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 County board agrees to split costs with city for joint health and community center

By Scott McCaffrey
Updated design of Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center (via City of Fairfax)

Fairfax County leaders have joined their Fairfax City counterparts in backing an overhaul of their adjacent health and community facilities.

The county’s Board of Supervisors ratified an agreement yesterday (Tuesday) with the Fairfax City Council to move forward with construction of a new $127.2 million Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center in the 3700 block of Blenheim Road in the City of Fairfax.

Go to Fairfax County board agrees to split costs with city for joint health and community center Read more
Countywide

Fairfax County adopts new budget, seeks ability to lower some speed limits

By Scott McCaffrey
A 25 mph speed limit sign in a residential neighborhood (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors formally adopted a fiscal year 2027 budget this morning (Tuesday), while also setting a future public hearing on local control of speed limits in some areas.

The board set a June 9 public hearing on a proposed ordinance that, if enacted, would give the county more autonomy to reduce speed limits in residential and business districts.

Go to Fairfax County adopts new budget, seeks ability to lower some speed limits Read more
Countywide

Fairfax joblessness up 62% since start of current Trump administration

By Scott McCaffrey
Virginia Career Works Northern Region table at a University of Virginia job fair in August 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The number of Fairfax County residents counted as unemployed has risen 22% year-over-year and 62.5% since the beginning of the second Trump administration, according to new data.

A total of 23,518 residents were recorded as seeking jobs in February, according to data reported last week by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.

Go to Fairfax joblessness up 62% since start of current Trump administration Read more
News

Fairfax City leaders ratify county partnership for health, community center complex

By Scott McCaffrey
Updated design of Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center (via City of Fairfax)

Fairfax City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday night (April 28) to move forward with a plan for construction of a combined $127.2 million Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center.

The city government will cover about $54 million in construction costs, with the Fairfax County government paying the rest. The two will also split operating costs once the facility opens, based on usage rates.

Go to Fairfax City leaders ratify county partnership for health, community center complex Read more
Countywide

Most of Fairfax County reporting lower apartment rents vs. spring 2025

By Scott McCaffrey
A now leasing sign for Avalon Apartments in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Apartment rents dipped year over year across most of Fairfax County in April, according to new data.

Seven of eight different geographic corridors of the county posted declines of between 0.8% and 2.9%, according to figures reported yesterday (Tuesday) by Apartment List.

Go to Most of Fairfax County reporting lower apartment rents vs. spring 2025 Read more
Countywide

Fairfax County board agrees to reduce tax rate, restore some proposed cuts in budget

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

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors informally adopted a $5.9 billion fiscal year 2027 budget this morning (Tuesday) that includes a small reduction in the real estate tax rate, more reserve funding and changes to proposed cuts.

The 8-2 vote during the “markup” session is a precursor to the board’s final adoption of a new budget next Tuesday, May 5, that will take effect on July 1.

Go to Fairfax County board agrees to reduce tax rate, restore some proposed cuts in budget Read more
Countywide

Fairfax detective, victim rights specialist among those honored with state awards

By Scott McCaffrey
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones with 2026 Unsung Heroes Award recipients (courtesy Office of Attorney General)

Two Fairfax County Police Department employees were among 19 individuals statewide honored yesterday (Friday) at Virginia’s ninth annual Unsung Heroes Awards.

Presented by the Virginia attorney general’s office, the awards honor those in and out of government who provide extraordinary support for, and a voice to, victims of crime.

Go to Fairfax detective, victim rights specialist among those honored with state awards Read more
Countywide

Langley HS student advocates for county to spend more on library materials

By Scott McCaffrey
Kingstowne Regional Library patrons checked out its offerings during opening day on April 11, 2026 (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Fairfax County supervisors are being asked to provide additional funding for library materials, with some advocates stressing the value of increasing print holdings.

“Libraries are in fact in desperate need,” Langley High School junior Mia Nash told the Board of Supervisors at an April 15 public hearing on the fiscal year 2027 budget.

Go to Langley HS student advocates for county to spend more on library materials Read more
Countywide

Advocates: Housing funding is investment in Fairfax County’s long-term vision

By Scott McCaffrey
Fairfax County officials in 2025 broke ground on an affordable housing project at 2990 Telestar Court in Merrifield (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Housing advocates used last week’s Fairfax County budget hearings to press for local leaders to turn their affordable housing aspirations into reality through increased funding.

“The market on its own … is not building near enough affordable homes,” said Reston resident John Dister, one of several housing advocates to address the Board of Supervisors on April 15, one of three days of public hearings on the fiscal year 2027 budget.

Go to Advocates: Housing funding is investment in Fairfax County’s long-term vision Read more
News

Gum Springs leaders rally to save ‘pillar of community’ from county budget axe

By Scott McCaffrey
Gum Springs Community Center human development specialist Terence Trent (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Civic leaders in Fairfax County’s oldest African American neighborhood are pressing local leaders to avoid a proposed budget cut that would eliminate a key staff position in their community.

The proposed reduction would “significantly affect the Gum Springs community’s future,” said Linda Brown of the New Gum Springs Civic Association.

Go to Gum Springs leaders rally to save ‘pillar of community’ from county budget axe Read more
View More Stories