairfax County Planning Commission earlier this month.

Countywide

NEW: Gov. Spanberger orders ‘framework’ for regulating data centers, establishes AI task force

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published September 18, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated September 18, 2026 at 4:48PM

Gov. Abigail Spanberger announces a new executive order on data centers (courtesy Office of the Governor)

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has issued an executive order creating a new “accountability framework” that aims to increase transparency around proposed data center projects, establishes checkpoints around energy and environmental impacts, and convenes a new “rapid response” AI task force.

Touted as the “most comprehensive and aggressive data center accountability framework in the country,” Executive Order 22 bans nondisclosure agreements by state agencies or employees, eliminates “by-right” approvals in favor of requiring public hearing and approval processes for projects that generate over 25 megawatts of power, and requires centers to contribute a “more equitable share” of electric costs.

Around Town

Reston Multicultural Festival returns this weekend for 25th anniversary

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published September 18, 2026 at 2:45PM

The Reston Multicultural Center (Courtesy Reston Community Center)

Thousands are expected to gather at Reston Town Center this weekend for the Reston Multicultural Festival, which will celebrate its 25th year of making connections across cultures.

The event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow (Sept. 19), will include dancing and music at three stages, artisan vendors, and community organizations. Pop-up performances are also planned throughout the day.

Countywide

What to expect as early voting for the 2026 election kicks off Friday in Fairfax

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published September 17, 2026 at 2:45PM

"I voted" logos on a voting booth (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

As Democrats attempt to flip control of Congress from the current Republican majority, all eyes will be on national races, but the Nov. 3 election will also give Fairfax County voters a number of questions with local and state implications to consider.

Early in-person voting will kick off countywide tomorrow (Sept. 18) for seats in the House and Senate as well as local issues regarding funding for parks and health and human services projects. In addition, voters will be asked to vote on three constitutional amendments addressing abortion, gay marriage, and voting rights.

News

Man convicted of 2025 attempted rape at Groveton hotel

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published September 17, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated September 17, 2026 at 4:39PM

Surveillance footage released by the Fairfax County Police Department shows the man accused of attempting a sexual assault of a woman at a Groveton hotel on Oct. 4, 2025 (via FCPD)

An Alexandria man has been convicted after attempting to rape a housekeeper at a Groveton hotel last year, though several felony charges were dismissed.

Following a two-day bench trial in Fairfax County Circuit Court on Tuesday and Wednesday (Sept. 15 and 16), Oscar Junior Barrios was convicted of the attempted rape and misdemeanor simple assault, according to court records.

Countywide

Fairfax County board suspends Flock camera installations, as criticism grows in N. Va.

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published September 16, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated September 16, 2026 at 4:53PM

An automated license plate reader (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Amid a growing national backlash to automated license plate readers (ALPRs), Fairfax County leaders want to take a closer look at their partnership with Flock Safety, the country’s leading provider of the controversial cameras.

In response to “hundreds of emails” sent by residents to their offices in recent weeks, county supervisors, led by Board Chair Jeff McKay, voted unanimously yesterday (Tuesday) to pause the installation of new Flock cameras by the Fairfax County Police Department.

News

FCDOT seeks input on bus route changes in Springfield area, including new Tysons service

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published September 16, 2026 at 9:15AM

A Fairfax Connector bus passes Springfield Plaza (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is considering a number of service changes for its Fairfax Connector bus system next spring, including cutting four routes due to low ridership and adding new limited-stop service between the Tysons and Franconia-Springfield Metro stations.

In advance of the service changes, which are concentrated in the Franconia and Springfield area, FCDOT will host two virtual community information meetings: one on Sept. 23 at noon, and another on the same day at 7 p.m. Residents can also leave feedback via an online survey that will be open through Sept. 30.

Countywide

UPDATED: Fairfax supervisors restore crossing guard funding after residents rally for action

By Scott McCaffrey, Mary Stachyra Lopez and Angela Woolsey

Published September 15, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated September 16, 2026 at 9:07AM

Hunter Mill District School Board Representative Melanie Meren speaks at a rally to call for crossing guard funding on Sept. 15, 2026 outside the Fairfax County Government Center in support of restoring crossing guards (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted today (Sept. 15) to restore funding for crossing guard services at a number of public high schools.

The board unanimously approved a fiscal year 2026 budget carryover review package that included $707,908 in funding and 11 full-time police positions to restore coverage of 11 crossings at 10 high schools for the remainder of fiscal year 2027, which began on July 1 and will end on June 30, 2027.

News

Centreville’s 41-acre Trinity Centre office park could be replaced with housing

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published September 15, 2026 at 2:45PM

A multifamily residential building in Stanley Martin Homes and JLB Partners' proposed Trinity Centre redevelopment (via KTGY/Fairfax County)

Two developers are hoping to build a significant amount of new housing on a 41-acre area in Centreville that is currently home to four office buildings.

On the heels of Fairfax County approving an updated long-term vision for a large part of the Centreville area, affiliates of developers Stanley Martin Homes and JLB Partners filed a rezoning application in early September offering two options for redeveloping the Trinity Centre office park.

News

Fairfax City Council can now discipline members under newly adopted code of ethics

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published September 14, 2026 at 3:45PM

The sign in front of Fairfax City Hall (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

The Fairfax City Council voted last week to adopt a formal code of ethics that would allow members to impose sanctions such as a formal censure or loss of seniority for violations.

The new 18-point code of ethics lays out standards for personal and professional behavior applicable to council members, the mayor, and appointed members of boards, committees, and commissions. Broadly speaking, it covers aspects of members’ relationships with one another, conduct in private and in public, and emphasizes their responsibility to act as stewards of the public interest, independent of personal gain.