The Fairfax County government is seeking ideas from the public and business community on modernizing its trash and recycling facilities and processes.
The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) on Aug. 4 put out a formal request for expressions of interest — known as an RFEI — to gather input that could be used in future planning. The request is not an official bid, according to the county.
A full-floor penthouse at the top of the JW Marriott Residences Reston Station has set a new record for the highest-priced condominium sale in Virginia, the building’s developer announced Wednesday (Aug. 5).
The $10.9 million sale surpassed the previous record set in April at the same building, for $10.25 million. Previously, the record was set in 2024, at $5.95 million for a 27th floor condo in Rosslyn.
Back-to-school shoppers will have an extra incentive to grab their school supplies, clothes and other items this weekend in Fairfax County and across the state.
Virginia will hold its annual three-day sales tax holiday, from Friday, Aug. 7 to Sunday, Aug. 9. Over the three days, the state and local option sales taxes are temporarily waived on qualifying clothing, footwear and school supplies, as well as emergency preparedness products and some appliances. The tax exemption applies to in-store and online shopping, according to the Virginia Department of Taxation.
The median apartment rent across Fairfax County was down 1.3% year over year in July, with most major residential areas posting declines.
The county’s median apartment rent for all sized units was $2,430, down from $2,463 in July 2025, according to figures reported July 29 by Apartment List.
Fairfax County School Bus Crashes in Western Loudoun County — “Loudoun County Fire and Rescue units arrived at the scene to find a Fairfax County bus off the road with its two back wheels lifted off the pavement over a ditch. Another bus had reportedly already arrived to collect the students.” [Loudoun Now]
Firefighters Respond to Lorton House Fire — “#FairfaxBravest responded to a townhouse fire in the 9600 block of Eaton Woods Pl in Lorton [Wednesday] morning. Crews arrived with smoke and fire showing from the rear and first-floor balcony. All occupants were out prior to #FCFRD arrival. No injuries. Cause under investigation.” [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department/X]
Hundreds of Families Attend Skyview High School School Year Preview — “Throughout the evening, families explored topics ranging from transportation and athletics to advisory periods, project-based learning, and student life. Just as importantly, they met administrators, Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) leaders, transportation supervisors, and other founding families who will help shape the experience for Skyview’s first classes.” [FCPS]
Jet Takes Off at DCA While President’s Helicopter Approaches — “The incident appears to be a violation of safety procedures put in place after last year’s midair collision over the Potomac River. It occurred Tuesday afternoon as Marine One left the White House for Andrews Air Force Base with the president aboard for the first leg of a West Coast trip. A commercial jet took off at the same time.” [ARLnow/AP]
No Surprises, Drama With N. Va.’s Primary Elections — “Most of the region’s Democratic incumbents did not face a challenger from their own party, so the Republican primaries took center stage in Northern Virginia on Tuesday. Every House seat, plus one in the Senate, is on the ballot this year. The primary races across the Commonwealth played out as expected, says Larry Sabato, political prognosticator with the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics.” [VPM]
Alexandria Officials Press Fairfax County Planning Commission to Deny Substation — “Alexandria City Council has joined a growing number of local residents asking Fairfax County to deny a substation associated with data center development just outside city limits. In a letter to the Fairfax County Planning Commission, City Council cited ‘the incompatibility of heavy industrial use’ near densely populated Alexandria.” [ALXnow]
SCC Demands Data Centers Pay More Toward New Transmission Lines — “The State Corporation Commission has ordered Dominion Energy to develop a policy to directly assign the cost of transmission infrastructure to data centers and other large-load users that connect to the facilities, ‘with the goal of finding an acceptable and symmetrical approach towards assigning costs in these circumstances.'” [Virginia Mercury]
Feedback Sought on Proposed Accessory Living Unit Updates — “Proposed changes to the county’s zoning regulations for accessory living units have been prepared, and the community is invited to host neighborhood discussions and share feedback through an online toolkit.” [Fairfax County/X]
Over 140 Neighborhoods Participate in National Night Out — “From block parties and cookouts to games, music, and family-friendly activities, the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) joined thousands of residents for an evening focused on building connections, promoting public safety, and bringing neighbors together.” [Fairfax County Police Department]
Weekend Road Closure Coming Up in Annandale — “Weather permitting, Ravensworth Road (Route 2864) between Braddock Road (Route 620) and John Marr Drive (Route 757) will be continuously closed to through traffic from 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, until 4 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10, for drainage pipe replacement, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.” [VDOT]
Single Tracking on Metro’s Orange Line This Weekend — “THIS WEEKEND: In addition to Red Line summer construction through September 6, trains will single track on the Orange Line between Vienna and West Falls Church. 🟠 To complete your trip inbound toward DC or outbound toward Vienna, you must transfer trains at West Falls Church.” [WMATA/Bluesky]
It’s Thursday — Showers and thunderstorms are possible after 5 p.m., with mostly sunny skies and a high of 91°F, though it may feel like 100°F. Winds from the south at 8-10 mph may gust up to 18 mph, with a 30% chance of rain. Thursday night, expect a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., with partly cloudy skies and a low of 74°F. Southwest winds will be around 6 mph. [NWS]
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The Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation will be starting a campaign as part of its Faces of ONE project to help businesses along the Richmond Highway corridor gain traction before and during the corridor’s major transportation work and redevelopment.
It’s an extension of a public art campaign where 10 public sculptures were placed along the Richmond Highway corridor, along with some murals and different things to enhance the identity and placemaking of the area.
A new seven-story senior community with 200 units for residents has opened in Fairfax City.
Brightview Northfax, located at 10575 Northfax Street, held a grand opening and began moving in new residents on July 7.
Several health departments, including Fairfax County’s, are investigating Virginia’s first documented case of a locally acquired dengue virus infection, the Virginia Department of Health said yesterday (Aug. 4).
The Fairfax, Loudoun, and Virginia health departments are investigating the case. While the patient did not have any known travel outside of the state prior to onset of the illness, they were “in close proximity to a recent internationally acquired case in a Virginian who was diagnosed a couple weeks prior,” Cameron Webb, the State Health Commissioner, wrote to clinicians in a notice posted online.
Flood Watch Wednesday in Fairfax County — “🌧️ Flood Watch in effect for Fairfax County 4:00 AM–11:00 AM Wednesday (Aug. 5). Heavy rain may bring 2–4 inches in a short time, causing flash flooding in low-lying areas, urban streets, and along creeks and streams.” [Ready Fairfax/X]
Fairfax Hospitals Rank High on Best Virginia Hospitals List — Inova Fairfax Hospital, Inova Fair Oaks Hospital and Reston Hospital Center ranked among the top hospitals in Virginia on the 2026-2027 U.S. News and World Report list. This year, the report added regional specialized rankings for cancer, cardiology, heart and vascular surgery, orthopedics and rehabilitation. [Patch]
Metro Touts Reduction in Crime — “For the second year in a row, Metro officials are touting reductions in crime on Metrorail, Metrobuses and at Metro parking lots. ‘We are the safest Metro has ever been. We believe we are the safest transit agency in the country,’ said Randy Clarke, general manager of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Crime still occurs in and around the Metro system, but Clarke and Metro’s police chief say it continues to get safer.” [NBC Washington]
Fairfax Connector Store Changes Coming — “Effective Wednesday, Aug. 19, the West*Park Fairfax Connector Store in McLean will permanently close, and a new Fairfax Connector Store will open at the Monument Drive Commuter Parking Garage and Transit Center in Fairfax.” [Fairfax Connector]
Adopt-A-Student Backpack Runs Through Aug. 7 — “Volunteer and Partner Services is excited to once again partner with Roonga, this time for our annual School Supply and Backpack Drive! In order to get started, all you need to do is log onto the live site. July 1 through August 7, 2026, you are invited to Adopt-A-Student and help them start the school year prepared and confident.” [Fairfax County]
Residents Asked to Report Flooding from Sunday Rainstorms — “Some areas of Fairfax County received almost a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours this past Sunday! If you saw any flooding near your home during the recent storms or if you still see standing water, please report it.” [Fairfax County Public Works/X]
It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and thunderstorms, especially before 3pm and again after 4pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a high of 87°F. Winds will be light, becoming south at 5 to 7 mph, and there’s a 60% chance of precipitation, with rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch possible. Wednesday night will have a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a slight chance of showers until 2am, with a low around 74°F and a south wind at 6 mph. [NWS]
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Fairfax County voters turned out in a trickle for Democratic and Republican primaries Tuesday (Aug. 4) to choose who will move on to the congressional midterm elections in November.
In the lone Democratic primary, Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) earned the nomination in the 8th Congressional District, the Associated Press called at 7:34 p.m. The congressman, vying for his seventh term, defeated four challengers — former Alexandria City Council Member Mo Seifeldein, fired State Department worker Michael Duffin, veteran and former CIA officer Adam Dunigan and military family advocate Lorena Bruner.
