Countywide

Fairfax County will soon have a void to fill at the agency that provides its behavioral health services.

Daryl Washington, who has led the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) since 2018, has been appointed commissioner of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger announced on Monday (Jan. 5).


News

A pedestrian seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash in Annandale this morning (Wednesday) has now died, the Fairfax County Police Department says.

Police are still working to identify the driver of a dark-colored sedan that’s believed to have been involved in the crash, which occurred around 7:02 a.m. on Little River Turnpike near Shelley Lane, according to a press release.


News

WASHINGTON (AP) — CIA turncoat Aldrich Ames, who betrayed Western intelligence assets to the Soviet Union and Russia in one of the most damaging intelligence breaches in U.S. history, has died in a Maryland prison. He was 84.

A spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons confirmed Ames died Monday.


Announcement

A Step In Time Chimney Sweeps is proud to provide professional chimney services for homeowners for over 25 years. As part of our Summer Special, we are currently offering professional chimney inspections to help homeowners prepare their fireplaces and chimney systems before the heavy winter burning season begins again.

Our experienced team specializes in chimney inspections, chimney cleaning, chimney repairs, chimney relining, chimney cap installation, crown repairs, masonry work, fireplace services, wood stove installations, dryer vent cleaning, and much more.


Countywide
The Vienna Community Center during a winter sunset (photo by Amy Woolsey)

Police Chief on Effect of ICE Ramp-up — “As President Donald Trump’s administration continues to focus on federal immigration enforcement, there’s no evidence it has impacted community trust in Fairfax County, Virginia, Police Chief Kevin Davis said.” According to Davis, domestic violence calls can be one indicator of whether people feel comfortable calling the police, and Fairfax County saw no “substantial change” to that data in 2025. [WTOP]

Route 29 Widening Closes Lanes — “Weather permitting, the northbound Route 29 right lane between Clifton Road/Stringfellow Road (Route 645) and Sandy Point Lane (Route 7983) will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 7; Thursday, Jan. 8; Friday, Jan. 9; and Monday, Jan. 12, through Friday, Jan. 16, between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day for paving-related work as part of the Route 29 widening project … Drivers should expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes.” [VDOT]

Spanberger Shares Priorities Before Inauguration — “Democrat Abigail Spanberger will soon be sworn into office as Virginia’s 75th governor, making her the first woman to lead the Commonwealth. Spanberger will take her oath of office outside the Virginia State Capitol Building on Jan. 17 … Spanberger joined WTOP’s Shawn Anderson and Anne Kramer to discuss her plans as she prepares to serve as Virginia’s governor for the next four years.” [WTOP]

Man Charged After Allegedly Fleeing Traffic Stop — “A 63-year-old Fairfax man who tried to escape from a traffic stop early Sunday morning in Fairfax City faces nine charges, including one felony, according to authorities. Fairfax City police officers were on patrol shortly after 2 a.m. when they spotted a vehicle speeding and swerving near the intersection of Fairfax Boulevard and Fair Woods Parkway.” [Patch]

Tysons IT Contractor Buys Reston Company — Government contractor 22nd Century Technologies, which also goes by TSCTI, acquired “BT Federal Inc., the Reston-based subsidiary of London publicly-traded telecommunications firm BT Group” on Dec. 30, “marking its fourth acquisition in a little over two years. The company did not disclose a deal price, but [CEO Anil] Sharma said the acquisition is TSCTI’s largest to date.” [Washington Business Journal]

Vienna Soccer Player Goes Pro — “Vienna resident Audrey McKeen of the Virginia Development Academy has signed a professional contract with the National Women’s Soccer League’s Racing Louisville. The deal makes her one of the youngest players in the league. The 17-year-old will officially join the club in 2026. The deal is through the 2028 season.” [Inside NoVA]

Virginia Wine Ranked Among U.S.’s Best — “A signature red blend from Barboursville Vineyards has earned a place among the Top 50 U.S. Wines of the Year. Decanter, one of the United Kingdom’s most respected wine publications, chose Barboursville’s Octagon 2017 for its annual list. The publication reviewed more than 3,500 American wines for the ranking.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Falls Church Council Selects Mayor — “Falls Church’s incumbent mayor narrowly won reappointment to a new two-year term yesterday (Monday). Letty Hardi was selected by colleagues to continue in the post on a 4-3 vote, with new Council member Arthur Agin delivering the slim margin of victory.” [ARLnow]

New Legal Notice — Restaurant seeks ABC wine/beer on/off-premises license; objections due 30 days. [Public Notices]

New Legal Notice — ABC off-premises wine/beer license sought; objections due within 30 days. [Public Notices]

It’s Wednesday — Expect mostly sunny skies during the day with a high temperature of around 57°F. The northwest wind will be blowing at 6 to 11 mph, and it could gust up to 23 mph. For Wednesday night, the sky will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 36°F. The northwest wind will diminish to around 6 mph and become calm by the evening. [NWS]


Around Town

Good Tuesday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Jan 6, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Wednesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.

☀️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect a mostly sunny day with a high temperature near 57°F and a northwest wind of 6-11 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. In the evening, the skies will remain mostly clear and the temperature will drop to around 35°F. The northwest wind will ease to around 6 mph before becoming calm. See more from Weather.gov.

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.


Around Town

The latest Fairfax-area location for a chain of fast-casual seafood restaurants is expected to open next week.

California Fish Grill will open the doors of a nearly 3,000-square-foot eatery in Franconia (7003A Manchester Blvd) on Monday, Jan. 12, the restaurant announced.


News

An array of boulders recently placed on a field at Roundtree Park (3320 Annandale Road) in West Falls Church is being removed, the Fairfax County Park Authority says.

The appearance of dozens of rocks in late December alarmed residents and park visitors, who frequently use the open field for soccer and other recreational activities.


Countywide

Fairfax County’s efforts to divert more waste away from landfills have taken a literary turn.

The county launched a book reuse and recycling program last month that encourages residents to drop any unwanted books into a green donation bin at the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 West Ox Road) near Fair Lakes.


Around Town

Fair Oaks Mall will welcome the second chapter of a local Jamaican restaurant later this month.

Jas & Fam Caribbean Flavor will celebrate its grand opening in the mall (11709L Fair Oaks Mall) on Jan. 17, following the closure of its restaurant at 3850 Blenheim Blvd in Fairfax City last September.