Fairfax County leaders have begun working to determine what local steps are needed to implement changes in state cannabis laws, and what regulatory powers they will have.
“We want to make sure we put in place what we need to put in place,” Board Chair Jeff McKay said at the July 7 meeting of the Board of Supervisors’ Land Use Policy Committee.
Vienna leaders are taking a breather, both on plans to build an aquatics and fitness center on the currently vacant Annex property and on the possibility of reversing a meals tax increase primarily intended to fund that facility.
After about 40 minutes of debate, the Vienna Town Council voted 5-2 on Monday (July 6) to schedule a public hearing for Feb. 22, 2027 on whether the town should reduce its meals tax rate from 4% to 3%.
A driver was taken into police custody last night (Thursday) after allegedly traveling the wrong way on I-95 and crashing into two different vehicles on I-395.
The Virginia State Police responded at around 7:37 p.m. after being notified that a vehicle was traveling north in the I-95 Express Lanes in Prince William County at a time when traffic on the highway was supposed to be flowing south, according to a VSP spokesperson.
Pedestrians in Bailey’s Crossroads Crash — “Officers responded around 2:53 p.m. [yesterday] to the intersection of Leesburg Pike and Crossroads Center Way following reports of a crash involving two vehicles. Police said preliminary investigation found one of the vehicles left the roadway and hit three pedestrians,” including one teenager. [WJLA]
Man Charged With Killing Infant in Court — “A Fairfax County man accused of fatally punching his infant daughter appeared in court Wednesday as prosecutors presented testimony from a police detective and the medical examiner about the child’s death.” [WUSA9]
Virginia Improves in Business Rankings — “Virginia has climbed a spot in CNBC’s annual ranking of the best states for business, a year after federal job cuts helped knock it out of the No. 1 position. The state placed third in the 2026 rankings released [yesterday], up from fourth last year.” [ARLnow]
Coaches Top Va. Payroll — “Virginia’s highest-paid workers were in a league of their own: university coaches and athletic directors dominated the top of the state’s payroll, with several earning more than $1 million. University of Virginia head football coach Tony Elliott earned over $3.4 million in total pay, the highest salary for a public employee in the Commonwealth in calendar year 2025.” [Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism]
Autism Therapy Center Opens in Fairfax — “SPARKS ABA is a contemporary applied behavior analysis, or ABA, provider of center-based autism services for children and adolescents ages 2-18 years. The Fairfax Learning Center provides center-based ABA therapy and on-site diagnostic services, as well as speech and occupational therapy.” [Inside NoVA]
Accessory Unit Zoning Review Continues — “In-law suites, au pair apartments and other home add-ons are becoming more popular as families look for flexible ways to live together — or bring in extra rental income. But in Fairfax County, Virginia, actually building one can be a complicated process. Now, county leaders are considering changes that could make it easier for homeowners to add those spaces.” [WTOP]
Park Authority Honors Volunteers — “At its meeting on June 24, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved a resolution honoring 21 individuals as 2026 Outstanding Volunteers. These peer-nominated individuals were recognized for their dedication to their community and their invaluable service to the Fairfax County park system.” [FCPA]
Reston Contractor Acquires Fairfax Firm — “Reston federal technology contractor Empower AI has acquired Fairfax’s Highlight Technologies Inc. in a bid to expand its AI and cloud offerings for the federal government … It’s the first acquisition for Empower AI … since New York investment giant KKR & Co. Inc. purchased a majority stake in the company in 2022.” [Washington Business Journal]
It’s Friday — There is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, with increasing clouds and a high near 90°F. There will be a west wind at 5 to 7 mph. Overnight, there’s a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, with isolated showers possible afterward. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 71°F and a light west wind. [NWS]
More than a decade of military service came to an unwelcome end last year for Sabrina Bruce, but rather than retreating from government work, she hopes to continue serving, shifting her focus to the local community that embraced her as soon as she arrived.
Bruce officially obtained enough signatures last month to qualify for the ballot in the upcoming Herndon Town Council elections. If she wins one of six open seats on Nov. 3, she would become the first openly transgender person elected to any office in Fairfax County.
Fairfax County staff are beginning preparations for adhering to a new state law loosening zoning regulations on development of affordable housing.
Legislation known by proponents as the “Faith in Housing” bills was enacted by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) earlier this year. Set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, it requires localities to establish a streamlined process for construction of affordable units on land owned by religious organizations or nonprofit groups.
Fairfax County is inviting local residents to learn about a possible plan to combine a renovation of the Chantilly Regional Library and technical operations facility with affordable housing and community space.
The community meeting will be held July 16, from 6-7:30 p.m., at the Chantilly High School cafeteria (4201 Stringfellow Road) across from the library.
Fairfax County supervisors have directed staff to consider ways to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for those seeking to provide child care services in their homes to the public.
Getting approval from the county government “takes way too long,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said at a Land Use Policy Committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday).
The Herndon Town Council has cleared the way for a redevelopment of the Van Buren Office Park.
The council voted unanimously last month (June 23) to approve a zoning map amendment allowing the office park at 250 Exchange Place to be converted from office and light-industrial uses to a mixed-use community with residential and commercial space.
ICE Seeks Assault Suspect — “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a detainer urging Fairfax County not to release from jail” a man arrested on June 30 in Prince William County. “He has been charged with strong-arm assault and kidnap of an adult with the intent to sexually assault in connection with an incident in September 2025 in the Skyline area of Bailey’s Crossroads.” [Annandale Today]
Stomach Parasite Sickens Virginians — “Virginia is reporting up to 10 cases of cyclosporiasis, a stomach parasite that can cause severe diarrhea and has infected people in 17 states so far, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC said 145 people nationwide have gotten sick between May 1 and June 16. Twenty people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported.” [WJLA]
Some Federal Agencies Rehiring — “More than 260,000 employees left the federal workforce since the administration began its efforts to downsize government through reductions in force, early retirement, deferred resignations and a hiring freeze, with the effects felt acutely here in the D.C. region. But now, many agencies are hiring again, raising questions about what DOGE ultimately accomplished and what comes next for the federal workforce.” [WAMU]
Cat With Kittens Exposed to Rabies — “According to veterinarian Kathleen Werden, the cat was found with her kittens in a neighborhood in Chantilly on June 13 … If you or someone you know may have been exposed to the cat between June 6 and June 16, you should contact your local health department immediately.” [WJLA]
Va. Defends Immigrant Tuition Policy — “Virginia defended a policy allowing immigrant students to qualify for in-state tuition assistance in a federal court Tuesday as public universities begin preparing for the fall semester … The Justice Department argued federal law preempts a 2020 law dubbed the Virginia Dream Act.” [Courthouse News]
State Highways Ranked Highly for Safety — “A new study shows that Virginia is one of the best states in the country for delivering safety and mobility benefits with the commonwealth generating an estimated $1.95 billion in safety and reliability value as a result of fewer crashes, less property damage and more dependable travel. Still, researchers said, there is still more work to be done.” [Virginia Mercury]
Open Caption Requirement in Effect — “New options are here at movie theaters across Virginia. That’s because a new state law that went into effect on July 1 now requires most movie theaters to provide showings with open captions.” Bill patron Del. Phil Hernandez from Norfolk says he hopes the change makes “the simple pleasure” of seeing a movie “accessible for everyone,” including people who are deaf or hard of hearing, seniors and veterans. [WRIC]
Bailey’s Strip Mall Seeks to Fill Vacancies — “Big changes are coming to the small retail shopping strip at Leesburg Pike and Glen Forest Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads. Three units are available for lease: the vacant spaces formerly held by the Mum Aroi Thai restaurant and the Thai Value Food Market, plus the office currently occupied by State Farm Insurance agent David Seidel.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Thursday — Expect showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with a high near 87°F. An 80% chance of rain continues into the evening, especially before 8 p.m., with a low around 71°F and light southwest winds. [NWS]
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