The bill to allow a casino in Fairfax County has reemerged after nine days of negotiations with some significant changes from the version that passed the Virginia House of Delegates earlier this month.
The State Senate voted 22-16 today (Friday) to accept a substitute for Senate Bill 756 that would allow a temporary casino establishment in Fairfax before a referendum to permit a permanent development goes to voters.
The Fairfax County government will not be imperiling its coveted AAA bond rating despite taking on an estimated $2.26 billion in new debt in coming years, county staff told supervisors this week.
Despite the reassurance, staff raised concerns at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ Budget Policy Committee meeting on Tuesday (March 10) that the increasing debt load will put the squeeze on a county budget already facing economic headwinds.
Update — George Mason University Police have determined that the bomb threat targeting Fenwick Library was unfounded.
“Law enforcement conducted an extensive search of the building and no devices were found,” a GMU spokesperson said. “The area has been deemed safe and normal operations may resume.”
By Tram On and James Jarvis
Inside a small storefront in Vienna, neatly labeled dispenser bins line the walls. Wooden shelves are laden with bulk containers of everything from hand soap to vinegar, reusable bags to pasta.
The driver who struck and killed a 17-year-old girl while street racing in Burke in 2023 will spend the next three years behind bars.
Joel Angel Zelaya, 45, was sentenced yesterday (Thursday) after previously pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter. He received a sentence of 10 years, seven of which were suspended, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano’s office announced.
Data centers present both opportunities and challenges, and at a recent regional meeting, local leaders were urged to become acquainted with both, regardless of whether their jurisdictions are directly impacted.
“Don’t ever have a conversation of ‘all-good’ or ‘all-bad’ — there are a lot of nuances,” Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall said at a March 11 meeting of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG).
Fairfax County might soon start making headway on intersection improvements slated for funding by the Reston Transportation Service District created nearly a decade ago.
The advisory board that provides input on the district’s tax rate and priorities voted without objection on Tuesday (March 10) to request that the county allocate $1 million each to initiate analyses of proposed projects on Reston Parkway at Bluemont Way and New Dominion Parkway as well as one for Hunter Mill Road at Sunset Hills Road.
Falling Tree Behind Fatal GW Parkway Crash — “The GW Parkway was closed in Arlington for hours [yesterday] after a fatal crash caused by a falling tree. The incident happened in rainy weather just after 7:30 a.m., in the southbound lanes of the parkway near Chain Bridge.” [ARLnow]
Former N. Va. Resident Identified as ODU Shooter — “The gunman believed to be behind Thursday’s shooting that left one dead and two wounded at Old Dominion University was Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Sterling resident convicted nine years ago of attempting to provide material support to ISIS.” [Inside NoVA]
Bill Tightens Speed Camera Rules — “Under the pending legislation [patroned by Del. Karrie Delaney], cities and counties would still be allowed to keep the cash they generate from the cameras. But they must use it only on roadway safety initiatives — not to prop up other parts of their budgets.” Cameras would need signs telling drivers how fast they’re going, and they can only operate in construction zones when workers are present. Versions of the bill have passed both chambers and are now being reconciled. [Virginian-Pilot]
Potomac Sewer Line Repair Costs Estimated — “The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments briefed local leaders on the latest repair efforts and costs for the Potomac Interceptor project on Wednesday.” COG Water Program Resources Director Steve Bieber estimates emergency repairs will cost around $30 million, but the cost of more extensive capital projects could total “roughly $600 million over the next ten years.” [DC News Now]
Medical Cannabis Bill Under Negotiation — “A bill moving through the Virginia General Assembly would allow hospital staff to store and administer medical cannabis oil to patients who have a valid medical certification. Virginia already allows certified patients to use medical cannabis, and state law permits its use in nursing homes, hospice facilities and assisted living centers,” but not in hospitals. [WHRO]
Gen Z Reviving Mall Culture — “For some teenagers, the pandemic was the very thing that spurred their interest in the mall. It was a place to go to get out of the house and break the cycle of endlessly scrolling on TikTok or Instagram in favor of having real life experiences. ‘Even if I don’t buy anything, just going out is really fun,’ Pranvi Yarvaneni, 14, told The Journal while out at Tysons Corner Center.” [Wall Street Journal/Daily Mail]
Vienna Names New Deputy Police Chief — After promoting Dan Janickey to chief, the Vienna Police Department has hired David Huchler to serve as its new deputy police chief, a role he previously filled for the Alexandria City Police Department. He also served as chief of police for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority until this past January. “His service with the Town of Vienna will begin on April 6.” [Town of Vienna]
Earth Day Celebration Volunteers Wanted — “Earth Day Fairfax will be an unforgettable day of fun, education and community. The 2026 event will take place on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston. Earth Day Fairfax is the county’s largest Earth Day celebration, and we are asking for your help. Join us as an Earth Day Fairfax volunteer.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
It’s Friday — Clouds will thicken throughout the day as temperatures reach a high near 54°F. Expect winds to pick up from the south, ranging from 7 to 22 mph and gusting up to 38 mph. At night, skies will clear, leaving a low temperature around 42°F. [NWS]
Fairfax County leaders continue to take preparatory steps toward more aggressively tackling impacts of artificial intelligence on the local economy and workforce.
The county government had “dozens of applicants” respond to a request for proposals to help develop an “AI Economy Action Plan,” Rebecca Moudry, director of the Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives, told local elected officials and business leaders on Tuesday (March 10).
More housing could be coming to the partially finished Tysons Central neighborhood outside the Greensboro Metro station, but it will take a slightly different form than what developers pictured over a decade ago.
The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) has partnered with the developer Lincoln Avenue Communities to acquire a long-vacant lot near the Tysons water tower and turn it into affordable housing.
