Tom Fleetwood, director of the Department of Housing and Community Development (screenshot via Fairfax County)
Fairfax County’s efforts to support additional affordable housing may have received an unexpected boost from the recently passed federal budget reconciliation act.
County officials are working through the details, but the changes in federal law could represent “a significant step forward” in financing affordable housing, Tom Fleetwood, director of the county’s Department of Housing and Community Development, told the Board of Supervisors at a housing committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday).
Police say they have connected Edward Eugene Pottmyer, 58, of Chantilly to two sexual assaults and an exposure case (courtesy FCPD)
A Chantilly man could serve 10 years in prison after admitting to his involvement in three cold cases that date back to the late 1990s.
Edward Eugene Pottmyer, 58, pleaded guilty earlier this month (July 2) to one count of aggravated sexual battery and one count of abduction, both stemming from a 1998 incident on a Fair Lakes bicycle path, according to court records.
Westbound Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) approaching pedestrian bridge to the Greensboro Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
SCOTUS Allows Mass Federal Worker Firings — “The Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s plans to downsize the federal workforce despite warnings that critical government services will be lost and hundreds of thousands of federal employees will be out of their jobs. The justices overrode lower court orders that temporarily froze the cuts.” [Associated Press]
Pedestrian Killed on Dulles Toll Road — A female pedestrian died after she was struck by a driver on the westbound Dulles Toll Road near the Herndon/Chantilly exit around 2 a.m. on Tuesday (July 8), Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police (MWAA) say. “The driver of the vehicle stayed at the crash site until responders took them to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, authorities noted.” [DC News Now]
Mount Vernon Winery to Close — After six years in business, Woodlawn Press Winery announced yesterday (Tuesday) that it will permanently close its tasting room at 8733-B Cooper Road on Saturday, July 26. Owners Andrew Rosado and Bonnie Evangelista are relocating to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where they’ll operate other family-owned businesses, but their wines will still be available at “various wine festivals and markets.” [ALXnow]
Youngkin’s Family Survives Texas Flooding — “Virginia first lady Suzanne Youngkin and other members of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s family were stranded at property they own on the Guadalupe River in Texas on Friday, but they were unharmed by the devastating flash floods that have killed more than 100 people. The governor was in Virginia at the time.” [Washington Post]
Police Crack Down on Impaired Driving — “For the month of July, our Safe July campaign focuses on reducing impaired driving and promoting safe driving behaviors throughout Fairfax County. As celebrations and summer gatherings increase over the holiday period, the safety of our roads remains a top priority.” The campaign continues a summer crime initiative that began in June by boosting foot patrols at nightlife hot spots. [FCPD]
Gyro Restaurant Opens in Fairfax City — “Blazin Chicken & Gyro, which specializes in serving hot chicken, burgers, sandwiches and gyros made with authentic halal ingredients, opened its doors Saturday at 11011 Main St. in the Westbriar Center … The company now has nine franchise locations, including one in Tysons Station at 7502 Leesburg Pike.” [Patch]
Inova Gears Up for Sewer Replacement — “Inova Health plans to start work next month on a sewer replacement project serving the Inova Center for Personalized Health [in Woodburn]. Members of affected communities, including Fairview Park, Holmes Run West, and Holmes Run Acres, are invited to an informational meeting on the project on July 23, 7 p.m., at the Inova Conference Center, 8100 Innovation Park Drive.” [Annandale Today]
Reston Office Owners Seek to Extend Loans — “Tamares Group and Atlantic Realty have more than $200M remaining on a pair of CMBS loans tied to Plaza America I, II, III and IV, according to Morningstar Credit.” The firms say they’re long-term extensions on the loans as “a way to ensure maximum flexibility” and “plan to continue investing in” the office buildings, which are between 54% and 64% occupied. [Bisnow]
It’s Wednesday — Mostly sunny conditions and a high near 91 will be followed by showers and thunderstorms mainly after 4pm. At night, there’s a 60% chance of precipitation. It’ll be mostly cloudy with a low around 72. [NWS]
The I-495, I-395 and Route 644 (Old Keene Mill Road) interchange in Springfield (via Google Maps)
Police are still searching for a driver who allegedly shot another man on I-495 last month in an apparent act of road rage.
Around 9:12 a.m. on June 11, the victim was driving south on I-495 in a brown 1999 Chevy Suburban SUV near Duke Street in Alexandria when they might’ve cut off the driver of a black BMW sedan, according to the Virginia State Police.
The concept design for proposed Haycock Road improvements at Mustang Alley (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Future multi-modal bicyclist and pedestrian improvements along Haycock Road near the Fairfax-Falls Church border may be dependent on obtaining regional grant funding.
At its meeting next Monday (July 14), the Falls Church City Council is expected to formally request up to $15 million from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) in support of the upgrades, which is jointly sought with Fairfax County officials.
Design rendering for one mixed-use apartment building proposed at 4131 Chain Bridge Road (via City of Fairfax)
City of Fairfax planning commissioners say the latest incarnation of a plan to redevelop a key parcel along Chain Bridge Road has improved on past submissions, but most of them still didn’t like the proposal enough to support its approval.
The commission voted 4-2 on June 23 to recommend that the Fairfax City Council reject developer Paradigm Companies’ latest plan to replace a 109-year-old house at 4131 Chain Bridge Road with a 276-unit apartment building. The proposed project would occupy a 2.7-acre site and include about 11,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial/retail space.
DC News Now meteorologist Jackie Layer with the rain forecast for July 8-11, 2025 (courtesy DC News Now)
A mix of high temperatures, humidity and potentially heavy rain will likely result in a volatile afternoon today (Tuesday) for Fairfax County.
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the D.C. region that will remain in effect until 7 p.m. A Flood Watch is also scheduled to be in place from 2 p.m. until midnight tomorrow (Wednesday).
Washington & Old Dominion Trail detour for Clark-Idylwood reconductor project phase 2 (via Dominion Energy)
Pedestrians and cyclists who frequent the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail will need to find an alternative route through the Dunn Loring area this week.
The trail closed yesterday (Monday) between Gallows Road in Dunn Loring and Shreve Road in Idylwood to give crews room to install a new electric transmission line as part of Dominion Energy’s Clark-Idylwood reconductor project. The closure will remain in place on Friday (July 11).
Signs advertise apartments available for tours in The Jones at Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
The median rent of an apartment in two urban areas of Fairfax County is drawing close to $3,000 per month, according to new data.
Should Tysons and Merrifield, including the Mosaic District, reach that figure in the second half of this year, they will join Arlington in the $3,000-per-month club.
Behruze Dorbayan has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly stabbing his wife (via FCPD)
A 78-year-old man from Fair Oaks who killed his wife after she admitted to having an affair has died before the case was adjudicated.
Behruze Dorbayan died June 17 — nearly a year after telling police that he stabbed his wife of 50 years inside their home in the 3900 block of Highland Oaks Drive.