An additional $9.2 million in federal funds is coming to Fairfax County, raising the county’s total earmarks to nearly $17 million for this fiscal year.
Rep. James Walkinshaw announced today (Tuesday) that he had helped procure approximately $13.4 million for the county in the minibus appropriations package that passed last month.
Some voters will cast ballots in a special election for the Braddock District seat on the Fairfax County School Board today (Tuesday), while early voting for a statewide congressional redistricting amendment will begin later this week.
Polls opened at 6 a.m. and will remain open until 7 p.m. throughout the Braddock District. The special election is only open to registered voters in the Braddock District, but district residents can also register and vote a provisional ballot on Election Day at their assigned polling place.
Potomac River Advisory Lifted — “D.C. health officials are lifting a recreational advisory on the Potomac River, citing an improvement in water quality after a sewage line collapsed in January. A section of the Potomac Interceptor collapsed Jan. 19, spilling hundreds of millions of gallons of untreated sewage into the river and creating a stinky environmental disaster.” [WTOP]
Local Iranian Americans Split on Bombings — “Iranian Americans in the D.C. region are expressing sharply different views of the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend, and whether the attacks will move Iran closer to a goal they share: safety and a better future for Iranians.” [WTOP]
Fundraiser to Help Stabbing Victims’ Family — “The Virginia Chapter of the Non-Resident Nepali Association has organized a fundraising campaign to support the remaining family of the victims of a brutal stabbing rampage by Chhatra Thapa, 54, on Feb. 23 in Fairfax. Thapa killed his wife, Binda Thapa, 52, and daughter, Mamta, 33, a nurse.” [Annandale Today]
Worker Assaulted During 7-Eleven Robbery — “City of Fairfax police arrested a juvenile suspect who they say seriously assaulted a convenience store employee on Monday morning. Officers responded around 5 a.m. to investigate the report of a robbery at the 7-Eleven located at 3965 Jermantown Road.” [Patch]
Rules for AI in Education Considered — “As schools adopt AI and students spend more time on screens, state lawmakers have questions about the technology’s impact on students’ safety, critical thinking and learning skills. Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, said due to these concerns, lawmakers and educators are now trying to keep pace with rapid AI advancements.” [Virginia Mercury]
Tulips to Take Over National Mall — “Tulip Day marks the beginning of spring with a massive, 150,000-flower display of freshly bloomed tulips in the heart of D.C. The event is from 11:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. Ticket-holding visitors will be able to pick their own bouquet, with a limit of 10 flowers per person.” [NBC4]
Meeting on Oakton Traffic Study Coming — “The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will hold a second public meeting for the Oakton Congestion and Safety Study on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 7 p.m., in the cafeteria of Oakton High School.” Staff will present an analysis of existing conditions and seek feedback on proposed improvements that came out of a public workshop in November. [FCDOT]
Trail Advocates Win National Recognition — “Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail, a volunteer group dedicated to trail maintenance and education efforts, was recognized with an award last month for its trail renovation work. The organization was honored with the ‘Trail of the Year’ award from the Public Lands Alliance at the nonprofit’s conference in Daytona Beach,” Florida. [ALXnow]
It’s Tuesday — Expect a 70% chance of rain before 2pm and possibly after 5pm, with cloudy skies and a high near 48. At night, there’s an 80% chance of rain after 7pm, with a low around 45, accumulating another tenth to a quarter-inch. [NWS]
Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.
While accumulations are limited, today’s snowfall was substantial enough to convince Fairfax County Public Schools to delay classes tomorrow (Tuesday).
All schools and central offices will open two hours late tomorrow after the National Weather Service issued an advisory warning of potentially challenging travel conditions during the morning rush hour.
After approving new school attendance zone boundaries in January, the Fairfax County School Board opted to provide bus transportation to affected high school students, but not their elementary and middle school counterparts.
The school board voted 7-4 last Thursday (Feb. 26) to approve bus transportation for Fairfax County Public Schools high school students who have been drawn into new school boundaries but are eligible to remain in their current school.
Driver Killed at I-66 Rest Stop — “A driver was killed Saturday afternoon when their Toyota sedan struck a parked tractor-trailer at the eastbound Interstate 66 rest area near Manassas and then caught fire … State police said it appears the Toyota struck the rear of a legally parked tractor-trailer. Following the impact, the car burst into flames.” [Inside NoVA]
Social Media Restrictions Blocked — “A federal judge on Friday blocked Virginia from enforcing a new law that aimed to protect children from being addicted to social media by requiring age verification and limiting use by those under 16 to one hour per day.” Signed by former Gov. Glenn Youngkin and in effect as of Jan. 1, the law was challenged by the technology trade group NetChoice. [Reuters]
Pedestrian Injured in Annandale Crash — A woman was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries on Saturday (Feb. 28) after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road near John Marr Drive and Ravensworth Road. John Marr Drive was closed for a period as detectives investigated before reopening shortly before 9 p.m. that evening. [FCPD/X]
Winner of $1M From Lottery Identified — “A retired electrician has won $1 million from a Powerball ticket purchased in Annandale, the Virginia Lottery announced on Feb. 24. The lottery winner bought the ticket at the Express 1 Food Mart at 4713 Backlick Road on Dec. 13. It took him a month to realize he had a winning ticket.” [Annandale Today]
Reston Native Sets Powerlifting Record — “Most people are enjoying retirement at 75. But for Reston native Becky Lane, that milestone marked a new beginning: On Feb. 14, she stepped onto a powerlifting platform for the first time and broke the national record three times. With that, Lane is headed to Anaheim, Calif., near the end of May to compete on the national stage.” [Fairfax Times]
Outdoor Furniture Store Nears Opening — “A Fortunoff Backyard Store is slated to open in Springfield in April, just in time for spring outdoor furniture shopping. The company sells high-end outdoor furniture and patio accessories. Fortunoff leased 11,000 square feet at the Springfield Commons shopping center, 6721B Frontier Drive.” [Washington Business Journal]
Women’s Day Protest Planned — “Herndon-Reston Indivisible is hosting a International Women’s Day Protest on Sunday, March 8, 2 to 3:30 p.m., at the corner of Reston Parkway and Baron Cameron Avenue.” The grassroots organization says the protest is intended to rally “support for women everywhere, specifically the women who are victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump.” [Patch]
Lacrosse Tournament Offers Olympics Preview — “Many of the world’s best lacrosse players are in town for the kickoff of the Lexus Championship Series on Friday night at the St. James in Springfield … Rachael DeCecco, senior vice president of lacrosse for both [the Premiere and Women’s] leagues, said it will be an exciting preview of what to expect in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.” [WTOP]
It’s Monday — A cloudy day is expected with a high near 36 and a 50% chance of precipitation. Snow may fall starting from 1pm. At night, snow could turn into rain or freezing rain between 1am and 4am with a low around 30 and 80% chance of precipitation. Accumulations of ice and snow are expected to be minimal. [NWS]
It took three attempts by two different patrons, but legislation to potentially allow a casino in Fairfax County appears to be heading toward adoption.
After setting aside a similar bill last year, the Virginia House Appropriations Committee voted 18-4 earlier today (Friday) to advance SB 756, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, to the full chamber.
While the Fairfax County has worked on boosting affordable housing, local officials are wary of state bills that would reduce local zoning authority over residential development in commercial zones.
HB 816 by Del. Dan Helmer (D-10) and SB 454 by state Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-16) would require local zoning ordinances to permit by-right multifamily and mixed-use residential development on a portion of commercial or business zoning district land.
Apartment hunters across most of Fairfax County are seeing lower rental rates than they were at this time last year, but higher costs are likely come springtime, according to new data.
Six of seven Fairfax communities included in Apartment List’s March rental report for the D.C. area showed year-over-year declines in median asking rents during February.
Evacuated Homes Could Be Cleared Soon — “Nearly two weeks after a gas leak sparked a home explosion in the Centreville area of Fairfax County, families who were forced to evacuate are finally preparing to return home.” The number of evacuated homes “has now dropped to 19, and officials say those remaining families are expected to be cleared to return as soon as late Thursday night or early Friday morning.” [DC News Now]
Water Activities to Return to Potomac River — “DC Health is set to lift the advisory against recreational contact with the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., weeks after a sewer line ruptured and spilled more than 240 million gallons of raw sewage and wastewater into the waterway. Beginning Monday, residents can boat, fish and let dogs splash along the shoreline in the D.C. section of the river (swimming is not permitted in D.C. waters).” [NBC4]
Bank Moving Corporate HQ to Tysons — “Freedom Financial Holdings Inc., the parent company of the Freedom Bank of Virginia, is relocating its corporate headquarters from Fairfax city to 1750 Tysons Blvd. next month, President and CEO Joe Thomas told me in an interview this week. It’s also opening a new branch there.” Freedom’s home of more than 20 years at 10555 Main Street will still serve as its bank HQ with a branch and operations center. [Washington Business Journal]
Lane Closures on I-395 in Springfield — “Weather permitting, the northbound and southbound I-395 general purpose lanes and 395 Express Lanes will have lane closures at Edsall Road (Route 648/Exit 2) Friday night, Feb. 27; Saturday, Feb. 28; and Sunday morning, March 1, for bridge work … Drivers are reminded to use caution when traveling in active work zones.” [VDOT]
Police Raise Alarm About Home Burglaries — “Police are investigating a string of home burglaries targeting Asian Americans in Fairfax County. The thieves have reportedly taken half a million dollars in cash, jewelry, clothing, handbags and even gold bars. According to the Fairfax County Police Department, the eight burglaries happened within the last two months.” [WUSA9]
Bill to Clarify Legislative Language Finds Support — “HB1299 defines the word ‘shall’ in state code to mean something is mandatory, not just ‘directory,’ or a suggestion. Bill patron and Fairfax Democratic Delegate Karrie Delaney said the bill was needed in the wake of state court rulings that downgraded ‘shall’ to not being required, and, after being in the chamber for almost a decade, she was sick of it.” [WVTF]
Former Federal Workers Reflect on Past Year — Since President Donald Trump took office for a second term in January 2025, “more than 300,000 people left the government through a combination of firings, layoffs, and resignations … The 51st spoke to seven former federal workers to hear how their job losses affected them, what they’ve been up to since, and where they hope to go next.” [The 51st]
FCPD Taps New Communications Director — “Chief Kevin Davis has promoted Alaina Gertz to Director of Communications for the Fairfax County Police Department.” Serving as deputy communications director since joining the FCPD in 2023, Gertz previously worked for D.C.’s police department, managing media relations during major events like the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021 and the 2019 World Series championship festivities. [FCPD]
Bailey’s Crossroads Car Wash Advances — “The Fairfax County Planning Commission on Feb. 25 recommended approval of a proposal to add a carwash facility at Radley Acura in Bailey’s Crossroads. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold a hearing on the proposal on March 17.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Friday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 53°F and calm winds becoming southerly at 5 mph in the afternoon. The evening will be mostly clear with lows near 38°F and south winds between 3 and 6 mph. [NWS]
