Rechargeable batteries and pressurized gas tanks erroneously placed in the trash or recycling for regular curbside pickups have been wreaking potentially dangerous havoc on Fairfax County’s waste management operations.
Just last week, some trash collection workers were injured when a compacted gas container exploded, according to the county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES).
Local Residents Remember 9/11 — “To mark the 25th anniversary of that infamous day — in which D.C.’s tragedy is often eclipsed by New York’s — City Paper sought out the stories of those who were here when American Airlines Flight 77 felled a part of the Pentagon. From librarian Gail Kouril to City Paper’s own Darrow Montgomery, six longtime D.C.-area residents shared their memories and reflections.” [Washington City Paper]
Motorcyclist Injured in Route 7 Crash — “A motorcyclist was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after they were involved in a crash on Leesburg Pike in Fairfax County, police said. Details are limited; however, the collision happened along Leesburg Pike near Rio Drive in the Seven Corners area.” [DC News Now]
Prison Sentence for Home Contractor — “Virginia home contractor Richard Craig Tadlock was sentenced to 12 years in prison Thursday after his construction fraud conviction.” Residents testified during the sentencing hearing in Fairfax County court that “Tadlock agreed to build their homes, and either wouldn’t finish or didn’t even start the projects,” despite taking money through home construction loans. [WUSA9]
Police ID Couple Shot in Centreville — Fairfax County police are investigating the fatal shooting that occurred in a Centreville home Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 9) as a murder-suicide. “Preliminarily, detectives believe Brandon [Brown] shot his wife, Lavinia, before shooting himself.” [FCPD]
Student Killed While Bicycling Mourned — “The boy, a student at Frost Middle School, was riding home when he was struck [by a truck] on the 3900 block of Pickett Road, about a half-mile from the school. Parents said many students bike or scooter to and from Frost Middle School, and they worry about the safety of the roads surrounding the campus.” [WUSA9]
Senators Seek DCA Flight Limits — “Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Virginia Democrats, are set to introduce a bill next week that would restrict flights at National, also known as DCA, in an effort to make Washington’s chronically congested airspace safer following the deadly 2025 plane crash near the airport.” [Washington Post]
Herndon Man Indicted for Carjacking — “A Herndon man accused of taking a Jeep at knifepoint with another man inside before leading police on a pursuit through Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland has been indicted on federal carjacking and kidnapping charges.” [Patch]
DACA Renewal Delays Continue — “Virginia DACA recipients are facing months-long renewal delays that are causing their work permits and deportation protections to expire while they await approval, Richmond-area immigration attorneys tell Axios … Renewal processing times nationwide have climbed from roughly a month last year to at least 6.5 months this year, per the USCIS site.” [Axios Richmond]
Herndon Considers E-Bike Rule Changes — “The town of Herndon is considering changes to its e-bike rules to improve safety on local roads and trails.” At a community meeting on Wednesday (Sept. 9), residents shared their concerns, while Mayor Keven LeBlanc said town officials are looking into their options for potentially changing age and helmet requirements for riders of e-bikes, scooters and other vehicles. [WUSA9]
It’s Friday — There is a 20% chance of precipitation, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 81°F. Winds will be from the northeast at 3 to 6 mph. Night will remain mostly cloudy with a low around 67°F and calm winds. [NWS]
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The Washington region will likely fall well short of its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the rise of data centers is the prime culprit.
With just four years to go, the region is less than halfway toward meeting agreed-upon emissions reduction targets by 2030, according to new data presented by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) on Wednesday (Sept. 9).
Fairfax County is proposing a revamp of its zoning requirements for food trucks, child care centers and other ancillary uses in commercial, industrial and some residential zoning districts.
As shared with the Board of Supervisors at its Land Use Policy Committee meeting on Sept. 1, the revamp would affect the regulations for associated services uses, food trucks, recycling centers, vehicle sales and specialized instruction centers.
Fairfax County is getting set for the return of its annual deer archery program, part of an ongoing population control initiative that will also include police sharpshooting at some parks.
Starting this Saturday, Sept. 12 through Feb. 13, 2027, licensed and trained archers will be allowed to target white-tailed deer at more than 100 properties across the county, including many parks, the Fairfax County Police Department announced yesterday (Wednesday).
Motorcyclist Critically Injured in Woodlawn — “A motorcyclist was hospitalized with serious injuries Wednesday evening following a crash during rush hour near Woodlawn, police said. In a post to X just after 5 p.m., Fairfax County police said officers were on the scene of a crash involving a motorcycle and a vehicle at Mount Vernon Highway and Battersea Lane, near Mount Vernon High School.” [DC News Now]
Former Student Convicted of Assault Deported — “An undocumented immigrant who was convicted of groping girls at a Virginia high school has been deported to El Salvador, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).” Israel Flores Ortiz was sentenced to serve approximately 140 days in jail in April after a judge found him guilty on nine counts of assault and battery. [FOX5]
Candidate Shares Antisemitic Videos — Shelly Arnoldi, the Libertarian candidate in Virginia’s 8th Congressional District, has shared videos on social media defending Nazi book burning and depicting an Adolf Hitler rant. She has rejected accusations of antisemitism, but similar posts shared during an unsuccessful bid to chair the Fairfax County Republican Committee drew criticism from the Jewish Community Relations Council. [ARLnow]
Data Complicates D.C. Region Driving Cliches — “Jeff Dooley, a Virginia native and current D.C. resident who runs The Washington Sun’s local and sports coverage, asked if we could confirm the D.C. region’s most enduring stereotype: Are Maryland drivers really the worst. At first glance, the data seemed to confirm our suspicions,” but a deeper dive suggests drivers with Virginia plates are most likely to be at fault. [Washington Sun]
Kaine Sees Chance to Reverse Medicaid Cuts — “During a roundtable discussion at … a food bank in Henrico County Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said he believed there’s a growing chance Congress could adjust or undo Medicaid changes the Republican-controlled legislature enacted last summer — with or without flipping Congress to Democratic control.” [Virginia Mercury]
Congressman Unveils Data Center Bills — “Rep. Suhas Subramanyam stood outside Discovery Elementary School in Ashburn, Virginia, on Tuesday. State lawmakers, local officials and community leaders gathered around him … The Northern Virginia Democrat was there to announce a package of four bills that would set national requirements for data center development.” [WTOP]
Seafood Eatery Eyes Fall Opening — Construction on Hot N Juicy Crawfish’s new restaurant in Centreville (14245H Centreville Square) is on track to finish by Oct. 23, the chain says. The company, which currently has just one location in Virginia in Falls Church, is planning to hold a soft opening near the end of October. [FFXnow]
New Paintings Celebrate Mason District — “Four paintings highlighting Mason District have been installed in the office of Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez. The artist, Todd Crespi, says he was inspired by Jimenez’ goal to celebrate the vitality of Mason District through the arts.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 89°F and a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Night will see showers and thunderstorms before 3am, then likely showers, with a low around 68°F. There’s an 80% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
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The “kiss and ride” pick-up and drop-off sections at many Fairfax County Public Schools are overextended to the point of becoming the school system’s “most significant operational concern districtwide,” a new staff report found.
The results of a Safe Routes to Schools assessment conducted over the past year and a half were presented to the Fairfax County School Board yesterday (Sept. 8) as part of a discussion of pedestrian and traffic safety around schools, just one week after a student was hit by a car while walking to South Lakes High School in Reston.
Local bus networks serving both Fairfax County and Fairfax City posted year-over-year passenger declines in fiscal year 2026, even as transit usage increased more broadly across Northern Virginia.
Fairfax Connector saw a drop of 1.1% and Fairfax City’s CUE service was down 4.5%, according to data from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation as analyzed by FFXnow.
County to Host 9/11 Ceremony — “Fairfax County’s public safety agencies and county leaders will hold a remembrance ceremony on Friday, Sept. 11, at 10:10 a.m. commemorating all those impacted 25 years ago by the 2001 event. The ceremony will take place at the county’s Public Safety Headquarters in Fairfax, though the public is invited to watch the ceremony live online.” [Fairfax County Government]
Mechanic Killed in Bus Collapse Mourned — “A Virginia mechanic killed while working beneath a tour bus at Wolf Trap is being remembered by friends and colleagues across the country as a beloved husband, father and expert troubleshooter who earned the nickname ‘The Bus Doctor.'” [WTOP]
Rehab Planned for Va. to D.C. Bridge — “A rehabilitation project on the I-395 northbound bridge over the Potomac River has taken a key step forward. The construction firm Skanska has been awarded a $114 million design-build contract to conduct renovations and upgrades on the bridge … Construction is expected to begin in early 2027, Skanska said in a press release.” [ARLnow]
Tysons VC Firm Nabs Pentagon Contract — Red Cell Partners has “inked a one-year federal contract with the Defense Department’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office” that’s projected to generate up to $100 million in new revenue for startups in its portfolio. The company will identify “slow, manual or redundant processes” that could be made more efficient with AI or other tools developed by its startups. [Washington Business Journal]
Beyer Discusses Economic Challenges — “U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, D-Alexandria, joined a recent call with small business owners from around the country to discuss economic challenges Americans are facing due to rising healthcare, food and fuel costs, which he said are the result of President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans not meeting their promise to lower costs.” [Virginia Mercury]
Foster Family Wanted for Reston Cats — “Oliver, a 4-year-old tabby, and Princess Peach, a 2-year-old tuxedo cat, need a temporary foster home together from Oct. 15, 2026, through April 20, 2027, according to Operation Foster. Their owner is deploying to the Middle East.” [Patch]
Reston Bank to Acquire Rival — “John Marshall Bancorp in Reston, Va., has agreed to buy Eagle Financial Services in Berryville, Va. The $2.4 billion-asset John Marshall said in a press release that it will pay $253 million in stock for the $1.8 billion-asset parent of the Bank of Clarke.” The deal is John Marshall’s first-ever acquisition since it was established by local business leaders 20 years ago, the Washington Business Journal says. [Bank Slate]
Woodson Graduate Finishes Epic Run — “A Woodson High School graduate who saw his professional career as a tri-athlete go up in flames has found redemption by completing a 2,000-mile run from Boulder, Colo., to Washington, D.C. Collin Chartier celebrated the end of the journey Aug. 30 at the Lincoln Memorial after completing the last 20 miles on the W&OD trail with members of the Marymount cross-country team.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny weather with a high near 88 degrees and a south wind blowing at 7 to 11 mph. Wednesday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 72 degrees. A southwest wind will continue at about 11 mph, with gusts reaching up to 20 mph. [NWS]
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Fairfax County officials have started making preparations for what they anticipate will be another challenging budget season next spring.
“The low-hanging fruit is gone,” Philip Hagen, director of the county’s Department of Management and Budget, told the Board of Supervisors at its Budget Policy Committee meeting on Sept. 1.
