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

ArtsFairfax awards grants to aid organizations in all corners of county

By Scott McCaffrey
Orchestra on stage with a conductor, large screens behind showing logos for TMS and Fairfax County VA-250, in a concert hall.
The McLean Symphony performs at the Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church in June 2026 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

ArtsFairfax’s $601,900 in new operating support grants exceeds last year’s support by $10,000 and will aid organizations in all nine county magisterial districts plus the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church.

The organization announced its fiscal year 2027 grant awards on Thursday (Aug. 13). A total of 65 local arts groups will receive funds, up from 56 a year ago. Four organizations were first-time recipients.

Go to ArtsFairfax awards grants to aid organizations in all corners of county Read more
Countywide

Home sales volume tops $1B in Fairfax County, as prices rise modestly

By Scott McCaffrey
Home sold sign (file photo)

Home sales edged up slightly across Fairfax County, while average prices also were modestly higher year over year in July, according to new data.

A total of 1,148 properties went to closing last month, up 0.4% from the 1,144 transactions in July 2025, according to figures reported Aug. 11 by Bright MLS, the region’s multiple-listing service, based on figures from MarketStats by ShowingTime.

Go to Home sales volume tops $1B in Fairfax County, as prices rise modestly Read more
Around Town

How a Twin Cities theater professional got his start on stage in McLean

By Scott McCaffrey
Smiling man with curly blond hair and glasses against a dark background, portrait-style photo.
McLean native Jeffrey Nolan is a member of the cast of "Pinocchio" being performed in Minneapolis (courtesy Children's Theatre Company)

A McLean native is working to make a theatrical name for himself in Minnesota’s Twin Cities.

Jeffrey Nolan is a member of the 2026-27 acting cohort of the Minneapolis-based Children’s Theatre Company. The troupe in 2003 won the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, becoming the first and, to date, only theater focused on younger audiences to receive the honor.

Go to How a Twin Cities theater professional got his start on stage in McLean Read more
News

D.C. region’s home values still rising, but the rate of growth is modest

By Scott McCaffrey
A real estate sign announces that a house for sale in Vienna is under contract (file photo)

Home sale prices across the D.C. region grew at about half the national rate in the second quarter of 2026, but local home values remained well above the national average.

The D.C. metro area recorded a 0.9% increase in year-over-year median sales price in the April to June period, according to figures reported by the National Association of Realtors.

Go to D.C. region’s home values still rising, but the rate of growth is modest Read more
News

Oakton student mobilizes local youth to support 400+ artisans in India

By Scott McCaffrey
Two volunteers hold a banner reading 'SERVING SOCIETY' in front of a van filled with supplies, a donation scene.
Dev Rai, left, is founder of the Serving Society Global Foundation (courtesy of SSGF)

A rising Oakton High School senior is the driving force behind a nonprofit foundation that harnesses the enthusiasm of youth to support traditional artisans in India.

To date, the Serving Society Global Foundation has raised more than $15,000 to support over 400 marginalized artisans and bring their handcrafted items to market. It has also engaged more than 300 young volunteers across the local region. Many come from the SEWA DC Youth Group, which has more than 100 active members volunteering regularly.

Go to Oakton student mobilizes local youth to support 400+ artisans in India Read more
News

County soliciting ideas for modernizing trash, recycling operations

By Scott McCaffrey
Fairfax County I-95 Landfill Complex (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Fairfax County government is seeking ideas from the public and business community on modernizing its trash and recycling facilities and processes.

The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) on Aug. 4 put out a formal request for expressions of interest — known as an RFEI — to gather input that could be used in future planning. The request is not an official bid, according to the county.

Go to County soliciting ideas for modernizing trash, recycling operations Read more
News

Apartment rents across most of Fairfax County remain less expensive than in 2025

By Scott McCaffrey
Lease now sign for the Edmund Apartments at Halley Rise in Reston in winter (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The median apartment rent across Fairfax County was down 1.3% year over year in July, with most major residential areas posting declines.

The county’s median apartment rent for all sized units was $2,430, down from $2,463 in July 2025, according to figures reported July 29 by Apartment List.

Go to Apartment rents across most of Fairfax County remain less expensive than in 2025 Read more
News

Fairfax City Council split over housing plan for Chain Bridge Road office parcel

By Scott McCaffrey
Aerial view of a planned housing development with rows of red-roofed townhouses inside a blue boundary, surrounded by streets and parking lots.
Proposed new construction at 3541 Chain Bridge Road (via Network Realty Partners)

A proposal to replace two aging office buildings with 37 residential units and a small retail facility has met with mixed responses from members of the Fairfax City Council.

While some members praised the proposal for redevelopment of 3541 Chain Bridge Road with housing, others voiced concern about the decline of commercial property in the Northfax area of the city.

Go to Fairfax City Council split over housing plan for Chain Bridge Road office parcel Read more
Countywide

Number of jobless across Fairfax County up 10% over past year, new data shows

By Scott McCaffrey
Virginia Career Works advertises job transition resources on a Metro train (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County recorded a 10% year-over-year increase in the number of residents counted as unemployed in June, according to new state data.

With 611,867 residents in the civilian workforce and 22,888 looking for jobs, the county’s non seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June was 3.6%.

Go to Number of jobless across Fairfax County up 10% over past year, new data shows Read more
News

Fairfax City officials mostly upbeat on revised redevelopment plan for Courthouse Plaza

By Scott McCaffrey
Rendering of a modern multi-story apartment building with red brick and beige facades, lined by trees along a street.
Revamped conceptual design of housing on Courthouse Plaza parcel (via Combined Properties)

Members of the Fairfax City Council have reacted generally favorably to the latest proposal to redevelop the Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center.

Representatives from Combined Properties, which owns the 10-acre site, detailed its latest proposal at a July 28 City Council work session.

Go to Fairfax City officials mostly upbeat on revised redevelopment plan for Courthouse Plaza Read more
View More Stories