Piled-up snow blocks a turn lane from International Drive into Tysons Galleria (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

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.


Ice remains frozen over Wolftrap Creek in Vienna after an extremely cold winter week (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

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]


Hopes that Fairfax County Public Schools would resume classes tomorrow (Monday) after a whole week off for students in the wake of Winter Storm Fern have been dashed against a block of snowcrete.

FCPS announced this afternoon (Sunday) that classes have officially been canceled again tomorrow, citing “continued concerns about safe travel for students and staff to and from school.”


The proposed fiscal year 2027 Fairfax County Public Schools budget includes funding to increase athletic programming and augment stipends to coaches.

“We’re expanding middle school sports again next year, as well as adding junior-varsity boys volleyball,” Superintendent Michelle Reid said during her Jan. 22 budget briefing to the Fairfax County School Board.


Evening rush hour traffic on Leesburg Pike in Tysons (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Fairfax Connector Resumes Full Service — For the first time since Saturday (Jan. 24), “Fairfax Connector will operate full service with some snow detours on Friday, Jan. 30. All regularly scheduled weekday routes will be in service. The following routes will begin operating with snow detours in the morning until road conditions improve: 151, 152, 161, 162, 231, 232, 310, 321, 322, 334, 703, 803 and 937.” [Fairfax Connector]

Memorial Planned for Midair Crash Victims — “A new memorial in Alexandria will honor the lives of the 67 people killed in last year’s midair collision over the Potomac River, which happened one year ago [Thursday]. A bench, newly planted trees and plaque bearing the names of the 67 victims will be installed on the Potomac waterfront on the northeastern portion of Rivergate Park.” [ALXnow]

N. Va. Skating Community Honors Crash Victims — Ashburn figure skater Alexis “Winch was friends with Everly Livingston, 14, a victim of the regional jet’s mid-air collision with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River … Winch and a few peers participated in a commemorative tribute skate at the Ashburn Ice House on Tuesday following a sculpture unveiling ceremony.” [Inside NoVA]

Felon Disenfranchisement Partly Struck Down — “A federal judge in Richmond partially struck down Virginia’s felony disenfranchisement rule earlier this month, in a court decision that could make hundreds of thousands of people eligible to vote again — and have broader implications across the southern United States.” Virginia General Attorney Jay Jones is expected to “make a public announcement on the case this week.” [VPM News]

Virginia AG Condemns DOJ Pressure on Minnesota — “Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones joined 21 colleagues on Thursday in sharply condemning the U.S. Department of Justice’s latest push to force Minnesota officials to surrender sensitive state data and dismantle public-safety policies as a condition for federal cooperation, calling it unconstitutional and an overreach of federal power.” [Virginia Mercury]

Fairfax Speed Skater Set for Olympic Debut — “When 24-year old Brandon Kim was growing up in Fairfax, Virginia, he first saw short-track speedskating on television, during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver … Now, he’s preparing to make his Olympic debut in Italy next month.” [WTOP]

Renewed Push for Paid Sick Leave — “While Virginia does have a paid sick leave law, it applies to a narrow scope of workers. House Bill 5 by Del. Kelly Convirs-Fowler, D-Virginia Beach, would expand that to all public and private sector employees in the state. Workers would be able to earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.” State Sen. Jennifer Boysko, who represents Reston, Herndon, Great Falls and McLean, has also proposed a paid family medical leave bill. [Virginia Mercury]

Oakton Golf Center Named Among Best in U.S. — “Oakmont Golf Center range was recognized as one of America’s Top 50 Public Ranges by Golf Range Magazine,” which has now included the facility in its ranking four years in a row. Owned and operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority, the range “features 78 lighted stations, with 30 stations that are also covered and heated.” [FCPA]

New Legal Notice — Public hearings on FY2027 budget: Feb 10; overflow Feb 11. [Public Notices]

New Legal Notice — Application for restaurant beer/wine on- and off-premises license. [Public Notices]

It’s Friday — Expect mostly sunny skies and a high of around 21 degrees during the day, with wind chill values dropping as low as -1 due to a 6 mph northwest wind. The night will be mostly cloudy, seeing a low of around 9 degrees, identical wind chill values, and a calm wind that will shift to north at around 6 mph after midnight. [NWS]


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