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

Fairfax school board paves path for razing derelict former Clifton elementary school

By Scott McCaffrey
Aerial view of Clifton Elementary School in 1997 (Fairfax County GIS & Mapping Services via FCPS)

Fifteen years after Clifton Elementary School shut its doors, Fairfax County Public Schools leaders are at last taking steps toward demolishing it.

“It’s time we close this chapter,” at-large Fairfax County School Board member Kyle McDaniel said as the board debated taking action to officially declare the building uninhabitable last Thursday (June 26).

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Countywide

Fairfax to seek voter approval of $460M in school bonds this November

By Scott McCaffrey
Fairfax County Public Schools (file photo)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is seeking the county circuit court’s approval for a $460 million school bond referendum to be included on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The Fairfax County School Board formally requested on June 12 that the supervisors approve a referendum, a request that was granted without comment at a board meeting last Tuesday (June 24).

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News

Art installation at Reston Town Center Metro station competes for international award

By Scott McCaffrey
"Ethos" by George Bates at Reston Town Center Metro station (courtesy CODAworx)

Artwork at the Reston Town Center Metro station is in the running for an international public art award, with local residents eligible to cast ballots in support.

“Ethos” by George Bates is among 100 pieces of public art vying in the CODAawards competition, sponsored by CODAworx.

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News

Fairfax County leaders still uneasy with VDOT’s I-495 Southside Express Lanes plan

By Scott McCaffrey
Proposed route of I-495 Southside Express Lanes project (via VDOT)

Fairfax County leaders remain uneasy about the Virginia Department of Transportation’s proposed I-495 Southside Express Lanes project and the possible impact of widening the highway on residents of neighboring communities.

The Board of Supervisors agreed to send a five-page letter to Virginia Secretary of Transportation W. Sheppard Miller III on Tuesday (June 24) detailing its concerns.

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Countywide

Local leaders seek fresh evidence of Richmond shortchanging Fairfax on tax revenue

By Scott McCaffrey
Board Chairman Jeff McKay at FY26 budget-markup session (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County leaders hope to soon have a better gauge of how much they’re getting back from tax revenue sent to Richmond.

The Board of Supervisors voted yesterday (Tuesday) to direct County Executive Bryan Hill and staff to return before the end of the year with an analysis of how many local tax dollars flow to the state government, and how much comes back.

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Countywide

Upcoming Fairfax County code changes target pedestrian safety, public drinking

By Scott McCaffrey
A sign for Fairfax County's "Take a Moment" pedestrian safety campaign in Vienna from 2022 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Drivers who seriously injure or kill a pedestrian in a crosswalk in Fairfax County will now face the potential of jail time, under changes set for approval this week.

The Board of Supervisors is slated to approve a slew of amendments to the Fairfax County Code today (Tuesday), bringing local laws into alignment with changes made by the General Assembly.

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News

New data suggests increased flooding risks for D.C. region’s roads and transit systems

By Scott McCaffrey
Vehicles drive through accumulating rainwater on Maple Avenue in Vienna in January 2024 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The D.C. region’s roads and other transportation infrastructure is more at risk from future flooding than previously thought, a new analysis found.

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) outlined its findings to leaders of member jurisdictions, including Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn and Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw representing Fairfax County, at a meeting last Wednesday (June 18).

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News

Data: Renters increasingly dominate housing in certain areas of Fairfax County

By Scott McCaffrey
Heming apartments in Tysons' Scotts Run neighborhood (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Growth in the proportion of renters to homeowners across Fairfax County is changing the local landscape in a number of ways.

An analysis by Point2Homes released in mid-June places three Fairfax communities among the top 10 in the D.C. region for the percentage of renters compared to overall housing:

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Countywide

School board approves one-time bonuses for many FCPS employees

By Scott McCaffrey
Fairfax County Public Schools (file photo)

With one fiery dissent, Fairfax County School Board members on June 12 approved a one-time bonus of up to $1,000 for many public school workers.

The $31.4 million cost of the bonuses comes from a state contribution of $19.7 million, to be matched by $11.7 million in local funds.

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Countywide

‘Friends’ group lauded for 20 years of aiding Fairfax County Animal Shelter

By Scott McCaffrey
Resolution honoring 20th anniversary of Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter (screenshot via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently lauded the Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter for reaching its 20th anniversary.

The nonprofit, which supports the animal shelter through fundraising, celebrated the occasion by bringing a number of adoptable shelter dogs to the Board Auditorium on June 10.

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