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

Owner of local ice cream, popcorn shops honored for inclusive hiring practices

By Scott McCaffrey
Group of five smiling staff posing behind an ice cream counter in a shop, one wearing a red apron that says 'Jake's Ice Cream'.
Robin Rinearson, center, and some of the staff at Jake's Ice Cream (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Fairfax County supervisors on Aug. 25 recognized the founder and owner of Jake’s Gourmet Popcorn and Jake’s Ice Cream, who recently was honored by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS).

The organization earlier this summer presented Robin Rinearson with its Ability Transcends Challenges Award for her efforts to integrate individuals with disabilities into the Fairfax County workforce.

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Countywide

McKay, other regional leaders say streamlining bureaucracy will boost economic growth

By Scott McCaffrey
Panel of five adults seated on a stage, one man raising his hand, others clapping, with a large screen displaying portraits in the background.
Fairfax Board Chair Jeff McKay acknowledges applause at the Elected Leaders Summit (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The Fairfax County government and others across the region are working to reduce bureaucratic regulations in an effort to help businesses thrive, local leaders said at an Aug. 26 forum.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay used the 11th annual Northern Virginia Regional Elected Leaders Summit to say area governments must acknowledge concerns of the business community.

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News

County to fast-track review of planned new Seven Corners water tower

By Scott McCaffrey
Willston water tank as seen from Patrick Henry Apartments (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed last Tuesday (Aug. 25) to fast-track consideration of a new water tower serving the Seven Corners area.

Fairfax Water has proposed replacing the existing 72-year-old Willston tank with a significantly larger one on the grounds of Seven Corners Apartments at Patrick Henry Drive near the Fairfax-Arlington border.

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Countywide

County leaders offer tributes to former Community Services Board executive director

By Scott McCaffrey
Officials pose in a government chamber as a man presents a framed certificate to a woman in front of a large County of Fairfax seal and podiums.
Daryl Washington honored by the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 25, 2026 (courtesy Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Aug. 25) saluted the work of Daryl Washington, who earlier this year stepped down as executive director of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) to accept a state government position.

Washington spent 30 years at the CSB, rising through the ranks to become executive director in 2018.

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News

Hunter Mill planning commissioner lauded, as board appoints successor

By Scott McCaffrey
John Carter, Hunter Mill District official, sits at a wooden desk holding papers during a formal meeting, with a district seal visible on the left.
Hunter Mill District Planning Commissioner John Carter announces his retirement at the commission's July 22, 2026 meeting (via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Aug. 25) paid formal tribute to John Carter, who recently retired as Hunter Mill District’s representative on the Planning Commission, and named his successor on the panel.

Carter, who served on the body for nine years, departed the post on Aug. 31.

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Countywide

N. Va. political leaders scramble to meet evolving public sentiment on data centers

By Scott McCaffrey
Modern white and dark-gray office building behind green trees under a cloudy sky, with a small flock of birds overhead.
An Amazon data center in Sterling, seen from Route 28 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Politicians are scrambling nationally to address growing public concern over data centers, and in Northern Virginia, where many local elected leaders will be on the ballot in 2027, the issue is proving a delicate balancing act.

Fairfax County residents expect “fair rules of engagement” when it comes to addressing the impacts of data centers, Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay said at the 11th annual Northern Virginia Regional Elected Leaders Summit, held on Wednesday (Aug. 26) in Arlington.

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Countywide

Fairfax County to prioritize consideration of new ‘suburban village center’ concept

By Scott McCaffrey
Development plan for Beulah Street property in Franconia Triangle is seen as a model for development of future suburban village centers (via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors directed staff yesterday (Tuesday) to expedite efforts to fulfill goals laid out in the ongoing Plan Forward update related to the creation of “suburban village centers” throughout the county.

The designation could be applied to shopping and activity centers described as “mixed-use community focal points within suburban neighborhoods.”

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News

Fairfax County leaders salute the impact, legacy of late state Sen. Janet Howell

By Scott McCaffrey
Three panelists seated: woman in middle speaking into a handheld microphone, flanked by two men in suits clapping and listening.
Sen. Janet Howell in 2017 with Fairfax Supervisor John Foust and Del. Mark Keam (Sun Gazette archive photo by Brian Trompeter)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Aug. 25) paused to honor the legacy of former state Sen. Janet Howell (D-32), who died Aug. 2 at age 82.

“She was an institution,” Board Chair Jeff McKay said. “She spent three decades serving the residents of Fairfax County in many ways.”

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News

Additional student parking restrictions sought near McLean High School

By Scott McCaffrey
Red brick sign reading 'McLean High School' with large MC logo in front of the campus entrance.
McLean High School entrance (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Students attending McLean High School could find another nearby street off-limits for parking starting as soon as next month.

At its meeting today (Tuesday), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized a public hearing for Sept. 29 to consider a petition for parking restrictions by residents of a portion of Felix Street. They are seeking to have the road in front of the 13-home stretch incorporated into the McLean Residential Public Parking District.

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News

Reston Community Players marks 60 years, preps ambitious 2026-2027 schedule

By Scott McCaffrey
Stephen Yednock as Max Bialystock in the Reston Community Players' production of "The Producers" in spring 2025 (Heather Regan Photography via RCP)

Sixty summers ago in what was then a small enclave in the wilds of western Fairfax County, a new theater troupe called the Reston Players prepared for its first production — a musical called “The Greatest Game in Town.”

The performances on July 15-17, 1966 at the South Riding Center Stables helped bring a budding sense of community to the “new town” emerging around Lake Anne and environs.

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