Over the course of two years, only one restaurant participated in a pilot program that Herndon council members created with the hope of expanding outdoor dining options within the Town.
That lackluster response — followed by Mile 20’s decision not to obtain another permit in 2026 — led to council members’ unanimous agreement at a work session on Tuesday (Jan. 13) to let its “streetery” initiative expire.
Fairfax County supervisors on Tuesday (Jan. 13) set public hearings for later in the winter to consider expansion of zoning districts where group homes, also known as congregate living facilities, would be allowed.
The proposal also would update nearly quarter-century-old standards for the facilities.
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Early Voting for School Board Election Begins — Early voting starts today (Friday) at the Fairfax County Government Center for the Braddock District school board special election, which has Democratic-endorsed candidate Tom Dannan and independent candidate Saundra Davis squaring off. In addition, tomorrow is the last day to vote early in the Jan. 20 special election for the 17th House District. [Fairfax County Office of Elections/Bluesky]
Virginia Child Dies From Flu — “Flu season has taken a grim turn in Virginia, as the state’s health department has reported the first death of a child caused by complications associated with influenza. In order to protect the family’s privacy, the only information the Virginia Department of Health is releasing about the child is that they were age 4 or younger and that the death was reported in the eastern region.” [WTOP]
Pimmit Hills Apartment Complex Sold — “An affiliate of Brookfield, Wisconsin’s MLG Capital acquired PeachTree of McLean on Peach Orchard Drive in a deal that closed in mid-December, according to public records.” The $100 million sales price exceeds the property’s assessed value of $81.7 million. “Bozzuto announced in early January it had taken over management of the property.” [Washington Business Journal]
Right-to-Work Repeal Unlikely This Year — “Representatives of both the business community and organized labor voiced skepticism at a recent forum that an end to Virginia’s right-to-work law is on the horizon for 2026 … Despite the views of those leaders, Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy (D-33) has introduced legislation to effectively eliminate Virginia’s restrictions impacting unionization in the commonwealth.” [ARLnow]
Private School Expansion Approved — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 13 approved a project to expand the Phillips Programs, a nonprofit that operates a private school in Annandale for students with behavioral health challenges and developmental disabilities.” [Annandale Today]
McLean Therapy Provider Lands Funds for Expansion — “Positive Development Inc. has secured $45 million in new funding, just six months after raking in more than $50 million to expand its autism therapy to more kids. The company said the latest capital injection positions it to accelerate a national expansion.” It’s also expanding locally with centers coming to Fairfax, Woodbridge and Springfield as well as Maryland locations. [WBJ]
First Hike People’s Choice Winner Chosen — “The Fairfax County Park Authority is thrilled to announce Nathan Kennedy as the winner of the People’s Choice Award for the 2026 First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest. His captivating photo, taken at Huntley Meadows Park, received the highest number of online votes submitted by residents from across the county.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
Park Authority Seeks Earth Day Vendors — “Join us for Fairfax County’s largest Earth Day celebration! The annual event, which draws thousands of visitors, will take place on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston. Applications are now being accepted” for retail vendors and exhibitors until Feb. 23, though the window for food vendors has already closed.” [FCPA]
New Legal Notice — Public hearing on school boundaries January 22, 2026, 6:15 p.m. [Public Notices]
It’s Friday — Clouds will increase today, bringing a high temperature near 37 degrees and a southern wind of 7 to 10 mph. Tonight, there’s a 30% chance of snow showers after 1am, with the clouds continuing to increase. The low temperature will be around 32 degrees, accompanied by a southern wind at 8 mph. [NWS]
Good Thursday 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 — Jan 15, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Friday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Expect mostly sunny skies today, with temperatures reaching a high around 36 degrees. A south wind will blow at 7 to 10 mph, gusting up to 18 mph. Tonight, there’s a slight chance of snow showers after 1am, as clouds increase and temperatures drop to a low of 31 degrees. The south wind will maintain speeds of 8 to 10 mph, also gusting up to 18 mph, and the precipitation chance stands at 20%. 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.
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A national staffing agency has set up shop in the Tysons area, where it will help connect job seekers with employers.
AtWork announced on Jan. 6 that it has opened an office at 2106-F Gallows Road in Dunn Loring’s South Tysons Office Park, just outside Tysons proper.
Leaders from across the D.C. region voted on Wednesday (Jan. 14) to ask Congress and the Trump administration to bring back predictability when it comes to funding homelessness response services at the local level.
“These programs provide critical support to thousands of our neighbors,” said Christine Hong, who chairs the Homeless Services Planning and Coordinating Committee of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG).
To support its ambitions for future development, Reston Town Center’s owner and manager is letting go of one of its existing properties.
BXP confirmed to FFXnow that it is selling the Signature apartments at 11850 Freedom Drive as part of a broader plan to hand off “select” land, residential and office properties and use the proceeds to fund new construction.
Overflowing bathroom facilities and consistent mold problems are just a few of the issues making up Fairfax County Public Schools’ expansive maintenance backlog.
Maintenance and renovation needs were part of the Fairfax County School Board’s discussion of its latest draft Capital Improvement Program and a public hearing on Tuesday (Jan. 13).
The impending return of Winter Restaurant Week could provide a much-needed boost for the D.C. region’s food service industry.
While Fairfax County didn’t face all the same challenges last year as the District, where a record number of eateries reportedly closed amid inflation, tariffs and the presence of federal law enforcement and the National Guard, many local establishments will take part in the biannual promotional campaign, which will kick off on Monday (Jan. 19) and continue through Jan. 25.
