Around Town

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Feb 5, 2026

By FFXnow.com

Good Thursday 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 — Feb 5, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌨️ Friday’s forecast

Scattered snow showers are expected mainly after 2pm, with increasing clouds and a high near 33. Winds will be calm, eventually turning south at around 5 mph, and a 40% chance of precipitation. On Friday night, snow showers may occur before 1am, followed by a low around 13 and a transition to partly cloudy skies. Winds will vary lightly before becoming northwest at 15 to 20 mph, potentially gusting up to 30 mph. Precipitation chance remains at 40%. 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.

News

Vienna Town Council weighs next steps for proposed aquatics center

By Emily Leayman
A bird's eye view of the Vienna aquatics and fitness center concept proposed for the former Vienna Baptist Church site (via Kimmel Bogrette Architecture report)

Vienna Town Council members have concerns about uncertain costs for the proposed aquatics and fitness facility and other pressing capital projects as a key vote looms later this month.

The town council is scheduled to consider awarding a contract on Feb. 23 to a firm that will oversee the planning and design of the aquatics facility, Vienna Parks and Recreation Director Leslie Herman said in a presentation on Monday (Feb. 2).

Go to Vienna Town Council weighs next steps for proposed aquatics center Read more
News

Supervisors OK Flagship Carwash express location in Dranesville area

By Scott McCaffrey
A Flagship Carwash express location in Ashburn (via Flagship Carwash)

Fairfax County supervisors gave their blessing on Tuesday (Feb. 3) to a new Flagship Carwash express location near the intersection of Leesburg Pike and Dranesville Road north of Herndon.

“I’m very happy to see this coming through,” Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman said after the 9-0 vote.

Go to Supervisors OK Flagship Carwash express location in Dranesville area Read more
Announcement

Fall Art Classes Are Here!

By Art House 7
A girl paints on an easel in a pottery studio; autumn-orange pumpkins on canvas beside blue-glazed mugs and a plate with maple leaf designs on display.

We love fall at Art House 7 and can’t wait for you to explore all our offerings. Painting, drawing, ceramics, and sewing/crocheting are our perennials, along with less traditional mediums. Kawaii Style Drawing and Digital Art are among our new classes for kids. We offer an excellent 6-week program for high schoolers preparing their college portfolios. Want something shorter? We have 3-week classes, including linocut notecards. Love ceramics? We have a dedicated studio that comfortably accommodates wheel and hand-building classes. 

Fall 1 Session begins Tue. Sep. 8.

Go to Fall Art Classes Are Here! Read more
News

Fire at West Springfield townhome leads to death of 2 dogs

By Jared Serre
Firefighters respond to a townhome fire in West Springfield (photo via Fairfax Fire & Rescue)

Two dogs sustained grave injuries today (Thursday) in a West Springfield house fire.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department responded to a middle-unit townhome in the 5800 block of Rexford Drive shortly after 10 a.m.

Go to Fire at West Springfield townhome leads to death of 2 dogs Read more
Event

Strut Your Mutt 5k

Flyer for 'Strut Your Mutt 5k' charity run with date Sept 19, 2026; event location and signup details, with dog pawprint decorations and hearts.

Event location

Fairfax Government Center

12000 Government Center Pkwy

Fairfax, Virginia 22035

Add to Calendar

Join us on September 19, 2026 at 9:00 AM (Eastern Daylight Time) at 12000 Government Center Pkwy for Pender’s First Annual Angel Fund 5K!

This fun community event supports the Angel Fund at Pender Veterinary Centre, which helps pet owners in Northern Virginia cover unexpected veterinary costs when finances are tight. For over 50 years, Pender Veterinary Centre has been proud to care for pets and their families, and this 5K is all about bringing everyone together to celebrate that bond.

Go to Strut Your Mutt 5k Read more
Countywide

Va. Senate bills that would’ve repealed traffic cameras target fees instead

By Jared Serre
A red light camera in the City of Fairfax (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Two bills that would have dramatically changed local governments’ ability to enforce traffic laws have changed course despite bipartisan support in Richmond.

S.B. 297 and S.B. 306, authored by state Sen. Mark J. Peake (R-8), would have repealed the authority of localities to install speed-monitoring and red light cameras, respectively. But as of Monday (Feb. 2), the possibility of a ban has been stripped from both bills.

Go to Va. Senate bills that would’ve repealed traffic cameras target fees instead Read more
Countywide

Fairfax leaders mostly upbeat on Metro budget plan, as state considers funding options

By Scott McCaffrey
A train stops at the McLean Metro station platform in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County supervisors voiced cautious optimism last Tuesday (Feb. 3) about Metro’s proposed fiscal year 2027 operating and capital budgets.

“A financially stable and reliable transit network is essential to the economic vitality of Fairfax County, Northern Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia and the entire metropolitan region,” county leaders said in a letter to Valerie Santos, who chairs the Metro board of directors.

Go to Fairfax leaders mostly upbeat on Metro budget plan, as state considers funding options Read more
News

Fairfax board, Trump admin in sync on expediting upgrades to American Legion Bridge

By Scott McCaffrey
Traffic entering and leaving Maryland on the American Legion Bridge on Nov. 8, 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has found itself aligned with the Trump administration on one issue: the need to update the American Legion Bridge.

The span over the Potomac River connecting Fairfax County with Montgomery County, Maryland, is “a critical transportation link,” but at more than 60 years old, it needs immediate attention, Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman said when the board met on Tuesday (Feb. 3).

Go to Fairfax board, Trump admin in sync on expediting upgrades to American Legion Bridge Read more
News

Possible measles exposure sites reported in Reston and Herndon

By Angela Woolsey
Target in Reston with snow in the parking lot (file photo)

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.

Go to Possible measles exposure sites reported in Reston and Herndon Read more
Countywide

Morning Notes for February 5, 2026

By FFXnow.com
Snow has been cleared from a segment of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail in Vienna (photo by Amy Woolsey)

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]

Announcement

Ever Wanted to Duel with a Sword or Hit a Bullseye? Fall Registration Is Open at Nova Fencing & Arch

By Nova Fencing & Archery Club
Two kids practicing sports: a young fencer in white with foil on the left and a young archer aiming with a bow on the right, NOVA Fencing & Archery Club logo across the lower center.

There’s something a little bit magical about picking up a foil for the first time — or drawing back a bow and watching your arrow fly true. It’s why fencing and archery have such a hold on kids and adults alike: real focus, real skill, and a thrill you don’t get from the usual sports lineup.

This fall, Nova Fencing & Archery Club in Bailey’s Crossroads is opening registration for both, with beginner classes for every age starting the week of September 12th. Fencing welcomes ages 7 to 12 and teens and adults 13 and up. Explore Archery, coached by USA Archery certified instructors, welcomes ages 8 to 12 and meets Tuesdays or Saturdays. And for our youngest fencers, ages 4 to 6, ABC’s of Fencing meets on Saturdays. All classes run eight sessions for $195, equipment provided, no experience needed — yes, even for grown-ups who’ve never held a sword or a bow before.

Go to Ever Wanted to Duel with a Sword or Hit a Bullseye? Fall Registration Is Open at Nova Fencing & Arch Read more
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