The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
A Springfield man will serve more than three decades in prison for his reported efforts to collect and send funds to the Islamic State group.
Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, 35, was sentenced to 30 years and four months in prison yesterday (Wednesday) by a U.S. District Court judge in Alexandria after a jury convicted him in December on multiple charges of providing material support to a terrorist organization.
Fairfax County Public Schools' current capital projects include construction on an addition to Louise Archer Elementary School in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
The Fairfax County School Board is considering a series of changes that might help cut down costs and other hurdles for new school projects.
During a work session on Tuesday (May 6), the school board and Fairfax County Public Schools staff discussed ways to reduce costs for new construction or share that burden with other entities — like through public-private partnerships or cost-sharing agreements.
An urban park is under construction near Capital One Park in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Capital One Center might reintroduce parking to a site that had been closed off for the construction of an urban park.
While the park is still in the works, Capital One has proposed building an interim parking garage at 1820 Dolley Madison Blvd near its headquarters in Tysons, asking Fairfax County staff to confirm that no zoning changes are necessary to allow the structure.
Bowman Towne Drive with a sign for Inova's Reston emergency room and Sunrise Senior Living (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
A new plan is officially under review for Fairfax County’s long-awaited Reston Town Center North (RTC North) redevelopment.
Inova Health System and the county’s Board of Supervisors have submitted a joint rezoning application for at least 1.6 million square feet of mixed-use development that will make way for a new Embry Rucker Shelter and Reston Regional Library, along with housing, a school, recreational facilities and retail.
Eastbound traffic on I-66 passing Fair Oaks (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
FBI Standoff Near McLean — An individual barricaded himself inside a house in the 3600 block of N. Abingdon St. yesterday (Wednesday) morning, drawing “a large contingent” of FBI agents, crisis negotiators and other law enforcement to the residential neighborhood. Armed personnel were spotted at nearby Chesterbrook Shopping Center in McLean, which was apparently used as a staging area. [ARLnow]
Culmore Library Closed Today — “Culmore Library will remain closed Thursday, May 8 due to continuing repairs. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please check back at this page or on our website Friday morning for the latest information regarding the branch’s operational status.” [Fairfax County Public Library/Facebook]
Kennedy Center Performers Plan Boycott — “When President Donald Trump descends on the Kennedy Performing Arts Center next month for a high-dollar fundraiser and a performance of ‘Les Misérables,’ he won’t be seeing the usual cast performing, sources told CNN. At least 10 to 12 performers in Les Mis are planning to sit out the show on June 11.” [CNN]
Fairfax City Council Adopts New Budget — “It took two votes, but the Fairfax City Council unanimously adopted the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget and a new real estate tax rate during a contentious meeting Tuesday night at city hall.” The adopted tax rate of $1.055 per $100 of assessed value was lower than what City Manager Bryan Foster proposed in February and the council advertised in March. [Patch]
How Federal Cuts Are Affecting Housing Market — “The Department of Government Efficiency began making large cuts to the federal workforce back in February, and new data suggests how the regional housing market is being affected. The latest weekly report from Bright MLS continues to find that there is an uptick in new listings coming online in the DC area, but the market is not being flooded.” [DC UrbanTurf]
I-95 Ramp in Lorton to Close Overnight — “Weather permitting, the ramp from northbound I-95 to Lorton Road (Route 642, Exit 163) will be closed from 11:59 p.m. Thursday, May 8, to 4 a.m. Friday, May 9, for paving … Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs.” [VDOT]
New Condos Under Construction in Chantilly — Commonwealth Place at Westfields Belle Haven Collection, a new development with 81 stacked condominiums, is emerging at 4751 Sully Point Lane in Chantilly. “Thirty Belle Haven units have been completed, and the builder, Toll Brothers, anticipates completing construction on all homes by early 2026.” [Washington Post]
Reston Native on Selena Gomez Partnership — Benny “Blanco and pop star Selena Gomez announced their engagement late last year, and have chronicled their relationship in a new album, I Said I Love You First. We asked Blanco about his NoVA childhood, his early love of music, and his artistic collaborations with Gomez.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Thursday — Expect showers after 2pm, partly sunny skies, and a high near 78; there’s a 50% chance of precipitation. Night brings a 70% chance of rain with mostly cloudy skies, a low around 58, and a northeast wind at 3-6 mph. [NWS]
Fairfax County Public Schools workers wear Fairfax Education Unions T-shirts after electing FEU as their collective bargaining representative (courtesy Fairfax County Federation of Teachers)
Fairfax County teachers’ elation at securing a collective bargaining agreement, the first of its kind in nearly 50 years for the district, has proven short-lived.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is set to adopt a budget for fiscal year 2026 that transfers $2.93 billion to Fairfax County Public Schools — up $119 million from the current fiscal year, but well short of the $248 million increase that Superintendent Michelle Reid requested primarily to cover employee pay raises promised by the union contract.
A Fairfax County Police Department SUV with its lights on at the Mosaic District (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Civil rights advocates had been pushing the Fairfax County Police Department for years to establish clear rules limiting when officers can pursue individuals on foot.
However, the department’s implementation of a formal foot pursuit policy last month inspired consternation, rather than celebration, from community organizations that had advocated for the reform, including the Fairfax County chapter of the NAACP.
Current Vinson Hall facilities in McLean (via Vinson Hall)
Plans for significant future expansion of the Vinson Hall retirement community in McLean took a small but key procedural step forward last Thursday (May 1).
The Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously, if informally, indicated support for adding the development proposal to a list of possible comprehensive plan amendments that will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors in June.
Lake Newport Tennis Facility (photo via Reston Association)
Reston Association (RA) is looking for community input on plans to renovate the Lake Newport Tennis Court.
The courts at 11452 Baron Cameron Avenue are currently funded for renovation sometime in 2026 or 2027, with community engagement and engineering starting this year.
Sign for CVS Pharmacy at 10090 Fairfax Blvd in Fairfax City (via Google Maps)
A 22-year-old man was arrested last week after allegedly assaulting a worker and police officers while attempting to rob a CVS Pharmacy store in Fairfax City.
Officers responded to the drug store at 10090 Fairfax Blvd at around 5:28 p.m. last Friday (May 2) for a report of a robbery in progress, according to the City of Fairfax Police Department.