The Fairfax County government is seeking ideas from the public and business community on modernizing its trash and recycling facilities and processes.
The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) on Aug. 4 put out a formal request for expressions of interest — known as an RFEI — to gather input that could be used in future planning. The request is not an official bid, according to the county.
After an inaugural Rocktoberfest at Reston Town Center last year, the event will return in October with a new headliner.
Alternative rock band Vertical Horizon will take the stage at the free Rocktoberfest at 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 at the Pavilion at Reston Town Center (11900 Market Street). The headliner will follow regional opening acts Virginia Coalition at 6 p.m. and Everything at 7:30 p.m.
For many Virginia homeowners, the family home is more than an asset. It’s where children grew up, memories were made, and decades of life unfolded. Placing your home in a trust can help protect that legacy while making things easier for your loved ones in the future.
A properly structured and funded trust may help avoid probate, provide continuity if you become unable to manage your affairs, and give your family clear instructions about what should happen to the home. Here’s what Virginia homeowners need to know.
A trust can provide several important benefits:
A trust isn’t necessarily the right choice for every homeowner, however. The appropriate plan depends on your family, finances, property, and long-term goals.
Virginia homeowners may use several types of trusts, including revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, testamentary trusts, special needs trusts, and charitable trusts.
For many homeowners who want to continue controlling and living in their home while simplifying the transfer after death, a revocable living trust may be appropriate. Other situations may call for a different type of trust.
The type of trust you choose can affect control of the property, taxes, creditor protection, and how the property is distributed.
The trustee manages the property and follows the instructions in the trust. With a revocable living trust, you can typically serve as your own trustee during your lifetime and name a successor trustee to take over if you become incapacitated or die.
Choose someone you trust to handle financial and property matters responsibly. Depending on your circumstances, that could be a family member, friend, or professional trustee.
The trust document identifies the person creating the trust, the trustee, the beneficiaries, and the rules governing the trust.
Because your trust should reflect your specific circumstances and comply with Virginia law, working with an experienced Virginia trust attorney can help avoid vague language, missing provisions, or other problems that could create confusion later.
Once the trust is drafted, you’ll sign the document according to the requirements of your estate plan. Notarization is generally recommended because it helps establish the authenticity of the document and can reduce the risk of challenges later.
Your attorney can make sure the signing process is completed properly.
A full-floor penthouse at the top of the JW Marriott Residences Reston Station has set a new record for the highest-priced condominium sale in Virginia, the building’s developer announced Wednesday (Aug. 5).
The $10.9 million sale surpassed the previous record set in April at the same building, for $10.25 million. Previously, the record was set in 2024, at $5.95 million for a 27th floor condo in Rosslyn.
Back-to-school shoppers will have an extra incentive to grab their school supplies, clothes and other items this weekend in Fairfax County and across the state.
Virginia will hold its annual three-day sales tax holiday, from Friday, Aug. 7 to Sunday, Aug. 9. Over the three days, the state and local option sales taxes are temporarily waived on qualifying clothing, footwear and school supplies, as well as emergency preparedness products and some appliances. The tax exemption applies to in-store and online shopping, according to the Virginia Department of Taxation.
Local author and Fairfax County Public Library librarian Luis D. Aponte invites parents and community leaders to an empowering discussion inspired by his book “A Safe Place: How to Prevent the Next School Shooting.” Drawing on seven years of research into more than 1,200 U.S. school shooting incidents, he shares practical, nonpartisan, research‑based steps families and schools can use to strengthen safety and emotional well‑being. Discover hopeful, community‑building solutions that help every child feel supported and able to thrive. Attendees receive two free ebooks, with a paperback signing to follow.
Adults. No registration required. Free event. For more information, visit ASafePlaceBook.com.
The median apartment rent across Fairfax County was down 1.3% year over year in July, with most major residential areas posting declines.
The county’s median apartment rent for all sized units was $2,430, down from $2,463 in July 2025, according to figures reported July 29 by Apartment List.
Fairfax County School Bus Crashes in Western Loudoun County — “Loudoun County Fire and Rescue units arrived at the scene to find a Fairfax County bus off the road with its two back wheels lifted off the pavement over a ditch. Another bus had reportedly already arrived to collect the students.” [Loudoun Now]
Firefighters Respond to Lorton House Fire — “#FairfaxBravest responded to a townhouse fire in the 9600 block of Eaton Woods Pl in Lorton [Wednesday] morning. Crews arrived with smoke and fire showing from the rear and first-floor balcony. All occupants were out prior to #FCFRD arrival. No injuries. Cause under investigation.” [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department/X]
Hundreds of Families Attend Skyview High School School Year Preview — “Throughout the evening, families explored topics ranging from transportation and athletics to advisory periods, project-based learning, and student life. Just as importantly, they met administrators, Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) leaders, transportation supervisors, and other founding families who will help shape the experience for Skyview’s first classes.” [FCPS]
Jet Takes Off at DCA While President’s Helicopter Approaches — “The incident appears to be a violation of safety procedures put in place after last year’s midair collision over the Potomac River. It occurred Tuesday afternoon as Marine One left the White House for Andrews Air Force Base with the president aboard for the first leg of a West Coast trip. A commercial jet took off at the same time.” [ARLnow/AP]
No Surprises, Drama With N. Va.’s Primary Elections — “Most of the region’s Democratic incumbents did not face a challenger from their own party, so the Republican primaries took center stage in Northern Virginia on Tuesday. Every House seat, plus one in the Senate, is on the ballot this year. The primary races across the Commonwealth played out as expected, says Larry Sabato, political prognosticator with the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics.” [VPM]
Alexandria Officials Press Fairfax County Planning Commission to Deny Substation — “Alexandria City Council has joined a growing number of local residents asking Fairfax County to deny a substation associated with data center development just outside city limits. In a letter to the Fairfax County Planning Commission, City Council cited ‘the incompatibility of heavy industrial use’ near densely populated Alexandria.” [ALXnow]
SCC Demands Data Centers Pay More Toward New Transmission Lines — “The State Corporation Commission has ordered Dominion Energy to develop a policy to directly assign the cost of transmission infrastructure to data centers and other large-load users that connect to the facilities, ‘with the goal of finding an acceptable and symmetrical approach towards assigning costs in these circumstances.'” [Virginia Mercury]
Feedback Sought on Proposed Accessory Living Unit Updates — “Proposed changes to the county’s zoning regulations for accessory living units have been prepared, and the community is invited to host neighborhood discussions and share feedback through an online toolkit.” [Fairfax County/X]
Over 140 Neighborhoods Participate in National Night Out — “From block parties and cookouts to games, music, and family-friendly activities, the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) joined thousands of residents for an evening focused on building connections, promoting public safety, and bringing neighbors together.” [Fairfax County Police Department]
Weekend Road Closure Coming Up in Annandale — “Weather permitting, Ravensworth Road (Route 2864) between Braddock Road (Route 620) and John Marr Drive (Route 757) will be continuously closed to through traffic from 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, until 4 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10, for drainage pipe replacement, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.” [VDOT]
Single Tracking on Metro’s Orange Line This Weekend — “THIS WEEKEND: In addition to Red Line summer construction through September 6, trains will single track on the Orange Line between Vienna and West Falls Church. 🟠 To complete your trip inbound toward DC or outbound toward Vienna, you must transfer trains at West Falls Church.” [WMATA/Bluesky]
It’s Thursday — Showers and thunderstorms are possible after 5 p.m., with mostly sunny skies and a high of 91°F, though it may feel like 100°F. Winds from the south at 8-10 mph may gust up to 18 mph, with a 30% chance of rain. Thursday night, expect a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., with partly cloudy skies and a low of 74°F. Southwest winds will be around 6 mph. [NWS]
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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 — Aug 5, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Thursday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop after 2 PM, with increasing cloudiness and a high temperature near 91°F. Winds from the southwest will blow at 7 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph, and there’s a 50% chance of precipitation. By Thursday night, the showers and thunderstorms may continue until around 11 PM, followed by partly cloudy skies and a low around 73°F. The southwest wind will decrease to 3 to 6 mph, with a 30% chance of rain. 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.
The Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation will be starting a campaign as part of its Faces of ONE project to help businesses along the Richmond Highway corridor gain traction before and during the corridor’s major transportation work and redevelopment.
It’s an extension of a public art campaign where 10 public sculptures were placed along the Richmond Highway corridor, along with some murals and different things to enhance the identity and placemaking of the area.
Greenbriar Town Center will soon offer a new option for locals with a sweet tooth.
Dumont Creamery & Cafe — founded in Hyderabad, India, before expanding to the U.S. in 2024 — will open at 13041C Route 50, Suite C, near Chantilly, with a soft launch on Aug. 14, the company confirmed to FFXnow. A grand opening will follow on Aug. 28.
