News

Dems Reject More GMU Board Appointees — “On Thursday, the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections rejected 14 appointments: four for the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), four for the University of Virginia (UVA) and its affiliates and six for George Mason University (GMU).” GMU’s board of visitors now lacks the eight members needed for a quorum, stalling any potential action affecting President Gregory Washington. [Virginia Mercury]

Two-Alarm House Fire in Centreville — Fairfax County firefighters responded Sunday morning (Aug. 31) to a two-alarm house fire in the 15400 block of Meherrin Court. “Units arrived to fire showing from all levels and through the roof of the home.” No injuries were reported, but an investigation into the fire is still underway. There was also a fire at a townhouse in the Herndon area south of the Innovation Center Metro station on Saturday (Aug. 30). [FCFRD/Facebook]

New Contender for Possible Braddock District Race — “Sabrina Mattin, a small business owner and community activist, is running as a Democrat for the Braddock District seat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. That position will be vacant if Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw is elected to Congress in a special election on Sept. 9.” [Annandale Today]

Feds Pause Charitable Campaign — “The Office of Personnel Management has paused, at least temporarily, the Combined Federal Campaign, a longtime program allowing federal employees to give part of their paycheck to participating nonprofits.” The Chantilly-based organization America’s Charities began warning its nonprofit partners that the program’s end might be announced after Labor Day, but an OPM spokesperson said Friday (Aug. 29) that “no decision has been made.” [Washington Business Journal]

Herndon Graduate Wins Pole Vault Championship — “Austin Miller, a 2012 graduate of Herndon High School and a 2016 graduate of High Point University, captured the USA Track and Field National Championship title in the pole vault. He will represent Team USA at the World Championships in Japan later this month.” [Reston Letter]

Bakery Opens in Fairfax City — “Tatte Bakery & Cafe took a different approach to celebrating the grand opening of its new location in Fairfax City on Wednesday [Aug. 27]. Rather than having a ribbon-cutting ceremony, city officials and business leaders helped the bakery’s staff to cut a garland to mark the occasion.” [Patch]

Reston Condos Add EV Charger — Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn recently “attended the ribbon cutting for the new electric vehicle charging station at the Midtown North Condos in Reston … This 75-unit condo association installed their new dual-port level 2 EV charger in their garage with help from Charge Up Fairfax.” [Hunter Mill District News]

Thumbs Up for Annandale Eatery — Despite her skepticism of its viral “walking taco,” Northern Virginia Magazine’s food critic has been won over by Flavor Hive’s first brick-and-mortar location, which opened in July near K Market in Annandale. “The thing that I’ll remember is the tingle of spice. Layers of piquancy build with each bite of chicken, sauce, marinated vegetables.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Tuesday — Expect a mostly sunny day with temperatures reaching a high near 78 degrees and a mild north wind around 6 mph. As for Tuesday night, the skies will be mostly clear with temperatures dropping to a low around 58 degrees, accompanied by light and variable winds. [NWS]

Record Labor Day Weekend Travel Expected — “Labor Day weekend travel is expected to surpass last year’s record levels, with the Transportation Security Administration preparing to screen hundreds of thousands more passengers than during the 2024 holiday.” Today (Friday) is expected to be the busiest day with airports preparing for 2.91 million passengers. [Axios]

Early Voting Expands — An additional nine sites will be open for early voting in the 11th Congressional District special election, starting today through Saturday, Sept. 6. All locations will be available Monday through Friday from 1-7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular polling places will open on the day of the Sept. 9 election, which will be a school-free day for Fairfax County students. [Fairfax County Government]

Cookie Shop Opens in Tysons Mall — “Chip City Cookies will be celebrating the grand opening of its new Tysons Corner Center location on Friday by giving a free cookie to the first 100 customers with any purchase. The doors will open at 11 a.m.” This is the oversized cookie company’s third Northern Virginia location and first in Fairfax County following openings in Arlington. [Patch]

Firefighters Train in West Falls Church Homes — “Before Fairfax County tears down nine houses on Barrett Road in the Falls Church area, the Fire Department is using the vacant houses for training exercises … On Aug. 26, a crew from the Edsall Road (#26) fire station was at Barrett Road to practice rescuing a firefighter trapped in a burning building – although they didn’t set the house on fire.” [Annandale Today]

Contract Dispute Heads to Trial — A legal battle involving two Reston-based federal contractors is likely heading for a jury trial following recent procedural rulings by a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge. CACI International sued Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) in July 2024, alleging that the other company breached a joint U.S. Air Force contract by not paying CACI its full share and poaching employees. [Washington Business Journal]

Students Seek to Encourage Civil Discussions — After observing how often conversations about hot-button issues escalate into yelling, Peter Kisselev, “Sam Stankiewicz and Abhi Tiwari, students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County, Virginia, launched ‘Normal Debate.’ The website, the three said, provides users with the opportunity to create posts about politics and other topics.” [WTOP]

Preview of Tysons Fall Market — The Tysons Mixed Market, now in its third year, will return this fall with a season-opening event next Thursday, Sept. 4. Hosted by The Boro and the Tysons Community Alliance, the market “brings together nearly 30 local vendors and artisans, small businesses, and more community-focused features all tucked in the middle of Fairfax County’s economic powerhouse that is Tysons.” [Out and About Fairfax]

Falls Church Festival Returning — “The annual Falls Church Festival is approaching, bringing back a day of live music, activities and tastings from local restaurants. Over 90 vendors and civic organizations will join the fun as the festival returns for its 49th year from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13.” [ARLnow]

It’s Friday — Expect sunny conditions and a high temperature near 80 degrees during the day, accompanied by a northwest wind at 5 to 9 mph. By Friday night, the skies will turn partly cloudy, while the temperature dips to a low around 57 degrees. A 6 mph north wind is anticipated throughout the night. [NWS]