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.

Countywide

FCPS students report improved mental health in new county youth survey

By Scott McCaffrey
Students walk down a school hallway (via FCPS/YouTube)

Fairfax County school leaders see signs of improving mental health, but also some ongoing red flags, in the county’s most recent youth survey.

“This is always a bittersweet report to read,” at-large Fairfax County School Board member Kyle McDaniel said after Superintendent Michelle Reid detailed the report’s findings at the board meeting last Thursday (Oct. 23).

Go to FCPS students report improved mental health in new county youth survey Read more
Countywide

N. Va. office vacancies hit lowest level since 2020, led by Reston and Herndon, report finds

By Scott McCaffrey
A for lease sign for the office building at 11487 Sunset Hills Road in Reston in June 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Reston and Herndon business corridor was the standout for office leasing across Northern Virginia in the third quarter, according to new data.

While total leasing volume regionwide dipped 25.8% year-over-year, the Reston and Herndon area posted its best performance in three years and totaling about one-third of leasing activity in Northern Virginia as government contractors shrugged off economic challenges and looked toward higher defense spending, according to Savills Research & Data Services.

Go to N. Va. office vacancies hit lowest level since 2020, led by Reston and Herndon, report finds Read more
News

Proposed flight path changes around DCA could benefit Fairfax neighborhoods

By Scott McCaffrey
Plane at Reagan National Airport (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A key advisory panel has signed off on a proposal aimed at spreading out flight corridors departing to and arriving from the south at Reagan National Airport.

The plan, which now heads to local governments and ultimately the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), could provide relief for those living in a swath of southern Fairfax County that currently bears the brunt of aircraft noise in the corridor.

Go to Proposed flight path changes around DCA could benefit Fairfax neighborhoods Read more
Countywide

N. Va. business leaders grow more pessimistic about near-term future of local economy

By Scott McCaffrey
A flyer for FedSupport, a hub of resources for current and former federal workers, seen at a Northern Virginia job fair (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A quarterly survey of Northern Virginia business leaders shows an increasing level of concern about the near-term future of the region’s economy.

Just under half the 120 business leaders surveyed — 49% — foresee the economy declining either “slowly” or “significantly” over the next six months, according to results released yesterday (Thursday) by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Pinkston for the fourth quarter of 2025.

Go to N. Va. business leaders grow more pessimistic about near-term future of local economy Read more
Countywide

Fairfax planning commission torn over how strictly to regulate electric substations

By Scott McCaffrey
Dominion Energy's Tysons substation on Tyco Road (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A split Fairfax County Planning Commission voted last night (Wednesday) to recommend requiring future electrical substations to be built at least 200 feet away from residential property lines.

The commission narrowly supported a 200-foot setback as one of four options on the table. County staff had recommended 100 feet, while some commissioners proposed 150 or 300 feet.

Go to Fairfax planning commission torn over how strictly to regulate electric substations Read more
News

Developer’s plan to replace Fairfax Ridge office building with housing takes step forward

By Scott McCaffrey
A design concept for residential construction to replace the High Ridge office building (via Fairfax County)

Plans to raze an aging office building and replace it with 400 residential units in the Fairfax Ridge Road area of Fairfax Center won unanimous support from the Fairfax County Planning Commission last Thursday (Oct. 16).

The proposal to amend the county’s comprehensive plan guiding development of the site will now be considered by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Go to Developer’s plan to replace Fairfax Ridge office building with housing takes step forward Read more
News

Route 7 BRT planners welcome feedback at recent Culmore open house

By Scott McCaffrey
Participants at community forum discuss Envision Route 7 efforts (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Regional transportation planners continue to take the pulse of riders and other local residents as they prepare for a major revamp of the Route 7 bus corridor.

“It’s a good thing” to be out in the community, said Kate Mattice, executive director of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC), which is overseeing a study that could bring bus rapid transit (BRT) service to the corridor from Tysons to Alexandria.

Go to Route 7 BRT planners welcome feedback at recent Culmore open house Read more
Countywide

Fairfax County’s volunteer fire departments report increasing challenges

By Scott McCaffrey
2025 Volunteer Fire & Rescue Awards (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County’s 12 volunteer fire and rescue departments face critical challenges that may impede their long-term viability, the Board of Supervisors heard on Tuesday (Oct. 14).

“We are concerned about the future,” said Shawn Stokes, who chairs the county’s Volunteer Fire Commission and serves as vice president of administration for the Fairfax County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association.

Go to Fairfax County’s volunteer fire departments report increasing challenges Read more
News

Elevated bridge connecting Reston Row office buildings OK’d for mystery tenant

By Scott McCaffrey
Concept for pedestrian bridge between two office buildings under construction in Reston Row (via Comstock/Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved developer Comstock’s request to build an elevated pedestrian bridge connecting two of its new office buildings in the Reston Row portion of Reston Station.

The plan to build the secure passageway somewhere between the fourth and seventh floors of the buildings will meet the needs of a Fortune 500 company planning to lease space in the buildings, a representative of the developer told supervisors at the public hearing on Tuesday (Oct. 14).

Go to Elevated bridge connecting Reston Row office buildings OK’d for mystery tenant Read more
Countywide

Legislation tackling noisy vehicle emissions coming back to General Assembly in 2026

By Scott McCaffrey
Exhaust pipes for a BMW car parked in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County leaders are welcoming renewed efforts giving localities the ability to electronically monitor vehicle noise and fine those whose vehicles exceed state limits.

Del. Rip Sullivan (D-6) plans to reintroduce legislation on the subject during the 2026 General Assembly session, his office confirmed. In this year’s session, his measure made it to the desk of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), but was vetoed.

Go to Legislation tackling noisy vehicle emissions coming back to General Assembly in 2026 Read more
View More Stories