A planned renovation of Willow Springs Elementary School is still on track, as Fairfax County officials extend a review period for the project.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted last Tuesday (Sept. 30) to extend the deadline for county review of the proposal to May 27, 2026. The board approved the extension as part of its administrative items with no discussion.


One driver was killed yesterday (Sunday) night after colliding with oncoming traffic in the Fort Belvoir area.

The crash occurred shortly before 7:40 p.m. at the intersection of Jeff Todd Way and Telegraph Road when a northbound Cadillac driver crossed over a median on Jeff Todd Way and hit a southbound Toyota Highlander head-on.


The windmill in Bailey’s Crossroads at the Route 7 and Columbia Pike interchange (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Teacher Charged With Assaulting Student — An instructional assistant at Providence Elementary School was charged on Friday (Oct. 3) with misdemeanor assault after allegedly “aggressively” handling a student during a physical education class on Sept. 18. “No injuries were reported. A teacher who witnessed the incident reported it to the school administration, and the instructional assistant was placed on administrative leave.” [City of Fairfax Police]

New Safety Measures After DCA Crash — “The Federal Aviation Administration made permanent changes to how helicopters operate in the airspace around D.C. in response to the Jan. 29 midair collision near Reagan National Airport … Similar adjustments were made at Baltimore Washington International and Dulles airports to increase the distance between helicopters and commercial flights.” [WTOP]

Va. Moves Toward Trans Sports Ban — “The Virginia Board of Health on Thursday voted to begin a lengthy process to bar transgender people from playing in female sports and restrict the facilities they use. Shortly before the vote, Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) issued an executive directive giving his support to the move.” [Washington Post]

Tysons Apartments Up for Sale — Developer LCOR “is marketing Kingston at McLean Crossing, a 319-unit apartment complex at 7480 Birdwood Ave,” as for sale. Currently 96% occupied, with an average rent of $2,745 per unit, the two towers are “the first of several buildings planned as part of the 21-acre The Commons of McLean phased development, later rebranded McLean Crossing.” [Washington Business Journal]

Police Investigate Assault at Park — Fairfax City police “officers were dispatched around 4:15 p.m. [on Thursday, Oct. 2] for the report of an assault at Kutner Park, which is located at 3901 Jermantown Road, according to a police spokesman. Investigators believe that there were fewer than eight juveniles involved in the assault.” [Patch]

Reminders for Pedestrian Safety Month — “October is Pedestrian Safety Month so there’s no better time to take a moment and renew your efforts to travel safely. Whether you are walking, biking or driving, keep in mind that safety is a two-way street and is everyone’s job. If we each take a moment and consider safety, we hope to reduce the number of pedestrian accidents in Fairfax County.” [Fairfax County Government]

Automotive Teacher Wins $50K Prize — “Rebecca Fenton received quite a shock last week. The Fairfax County Public Schools automotive instructor was surprised in her classroom by family, FCPS staff and students, and a news crew. They had all gathered to celebrate Fenton winning a prize in teaching excellence that included a $50,000 check.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Craft Festival Coming to Chantilly — “When the Capital Arts and Craft Festival opens October 10 at Dulles Expo Center, there will be one Reston-based artist making her debut at this largest indoor art festival in the region. Ceramic artist Laurie Baron will be among 225 artisans from throughout the country at the three-day event.” [The Burn]

It’s Monday — Patchy fog is expected to clear by 10am, making way for a sunny day with a high near 81 degrees and calm winds turning south at 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. The evening will be mostly clear with a low around 61 degrees and a gentle south wind at 6 mph. [NWS]


Rachna Sizemore Heizer has won the Democratic nomination in the race for Braddock District supervisor.

The fifth-year Fairfax County School Board member bested three other candidates in this weekend’s primary election, giving her the party’s nod in the race to succeed James Walkinshaw, who resigned last month, on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.


It will take at least one more day for local Democrats to decide on their nominee in the race for Braddock District supervisor.

Voting has been extended to tomorrow after technological issues led to extremely long waits at two of the three polling places used for the primary today (Saturday), the Fairfax County Democratic Committee announced.


By STEPHEN GROVES, MARY CLARE JALONICK and MATT BROWN Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hopes for a quick end to the government shutdown faded Friday as Democrats refused to budge in a Senate vote and President Donald Trump readied plans to unleash layoffs and cuts across the federal government.


The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Sept. 30) lauded the service of Joseph Heastie on issues related to local seniors.

But the ceremony quickly moved beyond the topic at hand, as Heastie was also celebrated for his service on additional issues ranging from George Mason University, where he was rector of the board of visitors, to community development.


Nonprofits in Northern Virginia drive over $1.6 billion in economic activity, yet a new report warns that they face increasing threats from funding cuts, declining donations and growing demand.

Titled “The State of Nonprofits in Northern Virginia,” the Sept. 22 report from the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia’s research arm, Insight Region, says these risks could lead to program closures and reduced access to food, shelter, healthcare, and education.


By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department fired a top national security prosecutor amid criticism from a right-wing commentator over his work during the Biden administration, further roiling the prominent U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia after the ousting of other senior attorneys in recent weeks, according to people familiar with the matter.


Fairfax County in August had a 27.5% year-over-year increase in unemployed residents, a number some regional leaders may simply be the tip of the iceberg if more federal cuts and a weaker economy arrive.

A total of 622,875 county residents were employed in the civilian workforce, and 24,048 were looking for jobs during the month, according to figures reported Wednesday (Oct. 1) by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement (Virginia Works).


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