Car coming down Westwood Center Drive in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Virginia Attorney General blasts Fairfax and Arlington prosecutors — “On Tuesday in Fairfax County, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares met with crime victims and their families who shared their stories about how they feel local prosecutors went easy on alleged criminals.” [ABC7]
One person killed another injured in Oakton construction accident — “A construction accident in Oakton, Virginia, left one woman dead and sent a man to the hospital with injuries, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.” [ABC7]
It’s Wednesday — Expect a mostly sunny day with temperatures reaching around 76 degrees, accompanied by a northeast wind of 5 to 7 mph, shifting to the east in the afternoon. The night will be mostly clear, with lows near 55 degrees and a southeast wind of about 5 mph, calming down later in the evening. [NWS]
Capitals player puts McLean home on market — “Nicklas Backstrom has put his McLean home on the market for $15 million, per Fairfax County property records and local real estate listings.” [Axios]
Ambulance fees going up in Arlington — “Fees for Arlington ambulance trips are going up in July, with baseline costs increasing to between $1,000 and $1,500.” [ARLnow]
Cherry blossom trees along path to Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Fairfax County urges locals to kill spotted lanternflies — “On your next outdoor excursion, try finding the egg masses of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect in Fairfax County.” [Fairfax County]
It’s Tuesday — Expect a partly sunny day with temperatures reaching around 78 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 6 to 9 mph. As for Tuesday night, the skies will be mostly cloudy and the temperature will drop to approximately 56 degrees, while a gentle north wind of 3 to 5 mph persists. [NWS]
Gov. Youngkin announces Virginia passes 500 immigrant arrests — Gov. Glenn Youngkin said the Virginia Homeland Security Task Force has made over 521 arrests since it was formed in February, claiming the group has arrested over 500 ‘criminal illegal immigrants’. [WDBJ7]
Falls Church considering fee-based trash service — “At the March 24, 2025, budget presentation Mayor Letti Hardi directed staff to look into the feasibility of implementing a fee-based trash collection service in FY2026. Staff returned in April with the cost data while pleading for more time to implement such a plan.” [Falls Church Pulse]
GMU experts share gun violence data at Capitol hearing — “Featured speakers included several of the nation’s leading experts on firearms violence. They presented to an audience of more than 230 registrants including congressional staff, federal agency representatives, researchers, and advocacy organizations.” [GMU]
Easter tea party display at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Shake Shack headed to Reston Town Center in June — “Shake Shack’s Reston Town Center restaurant will be the burger and milk shake chain’s sixth location in Northern Virginia.” [Patch]
It’s Monday — There is a slight chance of showers in the early morning, followed by partly sunny conditions and a high of 71°F with southeast winds at 8-11 mph. Rain may return after 2pm with a 20% chance of precipitation. For Monday night, showers are more likely after 8pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a low of 63°F. Southeast winds will shift to the southwest after midnight, ranging from 5-9 mph and gusts up to 18 mph. There is a 40% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Fairfax Police arrest a Peeping Tom — “A man was caught peeping into a window and quickly arrested.” [X]
No one hurt in Fairfax County townhouse fire — “No one was hurt in a Friday townhouse fire in Herndon, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.” [DC News Now]
Measles case confirmed in Virginia — “After multiple exposures in the state, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has found the first case of measles in the state after a child traveled internationally and was diagnosed.” [WRIC]
Two Fountain Square at Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Lawsuit accuses Fairfax County School Board member of improperly spending business funds — “A lawsuit filed by a Northern Virginia company alleges that a Fairfax County School Board member who is a former official of the company improperly used business funds to pay for tens of thousands of dollars in personal and campaign expenses.” [Washington Post]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 64 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind at about 7 mph. For Thursday night, the skies will be partly cloudy with temperatures dipping to around 47 degrees. The calm wind will shift to a southerly direction at approximately 5 mph after midnight. [NWS]
Driver hits pedestrian after slamming into light pole and other cars — “A suspect is in custody after police say he crashed into a pole and several other cars before hitting a pedestrian in Fairfax County Wednesday night.” [Fox5]
FCPL Honors 19 with Annual Star Volunteer Awards — “To recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of library volunteers and community partners, FCPL annually hosts the Star Volunteer Awards.” [Fairfax County]
Northern Va. ‘trophy’ offices will likely stay valuable in turbulent times, analysis finds — “Though federal workforce reductions will likely cause fluctuations in office space this year, Northern Virginia’s most sought-after properties are expected to remain valuable.” [ARLnow]
NOVA Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert at a Juneteenth 2024 event (courtesy NOVA Parks)
When Paul Gilbert finishes leading NOVA Parks, the regional park system will be nearly 2,000 acres larger than it was when he started.
The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority announced last Friday (April 11) that Gilbert will retire as its executive director by the end of 2025. His 20-year tenure included the addition of 15 new parks and several signature attractions, from the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial at Occoquan Regional Park to the winter light festivals in Bull Run and Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.
More than a dozen international students at George Mason University have recently had their visas terminated or revoked by the federal government, the university says.
The U.S. departments of state and homeland security apparently changed the statuses of 15 students without any involvement by or prior notice to university officials, GMU President Gregory Washington and Vice President for University Life Rose Pascarell told the community yesterday (Tuesday).
Traffic on Route 50 in West Falls Church (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Education takes center stage in Virginia governor’s race — “With trust in Virginia’s public schools at a crossroads, education is once again taking center stage in the race for governor — and the two nominees are offering Virginians starkly different paths forward.” [Virginia Scope]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny and breezy conditions with highs near 59°F accompanied by a 14 to 21 mph northwest wind and gusts up to 34 mph. Tonight, the skies will remain clear, with lows around 40°F and a 6 to 11 mph northwest wind, gusting up to 22 mph. [NWS]
Virginia braces for changes to student aid programs — “U.S. Education Department suggests permanently altering Public Service Loan Forgiveness, income-based repayment programs.” [Virginia Mercury]
GMU to Launch Virginia’s First Public Master’s Program in AI — “Students will learn how to manage artificial intelligence with real-world applications beginning in fall 2025.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Could Tysons Corner Casino Proposal Be A Potential Gateway To Online Gaming Legalization? — “Virginia lawmakers have decided to continue discussing the possibility of allowing a new casino complex in Tysons Corner, Fairfax County.” [Washington City Paper]
Watch Out for These New Bakeries Coming Soon to Northern Virginia — “Croissants, cupcakes, and pastries are coming your way.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid discusses the upcoming weapons detection pilot program with students (via FCPS/YouTube)
Starting next week, Fairfax County Public Schools will begin rolling out a pilot program intended to prevent guns and other weapons from being brought into school buildings.
Randomly selected high schools in the district will see the installation of OpenGate detectors at the building’s main doors, allowing students, faculty and visitors to be screened when entering the school.
Lorton Farmers Market on June 30, 2024 (courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority, 2024 Farmers Markets)
The Fairfax County Park Authority’s annual farmers market season kicks off Wednesday (April 16) with the McCutcheon/Mount Vernon Farmers’ Market outside the Sherwood Regional Library (2501 Sherwood Hall Lane) in Fort Hunt.
It will be one of three sites to begin 2025 operations in April, with seven others opening their seasons in May.
Turtles on a log in Wolftrap Creek (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
States Jockey to Poach Federal Agencies From D.C. Area — “Ahead of Monday’s deadline for agencies to submit plans to relocate offices out of the region, officials in Ohio, Texas and Florida have been lobbying to land key agencies, sensing that D.C.’s loss of these major employers could be their economic gain.” [Washington Post]
School Board Debates Expanding Cell Phone Restrictions — “During a recent work session meeting, FCPS proposed to ban the use of cellphones from the start to end of school, including lunchtime and in between classes. Phones and tablets would no longer be used for instructional purposes … The recommendations would align with a new law passed by the Virginia General Assembly to keep phones away from bell-to-bell.” [WUSA9]
Seven Corners Bakery to Close After 30 Years — “After 30 years in the Seven Corners Center, Tiffany’s Bakery is closing for good. Their last day is April 26. Owner Beatrice Echegoyen plans to focus her energies on the other Tiffany’s Bakery, at 7022 Columbia Pike in Annandale … Both shops offer cakes, cookies, pastries, croissant sandwiches, and made-to-order cakes.” [Annandale Today]
Possible Summer Opening for Reston Shake Shack — Shake Shack is aiming to open its new location at Reston Town Center in June. Construction “was well underway” when The Burn recently passed the nearly 2,800-square-foot space previously occupied by The Counter. [The Burn]
Virginia Opts Out of Michelin Guide — “Virginia is noticeably absent from the forthcoming Southern restaurant guide that Michelin announced earlier this month … The state tourism office declined to participate in the pay-to-play guide — a whopping $360,000 to be included, reports Axios Richmond’s Karri Peifer.” [Axios DC]
Local Teacher Competes to Be ‘America’s Favorite’ — Marcy Fisher, a first grade teacher at Union Mill Elementary School in Clifton, says it’s a “very emotional experience” to reach the quarterfinals of a national “America’s Favorite Teacher” contest. Voting to determine the semifinalists is open to the public until Thursday (April 17) at 7 p.m. [WTOP]
County’s Poet Laureate Offers Free Workshop — “To celebrate National Poetry Month, explore the intersection between music and spoken word at the Making Your Mixtape: Poetry Writing Workshop on April 19, led by the Fairfax County Poet Laureate Angelique Palmer.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Metro Recognizes Anniversary of Train’s Debut — “On this day 10 years ago, the first 7000-series train debuted on the Blue Line, departing from Franconia-Springfield.” The trains became a headache for Metro after a derailment in Arlington in 2021 led to all of them being removed from service for inspections. [WMATA/Bluesky]
It’s Tuesday — Scattered showers and possible thunderstorms after 2pm accompany a partly sunny day with highs near 65. West winds start at 10-15 mph, increasing to 21-26 mph and potentially gusting up to 41 mph. There’s a 30% chance of precipitation. At night, expect mostly clear skies with lows around 44. [NWS]
