Author: Scott McCaffrey

A Northern Virginia native, Scott McCaffrey has four decades of reporting, editing and newsroom experience in the local area plus Florida, South Carolina and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. He spent 26 years as editor of the Sun Gazette newspaper chain. For Local News Now, he covers government and civic issues in Arlington, Fairfax County and Falls Church.

News

Heavily used Groveton dog park to receive turf, accessibility upgrades

By Scott McCaffrey
Shih tzu puppy running on grass (via Joe Caione/Unsplash)

An ongoing public-private partnership will support improvements to benefit both dogs and their human companions at Westgrove Park in Groveton.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board on Dec. 10 approved $10,084 from its Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program to cover half the cost of the planned upgrades. The Westgrove Pumphouse Association for Canine Kindness — known as Westgrove PACK — will fund the other half.

Go to Heavily used Groveton dog park to receive turf, accessibility upgrades Read more
News

Planned transformation awaits Fairfax City’s Gateway Regional Park in 2026

By Scott McCaffrey
The picnic area in Fairfax City's Gateway Regional Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Efforts to repurpose Gateway Regional Park in the City of Fairfax into a wetlands education facility could both start and be completed in the coming year.

“That’s the plan,” new NOVA Parks executive director Justin Wilson told members of the Fairfax City Council at its Dec. 9 meeting.

Go to Planned transformation awaits Fairfax City’s Gateway Regional Park in 2026 Read more
Countywide

Ahead of Christmas, report finds drop in impaired driving deaths across D.C. region

By Scott McCaffrey
Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Chief Carlos Heraud helps launch the 2025 St. Patrick's Day SoberRide effort (via Washington Regional Alcohol Program)

Fairfax County saw no year-over-year change, but across the D.C. region overall, deaths connected to impaired driving were down 26% from 2023 to 2024, according to new data.

The recently released annual “How Safe Are Our Roads? Report” by the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) and Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments recorded 74 fatalities connected to alcohol- and/or drug-related vehicle incidents last year — 100 fewer deaths than in the previous year and below the five-year average of 90.

Go to Ahead of Christmas, report finds drop in impaired driving deaths across D.C. region Read more
Countywide

Delayed data shows jump in Fairfax joblessness, as region’s federal workforce shrinks

By Scott McCaffrey
A yard sign in Vienna expressing support for federal workers (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The number of Fairfax County residents reported as unemployed spiked 24% year-over-year in September jobs data delayed by the federal government shutdown.

A total of 621,315 county residents were counted as employed in the civilian workforce, with 20,897 reported unemployed, according to figures reported Dec. 18 by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.

Go to Delayed data shows jump in Fairfax joblessness, as region’s federal workforce shrinks Read more
News

After semester of scrutiny, Mason president urges new graduates to stay true to core values

By Scott McCaffrey
George Mason University president Gregory Washington (screenshot via George Mason)

The newest graduates of George Mason University came from 38 states and 87 countries, overcoming obstacles and charting their own paths en route to commencement day.

“You did it!” university president Gregory Washington exclaimed during the university-wide commencement ceremony, held Dec. 18 at EagleBank Arena.

Go to After semester of scrutiny, Mason president urges new graduates to stay true to core values Read more
Countywide

Report: D.C.-area homes dip in value, but most local owners still turn profit

By Scott McCaffrey
House for sale sign (file photo)

More than 40% of homes across the D.C. region lost value over the past year, a new analysis found. But that doesn’t mean homeowners in Fairfax or surrounding areas are taking major losses on their properties.

Only 2.6% of D.C.-region home sales in the past year were listed for sale below the home’s previous sales price, according to data compiled by Zillow.

Go to Report: D.C.-area homes dip in value, but most local owners still turn profit Read more
News

Fairfax County Park Authority rec centers may have to wait in line for upgrades

By Scott McCaffrey
Fairfax County Park Authority executive director Jai Cole (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) officials want to renovate three aging recreation centers, but with money tight, at least one project will have to be put on hold.

Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole told members of the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Dec. 16) that she is hopeful the full $60 million in funding needed for the Audrey Moore Rec Center will be included in the 2026 park bond sent to voters next November.

Go to Fairfax County Park Authority rec centers may have to wait in line for upgrades Read more
Countywide

Final Fairfax board meeting of 2025 ends late with comments on rogue towing, budget

By Scott McCaffrey
Mandy Nicksolat speaks to county supervisors (screenshot via Fairfax County)

They had signed up to make public comments at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ final meeting of 2025, and about five hours behind schedule, they finally got the opportunity.

The public comment period provided at select board meetings typically is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., but because it is the last item on the agenda, it can start late.

Go to Final Fairfax board meeting of 2025 ends late with comments on rogue towing, budget Read more
Countywide

Prices for single-family houses dip in Fairfax for November, new data shows

By Scott McCaffrey
The townhomes and condos in the new Overlook at Fairfax Boulevard neighborhood near Fairfax City were sold out, as of October 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Prices of single-family homes declined year-over-year, but townhouses and condominiums saw increases across Fairfax County in November, according to new data.

The average sales price of a single-family home countywide dipped 3.2% to $1,138,036, according to figures reported Dec. 10 by MarketStats by ShowingTime.

Go to Prices for single-family houses dip in Fairfax for November, new data shows Read more
Countywide

Fairfax board backs DMV Moves proposals for sustainable Metro funding

By Scott McCaffrey
An Orange Line train pulls into the Vienna Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

It wasn’t unanimous, but the leaders of Virginia’s largest locality have gone on record supporting a regional plan for funding to sustain Metro into the future.

With a 8-1 vote on Dec. 9, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors backed the DMV Moves initiative started by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to identify dedicated funding options for the rail and bus transit system.

Go to Fairfax board backs DMV Moves proposals for sustainable Metro funding Read more
View More Stories