Countywide

Ice Skaters Emotional at DCA Crash Benefit — “A low murmur of crying pierced a lengthy moment of silence as fans lit the arena with their cellphones, riding waves of emotion through a poignant figure skating show Sunday in the nation’s capital to remember and raise money for the victims of the midair collision outside Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.” [Associated Press/WTOP]

Annandale Private School Teacher Arrested — “Eric Sean Williams of Annandale, a longtime substitute teacher at St. Michael’s Catholic School in Annandale, was arrested on Feb. 27 for multiple counts of sexual assault involving a minor, the Catholic Diocese of Arlington announced. No known criminal incidents took place on parish or school property, the diocese states.” [Annandale Today]

Beware Unpaid Toll Bill Texting Scam — “From Northern Virginia Department of Transportation — Have you received a text message like this? IT IS A SCAM. Toll bills are NOT sent via text message and Virginia DMV doesn’t do this. Do not click on any links or give financial info through text messages.” [Fairfax County/Facebook]

N. Va. Business Leaders Brace for Layoff Impacts — “As thousands of federal workers are abruptly fired under the Trump administration’s plans to slash government spending, business leaders in the D.C. region consider the impact that could have on individuals and businesses alike.” Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce President Julie Coons says “the next 18 to 24 months could be very challenging for our region.” [WTOP]

Italian Restaurant Opening Near Fort Belvoir — “A new ‘farm-to-fork’ restaurant specializing in rustic Italian cuisine will open March 5 at Hillside Village Center … The Farmhouse Tuscan is the fifth restaurant concept from Titan Hospitality Group,” which also runs Blackwall Hitch in Old Town Alexandria. [On the MoVe]

Feedback Wanted for Franconia Street Study — “The Virginia Department of Transportation could be bringing changes to S. Van Dorn Street in Franconia … including possible bicycle/pedestrian improvements. A Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions (STARS) study is set to complete next year and, as part of that study, VDOT is collecting feedback on what roadway improvements should prioritize.” [ALXnow]

Contractor Might Have Relocated to Tysons — “Cybersecurity company and federal contractor BigBear.ai appears to have quietly shifted its headquarters from Columbia, Maryland, to Northern Virginia.” In a regulatory filing yesterday, the company listed 7950 Jones Branch Road as the address of its executive offices, a move that “appears to have coincided with the company’s naming of former acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan as its new CEO in late January.” [Washington Business Journal]

It’s Tuesday — Expect partly sunny skies and a high near 60 degrees, accompanied by a south wind between 6-11 mph and gusts up to 21 mph. Tonight, there is a 30% chance of showers after 1 am as clouds increase. The temperature will dip to around 50 degrees, with a south wind at 8-14 mph and gusts reaching 23 mph. [NWS]

Man Charged With Murder for Chantilly Shooting — Douglas Sommer, an 88-year-old man from Chantilly, has been charged with second-degree murder and using a firearm to commit a felony for allegedly fatally shooting his wife at their home last Friday (Feb. 28). Police believe the shooting occurred during an argument between the couple. [FCPD]

ICYMI: Youngkin Commutes Former FCPD Officer’s Sentence — “A former Fairfax County police officer who shot and killed a man in Tysons had his prison sentence commuted [yesterday] by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Former Sgt. Wesley Shifflett was sentenced to serve three years in state prison on Friday (Feb. 28) after being convicted of recklessly handling a firearm.” [FFXnow]

Man Who Shot at Police Sentenced to Prison — “A man who opened fire on Fairfax County police after a high-speed chase will spend the next six years in prison for his crime. The hours-long pursuit that started in Arlington when Ricardo Singleton displayed a gun at the courthouse. He raced away in a car, police said.” [NBC4]

Dulles Greenway Sues Over Nixed Toll Increase — “The owners of the Dulles Greenway last week filed a federal lawsuit seeking to strike down a Virginia law regulating toll rates on the 14-mile highway as well as the State Corporation Commission’s denial of its latest rate increase request.” [Loudoun Now]

Arlington Also Interested in Vehicle Noise Pilot — “An Arlington leader is showing interest in a pilot program to monitor noise levels from vehicles’ exhaust systems. Legislation now on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk would allow localities in Northern Virginia and the Fredericksburg area to begin using automated monitoring equipment to gauge the noise levels of passing vehicles.” [ARLnow]

Construction Begins on Hybla Valley Park Changes — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin revitalization work at Hybla Valley Park. Contractors will mobilize on site and active construction is scheduled to begin the first week of March. Weather depending, active construction is expected to conclude by the end of summer 2025.” [FCPA]

Fairfax City Police Seek to ID Alleged Home Burglar — “On February 26th, 2025, the above pictured male was observed on a doorbell camera knocking at a home in the 3800 block of Tedrich Blvd. Later in the day, that same home was burglarized of cash and jewelry. Police are seeking assistance from the public in identifying the individual pictured above.” [City of Fairfax Police]

Fairfax County Libraries Celebrate Women’s History Month — “Throughout the month of March, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) will honor the many women who have played an important role over the course of American history. This Women’s History Month, celebrate the lives and stories of women who have made an impact on Fairfax County and beyond with presentations, workshops, storytimes, crafts and more.” [FCPL]

It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies and a high of around 45 today, with light and variable wind becoming northwest around 6 mph in the morning. Tonight, the skies will be mostly clear and the temperature will drop to a low of around 31, accompanied by a south wind of 3 to 6 mph. [NWS]

Ice Skaters in D.C. for Crash Tribute — “In just a few days, the Legacy on Ice concert will bring U.S. figure skating champions to Washington, D.C., to perform and raise money for the families of the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) crash victims. 2024 World Championship skater Ilia Malinin, from Reston, Virginia, will be one of the performers — and for him, the show at Capital One Arena is personal.” [NBC4]

Menstrual Product Drive Launches — “Please join us in supporting our local shelters and nonprofits by donating new and sealed packages of tampons, pads, liners, and menstrual cups.” Drop-off locations for the drive, which will start tomorrow (Saturday) and continue through March 31, can be found at all library branches, the Fairfax County Government Center and other county facilities. [Providence District]

Metro Reports 5-Year Ridership High — The first two days of this week were “some of the system’s busiest since before the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020 … Federal workers have been ordered to return to many offices, the weather is warming and big events such as Capitals games are in high demand. That all adds to the ridership resurgence.” [NBC4]

Grand Opening Today for UVA’s Merrifield Campus — “The University will celebrate the grand opening of its Northern Virginia campus in Fairfax Friday, marking a major milestone in its efforts to expand educational access for working professionals in the Washington metropolitan area.” [Cavalier Daily]

Falls Church Monitors Approved Federal Grants — “Amid federal budget-slashing efforts, Falls Church officials are keeping a watchful eye on about $50 million in approved grant funds … [City Manager Wyatt] Shields said about half the $50 million in the pipeline relates to transportation projects. The remainder is split among areas ranging from affordable housing to stormwater.” [ARLnow]

Voting Begins for Reston Association Board — “Reston Association (RA) members are invited to make their voices heard in the upcoming election for the RA Board of Directors. Voting in the 2025 election officially begins at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28. Two individuals are vying for seats this year on the nine-member Board.” [Reston Association]

Local Hot Chicken Restaurants Offer BOGO Food — Crimson Coward will offer buy one, get one deals on chicken tenders at its West Springfield and Annandale locations from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow. The Nashville-style hot chicken chain’s customer appreciation events will also involve a random drawing with tablets and wireless earbuds as potential prizes. [Crimson Coward]

Splash Pad Planned for Gum Springs Park — “The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) plans to replace the baby pool at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Gum Springs with a splash pad, according to an FCPA spokesperson. The existing baby pool, which has been in place for over 50 years, is slated for renovation, but based on community input, the Park Authority decided to transform it into a splash pad.” [On the MoVe]

It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies and a high of around 54 degrees, as the northwest wind at 10 to 15 mph shifts southwest during the afternoon, with potential gusts up to 25 mph. Clouds will increase Friday night, bringing the temperature down to around 44 degrees. [NWS]

County Opens Community Survey on Proposed Budget — “Fairfax County is seeking community feedback on the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget Plan.” An online survey is now available in English, Spanish and Korean, and town halls and public hearings are planned this spring. [Fairfax County Government]

Sexual Assaults Reported in Falls Church — “The City of Falls Church Police Department is investigating a series of sexual batteries that occurred on the evening of Tuesday, February 25, 2025 and seeks possible additional victims or witnesses to the crimes. On February 25, officers were dispatched to four separate but similar reports of assault that occurred between approximately 8:55 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.” [City of Falls Church]

Falls Church’s Oldest Business to Close — “The oldest surviving business in Falls Church, Brown’s Hardware, is selling off the last of its wares as it prepares to close for good after 142 years … With about a fifth of all inventory remaining and an across-the-board 50% off sale, the store is on track to close at 100 W. Broad Street by the third week of March.” [ARLnow]

Federal Job Cuts Could Affect Cherry Blossom Festival — “More than 1,000 National Park Service staff, including rangers, have been laid off across the country. In the D.C. region, there are concerns that more cuts could be coming, affecting the experience of millions of tourists who flock to the Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms each year.” [WTOP]

Prepare for Reston Station Blvd Traffic Detour — “Due to the removal of a construction crane, Reston Station Boulevard will operate as a one-way road from Friday Feb. 28 to Sunday, March 2. Drivers will be directed eastbound toward Wiehle Avenue. Please follow the detour arrows when entering and exiting the Transit Center.” [Hunter Mill District News]

Police Investigate Convenience Store Theft — Fairfax County police are seeking help in identifying a man who allegedly “forced entry into a restricted area … and stole merchandise” from a convenience store in Pimmit Hills last Friday, Feb. 21. Officers responded to the 7400 block of Patterson Road the following morning for the larceny report. [FCPD]

CIA Gives Critic Rare Look at HQ Dining Room — “Cellphones are forbidden, so forget about recording the meal for posterity. That’s because the only people who can book a table here at one of the most secure compounds in the world are employees of the Central Intelligence Agency in Langley, Virginia.” [Washington Post]

It’s Thursday — There’s a 30% chance of rain, primarily before 4pm. Expect cloudy conditions with a high near 65. Southwest winds of 9 to 13 mph will shift to the west later in the day, and wind gusts may reach 22 mph. At night, anticipate partly cloudy skies and a low around 39. [NWS]