A Maryland man faces 169 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to making threats against several D.C.-area Jewish institutions — including two in Fairfax.
Clift Seferlis, 55, from Garrett Park pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday (Nov. 17) to a total of 25 counts of two different crimes: 17 counts of mailing threatening communications and eight counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs.
Milder Winter Expected — “The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently released its winter weather outlook for 2025-2026, and this winter could look different from what we’ve seen in recent years … Fairfax County falls within the region expected to see warmer-than-average temperatures this winter.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]
Key Vote on Energy for Data Centers Set — Some D.C.-area lawmakers are urging PJM Interconnection, the electrical grid operator for the region, to adopt a proposal “that, among other things, incentivizes data center owners to provide for their own power, cooling and other infrastructure resources, rather than relying solely on a utility grid.” PJM’s board of directors is scheduled to vote on how to manage data center connections today (Wednesday). [WTOP]
FCPD Sees Increase in Seized Guns — “Since its official launch on January 1, 2024, the Fairfax County Police Department’s (FCPD) Operation Press Check (OPC) has delivered measurable success in keeping firearms out of the hands of those who are prohibited from possessing them.” The county has seized 112 firearms and successfully prosecuted 104 cases involving felons possessing firearms over the past two years. [FCPD]
Fairfax City Hires New Manager — “Fairfax City Council voted unanimously at its regular meeting on Tuesday night to hire Daniel C. Alexander as the city’s new permanent city manager … Alexander succeeds acting City Manager Melanie R. Zipp, who was appointed to the role following the Oct. 31 retirement of the previous acting City Manager Bryan Foster.” [Patch]
Residents Oppose Justice Park Sidewalk — “Residents who live near Justice Park in Seven Corners say a sidewalk planned along Peace Valley Lane is not needed and urge the county to cancel the project. The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is proceeding with the development of an 825-foot sidewalk” that will reportedly require the removal of “several large, mature trees.” [Annandale Today]
Restaurants Object to Inclusion in Food Hall’s App — “Wonder, the new food hall expanding rapidly in the D.C. region, added dozens of restaurants across Greater Washington to its offerings without their knowledge or permission.” While some restaurants welcomed the added visibility of inclusion on Wonder’s GrubHub delivery platform, the company behind Founding Farmers argued the food hall is taking advantage of its established reputation. [Washington Business Journal]
House Addition Sparks Neighbor Complaints — “A three-story construction project on a single-family home in Greenbriar is drawing sharp criticism from neighbors who said the structure is out of place and inconsistent with surrounding homes.” Springfield District Supervisor “Pat Herrity raised the issue during a county board meeting on Tuesday, urging a review of zoning ordinances that regulate building heights.” [DC News Now]
Toys for Tots Campaign Returns — “#FCFRD is participating in the 2025 TOYS FOR TOTS Campaign! TOYS FOR TOTS collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes them to deserving children. All Fairfax County fire stations will be accepting donations through Friday, December 12.” [FCFRD/X]
It’s Wednesday — Patchy fog is expected to clear by 9am, giving way to mostly cloudy skies with a high around 51. A calm wind will shift to the north at 5 to 7 mph in the morning. As for Wednesday night, expect mostly cloudy conditions, a low of 41, and a north wind at 5 mph calming down by evening. [NWS]
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Good Tuesday 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 — Nov 18, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Patchy fog is expected to clear by 9 am, followed by mostly cloudy skies and a high near 51. Calm winds will shift to the north at 5 to 7 mph in the morning. On Wednesday night, the sky will remain mostly cloudy, the temperature will drop to around 40, and the north wind at 5 mph will become calm in the evening. 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 Fairfax County Park Authority has identified a way to fully fund a sought-after trail on the south side of Colvin Run Mill Park.
Bond funding originally earmarked for a pedestrian bridge over Pimmit Run in Idylwood will be used instead to complete connections in Colvin Run Park, which is bisected by Route 7 (Leesburg Pike), staff told the Fairfax County Park Authority Board at its Nov. 12 meeting.
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.
A Virginia prison officer died yesterday (Monday) after he was attacked by a man serving time for an armed carjacking in Fairfax County, the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) says.
John Holomon Russell, 32, allegedly attacked Corrections Officer Jeremy Lewis Hall around 7:53 a.m. at the River North Correctional Center in southwest Virginia.
A Herndon private school has settled a lawsuit with a Jewish family who claimed that the school discriminated against their children due to their religion, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced today (Tuesday).
The Nysmith School will provide just shy of $150,000 in monetary relief to the family, in addition to “implementing new policies and procedures” after allegedly expelling three students who complained of antisemitic harassment from their peers, the attorney general said.
The newest location of a fast casual hibachi restaurant chain has officially opened in Burke.
Quickway Japanese Hibachi began serving customers earlier this month at 5749-B Burke Center Parkway, taking over the former GameStop storefront in the Burke Centre Shopping Center.
A new housing subdivision is taking shape in McLean.
Knolewood will bring 24 single-family houses to a 25-acre expanse near the corner of Lewinsville Road and Lancia Drive that represent the last remaining undeveloped parcels in McLean, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty announced last Thursday (Nov. 13).
Rising ninth- and 10th-graders from a wide swath of western Fairfax County will have the opportunity to attend the county’s newest high school starting next fall.
Fairfax County School Board members voted last Thursday (Nov. 13) to allow students who otherwise would attend Centreville, Chantilly, Westfield, Oakton or South Lakes high schools to instead join the first classes at the currently unnamed new high school.
