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

County to study Chain Bridge Road after making way for Oakton AT&T site redevelopment

By Scott McCaffrey
Rendering of a retail-lined main street in the proposed AT&T campus redevelopment in Oakton (courtesy EYA)

Some say it will breathe new life into the Flint Hill area of Oakton. Others fear it will add to an existing traffic nightmare.

After hearing from both sides, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (March 18) unanimously approved a Comprehensive Plan amendment to allow mixed-use development on the 33-acre former AT&T site at the intersection of Chain Bridge Road (Route 123) and Jermantown Road.

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News

Fires at Annandale house, Scott’s Run Nature Preserve under investigation

By Angela Woolsey and Scott McCaffrey
Firefighters work to extinguish a building fire in the 5600 block of Leesburg Pike in Bailey's Crossroads on March 13, 2025 (photo by Gerald Martineau)

The past week has been busy for the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD), which is investigating the causes of incidents in Annandale, Bailey’s Crossroads and McLean.

Most recently, firefighters were dispatched at 12:13 a.m. today (Wednesday) to the 6600 block of Locust Way in Annandale for a house fire. Upon arriving, crews found “heavy fire” throughout the single-family home.

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Countywide

Fairfax supervisors ask state to increase unemployment benefits as federal layoffs intensify

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

Democrats on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted yesterday (Tuesday) to send a letter to state leaders, asking for expanded unemployment coverage for federal workers having lost their jobs due to downsizing.

The maximum weekly Virginia unemployment-compensation rate of $378 is “one of the lowest in the country,” according to Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw.

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Countywide

FCPS might add girls’ flag football to high school sports offerings

By Scott McCaffrey and Dave Facinoli
Football on field (photo by Dave Adamson/Unsplash)

Having successfully integrated boys volleyball and girls wrestling into its offerings, Fairfax County Public Schools appears to be eyeing girls’ flag football next.

There has been conversation among the division’s directors of student activities about potentially moving forward with the sport for the 2025-2026 school year, Superintendent Michelle Reid told the Fairfax County School Board at its March 13 meeting.

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Countywide

Fairfax board advertises meals tax, higher real estate tax rate for public comment

By Scott McCaffrey
Sign points to the Department of Tax Administration in the Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is officially seeking public input on a potential meals tax.

The Board of Supervisors voted today (March 18) to advertise a public hearing on amending the county code to impose a meals tax of up to 4%, starting as soon as next January. The board will also advertise a base real estate tax rate of $1.14 per $100, up from the current $1.125, as recommended by County Executive Bryan Hill.

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News

Fairfax school board split on when to address overcrowded elementary schools

By Scott McCaffrey
Parklawn Elementary School (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Nobody disputes that Parklawn Elementary School in Lincolnia and Coates Elementary School in the McNair area south of Herndon are severely overcrowded.

But whether to address the issue through individual boundary adjustments at the two schools this year — as proposed in a capital improvement program (CIP) approved last year — or wait for a countywide redistricting effort in 2026 is causing a fissure among Fairfax County School Board members.

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Countywide

No consensus from Fairfax board on restricting tobacco sales near schools

By Scott McCaffrey
Vape accessories at AJ Tobacco & Mini Mart at 1037 W. Glebe Road in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum/ALXnow)

A staff proposal to restrict future sales of cigarettes and vapes near Fairfax County schools and child-care facilities has drawn a mixed reaction from county supervisors.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors directed staff in December to study options for regulating tobacco, nicotine and hemp products after the Virginia General Assembly adopted a law last year allowing localities to restrict sales from new businesses within 1,000 feet of a school or child care facility.

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Countywide

Fairfax County board cautious on conversion of industrial land to housing

By Scott McCaffrey
A warehouse with trucks in the Westfields area of Chantilly (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Land currently zoned for industrial use across Fairfax County could be converted to residential zoning in an effort to bring more housing stock to the county.

As part of a larger “Plan Forward” initiative started in 2022, Department of Planning and Development (DPD) staff have proposed amending the county’s comprehensive plan to allow more flexibility for industrial land to turn into residential development, while also retaining some designated industrial areas.

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Countywide

More clarity on funding options for Metro and other transit expected this month

By Scott McCaffrey
Metrobus (staff photo by James Jarvis)

By the end of this month, local residents should have a better idea of options on the table, as regional leaders attempt to find dedicated funding streams for transit service in the D.C. area.

“We do expect information to be shared” at the next meeting of the DMV Moves task force, Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) Executive Director Kate Mattice told the commission’s board at a meeting last Thursday (March 6).

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Countywide

Fairfax County leaders get initial, hazy look at scope of federal government cuts

By Scott McCaffrey
Fairfax County Economic Development Authority president and CEO Victor Hoskins (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Recent actions by the Trump administration are heightening the urgency of the Fairfax County and the D.C. area’s longtime goal of reducing their reliance on federal government employment and spending.

With mass worker layoffs, contract cancellations and potential real estate sales promising significant economic upheaval, local and regional leaders may have no choice but to “think and act differently,” according to Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Julie Coons.

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