Local lawmakers have approved a plan to bring red light cameras to Herndon.
The unanimous vote by the Herndon Town Council at last week’s meeting (Feb. 3) officially triggered the process to install the cameras — which are meant to catch and ticket drivers who run red lights — at intersections across the community.
Students at Justice High School will be heading home early today (Tuesday) after a gas leak was detected this morning.
Washington Gas crews were sent to the school in Lake Barcroft (3301 Peace Valley Lane) around 8 a.m. after receiving a report of a natural gas odor.
As Fairfax County officials prepare recommendations for Centreville’s future for review, one supervisor hopes to see a focus on options for boosting housing.
Fairfax County is updating its Centreville comprehensive plan, a long-term land use guide for the community’s core to complement the zoning ordinance. The Centreville plan amendment was one topic Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith (D) addressed in remarks at the 2026 State of Centreville hosted by the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce on Friday (Feb. 6).
As the first homes constructed on the former Fannie Mae campus in Reston prepare to welcome residents, developer Wheelock Communities is clamoring to add over 100 more.
Wheelock hopes to construct up to 150 stacked townhomes in place of the remaining office building on the nearly 5-acre site at 11600 American Dream Way, according to a rezoning application submitted to Fairfax County on Feb. 3.
A proposal to build 120 units of affordable housing on a site now occupied by the Franconia Governmental Center has won the support of the Fairfax County Planning Commission.
Commission members voted without opposition on Feb. 4 to approve the plan by Franconia Development Partners, a consortium of several housing groups seeking to redevelop the 3.3 acres of leased county land at 6121 Franconia Road with a four-story apartment building.
Trump Wanted Dulles Airport Renaming — The Trump administration suggested it would release funding for a rail tunnel project connecting New York and New Jersey if Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer agreed to have Dulles International Airport and Penn Station in New York City renamed after President Donald Trump. “Schumer (D-N.Y.) declined the offer, according to two people with knowledge of the request.” [Politico]
Bill to Decriminalize Homelessness Set Aside — “In 2024 the US Supreme Court okayed the use of criminal penalties for homelessness. And Thursday morning, an effort to block Virginia localities from doing so was killed in a House of Delegates subcommittee,” which sent it to a housing commission for review. Patron Del. Joshua Cole said he hopes to bring the bill back in 2027. [WHRO]
One Injured in Ice Bank Crash — “One person sustained minor injuries after an overturn crash in Tysons on Sunday, according to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). Police responded to reports of a single-vehicle crash shortly after 6:30 p.m. in the 1800 block of Tysons Blvd. There, investigators found that a car had overturned after striking an ice bank.” [DC News Now]
Arrest in Smash-and-Grab Burglaries — “A man was arrested and charged for a series of smash-and-grab burglaries targeting phone stores in Fairfax County. Surveillance video shows the man using a rock and a hammer to break into the store and take items inside.” Most of the targeted stores were along the Richmond Highway corridor, but a Metro by T-Mobile on Arlington Blvd in West Falls Church was also hit, police said. [WUSA9]
Construction to Close Worldgate Drive Lane — “On Tuesday, February 10, a lane closure will be in effect on Worldgate Drive due to crane installation” for contractor Peraton’s new office. “Routes 921 and 952 will be impacted. Bus Stops #3824 and #3825 will be temporarily closed during this work. Passengers may use Bus Stop #6356 as an alternate stop.” [Fairfax Connector/X]
Correction: FFXnow initially suggested the crane installation is for BXP’s planned redevelopment of vacant offices along Worldgate Drive, but a spokesperson for the developer says it’s related to the new office building for Peraton.
Vienna Ice Skater’s Backflip Was Historic — “His moves in Milan aren’t just awe-inspiring, but historic: [Ilia] Malinin is the first person to legally land a backflip at the Olympics in five decades.” The move was banned from 1977 until 2024, partly due to safety concerns, but French skater Surya Bonaly performed a backflip at the 1998 Olympics out of a desire “to make her mark on history,” despite knowing it would cost her points. [NPR]
Braddock Supervisor Highlights Priorities — “Rachna Sizemore Heizer, the newly installed Braddock representative on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, told residents at an open house on Feb. 4 that her top priority is constituent services … Other priorities include helping small businesses, economic development, and support for education, parks, and trails.” [Annandale Today]
Minneapolis Mayor Grew Up in Oakton — “There’s no denying that Minneapolis is making headlines lately. And come to find out, the city’s 44-year-old mayor, Jacob Frey, grew up in Northern Virginia. We spoke with Frey about his NoVA upbringing and ties to the area.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Tuesday — Expect partly sunny skies today, a high near 48, and a south wind at 3-7 mph. Tuesday night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 35. The south wind will increase to 7-9 mph before turning northwest after midnight. [NWS]
Some voters in Fairfax County will head to the polls tomorrow (Tuesday) with a state Senate seat on the ballot.
Though the majority of Virginia’s 39th Senate district is in Alexandria and Arlington, approximately 16,000 registered voters reside in the Fairfax County portion that starts at Seven Corners and continues southeast through Bailey’s Crossroads.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors directed County Executive Bryan Hill last Tuesday (Feb. 3) to consider ways a number of “placemaking” organizations — including Visit Fairfax, Volunteer Fairfax and the Tysons Community Alliance — could be consolidated or restructured to reduce costs and be more operationally strategic.
“While each provides value, fragmentation and duplicative services dilute impact and reduce efficiency,” board members said in the directive to Hill.
The coming weekend will bring Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and, for Kingstowne residents, the closure of their longtime community library.
Fortunately, patrons won’t have to wait too long for a new place to check out books: after the existing Kingstowne Library closes this Sunday (Feb. 15), a regional branch that has been under construction since 2023 will open at 7130 Silver Lake Blvd early this spring.
Though it hasn’t served a drink since Lyndon B. Johnson was in the White House, the historic Dranesville Tavern appears to have retained its appeal as a lodging destination.
Where other sites in its Resident Curator Program might attract a single offer, the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) received three proposals from community members looking to restore the 19th-century property in Herndon in exchange for a rent-free stay.
