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 leaders urge NASA administrator to keep Space Shuttle Discovery in Chantilly

By Scott McCaffrey
Space Shuttle Discovery on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County leaders have put in writing their concerns about the possibility of the Space Shuttle Discovery moving from Chantilly to Texas.

The Board of Supervisors voted 10-0 on Tuesday (Sept. 9) to send a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, asking him to carefully consider whether a move is in best interests of the nation.

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Countywide

N. Va. leaders fear potential changes could reduce state funding for region’s transit

By Scott McCaffrey
A Fairfax Connector bus passes Springfield Plaza (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Northern Virginia leaders are hoping changes to statewide transit funding policy don’t hurt the bottom line for local bus systems.

“We’re beginning to understand some of the proposed changes that are being examined,” Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) Executive Director Kate Mattice said at the body’s Sept. 4 board meeting.

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News

Community mixed on new cell tower proposed for Mantua

By Scott McCaffrey
Some Mantua residents are voicing concern about a proposed cell tower (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

A proposal to install a cell tower on the Mantua Swim & Tennis Club has split the surrounding community.

Despite concerns about the existing, spotty cell service, some residents have criticized the swim club’s plan to allow the potentially 150-foot-tall structure on its property at 9330 Pentland Place — evidenced by protest signs that have sprouted throughout surrounding neighborhoods.

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Countywide

Fairfax apartment rental costs continue to move higher, bucking national trend

By Scott McCaffrey
The Faraday Park apartments in Reston are leasing (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Apartment rental rates across Fairfax County pushed higher in August, bucking a national downward trend during the month.

Year-over-year median rental rates were up in six of the seven areas of the county surveyed by Apartment List. Updated figures were reported Aug. 28.

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News

Spring state-champion athletes from Fairfax County schools honored by local leaders

By Scott McCaffrey
County supervisors with state-champion student-athletes, families and coaches behind them (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County supervisors on Tuesday (Aug. 26) honored five teams and multiple individuals for winning Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 6 state championships in spring sports competition.

“This has become a special tradition — a proud moment,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said during the presentation, which filled the board auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center with student-athletes, coaches and families.

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News

One University development team lauded for persevering to provide affordable housing

By Scott McCaffrey
One University affordable housing development in Fairfax (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The One University housing complex in Fairfax weathered widespread community opposition, rising costs and a worldwide pandemic during its decade of progression from concept to reality.

But affordable housing supporters are confident that the development near George Mason University’s campus just outside Fairfax City was, in the end, worth the trials and tribulations.

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News

Critics of Tysons casino proposal get early start on 2026 lobbying efforts

By Scott McCaffrey
Linda Walsh of the No Fairfax Casino Coalition (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Opponents of a potential casino in Tysons have begun lobbying local officials to oppose the proposal in 2026.

Using the monthly public-comment period of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Linda Walsh of the No Fairfax Casino Coalition asked the local elected leaders to stand firm against the proposal.

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Countywide

Latest jobs data paints mixed economic picture for Fairfax and Virginia

By Scott McCaffrey
Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaking at the Capital One headquarters in Tysons on Feb. 24, 2025 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

While Virginia’s unemployment rate has been ticking up for months, the state’s Republican leadership contends the jobless rate is just one piece of a larger, more complex economic puzzle.

“Virginia has jobs,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in an Aug. 19 statement accompanying the latest batch of state employment figures. “This month’s reports reflect modest payroll growth, continued positive revisions in recent months, and strong labor force demand, reinforcing the resilience of Virginia’s job market.”

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News

Idylwood church wins approval to build townhouses on property

By Scott McCaffrey
Rendering of the townhome development proposed on St. Paul's Lutheran Church's Idylwood property (courtesy EYA)

A church’s plan to add 71 townhouses on its Idylwood property won unanimous support from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Aug. 26).

The proposal represents a “rare and valuable opportunity” to meet a number of county goals, Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said.

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Countywide

Fairfax supervisors to ‘step up’ economic development efforts while criticizing state leaders

By Scott McCaffrey
Board Chair Jeff McKay (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Fairfax leaders unanimously agreed on Tuesday (Aug. 26) to reinforce existing local economic development work, while criticizing efforts at the state level.

“Virginia’s economy is dependent in no small part on Fairfax County’s success,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said. “Now is the time to double down. If Virginia is not going to step up … we will.”

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