As federal worker layoffs drive up unemployment, a new roadmap to reshaping the regional economy, proposed by local business leaders, says Northern Virginia will have to reinvent its economy if it hopes to succeed.
The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (NVC) and consulting firm Accenture released the NOVA Roadmap yesterday (Monday) at a press conference, calling it a “bold, actionable vision to reimagine the region’s economy.”
Arrest in Bus Driver Assault — An 18-year-old man from Lorton was arrested in Loudoun County on Saturday (July 19) after police identified him as the passenger who allegedly assaulted a Fairfax Connector bus driver on July 8. The man has been charged with aggravated malicious wounding after the driver reportedly suffered serious, though not life-threatening, injuries. [FCPD]
IKEA Looking at Possible Chantilly Restaurant — “Swedish furniture company IKEA recently submitted a food permit application in Fairfax County noted as “IKEA Chantilly,” the Washington Business Journal reported. The application is for a 142-seat, full-service restaurant at 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center Dr. at the Dulles Expo Center.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Guilty Verdict for Deadly Propane Explosion — “A Loudoun County, Virginia, jury has found former propane service technician Roger Bentley guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the February 2024 home explosion that killed volunteer firefighter Trevor Brown … Prosecutors told jurors in closing arguments that Bentley’s ‘actions and failures to act’ caused the Feb. 16, 2024, explosion that killed Brown and injured 14 others.” [WTOP]
Lake Accotink Fix Likely Years Away — “Three studies are underway on Lake Accotink, but it’s going to be years before any action is taken to preserve the lake at a smaller size … The public got a chance to learn about those studies and talk to experts at an open house on July 19 at Kings Glen Elementary School in Springfield.” [Annandale Today]
Local Man Arrested on Drug Charges — “A 33-year-old man, formerly a resident of Alexandria, is being held without bond for multiple narcotics possession charges.” The man was arrested on drug possession charges in December, released on bond and then arrested again on June 11 after a worker at the UPS store in Annandale “reported to police that he was receiving packages of drugs, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.” [ALXnow]
Former Capitals Stars List McLean Homes — Newly retired Washington Capitals forward TJ Oshie and his family moved out of their McLean home, listed for $9.85 million, and returned to Minnesota on Sunday (July 20), the fan blog Russian Machine Never Breaks says. Meanwhile, longtime Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom has moved to his native Sweden and is looking to sell his McLean mansion for just under $12 million. [Washingtonian]
Fairfax Nonprofit Reopens Dental Clinic — Last Thursday (July 18), “the Lamb Center celebrated the grand re-opening and dedication of its on-site dental clinic, a critical resource that will provide compassionate, comprehensive dental health care to 100’s of vulnerable City of Fairfax residents — many of whom are experiencing homelessness or housing instability.” [Patch]
Seafood and Ramen Restaurants Open — “Sea Friend, a carryout-only establishment serving fully cooked seafood, has opened in the former Father & Son Seafood shop at Gunston Plaza in Lorton.” Also in the Route 1 corridor, Yi Do Ramen and Sushi opened June 26 at Belle View Shopping Center. It’s the second location for the Japanese restaurant, which can also be found in Tysons. [On the MoVe]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunshine and a high of around 85 with a gentle northeast wind at 6 mph. Moving onto Tuesday night, the sky will be mostly clear, with the temperature dropping to around 68. The east wind at 6 mph will become calm as evening progresses. [NWS]
Correction: The man arrested on drug possession charges did not work for UPS as initially stated. The drugs were allegedly mailed to the Annandale store, and a worker there reported them to the police.
CD 11 Candidate Forum Scheduled — “The Reston Citizens Association is hosting an 11th Congressional District Forum featuring candidates James Walkinshaw (D) and Stewart Whitson (R) on Monday, July 28, at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods. WJLA TV will be live-streaming the forum, which will be rebroadcast in the days following.” [Patch]
Change Name Back, Trump Tells Football Team — “President Donald Trump is threatening to hold up a new stadium deal for Washington’s NFL team if it does not restore its old name of the Redskins, which was considered offensive to Native Americans.” Whether Trump actually has any authority to hold up a stadium deal is unclear, seeing as President Joe Biden signed a bill in January transferring the land from the federal government to D.C. [Associated Press]
Watch for Road Closures — “Weather permitting, Popes Head Road (Route 654) will have one lane of alternating traffic via flagging just west of Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) Monday, July 21, through Thursday, July 24, for work related to the Fairfax County Parkway and Popes Head Road interchange project.” A segment of Oakton Road will also be closed on those days for a drain pipe replacement. [VDOT]
Longstanding Pizzeria Closes — “Casa D’Mama Pizzaria, an Annandale mainstay for the past 45 years or so, appears to be permanently closed. The family-operated restaurant at 7406 Little River Turnpike specialized in New York-style pizza, subs, calzones, and Italian and Greek entrees.” [Annandale Today]
Dulles Greenway Toll Increase Denied — “The Supreme Court of Virginia has upheld the State Corporation Commission’s September 2024 decision denying a toll increase for the Dulles Greenway, the 14-mile stretch of roadway that links Leesburg to the Dulles International Airport … The court found that the rate increase was neither reasonable nor beneficial to drivers, according to a news release.” [WTOP]
Falls Church Domino’s Moving — “The only Domino’s in Falls Church will soon relocate to a shuttered bike shop, possibly making way for another pizzeria to set up shop.” The pizza chain is expected to move to the former Bike Club storefront at 438 S. Washington Street in mid-November, according to operations manager Himel Uddin. [ARLnow]
Falls Church Foodie Challenge Underway — “Get your passport ready. You’ll need it for the inaugural Greater Falls Church Foodie Trek taking place now through the end of August. The food challenge, held in a dozen local dining destinations, offers prizes and discounts if diners eat at participating restaurants.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Warehouses to Replace Fuel Tank Farm — “On a unanimous vote, the five members of the Fairfax City Board of Architectural Review approved a plan Wednesday night that will see two warehouse buildings replace 10 fuel tanks at the Pickett Road tank farm within the next two years.” Property owner Brookfield hopes to bring “Fortune 500 companies, like Target, like Walmart, and Pepsi” to the area, a legal representative said. [Patch]
It’s Monday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 85°F and a northward wind at about 6 mph. In the evening, there will be clear skies, and temperatures will drop to around 66°F with a gentle northeastward breeze between 3 and 5 mph. [NWS]
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors tapped Celebrate Fairfax on Tuesday (July 15) to manage logistics of the county’s celebration of the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday.
The organization will work with the Fairfax County 250th Commission and community groups to support an “inclusive-community-driven experience,” Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck said.
Two Injured in Tysons Crash — Fairfax County Fire and Rescue responded yesterday (Thursday) afternoon to “a two vehicle accident with one vehicle into a pole in the 8100 blk of Jones Branch Drive in Tysons. Crews arrived and assessed two patients. One patient was transported with non-life-threatening injuries.” [FCFRD/X]
House Fire in Franklin Farm — Firefighters were also dispatched yesterday to “a house fire in the 3000 blk of Jeannie Anna Ct in Herndon. Crews arrived to fire showing from an attached garage. The fire is under control. One occupant was transported for non-life-threatening injuries. No firefighter injuries.” [FCFRD/X]
Summer Has Been Especially Humid — “Summers in Washington are known for their humidity, but this one ranks among the muggiest in recent decades … From June 1 through July 16, dew points in D.C. reached 70 or higher for 573 hours, second-most on record since 1945, only trailing 1994 (603 hours).” The 15 Flood Watches issued since May have also been the most that the region has seen in a three-month period since 2007. [Capital Weather Gang]
Dulles Airport Construction Hits Milestone — Construction crews were scheduled to “install the final steel beam for Concourse E on Thursday morning. Set to open in fall 2026, the new concourse will feature 14 gates, a United Airlines lounge, state-of-the-art restrooms, and direct AeroTrain access. It is expected to replace the aging C/D concourse.” [FOX5]
Ruling on Dominion Energy Plan — The State Corporation Commission ruled on Tuesday (July 15) that Dominion Energy’s 2024 Integrated Resource Plan — which outlines how the utility intends to meet energy demands and emission reduction goals — is “legally sufficient,” but still raised concerns about its continued reliance on fossil fuels and spending plans that could “significantly impact” the monthly electric bills paid by residents and businesses. [Virginia Mercury]
Research Project Looks at Occoquan Water Supply — “The Occoquan Reservoir supplies water for a million people in Northern Virginia and right now, it exceeds the Environmental Protection Agency’s maximum contaminant levels for potentially dangerous chemicals.” An Occoquan Watershed Monitoring Laboratory led by Virginia Tech professor Stanley Grant is investigating “how this group of chemicals, known as PFAS, keep showing up in the water supply.” [WTOP]
Falls Church Adds Outreach Specialist — “Falls Church has hired its first outreach specialist for the city’s Vietnamese communities. Following city leaders’ promises to improve engagement with Vietnamese-American residents and businesses, Le Nguyen, a veteran journalist with local ties, started work on July 10.” [ARLnow]
Park Authority Honors Volunteers — “On Thursday, July 10, the Fairfax County Government Center Ellipse came alive with music, gratitude, and community spirit during the Evening on the Ellipse celebration recognizing the 2025 Outstanding Volunteers and officially proclaiming July as National Park and Recreation Month in Fairfax County.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
It’s Friday — There’s a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm today, with partly sunny skies and a high near 87. Tonight, the showers and thunderstorms might occur after 8pm, leading to mostly cloudy skies and a low around 73. A light southeast wind will accompany the 40% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Despite continued concerns about inflation, federal worker layoffs and other issues, business leaders in Northern Virginia are feeling more upbeat about their own economic prospects and those of the region than they were this spring, a new survey found.
The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (NVC) worked with the marketing firm Pinkston to survey 135 corporate executives and business owners about their experiences with the Trump administration’s efforts to downsize the federal government, their expectations for the near-future and their policy priorities.
Heat Advisory in Effect — “The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for … much of the D.C. area. Heat index values are expected to reach around 105 degrees Thursday, creating potentially hazardous conditions for outdoor activities.” Fairfax County has activated its emergency heat plan for the day, establishing cooling centers where people can find water and other supplies. [ARLnow]
GMU Students Concerned by Federal Probe — “When student Hanaan Kazia first heard about the federal civil rights probe into George Mason University, she wasn’t surprised. But the junior political science major and member of the school’s Political Science Honor Society says the implications still scare her.” Kazia and other students, faculty and lawmakers have spoken out in support of GMU, championing its diversity and calling the investigation “baseless and politically motivated.” [Virginia Mercury]
Contractor Moving to Reston Town Center — “Noblis has inked a lease to take virtually the entirety of 12050 Inspiration St., a roughly 90,000-square-foot office that is part of BXP Inc.’s Reston Next extension of Reston Town Center.” Starting in September 2027, the nonprofit will occupy 74,681 square feet, a “significant downsize compared to the 160,000-square-foot, two-building lease” signed a decade ago for its current headquarters at 2002 Edmund Halley Drive. [Washington Business Journal]
Great Falls Road to Temporarily Close — “Weather permitting, Walker Road (Route 681) will be closed to through traffic between Colvin Run Road (Route 743) and Georgetown Pike (Route 193) for two weeks due to work related to the Walker Road over Piney Run bridge replacement project.” The closure is scheduled to last from 10 p.m. this Friday (July 18) until 9 p.m. on Aug. 1, requiring drivers to take a detour. [VDOT]
Seven Corners Offices Sold — “The two high-rise office buildings at the Seven Corners intersection recently sold for 13 percent less than what they were acquired for six years ago, the Washington Business Journal reports. Sage Ventures bought the two 13-story office towers at 6400 and 6402 Arlington Blvd. from BoundTrain Real Estate in June for $33.7 million.” [Annandale Today]
Virginia Partners With Google on A.I. — Visiting the tech company’s Reston offices, “Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced on Tuesday that Google will partner with his administration to provide free and low-cost artificial intelligence certification courses to Virginians as part of his office’s ongoing effort to connect citizens to new jobs amid changes to the state’s economy.” [Associated Press]
Fliers Anxious After DCA Crash — “Ruffini and her cohort aren’t the only passengers experiencing emotional turbulence related to DCA. Following the midair collision over the Potomac River that claimed 67 lives, fliers shared with Washingtonian that they’re experiencing heightened flight anxiety — especially when it comes to traveling through Reagan National.” [Washingtonian]
Deadline to Pay Real Estate Taxes — Fairfax County has mailed bills for the first installment of this year’s real estate taxes, which are due July 28. “If you have not yet received your bill, you may find the taxes owed on our website. If you plan to pay via smartphone or online, you will need this year’s stub number from your real estate tax bill.” [Department of Tax Administration]
It’s Thursday — There’s a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms starting around 5pm, accompanied by mostly sunny weather and a high near 95. The heat index may reach as high as 105, with a southwest wind around 10 mph and gusts up to 18 mph. Night will be partly cloudy with a low around 77. [NWS]
Fairfax County supervisors were all singing from the same songbook yesterday (Tuesday), unanimously declaring the county to be the “Music Capital of Virginia.”
Others across the commonwealth might disagree, but Fairfax leaders said the sheer breadth of musical performances throughout the year, but particularly in summer, made the county deserving of the title.
Fairfax County’s top elected officials at the state and local level united this morning (Wednesday) to urge Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration to provide more support for fired federal workers.
In a joint statement, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Jeff McKay and Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34), who represents southeastern Fairfax, pinned the “staggering rise in unemployment” across the county on “the reckless policies of Donald Trump” and the “complicity” of Virginia’s Republican leaders.
Parkway Speed Cameras in Full Effect — “Work zone speed cameras along Fairfax County Parkway between Popes Head Road and Burke Center Parkway are now live. Drivers who speed in the work zone will receive fines up to $100.” The speed limit in that stretch of road has been lowered to 45 mph while construction continues on multiple road widening projects. [Fairfax County Government/X]
Comstock Responds to Lawsuit — In a statement shared yesterday (Tuesday), Comstock Companies CEO Chris Clemente called allegations in the Town of Herndon’s lawsuit over the stalled downtown redevelopment project “inaccurate and without merit.” The developer says it was unable to meet deadlines imposed last year by the town, but remains interested in implementing the project or transferring the land to another developer. [FFXnow]
Lack of Information on Immigration Arrests — “While the governor’s office has described the 2,512 people arrested [in Virginia] as ‘violent criminals who are illegally in the United States,’ neither Youngkin’s office nor state or federal agencies involved in the operation have provided any documentation about those arrested to be able to verify who they are, what they were charged with or whether they’ve been deported.” [Virginian-Pilot]
Virginia Schools Remove Library Books — “Virginia school divisions are removing books from library shelves with minimal state guidance — in some cases, while incorrectly citing state law — according to a report issued by the General Assembly’s research arm Monday. Thirty-two school districts removed 223 books from libraries a combined 344 times between July 2020 and March 2025,” JLARC reported. [VPM]
Men Charged With Assaulting Police Officers — “City of Fairfax Police arrested two Fairfax men for assaulting a law enforcement officer in two separate incidents over the weekend, according to authorities. Around 4:50 p.m. on Saturday, officers were called to the Wawa at 9700 Blvd. for the report of a man harassing customers.” The other incident occurred on Sunday (July 16) during a traffic stop near Fairfax Blvd and Chain Bridge Road. [Patch]
New Pizzeria Coming to Lincolnia — “Pizzato Pizza, an Italian restaurant in Arlington, plans to open a second location on Little River Turnpike in Lincolnia next month. A sign on the storefront promises pasta, wings, Philly steaks, and salads, as well as pizza. The restaurant will be located in Landmark Plaza between Total Wine and Subway.” [Annandale Today]
ArtsFairfax Names New Board Chair — “ArtsFairfax, the local arts agency serving Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church … announces new members and new officers to its Board of Directors, including Michael Liberman as Board Chair.” Liberman worked for Fairfax County for over 33 years, retiring as director of the Department of Cable and Consumer Services and chair of the County Arts Committee in 2022. [ArtsFairfax]
It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and thunderstorms mainly after 5pm, with partly sunny skies and a high near 89. The heat index may reach 100. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation. At night, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 8pm, followed by mostly cloudy conditions and a low around 76. [NWS]
