In addition to enduring a winter storm, anyone who shopped at Target in Reston around noon on Jan. 25 may have been exposed to measles.
The department store at 12197 Sunset Hills Road is one of five different locations in western Fairfax County visited late last month by an adult who is now confirmed to have measles, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
WaPo Axes Third of Staff — “Mass layoffs at The Washington Post [announced Wednesday] have prompted grief and outrage among D.C.-area reporters and a pointed rebuke of the newspaper’s owner from U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.). The publication eliminated about one-third of its staff today, cutting the jobs of numerous respected journalists on its Metro desk while eliminating its sports section, several foreign bureaus and its books coverage.” [ARLnow/Associated Press]
Virginia to End ICE Agreements — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed an executive directive Wednesday instructing the state’s law enforcement agencies to terminate agreements that allowed them to be deputized to conduct federal immigration enforcement activities.” Earlier, Spanberger rescinded an executive order from her predecessor, Glenn Youngkin, that encouraged local law enforcement to assist ICE. [VPM News]
Man to Plead Guilty to Carrying Gun at Library — “A man arrested with a handgun last June in the garage of the City of Fairfax Regional Library is expected to plead guilty to a federal weapon charge, according to court documents.” The man was wanted by Fairfax City police officers for a probation violation when they encountered him in Old Town Fairfax on June 11. [Patch]
Bill to Limit ICE Presence in Courts Advances — “The Virginia Senate passed legislation on Tuesday that would limit the work of immigration enforcement officials from operating inside courthouses … The bill, sponsored by Sen. Saddam Salim, D-Fairfax, passed the Senate on a 21-18 party-line vote.” [Virginia Scope]
Two Fairfax Athletes Head to Winter Olympics — “Vienna native Ilia Malinin is set to hit the ice in Milan, Italy, in both the figure skating team event and men’s single skating competition.” In addition, Brandon Kim, a Thomas Jefferson High School graduate, will make his Olympic debut in short-track speedskating. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Tysons Apartment Complex Sold — Developer LCOR sold the Kingston at McLean Crossing apartments in Tysons to Pantzer, a New York-based multifamily residential property owner and operator on Jan. 30. The sale price wasn’t publicized, and the transaction doesn’t appear to have been recorded yet in Fairfax County’s property records. “The property was 96% occupied at the time of sale.” [Press release]
New Seven Corners Mural in Design — “The Community Revitalization Section of the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development is seeking community feedback on a mural proposed for Seven Corners. The mural, part of the Paint It, Fairfax! program, will be located on the former CVS building at Willston Centre I, facing Patrick Henry Drive.” [Annandale Today]
TJ Breaks Ground With New Coaches — Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is the first high school in Virginia to appoint women as head coaches for both its baseball and football varsity teams. “On the football sidelines this year for the Colonials will be Coach Rachel Worsham, while over in the baseball dugouts, Coach Jennifer Hammond is gearing up for the spring tryouts following her hiring in September.” [FCPS]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high temperature of about 31 degrees, accompanied by a north wind blowing at 7 to 9 mph. As night falls, clouds will increase, leading to a low temperature around 16 degrees. The northwest wind will be between 3 to 5 mph during the night. [NWS]
No matter your age, having a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family. A properly prepared will ensures your wishes are carried out, helps reduce family disputes, and can make the estate administration process much smoother.
Unfortunately, many Virginians make avoidable mistakes that can create unnecessary stress and expense for their loved ones. Here are five of the most common.
Online templates and DIY wills may seem like an easy way to save money, but they often create bigger problems later. Virginia law has specific requirements for a valid will, including proper signatures and witness requirements. Even small mistakes can leave a will open to challenges or delay the administration of an estate.
A will shouldn’t be something you create once and forget. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, buying a home, or losing a loved one can all affect your estate plan.
Reviewing your will every few years—or after a major life event—helps ensure it still reflects your wishes and keeps your loved ones protected.
Virginia no longer has a state estate tax, but federal estate taxes may still affect larger estates. As home values and investments continue to grow, more families may find themselves closer to the federal exemption than they expected.
Planning ahead can help minimize tax consequences and preserve more of your estate for your beneficiaries.
For parents, a will does more than distribute assets—it allows you to name a guardian for your minor children. Without that designation, a court may ultimately decide who will care for them.
Many families also choose to establish a trust so inherited assets can be managed responsibly until children reach an age or milestone they determine is appropriate.
Your executor is responsible for carrying out your wishes, paying debts, and distributing your assets. Selecting someone who is organized, trustworthy, and capable of handling those responsibilities is just as important as deciding who inherits your property.
It’s also essential to clearly identify your beneficiaries. Vague language or outdated information can create confusion and, in some cases, disputes among family members.
A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:
Together, these documents can help protect your finances, outline your healthcare wishes, and simplify matters for your family if you’re ever unable to make decisions yourself.
A well-prepared estate plan provides peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. By avoiding these common mistakes and keeping your documents up to date, you can help ensure your wishes are honored while reducing stress for your family in the future.
If it’s been several years since you’ve reviewed your will—or you’ve never created one—it may be time to speak with an experienced Virginia estate planning attorney about your options.
At PJI Law, PLC, we work with clients across Fairfax and Northern Virginia to build estate plans that reflect their intentions and align with Virginia law. Our estate planning attorneys take the time to review your assets, beneficiary designations, business interests, and family structure so your plan works as intended.
Whether you’re creating your first will or revisiting an existing one, our team will help you avoid the mistakes that can undermine your entire estate plan.
Call (703) 865-6100 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary consultation today.
PJI Law, PLC
3900 Jermantown Rd, 2nd Floor
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
(703) 865-6100
https://pjilaw.com
Good Wednesday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Feb 4, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Thursday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Expect sunshine and a high of around 31 degrees, accompanied by a north wind ranging from 6 to 9 mph. As nighttime arrives on Thursday, anticipate increasing cloud cover and a low temperature near 16 degrees, with a consistent north wind at approximately 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
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.
By DAVID KLEPPER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Close the cover on the CIA World Factbook: The spy agency announced Wednesday that after more than 60 years, it is shuttering the popular reference manual.
Flowers, Fine Art & Fashion is an immersive cultural experience presented by People of The Garden LLC, where nature, creativity, and modest couture converge in a breathtaking indoor garden setting.
Guests will journey through a living landscape featuring dramatic floral installations, botanical art, and a one-of-a-kind rectangular runway designed around lush greenery and sculptural plantings. Throughout the evening, attendees will experience a curated runway presentation showcasing modest fashion designers, alongside original fine art, artisan vendors, and interactive floral experiences.
Fairfax County Public Schools will start classes two hours late for the rest of this week, as lingering “snowcrete” continues to hinder travel.
“As we look to the rest of the week and the persistent presence of snow and ice on many of our sidewalks and bus stops, we feel the safest thing to do for our students and staff is to continue with our delayed start times,” FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid said in a message to families.
Fairfax County officials are asking the Spanberger administration to make the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) more responsive to housing developments it must review.
In a letter to three new Virginia cabinet secretaries, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay expressed concern that current VDOT review process for new housing has placed roadblocks in the way of adding both market-rate and committed-affordable units:
Vienna officials are expecting a year-end budget deficit as a result of rising retirement costs, overtime pressures and limited staff vacancies.
According to a mid-year budget update presented to the town council on Monday (Feb. 2), Town of Vienna Finance Director Steven Barlow outlined the $450,000 deficit anticipated in the $34.7 million general fund budget when fiscal year 2026 ends on June 30.
Fairfax County’s independent police auditor has recommended that the role of police officers on mental health crisis-related calls be reconsidered.
Richard Schott, who has served as the police auditor since the role was created in 2017, suggested the county reevaluate how it approaches behavioral health calls as part of his review of a fatal shooting by police in Reston in September 2024.
Fairfax City’s annual Chocolate Lovers Festival is returning for its 34th year later this week, assuming the weather is more cooperative than it was for the McLean Chocolate Festival.
Kicking off with a free concert on Friday (Feb. 6) and continuing through Sunday (Feb. 8), the festival will feature a variety of tasting opportunities, culinary crafts, entertainment and — in a new addition for this year — a 1-mile run for charity.
