Local Republicans have their first candidate for a potential vacancy on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Ken Balbuena, who bills himself as a “common sense community leader,” announced his candidacy today (Tuesday) for Braddock District supervisor — should incumbent James Walkinshaw win election to Congress.
The two major party candidates seeking to represent Virginia’s 11th Congressional District made their case to voters yesterday (Monday).
Speaking at the Reston Community Center in Hunters Woods, Democrat James Walkinshaw and Republican Stewart Whitson discussed a variety of topics ahead of September’s special general election.
Three months after it was put on hold, a divided Fairfax City Council has brought the $6 million Pickett Road Connector Trail project back to life.
After Mayor Catherine Read cast the tiebreaker in a 4-3 vote last week, planning will restart on the proposed 1,260-foot trail running south from Fairfax Blvd to Thaiss Memorial Park on the east side of Pickett Road.
FCPS Pride is urging Northern Virginia school districts to hold their ground after the Department of Education accused the schools’ trans-inclusive policies of violating Title IX.
Last week, the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) found Fairfax County Public Schools and nearby Arlington, Alexandria, Prince William and Loudoun school divisions in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The findings argue that letting students use bathrooms and other facilities consistent with their gender identity constitutes discrimination on the basis of sex.
Plans to redevelop the Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center near Old Town Fairfax were put on hold last week, giving city officials and the developer more time to find compromises on the overall proposal.
“Being good partners requires flexibility not just from the developer, but from the city as well,” Fairfax City Councilmember Anthony Amos said at the July 22 meeting, where council members voted 5-1 to defer final consideration until Oct. 28.
A planned mixed-use development in Vienna could provide new homes for residents as well as its builder.
Sekas Homes intends to revitalize the former Truist bank building at 515 Maple Avenue East by refreshing the commercial space on its ground floor and adding residential condominiums on its upper levels.
Driver in Fatal Crash Identified — “On July 25 at 4:09 p.m., officers responded to a single-vehicle crash on Fairfax County Parkway near Old Keene Mill Road in Burke involving a 2022 Mack truck that left the roadway and struck a jersey wall. The driver, Kenneth Davis, 57, of Amissville, was declared deceased on the scene. Preliminary, detectives do not believe alcohol or speed are factors in the crash.” [FCPD]
Search and Rescue Task Force Returns — “Virginia Task Force 1 (VA TF-1), the commonwealth’s specialized search and rescue team, is back home from working victim recovery operations following deadly floods in Texas. The crew of four people and three dogs returned to their home base in Chantilly just before noon Monday after a 17-day deployment.” [DC News Now]
GMU Faculty Resolution Draws Scrutiny — George Mason University’s faculty senate approved a resolution last Thursday (July 24) denouncing the Trump administration’s recent investigations as a “politically motivated attack” similar to the pressure campaign that led University of Virginia president Jim Ryan to resign. The Justice Department is now seeking drafts of the resolution and communications between those who drafted it and GMU President Gregory Washington’s office. [New York Times]
Vigil for Still-Missing Former Inova Nurse — “During a peaceful gathering early Sunday in front of the Prince William County judicial center in Manassas, Sunita Basnet paused for a moment to reflect, reminiscing on the hardship of the past 365 days. July 27 will mark the one-year anniversary of the day Mamta Kafle Bhatt, a Manassas Park nurse and mother, was last seen at UVA Prince William Medical Center, where she worked.” [Inside NoVA]
Hunter Mill Town Hall Tomorrow — “Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill), who represents the Town of Vienna, Reston and other surrounding parts of Fairfax County, will host the town hall. The meeting is planned Wednesday, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Vienna Elementary School cafeteria (128 Center St S, Vienna, VA).” [Patch]
New Attractions Planned for Taste of Annandale — “This free, family-friendly community festival is Sept. 20, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m., at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space, 7200 Columbia Pike in the heart of Annandale.” Additions for 2025 will include a petting zoo, an eating contest, a new route for the 5K, additional crafts and artisans, and possible shuttle bus service. [Annandale Today]
RCC Board Candidates Wanted — “Reston Community Center (RCC) is seeking interested candidates to run for seats on its Board of Governors, a nine-member body responsible for oversight of RCC … This year’s Preference Poll will fill three positions for three-year terms. Online and in person voting will take place from September 5 through September 26 until 5:00 p.m.” [RCC]
It’s Tuesday — The weather will be mostly sunny and hot, reaching a high near 98 and heat index values up to 102. The wind is expected to be light and variable. As for Tuesday night, it will start off mostly cloudy and gradually clear up, with a low temperature of around 77. A south wind of 3 to 5 mph is anticipated. [NWS]
A prominent real estate agent based in Tysons has been arrested after investigators learned about multiple allegations of him inappropriately touching children, Fairfax County police say.
Detectives began investigating Christopher Dudley, a 46-year-old man living in the Fairfax area, after Fairfax County Child Protective Services received a referral for a child who was reportedly “inappropriately touched by an adult male,” according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
For over 200 years, the Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office has done the often thankless work that keeps the legal system running, but a new exhibit gives clerks their moment in the spotlight.
A new exhibit on display at the Fairfax County Circuit Court shows off 200 years of clerical work and the stories of those who worked in the office over the years.
A Virginia private school that serves students with autism and other behavioral health needs is relocating from Loudoun County to Reston.
Rivermont Schools announced last Wednesday (July 23) that its Sterling campus at 45305 Catalina Court will move next month to a new facility at 11411 Isaac Newton Square South. The buildout is expected to finish in August, in time for the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
