Expect mostly sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high of around 42 degrees and light winds becoming southerly at 6 mph by the afternoon. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy with a low near 31 degrees and a south wind at 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity (staff photo by Jared Serre)
Despite the pleas of one local lawmaker, Fairfax County officials will not revisit their Trust Policy restricting information sharing with federal immigration enforcement agencies anytime soon.
Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity proposed revisiting the policy at today’s meeting of the Board of Supervisors, but the suggestion was rejected without discussion by the other nine members — all Democrats.
For nearly three decades, one event has united Fort Belvoir’s sprawling community of soldiers, families, retirees and civilian employees like no other: Oktoberfest. This September, the tradition continues — and grows — with the 28th Annual Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest, running September 24–27 at a brand-new location, Pullen Field, 9625 Middleton Road, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
Hosted by Fort Belvoir Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR), the four-day festival is the installation’s largest annual event and one of the most beloved in the Northern Virginia military community. Best of all? General admission is free — no tickets required to walk through the gates and enjoy four days of German tradition.
Four Days, Something for Everyone
Whether you’re a polka devotee, a carnival enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates a good bratwurst, the schedule has you covered. The fest kicks off Thursday, September 24 (6–10 p.m.) with live performances from the Fritz Polka Band and the Sepp Walzer Fest Band. Friday (4–11 p.m.) brings an expanded lineup, including a captivating performance by the Alt-Washingtonia Schuhplattler Verein, a traditional German folk dance group, alongside more live music and DJ sets.
Saturday (noon–11 p.m.) is the festival’s longest day, featuring a full rotation of performers including Johnny Koenig and Leroy Burks, plus special contests (more on those below). The celebration wraps up on Sunday, September 27 — Military Appreciation Day (noon–8 p.m.) — with a fitting send-off honoring the men and women who make this community what it is. All Active Duty Military and their dependents can purchase a carnival wristband for $27. Must present valid Active Duty Military ID Card for discounted wristband.
New This Year: Contests, a Sensory Area and a Fresh Setting
Longtime attendees will notice a few exciting additions in 2026. The festival is making its debut at Pullen Field, adjacent to the Bowling Center — a new venue that opens up even more options for a full day out, including bowling and American cuisine for anyone looking for a break from the German revelry.
The crowd-favorite Stein Holding Contest (ages 18+) and Costume Contest (all ages, with Dirndl & Lederhosen and Kinder categories) return on both Saturday and Sunday inside the fest tent. And in a thoughtful new addition, the event will feature a dedicated sensory area for families who need a quieter moment away from the excitement — a small but meaningful touch that reflects MWR’s commitment to serving the whole community.
Authentic German cuisine, specialty food trucks, beer on tap, and Oktoberfest merchandise — including Bavarian mugs, glass boots and traditional hats — round out the experience. Carnival rides are available for a separate ticket fee, purchased on-site.
Plan Your Visit
The event is open to active duty personnel, retirees, civilian federal employees and their guests. Parking is free and in lots surrounding the event. Members of the general public may attend as sponsored guests. Because the festival is held on the installation, all visitors must plan for gate access in advance. Non-DoD ID holders aged 18 and older need a sponsored visitor pass and should submit their applications at least 72 hours before arriving. The Visitor Control Center at Tulley Gate can assist with questions. For access details, visit https://home.army.mil/belvoir/about/installation-access
For the latest updates on food vendors, entertainment and access details, visit belvoir.armymwr.com.
Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest is presented by USAA, with support from Wegmans, Potomac Music, First Command, Brain Treatment Center and Embassy Suites by Hilton, Springfield. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Army or Fort Belvoir.
Del. Rip Sullivan presents his vehicle noise monitoring bill before the House innovations subcommittee on Feb. 5, 2026 (via Virginia House of Delegates)
The signature of Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) is the lone step remaining before Northern Virginia localities receive a new tool to combat excessive vehicle noise.
“There was some drama with this bill,” acknowledged its patron, Del. Rip Sullivan (D-6), in a March 16 newsletter to constituents.
CoreSite's Reston data center campus (staff photo by James Jarvis)
A dispute over ending a sales tax exemption on data centers stood in the way of the Virginia General Assembly passing a state budget passing before its regular session ended.
Over the past 18 years, Virginia became the world’s largest data hub, but community opposition to data centers has swelled. Most recently, in Fairfax County, environmental groups are questioning plans to sell part of a county-owned parcel at 3721 Stonecroft Blvd in Chantilly to data center developer Starwood Capital Group.
Join us for the Saint Ann Fall Festival on Saturday, September 26! Start the day with our Fun Run at 9:30 AM, followed by the Fall Festival beginning at 10:00 AM. This family friendly celebration is open to the entire Arlington community and offers something for everyone! Enjoy rides and inflatables, live entertainment, family friendly Bingo, raffles, a Beer Garden, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to gather with the community. The festival is also a celebration of Saint Ann’s diverse Catholic community, featuring food and entertainment representing our Filipino, Latino, and Peruvian communities, along with some local favorites. This year’s entertainment includes a live band in the Beer Garden, and exciting Bolivian and Peruvian dance performances. Admission is free, and tickets for food, rides, and activities can be purchased at the festival. Come celebrate with us and experience the warm, welcoming spirit of Saint Ann! We look forward to welcoming the greater Arlington community for a fun-filled day together. The Fall Festival will take place rain or shine! Come join the fun!
The Tysons Community Alliance held a Vision Tysons summit on the area's economy and development at Capital One Hall on March 12, 2026 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
But 16 years into Fairfax County’s plan to remake Tysons into a downtown community by 2050, developers behind some of the area’s more established neighborhoods have started to focus less on expanding their properties than on bolstering what they’ve already built.
Conceptual rendering of the proposed new Cavalier Club apartment building (via Hord Coplan Macht/Fairfax County)
The Fairfax County Planning Commission signaled support on March 11 for additional rental housing on a key parcel that sits on the Fairfax and Arlington county line near Seven Corners.
Aerial view of the site of the Feb. 15 natural gas explosion in Centreville (provided by Fairfax County Fire and Rescue to the NTSB)
The natural gas explosion that destroyed a house in Centreville last month and forced dozens of others to be evacuated occurred hours after Washington Gas identified a critical leak in the neighborhood, an initial investigatory report says.
A service technician from the utility, which has multiple gas lines in the area, found a “grade 1” leak outside a home on Belle Plains Drive around 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 15 after the resident reported a “gas odor” about two hours earlier, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
A judge's gavel on a table (via Wesley Tingey/Unsplash)
A Herndon man will spend eight years in prison after admitting to traveling into D.C. with plans to sexually abuse a 6-year-old child who didn’t actually exist.
Timothy Brockerman, 35, pleaded guilty on Sept. 19, 2025 to traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and was sentenced on March 11 by U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss to 96 months in prison on top of 20 years of supervised release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. announced.
Flags outside the Vienna Community Center blow in the wind as rain falls (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Fairfax HS Student Accused of Groping — “An adult Fairfax High School student has been charged with nine counts of assault and battery amid accusations that he was groping girls in the halls during school … About a dozen girls have come forward to report that Ortiz put his hands in between their legs, grabbed their private parts in the front, and moved his hands to their butts while in the school’s hallways.” [WJLA]
Man Charged With Peeping in Reston — A 35-year-old Reston man was arrested last Friday (March 13) after a resident of the Waterside at Reston Apartments “reported seeing an unknown man peering through her bedroom window from outside.” Fairfax County police say their drone program helped quickly locate the suspect, who was seen “peeping through other windows.” The man was charged with three counts of peeping before being released from custody on a personal recognizance bond. [FCPD]
Kennedy Center Board Approves Shutdown — “The Kennedy Center’s board of directors voted on Monday to shut down operations for two years following this summer’s July 4 celebrations. The widely expected decision comes in the wake of numerous resignations and cancellations during President Donald Trump’s second term, although Trump himself has cited the need for repairs as a reason for the closure.” [Associated Press/WTOP]
Bills Restricting ICE Head to Governor — “Bills that advocates said would bring accountability, oversight and transparency to how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operates in Virginia cleared the General Assembly as the 2026 session wrapped on Saturday, March 14.” Gov. Abigail Spanberger has until 11:59 p.m. on April 13 to sign, veto or amend the legislation. [WRIC]
State Lawmakers Face Study Overload — “The Virginia government is sponsoring around 200 interim studies and commissions created through various actions by the state legislature and governor’s office, and that number is expected to grow with pending legislation. But several lawmakers are now saying there are too many of these initiatives.” [Virginia Mercury]
Tree Fell on Car Along Mount Vernon Highway — “A Fairfax woman is raising safety concerns after she says a tree fell on her car while she was driving along Mount Vernon Memorial Highway … The incident happened just one day after a falling tree killed a driver on the nearby George Washington Memorial Parkway Thursday morning.” [WUSA9]
Volunteers Help Furnish Family’s New Home — Bailey’s Crossroads “Rotary Club members worked on March 10 to furnish and decorate an apartment off Route 29 in Falls Church for a family of four – with two parents, a 5-year-old boy, and a baby – who had been living in a homeless shelter. The family will pay a portion of the rent, while Homestretch will cover the balance.” [Annandale Today]
Great Falls Pub Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day — “This Tuesday, March 17, The Old Brogue Irish Pub hosts its 45th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival, one of Northern Virginia’s longest-running Irish celebrations. Families, friends, and visitors from across the Washington, D.C. region will enjoy live Irish music, traditional dance, food, and drinks, including Guinness.” [Press release]
It’s Tuesday — Clouds will increase throughout the day, reaching a high temperature near 40°F with a west wind blowing at 11-13 mph and gusts up to 23 mph. At night, expect mostly clear skies with a low temperature around 27°F. [NWS]
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