The VY at Reston Heights apartment community has been rebranded The Point at Rise following its Dec. 11 sale to institutional fund manager Pantzer Properties.
The building, located at 11830 Sunrise Valley Drive, was built in 2018 by JBG Smith and has 385 residential units, including two-story loft style townhomes. Gold’s Gym, Reston Kabob and My Home Thai occupy its street-level retail spaces.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors welcomed multiple state lawmakers who represent the area this past Tuesday (Dec. 16) for an “open exchange of ideas” ahead of next month’s legislative session in Richmond.
As laid out in the 2026 legislative program adopted earlier this month, the local leaders pointed to funding for K-12 education, the need to increase the area’s housing supply, Metro funding and assistance with “responding to changing federal landscapes” as top priorities.
Lawmakers who represent southeastern Fairfax County at both the state and federal levels are looking to clear the way for increased speed enforcement on the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
Rep. Don Beyer unveiled legislation yesterday (Wednesday) to authorize revenue generated by any speed cameras on roads maintained by the National Park Service, such as the GW Parkway, to be used for speed camera installations, maintenance and construction projects on those same roads.
More than 40% of homes across the D.C. region lost value over the past year, a new analysis found. But that doesn’t mean homeowners in Fairfax or surrounding areas are taking major losses on their properties.
Only 2.6% of D.C.-region home sales in the past year were listed for sale below the home’s previous sales price, according to data compiled by Zillow.
Fairfax County Public Schools officials are starting to close in on a name for the new high school expected to open in the Floris area south of Herndon next year.
The Fairfax County School Board will hold a public hearing at its meeting tonight (Thursday) to accept community feedback on potential names recommended earlier this month by FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid.
McLean Sisters Fear Deportation — “Two sisters who were detained by border patrol agents while traveling back to the U.S. in early December fear they could be persecuted for their Christian faith if they are deported back to Iran, their pastor in Northern Virginia told News4.” An attorney representing the Motahari sisters says “they both have legal status, no criminal record and they had recently renewed their work permits until 2030.” [NBC4]
D.C. Region Sees Drop in Consumer Spending — “Consumers are spending less in the DMV — and D.C. is taking the biggest hit, according to a new Brookings report … The nonpartisan think tank says the administration’s policies have been “notably bad” for visitor spending — a big deal in a city where sales taxes make up nearly 17% of revenue.” [Axios DC]
Fairfax Therapy Startup Plans Expansion — Origin Therapy, which launched in August 2024 to help “speech, occupational and physical therapists launch and operate private practices,” has raised $2.6 million that it hopes to use to explore “other geographies and therapies where the need is also high.” The company has supported 19 therapy practices so far and is aiming to surpass 100 over the next year. [Washington Business Journal]
Cost-of-Living Concerns Pushed Voters Left — “Post-election research of Trump or third-party 2024 voters who flipped to Democrats in New Jersey and Virginia last month found that economic concerns were top of mind for these voters. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) and former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) made cost-of-living the centerpiece of their campaign messaging, and it helped propel them to double-digit victories.” [Politico]
Restaurant Opens in Former Falls Church Motel — “Stratford Garden opened yesterday (Tuesday) at the long-vacant Stratford Motor Lodge at 300 W. Broad Street, abuzz with local officials including Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi. The business, which promised a wide selection of beers and wines, offers a range of sandwiches, salads and pastas for brunch, lunch and dinner.” [ARLnow]
S’mores Hot Chocolate Creation Goes Viral — The Chantilly-based dessert cafe SoftSpot “is filling feeds and faces with their campfire-inspired concoction … The shop has flown through as many as 400 in a day, partner Neal Miglani tells Axios. And yes, ‘It’s as indulgent as it looks.'” [Axios DC]
Vienna Eatery Seeks Blood Drive Participants — Social Burger “is looking for residents to sign up for its blood drive on Dec. 23, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. All those who donate will get a free milkshake from Social Burger. The blood drive will benefit Inova Blood Donor Services and is being held in partnership with Somervilles Homes.” [Patch]
New Laws Coming in New Year — “Beginning January 1, 2026, a slate of new laws will kick into effect in Virginia. Here are some to be aware of,” including restrictions on telemarketing calls, a one-hour limit on social media for kids under 16, and increases to the minimum wage and unemployment benefits. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Thursday — Rain is likely after 4pm, with increasing clouds and a high near 54. There’s a 30% chance of precipitation. Night will see temperatures rise to around 55 by 3am. Rain is expected, with a 100% chance of precipitation and new rainfall amounts ranging between half and three-quarters of an inch. [NWS]
All is bright for the Town of Vienna’s volunteer fire department headed into the thick of the holiday season.
A recent fundraising campaign organized to provide upkeep for Santa’s special sleigh — a 79-year-old antique fire engine — shattered the initial goal by more than $27,000, the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department announced last week.
Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) officials want to renovate three aging recreation centers, but with money tight, at least one project will have to be put on hold.
Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole told members of the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Dec. 16) that she is hopeful the full $60 million in funding needed for the Audrey Moore Rec Center will be included in the 2026 park bond sent to voters next November.
A man was fatally shot in south Reston this morning (Wednesday), prompting an extensive police search for another man believed to be the suspect.
Fairfax County police officers were dispatched to the 12300 block of Fan Shell Court in the Cocquina Cluster around 11:49 a.m. after a 911 caller reported that his mother had arrived at the house and found it to be “a mess,” suggesting a possible break-in, according to scanner traffic.
One recent customer of the Express Food Mart in Annandale is now a millionaire — at least before taxes kick in.
A lottery ticket sold by the convenience store at 4713 Backlick Road resulted in a $1 million prize for the not-yet-identified buyer, Virginia Lottery announced on Sunday (Dec. 14).
