The Fairfax County Police Department’s drone unit has taken on new responsibilities and added a full-time drone program manager.

The drone unit now conducts more detailed work with the FCPD’s helicopter program, according to an FCPD news release. Among other tasks, the drone unit complements the helicopter program in crime scene and crash scene investigations, FCPD Second Lieutenant Brad Woehrlen wrote in a statement to FFXnow.


The McLean Citizens Association (MCA) has thrown its voice behind some new design guidelines for downtown McLean.

At a meeting next Tuesday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will consider endorsing Vol. 2 of the District Design Guidelines for the McLean Community Business Center. The guidelines are non-binding, but could shape what development in McLean looks like for the foreseeable future.


The Town of Herndon is considering reductions in its parks and recreation fees in order to reduce financial barriers and encourage underserved youth and families to use the town’s facilities.

At a Herndon Town Council meeting on Sept. 5, the council discussed the proposal. If approved, the town would identify specific single and multi-family residents that could benefit from a reduced admission fee for the Herndon Community Center, which includes an indoor pool, gym, fitness room and racquetball courts.


Two hemp businesses and a private citizen are challenging a Virginia law that instituted tougher limits on hemp products in Virginia in federal court, saying the new rules cause financial harm to hemp businesses and interfere in interstate commerce.

The law, which went into effect July 1, set the maximum amount of THC in hemp products at 0.3% concentration and 2 milligrams per package. This cutoff has made hundreds of products placed on shelves before July illegal and subject to fines if sold.


An inaugural fall market is set to kick off at The Boro in Tysons later this month.

The six-week market — Tysons Fall Mixed Market — will bring more than 30 local producers, markers and food vendors to the parking lot next to The Boro’s sandlot.


The demolition of several dilapidated residential structures and outbuildings at Lake Fairfax Park is set to begin in mid-September.

The structures are part of property the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) purchased in 2014 along Hunter Mill Road. Ben Boxer, a spokesperson for FCPA, told FFXnow that the structures will be removed as a result of numerous complaints from the community.


Police Arrest Suspect Who Crashed Car into Home — “Officers responded to the 9300 block of Cumbria Valley Drive in Lorton for a man entering vehicles. Officers parked their cruisers and approached the area on foot. Officers found Nico Anthony Doublet inside a 2020 BMW X3. Doublet ignored the officers’ commands, backed the car out of the driveway and sped off at a high rate of speed. No FCPD officers were in their vehicles when they contacted him and did not pursue him.” [Fairfax County Police Department]

Fairfax County Public Schools Maintain Accreditation Status — “All 195 Fairfax County public schools are accredited, two with conditions, for accountability year 2023-24, according to data released by the Virginia Department of Education. Ninety-nine percent, or 193 out of 195 schools, attained “accredited” status and two schools attained ‘accredited with conditions’ status. No Fairfax County public school received a status of ‘accreditation denied.’” [FCPS]


A 29-year-old Fairfax resident has opened his own optometry office in Herndon’s Fox Mill Shopping Center.

Beyond Eyecare opened last month at 2539 John Milton Drive. Sami Khaldieh, who has lived in Fairfax since 1996 and attended local schools like Franklin Middle School and Oakton High School. He received his Doctorate of Optometry from Pennsylvania College of Optometry.


A new bus rapid transit (BRT) route could connect Alexandria and Tysons, and the golden spike in that project could be Falls Church.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is reviewing a study of Envision Route 7’s impact on Falls Church. The study doesn’t make recommendations but provides analysis on how BRT might impact bus and car traffic in Falls Church.


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