Vernon Miles | FFXnow

Driver killed in fatal crash south of Merrifield

Published April 16, 2025 at 1:10PM

Fatal crash at Prosperity Avenue and Morningside Drive (staff photo by Jared Serre)

One man was killed in a single-vehicle crash at Prosperity Avenue and Morningside Drive near the Mantua neighborhood and south of Merrifield.

According to police, the driver struck a tree near the intersection and was declared deceased at the scene. The crash occurred around noon, according to scanner traffic.

Around Town

Revolutionary War-themed events coming to Fairfax for 250th anniversary

By Vernon Miles

Published April 15, 2025 at 3:45PM

Reenactors marching in annual Revolutionary War Weekend event (image via George Washington's Mount Vernon/Facebook)

The first shots of the American Revolutionary War were fired in Concord, Massachusetts, 250 years ago this Saturday (April 19).

To commemorate the war’s 250th anniversary, there will be a variety of events around Fairfax County over the next few weeks, continuing a year-long, statewide VA 250 initiative.

News

Futsal court and other improvements could be coming to Dunn Loring neighborhood park

By Vernon Miles

Published April 15, 2025 at 2:30PM

The basketball court at Dunn Loring Park (image via Fairfax County)

Some major upgrades could be coming to Dunn Loring Park’s athletic fields.

The Fairfax County Park Authority announced last week that it’s exploring plans to resurface and expand the existing basketball court at 2540 Gallows Road, possibly turning it into a dual-purpose basketball/futsal court.

Countywide

Cover your grass: Fairfax County starts accepting unmown lawn complaints today

By Vernon Miles

Published April 14, 2025 at 9:45AM

Lawn grass (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Keep an eye on your grass: Fairfax County’s Department of Code Compliance (DCC) will start investigating grass complaints starting today (Monday).

In a newsletter last week, Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw noted that today marks the start of “grass season,” the period when the county accepts complaints about too-tall grass. The season typically lasts from April through October.

News

Input wanted on potential changes to dangerous interchange near Springfield Town Center

By Vernon Miles

Published April 11, 2025 at 9:00AM

Area of VDOT's Franconia Road study (image via VDOT)

New car, bicycle and pedestrian improvements could be coming to a major Springfield area interchange, just west of the Springfield Town Center.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is seeking feedback for a study assessing potential operational transit and bicycle/pedestrian improvements on Franconia Road near the interchange with I-395, I-95 and nearby Commerce Street.

Countywide

Fairfax economic forecasts show impact of federal job losses could be worse than Covid

By Vernon Miles

Published April 9, 2025 at 2:30PM

A sign for Leidos outside its headquarters at Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Even without taking into account the global economic havoc being wreaked by new tariffs, the Trump administration’s gutting of the federal workforce could have worse impacts on the D.C. region than Covid, Fairfax County authorities say.

A 20% reduction in the federal workforce could devastate the economy in Fairfax County, where approximately 80,000 residents — about 13% of the workforce — are employed by the federal government, according to updated data from the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA).

Countywide

GMU faculty call on school administration to protect students from ICE

By Vernon Miles

Published April 8, 2025 at 10:15AM | Updated April 8, 2025 at 8:35PM

Inside the Johnson Center on George Mason University's Fairfax campus (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

In response to reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting international students on college campuses, George Mason University (GMU) faculty are calling on the school to step up its protection of students, teachers and staff.

The George Mason University chapter of the American Association of University Presidents (GMU-AAUP) delivered a resolution signed by 228 members of the school community to the university’s administration on March 31.

News

Kings Park West seniors join nationwide anti-Trump protests

By Vernon Miles

Published April 7, 2025 at 3:45PM

Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw (at center) joined residents of the Woodleigh Chase Senior Living Community for a "Hands Off" rally on Braddock Road (photo by Michael Feil)

Rona Hitlin-Mason is afraid for the future she leaves behind for her grandchildren.

Hitlin-Mason and over 50 other residents or friends of residents at Woodleigh Chase — a retirement community off Braddock Road in Kings Park West — took to the streets on Saturday (April 5) to join in a day of nationwide protests against President Donald Trump.

Countywide

International migration keeps Fairfax population rising, but trend could reverse soon

By Vernon Miles

Published April 3, 2025 at 11:15AM

Migration trends for Fairfax County from 2010 through 2024 (image courtesy NVRC)

International migration is helping to keep Fairfax County’s population on the rise, despite a continued trend of people moving away from Northern Virginia.

Updated Census data shared last month by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) showed that international migration to Fairfax rose sharply last year, as the county bounces back from a drop in the early years of the pandemic that could be seen nationwide.

News

Transportation authorities to lay out plans for new road diets and bike lanes around Fairfax

By Vernon Miles

Published April 2, 2025 at 2:30PM

Repaving work (photo via Michael Evans/Unsplash)

Break out the reflective vests and get ready to take the kids to get their pictures with Work Zone Willy: it’s repaving season in Fairfax County.

This year, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) are planning various changes for roads around the county, from multiple road diets to crosswalks and bicycle lanes.