Fairfax County will join a regionwide celebration of bicycling as an option for commuters this Friday (May 15).
More than two dozen pit stops are planned across the county for Bike to Work Day 2026, offering free T-shirts, snacks and other giveaways to cyclists who pass by on the way to their office or workplace.
Fairfax County leaders appear to have largely abandoned controversial efforts to impose a future countywide residential trash district.
“We’ve heard pretty loud and pretty clearly that this is not the model,” said Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik, who chairs the Board of Supervisors’ Environment Committee and presided over its May 12 meeting.
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid has proposed trimming a number of items from the school system’s fiscal year 2027 budget to address a $28.9 million shortfall.
“At this time,” Reid wrote in a May 8 letter to FCPS families, “I am proposing to make up the difference by reducing the staffing reserve, leveraging alternative major maintenance funding, extending the time to refresh FCPSOn technology devices, deferring microcredentialing, reducing math adoption curriculum materials, and reducing the Superintendent’s Strategic Reserve.”
Fairfax County’s average home sales price tiptoed toward $1 million in April, as the spring buying market was dominated by upper-end properties.
“There is significant pent-up demand in the marketplace, but higher-income buyers are the ones primarily driving activity while budget-conscious buyers remain more sensitive to rate volatility and economic uncertainty,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist for Bright MLS, the region’s multiple listing service.
Survey Work Starts on ‘Triumphal Arch’ — “Workers began preliminary surveys and testing Monday of the proposed site of a Triumphal Arch sought by President Donald Trump, the latest step in plans for the contentious project in the nation’s capital. Workers were seen inspecting the site of the proposed arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery with tools and equipment.” [Associated Press/ARLnow]
Regional Pizzeria Chain Using AI — “Behind the counter at Andy’s Pizza, AI now helps direct everything from when mozzarella gets ordered to the moment a pie needs to hit the oven. As big restaurant chains pour money into AI to cut labor costs, fast-growing D.C. pizza chain Andy’s is betting custom-built AI tools can help it scale without sacrificing hospitality.” [Axios DC]
Meeting on Pedestrian Safety at Herndon HS — “We’re working to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety on Bennett Street in front of Herndon High School!” Herndon and Virginia Department of Transportation staff will present preliminary concepts for improvements at a community meeting tonight (Wednesday) at 7 p.m. in the Herndon High School cafeteria (700 Bennett Street). [Town of Herndon/Instagram]
Retired Fairfax Deputy Loses Home in Fire — “Imagine losing nearly everything at age 72. That’s what happened to a retired Fairfax County deputy in March when his home burned to the ground. Dan DePalma’s neighbors say he spent his career helping others, so now they are trying to help him rebuild.” [NBC4]
Fairfax City School Briefly Evacuated — “Students at Daniels Run Elementary School in Fairfax City were evacuated for a short period of time on Tuesday as firefighters investigated the report of a building fire, authorities say.” Principal Susan Mullen later informed families that a light had “burst in a classroom, which generated some smoke.” No injuries were reported. [Patch]
Yemeni Cafe Opening Soon in Seven Corners — “Qahwah, a Yemeni coffee shop, is expected to open in Seven Corners within the next couple of weeks, as soon as it clears the inspection process. The shop is located in a long vacant building at 6315A Leesburg Pike that once housed the Seven Corners Pub.” [Annandale Today]
Prepare for Graduation Traffic — “Drivers may see heavier than normal traffic around George Mason University’s Fairfax campus from May 14 through June 17, according to a traffic advisory about graduation events at EagleBank Arena.” The stadium will host commencements for GMU and Northern Virginia Community College on May 14 and May 18, respectively, followed by a slate of high school graduation ceremonies. [Patch]
Lighthouse from 1800s For Sale — “The Middle Ground Lighthouse is a privately owned, fully restored lighthouse that is only accessible by boat. The property is now on offer for private sale.” Built in 1891, the lighthouse has been renovated into a private home, but its light still functions, flashing over the Chesapeake Bay near Newport News. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
New Legal Notice — Applicant seeks ABC license for on/off-premises beer, wine, mixed beverages. [Public Notices]
It’s Wednesday — Expect increasing clouds with a high near 75°F, a 30% chance of showers, and possible thunderstorms after 5 pm. Night will have showers and thunderstorms until 2 AM and a low of around 53°F. Precipitation chance rises to 90% with potential rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. [NWS]
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Fairfax County firefighters, teachers and other public sector workers recently rallied outside the county government center, asking Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger to sign legislation granting public workers the right to engage in collective bargaining.
The May 6 rally was one of several held around the commonwealth by unions, including the Virginia Education Association, the International Association of Firefighters, and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), in support of HB 1263 and SB 378.
Democrats Appeal Decision on Redistricting Amendment — “Democrats on Monday filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to halt a Virginia ruling invalidating a ballot measure that would have given their party an additional four winnable U.S. House seats.” [Associated Press/ARLnow]
SCOTUS Ruling Adds to Representation Concerns — “The recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling weakening a key enforcement tool of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is fueling new concerns in Virginia over the future of Black political representation, particularly if Republicans regain full control of state government after the next census.” [Virginia Mercury]
Two Residents Charged With Sex Trafficking — “Two women are being held without bond in Alexandria after being arrested for alleged sex trafficking at a massage parlor in the Huntington area of Fairfax County, according to the Alexandria Police Department.” The arrests occurred after police executed a search warrant at a massage business on Ashlar Way. [ALXnow]
State Paid Family Leave Law Signed — “Virginia’s governor signed the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Law last month, making the commonwealth one of more than a dozen states offering similar benefits and the first in the South to do so. Gov. Abigail Spanberger made it official, saying the law is designed to help smaller businesses retain employees who encounter difficult times.” [WTOP]
FCPD Rolls Out Defibrillators to Patrol Officers — “The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) has launched a new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) program that will equip patrol officers with additional life-saving tools to respond to cardiac emergencies in the community … As part of the program, each district police station will receive five Avive Connect AEDs to distribute across patrol shifts.” [FCPD]
Road Closure for Fairfax Blvd Improvements — “Please be advised of a planned temporary road closure on Warwick Avenue between Fairfax Boulevard and Farr Avenue. Warwick will be closed to thru traffic May 12-22, and drivers will be rerouted via Farr Avenue to Fairfax Boulevard.” [City of Fairfax]
Hook Road Ballfields Reopen After Renovation — “Reston Association leaders, community officials, and local families gathered Saturday morning for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Hook Road Recreation Area ballfields, celebrating the end of a ‘labor of love’ to modernize the facility.” The project had been under construction for months and in planning for almost a decade. [Patch]
Progress on Purple Line in Maryland — “The Purple Line is coming together in Maryland — the final track was laid on Thursday. We’ve been waiting for the 16-mile light rail line between New Carrollton and Bethesda for close to 10 years.” Now about 90% complete, the new rail line is expected to open to the public in winter 2027. [Axios DC]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies today with a high near 71°F, accompanied by a light north wind that will become variable. Tonight will see increasing cloud cover, with temperatures dropping to around 55°F. Winds will shift to the south at 6 to 11 mph, and gusts could reach up to 21 mph. [NWS]
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The Virginia Supreme Court’s nullification on Friday (May 8) of the redistricting referendum narrowly approved by voters last month left local and state-level Democrats reeling.
The Fairfax County Democratic Committee blasted the ruling as “a stunning betrayal” of the majority of Virginia voters — including nearly 70% of Fairfax County voters — who backed the proposed constitutional amendment, which would’ve let the General Assembly implement new Congressional districts drawn to favor Democrats in 10 out of 11 seats.
Man Fatally Shot by Police on Columbia Pike — “A police standoff inside a Columbia Pike 7-Eleven ended with gunfire” last Friday (May 8). A man who had barricaded himself in the convenience store and was reportedly armed with a knife “was shot and killed after officers tried to take him into custody,” Arlington County police said. [ARLnow]
Road Closures in Fairfax, West Springfield — “Willowmeade Drive (Route 5407) between Route 29 and Knight Arch Road (Route 7699) will be closed from 7 a.m. Monday, May 11, until 7 a.m. Thursday, May 14, for Route 29 intersection work as part of the Route 29 widening project.” In addition, a portion of Taft Drive is going to be closed for about a month, starting at 9 a.m. today, for the Rolling Road widening project. [VDOT]
Vehicle Sales Approved for Office Site — “The Board of Supervisors on May 5 authorized a new use for a property in a hidden corner of Mason District with two vacant office buildings. The board passed a motion to rezone the property [at 6850 Versar Center in Springfield] from I-5 to the C-8 [district] to allow the sale of passenger vehicles.” [Annandale Today]
Some Skepticism of DOJ Investigation — “The Department of Justice says it formally launched a new investigation [last] week into Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano … But former federal prosecutor Gene Rossi is skeptical. He says the point may be the announcement rather than the investigation.” [WVTF]
Man Faces Federal Gun Charges — “A Woodbridge man faces federal firearms charges after a Feb. 18 domestic dispute in Herndon … Federal authorities took over prosecution after state-level charges of carrying a concealed weapon and obstruction of justice were dropped in Fairfax County General District Court on May 5.” [Patch]
Fairfax Native Leads Softball Team to First Title — “At the center of the breakthrough season is head coach Maggie Mrowka, a Fairfax County native who became the youngest head coach in Division I college softball when she took over the program last year. Now, in her first season leading the Cougars, Mrowka has guided Charleston to one of the biggest accomplishments in program history.” [WJLA]
Falls Church Plans Cemetery Tours — “A series of monthly walking tours will explore Oakwood Cemetery and the lives of some of those interred there,” starting at 4 p.m. on May 24. “The tours are part of Falls Church’s commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026 and are a welcome addition, said Jim Coyle, who chairs the Falls Church250 Committee.” [ARLnow]
VR Tool Offers Caregivers Insight Into Aging — “Taking care of a loved one at the end of their life can often be a stressful and confusing task, so Fairfax County wants to help. The Virginia county is offering a new virtual training series, developed by Embodied Labs, called Exploring the Dimensions of Aging through Virtual Reality.” [WTOP]
It’s Monday — Expect a 40% chance of rain before 2 PM. The weather will start cloudy but should gradually become mostly sunny, with a high near 67°F and a north wind at 7 to 9 mph. Night will be mostly clear with a low around 45°F. [NWS]
Fairfax County supervisors saluted the Garden Club of Fairfax on May 5 for its members’ efforts over the past century.
“Thank you for all you do in our community,” said Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman, who sponsored the centennial resolution while acknowledging that he, unlike club members, lacked a green thumb.
