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

Even members of Congress have no clear idea of unemployment related to Trump cuts

By Scott McCaffrey
Sen. Mark Warner speaks at a 2024 Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce event in Tysons on March 11, 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

How many Northern Virginia residents have lost their jobs as part of federal cutbacks and their ripple effects on the economy? Nobody seems to know for sure — including members of the U.S. Senate.

“We’re still trying to get the right numbers,” Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) told the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ (COG) board of directors at a meeting last Wednesday (June 11).

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Countywide

Fairfax County apartment rents keep rising, and Tysons again leads the pack

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

Apartment rental prices continue to rise across Fairfax County, even as they cool nationally, and nowhere in the county is pricier for renters than Tysons.

With a median rental price of $2,450 for one-bedroom apartments and $2,938 for two bedrooms, Tysons topped Fairfax County in May and was second only to Arlington regionally, according to new data from Apartment List.

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Countywide

Fairfax board authorizes studies of proposed developments with some last-minute alterations

By Scott McCaffrey
Dranesville United Methodist Church's housing proposal had been proposed for removal from county study, but was kept on the list (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County supervisors wrapped up the 2024-2025 Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) cycle at their meeting on Tuesday (June 10) with a few tweaks to recommendations from the Planning Commission.

Projects that made the cut will now be placed on a county staff work plan for further review and community outreach. Rejected submissions can return in the next cycle, expected to start in about 18 months.

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News

With just over a year to go, Fairfax ramps up efforts saluting nation’s 250th birthday

By Scott McCaffrey
Jeff McKay, Daniel Cross as George Washington, Dan Storck and Gretchen Bulova mark the nation's upcoming 250th birthday (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Arguably the most famous of all Fairfax County residents turned up Tuesday (June 10), as the local Board of Supervisors ramped up planning for the nation’s 250th birthday bash.

Escorted by a procession that included fife-and-drum accompaniment, George Washington himself strode into the Fairfax County Government Center’s Board auditorium in the person of Daniel Cross.

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News

Plan to redevelop former ICF offices in Oakton wins county board’s blessing

By Scott McCaffrey
Rendering of proposed Hunters Branch multi-family building (via Fairfax County)

A proposal that will bring more housing to Oakton near the Vienna Metro station has a stamp of approval from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

The board voted unanimously on Tuesday (June 10) to approve a development plan that will result in the eventual demolition of two existing 12-story office buildings at 9300 and 9302 Route 29 in the Hunters Branch community.

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Countywide

D.C. region launches dashboard to deliver more detailed, timely crime data

By Scott McCaffrey
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has launched a Regional Crime Dashboard (via COG)

A new initiative reporting crime data from across the D.C. region in “near-real time” has won praise from local leaders and will provide new tools for policymakers, public safety agencies and the public.

“It’s the only one we’re aware of in the nation,” said Eli Russ, a senior public safety planner for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), who serves as project manager for the effort.

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Countywide

Fairfax housing market slows, but demand remains headed into summer

By Scott McCaffrey
House for sale sign (file photo)

New home sales data for Fairfax County and the D.C. region show continued buyer wariness, but there’s no sense of impending doom.

“The [region’s] housing market has been slower-than-typical this spring, but it has fared much better than some expected in the face of cuts to the federal workforce and general economic uncertainty,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist for Bright MLS, the region’s multiple-listing service.

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News

Push to redevelop Reston National Golf Course for housing suffers major setback

By Scott McCaffrey
NVR's proposed concept for redeveloping Reston National Golf Course (via Fairfax County)

A wholesale redevelopment of Reston National Golf Course for housing is off the table — at least for now.

Going against a recommendation by the Fairfax County Planning Commission, the Board of Supervisors voted yesterday (June 10) not to add the site to a list of potential Comprehensive Plan amendments for staff to review.

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Countywide

Fairfax leaders delay public hearing on potential trash collection overhaul

By Scott McCaffrey
An American Disposal Services garbage truck in Centreville (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County leaders are tapping the brakes on a plan to potentially oversee trash collection in single-family neighborhoods countywide.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay announced yesterday (Tuesday) that a planned June 24 public hearing on the proposal to establish unified sanitation districts will be delayed until Oct. 14.

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News

Fairfax County board members laud lives, legacies of Connolly and Hudgins

By Scott McCaffrey
Rep. Gerry Connolly speaks at Lorton Station Elementary School in 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors paid tribute today (Tuesday) to the contributions of two longtime local leaders who once sat on the board dais.

Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-11) and Catherine Hudgins were honored for putting the public first and emphasizing solutions to complex challenges.

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