The number of jobless residents in Fairfax County jumped by more than a third — 33.8%, to be precise — year over year to start 2026, according to new state data.
A total of 23,749 county residents were reported seeking work in January, up from 17,744 a year before, based on figures released April 16 by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.
Bren Mar Park ES Safe After Fire — “Sunday afternoon, there was a fire at Bren Mar Park Elementary School in Alexandria … While the investigation into the cause continues, the Fire Marshal has determined that it is safe for students to return to school tomorrow. We are grateful that classes will be able to continue without disruption.” [FCPS]
Dr. Cerina Fairfax’s Patients Mourn — “Patients of Dr. Cerina Fairfax dropped off flowers outside her closed office door. She was killed by her husband, former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, police said … People who knew Cerina remembered her as bright and caring.” [NBC4]
No AC a Struggle in Annandale Apartments — “While the area experienced an early heat wave [last] week, residents of the Wedgewood Apartments in Annandale suffered without air conditioning … Inside Wedgewood tenant A. Osmani’s home, a thermometer recorded a temperature of 103 degrees on April 15.” [Annandale Today]
Capitals Stars Spotted at Tysons Brewery — Potentially retiring Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin was one of several players who visited Starr Hill Brewpub last Thursday (April 16), two days after the team concluded its season. Capitals fans and local realtors Morgan Samson and Colby Smythe ran into the players as they were leaving and took some photos in front of Capital One Hall. [RMNB]
Bagel Shop Opens in Vienna — “Bagel Street, a new shop on Maple Avenue in Vienna, plunges everyone’s favorite savory rounds with the most varied bagel case I’ve seen in our region … The brainchild of married founders Jenny Liu and Julio Santana, the creations owe more to her Chinese American roots than his Dominicans ones. But it’s clear that diversity knows few boundaries here.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Reston Startup Acquired — “Fortreum LLC, a cybersecurity assessment firm based in Lansdowne, has bought Kovr.ai, which helps companies doing business with the federal government obtain cybersecurity compliance sign-offs.” The acquisition was announced less than a year after former Amazon Web Services Inc. executives Andrew Black and Sri Iyer officially launched the Reston-based software developer. [Washington Business Journal]
Reston Man Wins $100K From Lottery — “A Reston man won a $100,000 Powerball prize after buying his ticket online for the March 16 drawing, according to the Virginia Lottery. Bharat Chatani matched four of the first five numbers plus the Powerball number, a combination that normally wins $50,000.” [Patch]
Renovations Coming to Park in Groveton — Starting Wednesday (April 22), the tennis and basketball courts at Stoneybrooke Park will close for renovations, including the installation of new surfacing, goals and fencing as well as the addition of gravel to improve drainage. “Parking will be limited during construction. Weather permitting, construction is expected to be completed in early July.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
It’s Monday — Expect mostly sunny weather with scattered sprinkles and a high near 55°F. Northwest winds will blow at 13 to 15 mph, with gusts reaching up to 26 mph. Overnight, the sky will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 34°F and a north wind at 6 to 9 mph. [NWS]
The drought conditions plaguing parts of Virginia, including Fairfax County, since last fall are officially the worst the state has experienced in almost 20 years.
Yesterday (Thursday), the U.S. Drought Monitor classified over 60% of Virginia as being in a severe drought based on data collected through Tuesday (April 14). That’s the most widespread drought seen in the state since October 2007, surpassing levels recorded during previous droughts in 2008, 2010, 2023 and 2024, according to Fairfax County.
In addition to learning about the country’s history through educational programs or taking in local attractions, Fairfax County residents will be able to celebrate America 250 by partaking in specially crafted alcohol.
The county will unveil a series of unique craft beverages to commemorate the U.S.’s 250th anniversary, starting this Sunday (April 19) with the launch of a pair of new wines developed by Fairfax County’s two wineries.
Fairfax County Circuit Court Chief Judge Penney S. Azcarate will be honored by the local Board of Supervisors ahead of her retirement later this summer.
The 10-member board voted unanimously Tuesday (April 14) to prepare a resolution honoring Azcarate, who will retire June 31 after nearly 20 years as a judge in Fairfax County — including the last 10 as chief judge of the Circuit Court.
Farmers Market Season Returns — “Fairfax County Farmers Markets return for the 2026 season, bringing farm-fresh produce, baked goods and specialty foods to communities across the county.” The season kicks off tomorrow (Saturday) in Burke, with the Reston and Mount Vernon markets also starting this month. Seven other markets are set to launch in May. [Fairfax County Park Authority]
State Budget Deal Unlikely Next Week — “Legislators are scheduled to meet next week to try to complete the two-year budget for Virginia — but the two chambers, which are both under Democratic control, are no closer to an agreement than they were at the end of the legislative session a month ago.” The General Assembly will reconvene next Thursday (April 23) for a special session as a July 1 deadline to approve a new budget looms. [Virginia Scope]
Early Voting on Redistricting Picks Up — Initially, early voting turnout in Northern Virginia for the proposed constitutional amendment to allow mid-decade redistricting “was largely muted compared to sizable turnout in parts of the state currently represented in Congress by Republicans.” However, more polling places opened last Saturday (April 11), leading to an apparent surge, with voters in Fairfax County alone casting 17,000 ballots. [WTOP]
Trump Arch Design Approved — “A federal commission has approved the design concept for the 250-foot triumphal arch that President Donald Trump wants to build at Memorial Circle.” The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which is filled entirely with Trump appointees, “will review an updated design before taking a final vote at a future meeting.” [ARLnow]
Utility Regulation Bills Revised — “Del. Destiny LeVere Bolling’s (D–Henrico) HB1393 and state Sen. Louise Lucas’ (D–Portsmouth) SB253 cover electric line undergrounding, utility weatherization programs, data center grid costs, long-term fuel payments and more.” LeVere Bolling and a Dominion Energy spokesperson both expressed opposition to amendments proposed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger, saying they undermine the legislation’s goals. [VPM News]
Polling Site Relocation Proposed — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on April 14 authorized a public hearing on an ordinance to relocate the polling place for the Holmes precinct in Mason District from the Culmore Community Library to Bailey’s Elementary School. The hearing will be held on May 5, at 4:30 p.m.” [Annandale Today]
FCPD Trains Recruits for Training — “Inside the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) are nearly 40 police recruits training to reach their goal of becoming police officers. The Pre-Academy Recruit Program, launched in 2017, was created to help police recruits be better prepared before entering the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy.” [WJLA]
Reston Community Yard Sale Coming Up — “One of Reston Association’s longest-running and most popular community traditions returns this month with the semi-annual Community Yard Sale. More than 80 families will set up vendor tables at the event (vendor space is sold out), scheduled for Saturday, April 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Reston Association parking lot.” [Reston Association]
It’s Friday — There is a 30% chance of showers mainly before 11 a.m., followed by mostly sunny skies with a high near 83°F. Winds will come from the northwest at about 7 mph. Overnight, expect mostly clear conditions with a low around 62°F and light, variable winds. [NWS]
New Heat Records for April 15 — “Record highs were set across the region with many spots topping 90 [yesterday] afternoon. The new records include D.C. at 90, Dulles Airport with 91 and Baltimore at 91. It’s the fourth record high this year for Washington.” [Capital Weather Gang]
Man Arrested After Brandishing Machete — “City of Fairfax police arrested a 54-year-old man at Hilltop Shopping Center on Friday after officers responded to a reported weapons violation at the Main Street plaza.” Reportedly seen “waving a machete,” the man was charged with being drunk in public, disorderly conduct and obstructing justice. [Patch]
Fire Outside Herndon Apartment Under Investigation — Fairfax County firefighters responded around 12:42 p.m. yesterday (Wednesday) to the 13400 block of Coppermine Road for an outside fire that was spreading to a ground-floor apartment. “One patient was evaluated on scene. No firefighter injuries. Fire investigators are on scene working to determine the cause.” [FCFRD/Facebook]
Some Dems Frustrated by Amendments — “Democratic members of the Senate Finance Committee meeting hammered Secretary of Finance Mark Sickles, a member of Spanberger’s cabinet, Tuesday morning over the governor’s veto of a bill that would have legalized skill games and an amendment to the cannabis retail framework bill that would push the start of recreational sale to July 2027.” [Cardinal News]
Va. Backs Shift to Popular Vote — “Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a bill Monday that adds the state to the National Popular Vote Compact, an agreement among states to award their presidential electoral votes to the nationwide popular vote winner.” The bill pushes supporters’ closer to the 270 electoral votes needed to elect a president. [NPR]
No More Tax Breaks for Confederate Groups — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia has signed into law a bill to end tax exemptions for a slate of Confederacy-related organizations in the state … The new law’s most significant target is the United Daughters of the Confederacy, founded in 1894 for descendants of Confederates.” [New York Times]
Dessert Cafe Makes U.S. Debut — “Dessert 39, a new café in Annandale, has been busy since it had a soft opening earlier this month. Manager Sean Oh says the shop has drawn crowds of people curious to try the first Dessert 39 shop outside Korea. Dessert 39 is located at 7326A Little River Turnpike in the space formerly occupied by the Manoa bakery and café.” [Annandale Today]
Housing Authority Offers Loans to First-Time Buyers — “The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) announced [on Tuesday, April 14] that it is offering down payment loans to qualified individuals for first-time home purchases. These loans are made possible by a grant from Virginia Housing.” Eligibility requirements include a household income at or below 80% of the area median. [FCRHA]
It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 92°F and a light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Night will be partly cloudy with a low around 69°F. There’s a 30% chance of showers, mainly after 2 a.m. [NWS]
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A union representing some Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) employees rallied yesterday (Tuesday) for restoration of pay, benefits and staffing levels negotiated last year but not funded by county leaders.
“We’re here to make sure the Board of Supervisors knows … they cannot leave the schools behind,” Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT) President Emily VanDerhoff said at the late-afternoon event, held in front of the Fairfax County Governmental Center.
Fairfax County will get an early taste of summer over the next couple of days, with temperatures expected to climb into the low to mid-90s.
While the D.C. region is no stranger to those temperatures, it would set records for this time of the year, the county government said on its emergency blog, urging residents to “take heat safety seriously” today and tomorrow (Thursday).
Fairfax County supervisors opposed to a bill that would’ve allowed a casino in Tysons said this week they hope Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s veto of the legislation puts an end to the matter once and for all.
“This has been a distraction — our residents have been traumatized,” Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn said at the Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday (Tuesday).
