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

Longtime advocate saluted for service to Fairfax County seniors, regional education

By Scott McCaffrey
Ernestine and Joseph Heastie (screenshot via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Sept. 30) lauded the service of Joseph Heastie on issues related to local seniors.

But the ceremony quickly moved beyond the topic at hand, as Heastie was also celebrated for his service on additional issues ranging from George Mason University, where he was rector of the board of visitors, to community development.

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Countywide

Jobless Fairfax residents up by almost 28% over 2024 as more uncertainty looms

By Scott McCaffrey
One attendee speaks at a roundtable for fired federal employees in summer 2025 (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Fairfax County in August had a 27.5% year-over-year increase in unemployed residents, a number some regional leaders may simply be the tip of the iceberg if more federal cuts and a weaker economy arrive.

A total of 622,875 county residents were employed in the civilian workforce, and 24,048 were looking for jobs during the month, according to figures reported Wednesday (Oct. 1) by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement (Virginia Works).

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Countywide

Apartments costs down in Tysons and Centreville, up in other areas of county

By Scott McCaffrey
Now leasing sign for the Lumen Apartments in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The median rental cost for apartments in Tysons was down year-over-year last month but in most other areas of Fairfax County, it continued to rise, according to new data.

Tysons still maintained its ranking in September as the county’s most expensive corridor tracked by Apartment List, with a median rent of $2,389 for a one-bedroom unit and $2,865 for two bedrooms. But rental rates declined 0.7% year-over-year.

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Countywide

Fairfax Connector celebrates 40 years, salutes those who keep the buses running

By Scott McCaffrey
Commemorative design on Fairfax Connector bus (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

As county and regional leaders gathered yesterday (Wednesday) to mark the 40th anniversary of the Fairfax Connector bus service, nearly everyone wanted to get a photo taken with John Ashford.

Ashford was one of the original drivers when the local bus system began operations in September 1985, and he remains behind the wheel today.

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Countywide

Fairfax board holds off on funding new staff for Park Authority equity initiative

By Scott McCaffrey
A Fairfax County Park Authority car at Lake Fairfax Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

County supervisors voted yesterday (Tuesday) to withhold some funding for a planned Fairfax County Park Authority initiative, saying it should be considered as part of the fiscal year 2027 budget process next spring.

County Executive Bryan Hill had recommended giving $1.8 million to the project as part of the county government’s fiscal year 2025 budget carryover process, where excess funds are redistributed in the next year’s budget.

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News

County expands Franconia services with health center opening next week

By Scott McCaffrey
Shown from left at the new Franconia-Springfield Public Health Center are Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu, Dr. Kelly McDonough, Dr. Natalia Giscombe-Simons and Dr. Parham Jaberi of the Fairfax County Health Department (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Fairfax County officials will open new, expanded public health facilities next week in an underserved area.

“There is just so much for us to be thankful for. It’s a beautiful space for our clients and staff,” county health director Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu said during a Sept. 26 sneak preview of the Franconia-Springfield Public Health Center.

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News

FCPS: Immigration raid fears may be contributing to lower student enrollment

By Scott McCaffrey
Fairfax County Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Fairfax County school leaders are paying careful attention to start-of-school enrollment figures, attempting to determine if the Trump administration’s immigration policies are leading some families to keep their children at home.

“Some students are a bit reluctant to be in school at this time,” Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid told school board members during a Sept. 25 report on the first month of classes.

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Countywide

Shrinking summer breaks a growing source of complaints, Fairfax school board says

By Scott McCaffrey
Superintendent Michelle Reid presents her 2025-2026 opening of schools report to the Fairfax County School Board (via FCPS/YouTube)

The new school year is just over a month in, but several Fairfax County School Board members are still thinking about a summer break that some families have lamented was too short.

“Something has to change,” Mason District Representative Ricardy Anderson said at the Sept. 25 board meeting.

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Countywide

FCPS bus driver vacancies down, leading to improved on-time performance

By Scott McCaffrey
School buses lined up at South County High School (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Schools has managed to significantly reduce its bus driver vacancies, which in turn is bumping up on-time rates.

As part of her “Opening of Schools” report, Superintendent Michelle Reid reported last Thursday (Sept. 25) that 96% of bus routes were completed on time to start the current school year — a figure that astounded some School Board members.

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News

Historic Black neighborhood in Fairfax County joins list of Virginia landmarks

By Scott McCaffrey
Entry to Randall Estates (photo by Marita Ellis, courtesy Virginia Department of Historic Resources)

A Fairfax County residential community built primarily for middle-class African American families in the 1960s and 1970s has been officially recognized by Virginia as a historic property.

William H. Randall Estates is one of 10 new inclusions on the Virginia Landmarks Register approved by members of the Virginia Board of Historic Resources at their Sept. 18 meeting.

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