Fairfax County has cleared the way for another office park near Dulles International Airport to be turned into housing.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized changes to the comprehensive plan on July 14 that could allow up to 483 residential units across 27 acres at the southwest corner of Centreville Road and McLearen Road in the Dulles Suburban Center corridor.
A Chantilly man has been found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity in the 2024 shooting death of a man at a Reston Gold’s Gym.
Steve Taehee Ha, 45, entered his plea of not guilty by reason of insanity in Fairfax County Circuit Court last Friday (July 17), according to court documents.
Call for Special Session on Dominion Merger — “As the State Corporation Commission prepares to begin a months-long review of the potential merger of Virginia’s largest electric utility company Dominion Energy and the Florida-based NextEra Energy, two Republican state lawmakers on Tuesday urged Gov. Abigail Spanberger to host a special legislative session that would allow a vote to extend the review period.” [Virginia Mercury]
Two Injured in GW Parkway Crash — “A serious crash on GW Parkway injured two construction workers and left passengers trapped inside a flaming vehicle on Friday night, authorities say … The crash took place around 10:40 p.m. on southbound GW Parkway near the Boundary Channel exit.” [ARLnow]
Fired Immigration Judges Sound Alarm — “It used to be rare for immigration judges to be fired, and they were generally only fired following serious complaints or issues,” according to Anam Petit, a former judge at Annandale Immigration Court. “But since January 2025, the Trump administration has fired more than 113 out of around 700 immigration judges without cause or explanation,” and many others have been reassigned, accepted buyouts or retired early. [Charlottesville Tomorrow]
Reston Man Arrested for Sterling Shooting — “A Reston man has been arrested in connection with a non-contact shooting that happened in Sterling on July 5. Around 2:22 a.m. on July 5, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Community Plaza for a report of shots fired near Tipicos Los Amigos restaurant. No one was hurt in the shooting.” [Loudoun Now]
Lincolnia Data Center Plans Filed — Starwood Capital Group has submitted a permit application and plans for the first building in its controversial Plaza 500 data center development on Edsall Road near the Bren Mar neighborhood. “The first two-story building, named ‘Plaza 500 South,’ is planned to be 226,469 square feet and stand 75 feet tall,” though the company is still waiting approval of an electric substation on the 34-acre site. [Washington Business Journal]
County Raises Awareness of Domestic Violence Indicators — “Strangulation often leaves little or no visible evidence, but Fairfax County officials say it is one of the strongest warning signs that someone experiencing domestic violence may later become the victim of homicide.” That concern will be the focus of an upcoming training for those who work with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. [Patch]
Va. Eases Rules for Birth Record Requests — “Adult adoptees born in Virginia can now request a copy of their original birth certificate without obtaining a court order, following the enactment of House Bill 301, which took effect July 1, 2026. Previously, adoptees were required to secure a court order before accessing their original birth records.” [Virginia Department of Health]
FCPD Drone Program Wins Award — “The Fairfax County Police Department’s (FCPD) Drone as First Responder (DFR) program was recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo) with a 2026 Achievement Award and selected as Best in Category for Criminal Justice and Public Safety, the organization’s highest honor within the category.” [FCPD]
It’s Wednesday — There is a 50% chance of precipitation, with partly sunny skies and a high near 85°F. Night will have a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm, with mostly cloudy conditions and a low around 65°F. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved a redevelopment plan that will result in 57 townhouses ringing the circa-1899 A. Smith Bowman House at 1850 Old Reston Avenue in Reston.
The 10-0 vote on July 14 allows the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association and developer EYA to move forward on the proposal, which replaces a pre-Covid plan for two new office buildings. The association, which owns the property, had intended to transform the 5.2-acre site into a new headquarters campus.
Building on recent successes, destinations in Africa and Asia remain prime targets for new business opportunities, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) officials say.
But finding new opportunities necessitated nuance and persistence, said Paul Bobson, the authority’s vice president for airline business development.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors honored a local resident last Tuesday (July 14) for her 35 years of service to the Spring Hill Rec Center’s adapted aquatics program.
Bryna Helfer helped found the program in 1991, and continues to serve as an instructor and booster.
Fairfax County Public Schools has officially adopted a boundary map for attendance at the new Skyview High School, which will draw in students from Westfield, Chantilly, and South Lakes high schools to alleviate overcrowding at several schools on the western side of the county.
The new school assignments — unanimously approved by the school board during its July 16 regular meeting — are expected to impact 2,544 students, including 1,159 who will be assigned next year to attend Skyview’s campus at 2949 Education Drive, in the Floris area south of Herndon.
A new data analysis finds two local communities have seen the largest year-over-year declines in median rents across the metro area.
Herndon posted a drop of 4.8% to $2,000, and Fairfax City saw a 3.8% dip to $2,010 in the median rental price of one-bedroom apartments in June, according to the latest monthly report from Zumper.
Hearing on Jimenez Reckless Driving Charge Postponed — “The reckless driving charge against Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez has been continued to Sept. 21 … The Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney asked to be recused from the case, so Judge Darwyn Easley on July 20 in Traffic Court granted a request by Jimenez’s attorney, Makan Shirafkan, to continue the case.” [Annandale Today]
Seven Corners Apartments Expansion Approved — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on July 14 approved a rezoning of the Cavalier Club apartments in Seven Corners to permit an additional eight-story apartment building with 238 units … The existing 12-story, 220-unit Cavalier Club building will remain.” [Annandale Today]
Springfield Man Convicted in Child Sex Abuse Materials Case — “Police began investigating 39-year-old Nathaniel Lee, who worked as a tax preparer and Franconia Museum guide, in December 2022. Lee was requesting child sex abuse images on the file sharing network Freenet, prosecutors said … Lee was convicted Monday following a bench trial on three total counts in connection to his possession of the images and is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 6.” [WTOP]
Local Schools Given Some Funding Flexibility — “Virginia schools will have greater agency in administrative decisions and flexibility in how they spend federal funds heading into the upcoming school year, potentially affecting low-income student programs and teacher development.” The change is intended to reduce time spent on paperwork, but some worry it will result in funding shifting away from students who need the most resources. [Virginia Mercury]
Arlington to Ban Gas Leaf Blowers — “County Board members on Saturday adopted a 29-month phase-out period for gas-powered leaf blowers countywide, a timeframe officials said would help to make sure the transition goes smoothly.” County staff acknowledged that a challenge to the ban in court might be dicey, considering the General Assembly has yet to explicitly give localities the authority to regulate gas-powered leaf blowers. [ARLnow]
Mahjong Club Sets Opening Date — “The wait is almost over! We’re thrilled to open the doors of The Bamboo Room and welcome the Vienna community into our new home!” A soft opening is planned for the new social club at 101 Church Street NW, Unit D, on Aug. 2 from noon to 4 p.m. [The Bamboo Room/Instagram]
Early Fundraising Leaders in Fairfax City Elections — “City Council candidate Steve Chang has emerged as the early fundraising leader in Fairfax City’s 2026 election, while mayoral candidate Kirsten Sides Lockhart reported the highest fundraising total among candidates running for mayor, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Virginia Department of Elections.” [Patch]
Charity Softball Game Planned in Chantilly — “Calling all Chantilly Youth Association (CYA) and the Southwestern Youth Association (SYA) alumni: Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Friends (ECLP) is hosting a charity softball game on Saturday, July 25, from noon to 3 p.m.” Funds will go toward scholarships for programs at the park. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Tuesday — Expect showers and possible thunderstorms with a high near 91°F. There’s an 80% chance of rain, with up to half an inch expected. Night will bring more showers and thunderstorms, particularly before 2am, with lows around 73°F. [NWS]
Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.
Fairfax County leaders are eager to get a jump start on a new option to automate monitoring for excessive vehicle noise.
The county’s Board of Supervisors unanimously voted on July 14 to direct County Executive Bryan Hill to report a timeline by this fall for implementing the authority newly granted by the General Assembly to Fairfax and some other Virginia localities.
