Fairfax County officials are asking the Spanberger administration to make the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) more responsive to housing developments it must review.
In a letter to three new Virginia cabinet secretaries, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay expressed concern that current VDOT review process for new housing has placed roadblocks in the way of adding both market-rate and committed-affordable units:
Fairfax County supervisors in coming days will be compiling a list of positives and negatives related to the local and state response to late January’s crippling snow and ice storm.
Their comments and questions will then be forwarded to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and other agencies responsible for clearing snow.
No Heat at Annandale Apartments — “With outdoor temperatures in the 20s, hundreds of tenants at the Wedgewood in Annandale have been struggling to stay warm over the past two days without heat or hot water.” The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority, which owns the property, said water temperatures have been “partially restored,” but as of yesterday (Tuesday), repairs were still in the works for the heating system. [Annandale Today]
Redistricting Push Stalled by Infighting — “A disagreement between Democrats in the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates has upended plans to redraw the state’s congressional map. Democrats in both chambers want a 10D-1R map, but they disagree on what that map looks like and blew past their self-imposed deadline last week to release a proposal.” [Punchbowl News]
Metro Honors Rosa Parks — “On Wednesday, Feb. 4, Metro is honoring civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks on her birthday by reserving a seat for her on every bus and train across the system. To commemorate the day, Metro is placing signs on trains and buses, reserving a single seat in recognition of Parks’ refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus and subsequent arrest in 1955.” [WMATA]
Demand High at Shelter Amid Cold Weather — “A hot meal on a cold day is just one of many ways FACETS provides for people seeking refuge at Fairfax County’s Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter. This shelter typically serves 18 people in what’s known as permanent supportive housing and about 52 overnight guests. But when the snow and sleet came and temperatures plunged, dozens more came through the doors.” [NBC4]
Bill Would Allow Cell Phones in Courthouses — “Senator Saddam Salim is a Democrat from Fairfax County and is advocating for his bill that would bring courthouses into the 21st century by allowing visitors to bring cell phones … A Senate panel approved Salim’s bill on cell phones this week.” [WVTF]
Falls Church Grocery Store Opening — “A discount grocery store coming to Falls Church plans to mark its grand opening next week with money-saving festivities. Grocery Outlet Bargain Market intends to open its doors at 500 S. Washington Street at 7 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, offering gift cards worth varying amounts to the first 100 customers.” [ARLnow]
New Vienna Police Chief Takes Office — “The Town of Vienna Police Department is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Janickey as its new Chief of Police, effective February 1st, 2026. Chief Janickey brings decades of law enforcement experience, proven leadership, and a strong commitment to officer wellness and community service to the role.” [Town of Vienna Police]
How Local Wildlife Is Handling Winter Weather — “If you’re wondering whether you should feed the wild animals you see wandering over the icy snow in your yard, the answer is no.” Fairfax County Park Authority’s natural resources branch manager, John Burke, says the desire to support wildlife is understandable, but squirrels, birds and other creatures “are well adapted to survive in the conditions that we’re experiencing now, and sometimes much colder.” [WTOP]
It’s Wednesday — Expect partly sunny skies and a high of 33 degrees with a north wind at 9 mph. Night brings a 20% chance of snow before 10 pm, followed by mostly cloudy skies that will gradually clear up. The low temperature will be around 17 degrees. [NWS]
Inova Eases Face Mask Rules — “Based on current levels of respiratory illness, effective Sunday, February 1, 2026, Inova will suspend the requirement for universal masking for team members, patients and visitors in our emergency departments (EDs) and Inova GoHealth Urgent Cares. Masks will continue to be offered to visitors and provided to team members.” [Inova]
Debate for State Senate Candidates — “Special election candidates for State Senate in the 39th District fielded questions about immigration, taxes, snow removal and more” at a recent virtual forum. “Early voting began this past Saturday for the Feb. 10 special election and will last through Saturday, Feb. 7.” The district includes parts of Seven Corners and Bailey’s Crossroads. [ALXnow]
Tysons Company Faces Sale for ICE Contract — “French IT company Capgemini SE said Sunday it will sell its McLean-based government solutions unit that provides technology to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The move comes as the French government has pressured Capgemini to disclose its business with ICE, whose operations in Minneapolis have drawn international controversy.” [Washington Business Journal]
Tysons Chef to Compete on New TV Show — “Joon chef-owner Chris Morgan will compete on the first season of America’s Culinary Cup on CBS … The show will feature signature challenges throughout the season as contestants compete for the $1 million grand prize. That’s the biggest cash prize in culinary television history.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Jewelry Store Coming to Bailey’s Crossroads — “A shop called Masa Jewelry is coming to the Glen Forest Shopping Center in Bailey’s Crossroads, according to a building permit issued by Fairfax County. The store will be located at 5900 Leesburg Pike between Halal Hunan Village and Subway.” [Annandale Today]
Falls Church Eyes Townhome Redevelopment — “Falls Church city officials have started talking with potential partners about what could be one of the largest housing projects in the city’s history.” The city has been discussing redeveloping the Virginia Village duplexes as affordable housing, among other possibilities, “with four nonprofit or governmental housing organizations.” [ARLnow]
Park Authority Celebrates Black History Month — “Throughout February and beyond, the Fairfax County Park Authority offers engaging events, exhibits and interpretive programs for all ages that highlight the essential role Black individuals and communities have played in shaping the county’s past and present.” [FCPA]
Nominees Wanted for Healthy Living Awards — “The Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax seeks nominations for its 2026 Live Healthy Fairfax Award. This award recognizes individuals, businesses, agencies, and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership and action to improve the health and well-being of the Fairfax community.” [Fairfax County Health Department]
It’s Tuesday — There’s a 20% chance of rain and snow after 4pm, with increasing clouds and a high near 39. At night, chances rise to 60%, with snow likely mainly before 1am. With a cloudy sky and a low around 27, new snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible. [NWS]
As anticipated, Fairfax County Public Schools will resume classes tomorrow (Tuesday), albeit on a two-hour delay.
“This means all schools will begin two hours after their regularly scheduled start times,” FCPS said in an announcement. “Central and school offices will open on time. Central and school office 12-month employees must report to work on time.”
As he approaches his 18th anniversary as CEO of Visit Fairfax, Barry Biggar has the same item atop his to-do list as when he started on the job: a conference center.
“We needed it 25 years ago, we need it today,” Biggar said during a Jan. 28 presentation to the Fairfax County Planning Commission.
Legislation allowing local governments to regulate or ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers is facing an uphill climb in the Virginia General Assembly.
A measure by Del. Rip Sullivan (D-6) was deferred until the 2027 session by a vote on Friday (Jan. 30) in the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns.
Like the rest of the D.C. region, Fairfax County is still working its way out from under the mounds of snow and ice left behind by Winter Storm Fern.
On top of the three deaths from medical emergencies reported by the Fairfax County Police Department, the Jan. 25 storm resulted in a “significant” surge in sledding-related injuries throughout last week, according to Inova.
Apartment hunters in Fairfax County are getting better deals than they did a year ago, with prices significantly discounted from the market peak last summer.
Median apartment rents in five major Fairfax corridors all showed declines in January compared to a year before, according to figures reported Jan. 28 by Apartment List. But all remained above the median rate for the D.C. metropolitan area of $2,116 for the month, price-wise.
Man Found Dead in Centreville — “The Fairfax County Police Department is conducting a death investigation after a man was found unresponsive in the roadway on Saturday. In a post to the X platform at 3:22 p.m., officers responded to reports of a man found lying in the roadway near Route 29 and Rydell Road in Centreville.” [DC News Now]
Another Measles Exposure at Dulles Airport — “Health officials are advising of potential measles exposures after confirming a case that traveled through Washington Dulles International Airport last Saturday. A person with measles traveled through the Dulles airport and took a shuttle bus to its rental car facilities on Saturday, Jan. 24 … This is the fourth case of measles reported in Virginia in 2026 — nearing the total of five cases reported by VDH in 2025.” [ALXnow]
Popes Head Road Limited to One Lane — “Weather permitting, Popes Head Road (Route 654) will have one lane of alternating traffic via flagging between Revercomb Court and just east of Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) on weekdays from Monday, Feb. 2, through Friday, Feb. 27, for water main relocation work as part of the Fairfax County Parkway and Popes Head Road interchange project … Drivers should expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes.” [VDOT]
Walk for Peace to Pass Through Fairfax County — “A group of Buddhist monks on a Walk for Peace from Texas to Washington, D.C., is expected to pass through Annandale, Falls Church, and Seven Corners next week. The monks began their 2,300-mile journey at the Dhammacetiya Temple in Fort Worth on Oct. 29. They plan to arrive in D.C. on Feb. 11, where they will hold a Peace Gathering at the Lincoln Memorial at 2 p.m.” [Annandale Today]
Falls Church Council to Vote on Transit Funding Plan — “The Falls Church City Council is preparing to vote on a region-wide proposal to increase annual spending for Metro by $460 million every year … Arlington, Loudoun, and Fairfax counties have already approved resolutions in support of the funding plan, adopted by the COG and WMATA board last fall.” [ARLnow]
Bill on Teaching About Capitol Attack Advances — “Democrats in Virginia’s House of Delegates advanced a measure Tuesday morning that puts so-called guardrails around when and if a local school system wants to teach about the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capital.” A bill pushed by Del. Dan Helmer would require any curriculum touching on the event to describe it “as an unprecedented, violent attack on democratic institutions.” [WVTF]
Fairfax City Awarded Opioid Settlement Funds — “At a Jan. 20 meeting, the [Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority] committee approved $545,429 in awards to Clarke, Franklin, Henrico and Patrick counties and the city of Fairfax. The grants will support a mix of new initiatives and expansions of existing programs, funded through Virginia’s share of national opioid settlements with manufacturers, distributors and retailers.” [Virginia Mercury]
Plastic Surgery Clinic Moves in Reston — “Rostami Oculofacial Plastic Consultants … is pleased to announce the relocation of its Reston practice to a new, larger, state-of-the-art facility to better serve patients across Northern Virginia and the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area. The practice has officially moved from its former location at 1860 Town Center Drive, Suite 250, Reston, VA 20190, to its new address at 1850 Town Center Parkway, Pavilion 2, Suite 650.” [Press release]
New Legal Notice — Rescheduled 2026–2027 PHA Plan hearing Feb 6; comments, virtual access. [Public Notices]
It’s Monday — Expect a sunny day with a high temperature around 31 degrees and wind chill values dropping to as low as zero. The northwest wind will be blowing at a speed of 8 to 14 mph, with gusts reaching up to 23 mph. As for Monday night, the sky will be partly cloudy, and the temperature will drop to around 18 degrees. The west wind will blow at a speed of 5 to 7 mph before becoming calm in the evening. [NWS]
