Fairfax County’s Stuff the Bus food drive to restock local food pantries will return to sites across the county on Saturday (March 14).
Eight grocery store parking lots will serve as collection points from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each site will benefit a different local food pantry. Residents are encouraged to donate non-perishable food or gift cards at the collection sites.
The general height limit for single-family homes across Fairfax County has stood at 35 feet for 67 years. But county officials say that restriction needs clarification so local residents and builders better understand how the calculation is made.
“Simplicity is important for a lot of reasons,” Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay said yesterday (Tuesday) at a meeting of the board’s Land Use Policy Committee.
By OLIVIA DIAZ and MARC LEVY Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Nearly two decades ago, Virginia gave tech companies a tax break on equipment and software, and they began to build. The state became a data center hub, and they kept building. Residents bemoaned the noise while they built some more. Artificial intelligence boomed, and the power grid strained — still, more building.
Fairfax County officials are seeking input on how to allocate millions of dollars in funding for improvements to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) unveiled a list of proposed projects last month and is now actively accepting survey responses until 4:30 p.m. on March 31.
Fairfax County is teaming up with the Arbor Day Foundation to give away free trees to residents as part of its efforts to nurture the local tree canopy.
Starting today (Tuesday), all county residents can sign up online to receive up to two one-gallon trees that will be delivered directly to their homes, according to the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services’ (DPWES) Urban and Community Forestry Division.
Assault Weapons Ban Heads to Governor — “Virginia is one step closer to enacting an assault weapons ban. The Senate is sending a bill to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s (D) desk on Monday that would make it illegal to sell, purchase, import, manufacture or transfer assault weapons in Virginia starting on July 1, 2026, with some exceptions.” [WRIC]
Gambling Commission Push Stalls — “A Virginia Senate committee killed a House bill that would create an independent body to regulate various gambling industries Monday, as state lawmakers seek to corral the sprawling industry.” A separate Senate bill currently being negotiated by members of both General Assembly chambers would instead hand most regulatory authority over gaming to the Virginia Lottery. [VPM Media]
Rarely Seen Bird Spotted in Great Falls Park — “Since a birder named Phil Kenny first discovered a female red-flanked bluetail in a tree just off the Capital Beltway on New Year’s Day, crowds of visitors have flocked to Great Falls Park — where the bird has been living for the past three months — to try to catch a glimpse. Locals young and old, plus bird nerds from as far away as Minnesota, Nevada, Texas, Michigan and Florida have all showed up with binoculars in tow.” [Washington Post]
Va. Could Clear Way for Plug-In Solar Panels — “Bills allowing for portable solar generation devices are nearing the finish line to be sent to the governor’s desk.” Led by Fairfax State Sen. Scott Surovell and Del. Paul Krizek, the bills prevent landlords with “more than four rental dwellings from prohibiting the use of balcony solar panels.” [Virginia Mercury]
Annandale Masonic Lodge for Sale — “The Elmer Timberman Masonic Lodge is selling its building at 6911 Columbia Pike in Annandale. The Masons only use it for monthly meetings. They own the building but they’re finding it hard to keep up with maintenance expenses” after a slowdown in event rentals post-Covid. [Annandale Today]
Vietnamese Eatery Launches at Tysons Galleria — “At his upscale restaurant Moon Rabbit, chef Kevin Tien and his team reimagine Vietnamese food with modern dishes like mochi beignets with fresh eel or green-curry sponge cake. But at his new fast-casual spot, Chao Ban, in Tysons Galleria, Tien is focusing on more familiar staples like pho and banh mi — albeit with some of his usual cheffy twists.” [Washingtonian]
Vienna Steakhouse Aims for Spring Opening — “Electric Bull is slated to open this spring at 176 Maple Ave. West. It began as a basic idea: a neighborhood grill and butcher shop centered on great meat and live fire. Somewhere along the way, that vision attracted an elite group of chefs and partners whose combined experience is helping shape it into something much bigger.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Fairfax City Schools Take Cautious Approach to Budget — “City of Fairfax school leaders say they are building a cautious Fiscal Year 2027 budget that preserves student programs and staff support while budgeting for a lower tuition bill than the roughly $77 million figure initially projected by Fairfax County Public Schools.” [Patch]
It’s Wednesday — There’s a 50% chance of rain with partly sunny skies, and a high near 82 degrees. South winds will range from 6 to 11 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. Evening brings a 70% chance of rain, along with cloud cover and a low around 51 degrees. [NWS]
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The Fairfax County Police Department is moving forward with plans to partially seal off its radio communications from the public.
The department has proposed encrypting its “main channels” to both limit the disclosure of sensitive information and prevent “someone’s worst day from being used for entertainment,” officers told the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a Safety and Security Committee meeting this afternoon (Tuesday).
Statewide Tornado Drill Today — “The 2026 State-Wide Tornado Drill is Tomorrow, March 10th. At 9:45, practice your Tornado Preparedness by getting under a table or desk, going to an interior low-level floor, or bracing and covering your head and neck in an interior hallway.” [Ready Fairfax/X]
Potomac Sewage Spill Could Raise Water Bills — “The battle over who pays for January’s pipe collapse is quickly becoming a regional flashpoint — and DMV residents may not realize they could see the costs show up on their water bills.” Though DC Water is responsible for the repairs, a regional cost-sharing agreement for the 54-mile sewer line would require utilities in Maryland and Fairfax and Loudoun counties to cover part of the estimated $20 million bill. [Axios DC]
Bill Would Allow Lawsuits Over AI Political Ads — “Fairfax Democratic Senator Saddam Salim had hoped to require disclosure on political ads that use artificial intelligence. But a House committee Monday turned his bill into an anti-defamation law that asks courts to quickly review complaints related to allegedly false political ads instead.” [WVTF]
More Leeway Proposed for Rent Payments — “Del. Cia Price (D–Newport News) says legislation that she and other Democrats are behind aims to give renters like Tinsley a little more time to avoid an eviction hearing. HB15 would give tenants 14 days to pay off late rent, not five as in current law, before a landlord can try to evict them.” [VPM Media]
Police Investigating Reston Robbery — The Fairfax County Police Department released a composite sketch yesterday (Monday) of a potential suspect in a robbery that occurred in the Edgewater Townhomes at Reston Town Center on Feb. 16. “The victim reported seeing a man lying on the ground, possibly hurt. When he approached, the suspect jumped up, assaulted him, and stole his credit cards.” [FCPD]
Golf Simulator Maker Boosts Chantilly Presence — “Seoul-based Golfzon is relocating its global business team from South Korea to the U.S. to capitalize on the growing demand for indoor golf experiences stateside in North America and other regions, the company said Monday … Golfzon America CEO Sean Pyun will lead the global business division from 3863 Centerview Drive at Dulles Business Park in Chantilly,” where the company’s U.S. division has been based since 2016. [Washington Business Journal]
N. Va. T-Shirt Company Featured in Oscars Gift Bags — “The 98th Academy Awards are less than one week away, and while not all the nominees will walk away with an Oscar, some of them are guaranteed apparel from a Northern Virginia-based company. Included in this year’s swag-bags given to the nominees will be various clothing items from the Northern Virginia apparel brand Bored Rebel.” [WTOP]
Park Authority Hiring for Summer — “The Fairfax County Park Authority is now hiring hundreds of seasonal team members to support parks, recreation centers, nature centers, historic sites, golf courses and pools across the county … Full job descriptions, qualifications, and details on upcoming open hire sessions can be found online.” [FCPA]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 77, accompanied by calm winds that will shift to the south at 5 to 7 mph later in the afternoon. The night will remain mostly clear, with a low around 61 and a gentle south wind of 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]
Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.
Vigil Held for Stabbing Victims — “About a hundred people paid their respects at a vigil for the two women who were stabbed to death at their Fairfax home on Feb. 23.” The vigil for Binda and Mamta Thapa was held Friday (March 6) at the Margate Manor Apartments and “organized by Prabha Bhattarai, founder and president of the PKP Tender Hearts Foundation, an organization that supports the Nepalese community.” [Annandale Today]
McKay Doesn’t Plan to Order Casino Referendum — “If Virginia passes a bill to pave the way for a casino in Fairfax County, the chairman of the county board says he won’t put the issue before voters … The bill has not yet made it to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk as lawmakers in both chambers still need to address the differences in the versions of the bill that was passed.” McKay says he won’t support a referendum on a casino based on the bill “in its current form.” [WTOP]
Bill on Sexual Abuse Cases Heads to Governor — “In Virginia, the civil statute of limitations on child sexual abuse cases runs out 20 years after a survivor is no longer a minor. But what if crucial evidence doesn’t come out until after that? House Bill 1020 gives survivors another chance to have their day in court” by restarting the 20-year statute of limitations if new evidence is uncovered. [WRIC]
Murder Charge Dropped in Stabbing Case — “The family of a man stabbed to death near a bus stop in Groveton last year said they’re disappointed and angry that prosecutors decided not to pursue the second-degree murder case against the suspect … The Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office chose to drop the murder charge against Reed, citing a lack of evidence to support a prosecution.” [WUSA9]
Lawsuit Challenges Reproductive Rights Amendment — “At the core of a new Bedford County-based lawsuit challenging Virginia’s pending reproductive rights amendment is an allegation that House of Delegates Clerk Paul Nardo failed to send copies of the amendment to circuit court clerks around the state, as required by law. However, a bill Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed last month retroactively removed that part of state code.” [Virginia Mercury]
Belle Haven Fire Started in Bedroom — “On Wednesday, March 4, at 4:13 a.m., the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department responded to reports of a house fire in the 2600 block of East Side Drive … Fire investigators determined the fire originated within the wall of a second-floor bedroom as the result of an electrical event.” No injuries were reported, but the fire caused an estimated $20,129 in property damages. [FCFRD]
Temporary Music Venue Planned in Annandale — “Johnny P, a local entrepreneur, has big plans for the two vacant buildings on Columbia Pike that were damaged in a fire in 2023. He hopes to use the building that formerly housed the Thai Sushi Eats restaurant as a temporary live music venue called ‘Music Flavor’ – until the building is torn down and the property is redeveloped.” [Annandale Today]
Blood Drive Today in Chantilly — “Inova is experiencing a critical blood shortage. Join us for the Sully District Blood Drive on Monday, March 9. Help make sure that life-saving blood products are available.” As of last night (Sunday), four time slots remained available for the blood drive, which will take place at the Sully Government Center from 2-6 p.m. [Fairfax County Government/X]
New Legal Notice — Applicant seeks license to manufacture and sell alcohol on/off-premises. [Public Notices]
It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies and a high temperature near 72 degrees, accompanied by a calm wind shifting to the south at around 5 mph in the afternoon. As night falls on Monday, the sky will remain mostly clear, with the temperature dropping to a low around 48 degrees and the wind remaining calm. [NWS]
Fairfax County is continuing its recent push to trim costs, pursuing budget cuts that are less drastic than the ones proposed last year but could still result in some notable programming changes.
Released on Feb. 17, County Executive Bryan Hill’s advertised fiscal year 2027 budget plan would reduce spending by $32.9 million and eliminate 107 positions, bringing the total amount of cuts since FY 2024 up to $124.5 million.
