Will Fairfax County’s latest energy-efficiency initiative deliver enough bang for the buck to make it viable in an era of constrained budgets?
County supervisors weren’t so sure, but the new Energy Compass initiative will have the coming year to prove its worth.
Fairfax County Elementary Schoolers Now Have Mandatory Homework — “Fairfax County Public Schools has updated its homework guidelines for elementary schoolers, a shift away from the optional homework policy that some parents said had become the norm.” [WTOP]
It’s Friday — Expect sunny conditions and a high of 87 degrees accompanied by a light northwest wind at around 5 mph. Moving into Friday night, skies will turn partly cloudy with a low of 64 degrees. A calm wind will shift to the northeast at 5 to 7 mph after midnight. [NWS]
Fairfax County Schools Launch New Criminal Background Monitoring System for Employees — “Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is implementing a new criminal background check monitoring system, the first school district in Virginia to do so.” [ABC7]
Shake Shack Opens Kamp Washington Location — “Shake Shack officially opened its doors in Kamp Washington with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, charitable donation and tote bag giveaway.” [Patch]
Fast-Casual Fish Restaurant Set To Open First Of 3 DMV Locations — “West Coast restaurant chain specializing in responsibly sourced seafood is poised to open the first of three DMV locations.” [Patch]
The 11 Best Things to Do in Northern Virginia and DC this Weekend — “Check out these concerts, beer festivals, family-friendly events, stage productions, and more the weekend of September 19 to 21.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Discover an extraordinary custom residence in Brook Hills Estates, where timeless elegance, expansive living spaces, exceptional privacy, and effortless entertaining come together in one remarkable Northern Virginia estate.
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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 — Sep 18, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Friday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Expect sunny skies and a high of 86 degrees, accompanied by a 6 mph northwest wind during the day. The night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to around 63 degrees. Calm winds will shift to a 5 to 7 mph breeze from the northeast after midnight. 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.
While our Fall 1 season is in swing, we have some terrific opportunities for making art coming up soon. Our Fall 2 season runs late October through December, with six-week and three-week classes you’ll love. We have some new themes in the mix, including Acrylic Painting Fundamentals (adults) and Sculpting with Nature and Found Objects (4th-6th graders). Explore the wheel together at our parent-child ceramics class. And our perennials always shine: painting, drawing, ceramics, sewing, sculpture, and printmaking. Take a look now!
Fall 2 Session, Oct. 27-Dec. 20
Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced today that Thomas Burns Sr., CEO of government contractor SP Global, Inc, will have to pay over $1 million in restitution.
According to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Burns pleaded guilty to three felonies: two counts of wage theft of more than $10,000 and one count of conspiracy to commit wage theft. Burns was also sentenced to four years of incarceration with one suspended — technically four years for each charge, but sentences running concurrently.
SPEAKERS
Pat Herrity, Springfield District Supervisor
Arthur Purves – FCTA President
Meal: $50, including tip, taxes and salad.
Fairfax supervisors on Tuesday (Sept. 16) informally confirmed their support of the Interstate 495 Southside Express Lanes project as it moves toward a make-or-break regional vote next month.
Despite concerns about specifics of the 11-mile-long toll-lanes proposal across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, even the most skeptical supervisors said they supported keeping the project moving through the review process.
With winter creeping closer, the Town of Herndon is looking ahead to snow removal this season and, hopefully, some improvements for trail users in future years.
Tammy Chastain, acting director of public works, walked the Town Council through what’s planned for dealing with snow this season.
Starting tomorrow, Fairfax County voters will again head to the polls.
The nearly seven-week early voting period begins Friday, allowing voters to cast ballots ahead of Nov. 4’s Election Day.
Falls Church city officials are hoping for a collaborative effort with their Fairfax County colleagues as redevelopment takes place in the Gordon Road Triangle straddling the two communities.
“We have demonstrated we can work well with Fairfax County,” Falls Church Vice Mayor Debora Schantz-Hiscott said as city leaders on Sept. 15 began planning for the 20-acre parcel located within the locality’s borders.
A donut shop is still coming to a vacant storefront on Maple Avenue in Vienna, though it won’t be the same one announced more than a year and a half ago.
Shipley Do-Nuts, a predominantly Southern-based chain that has been expanding across the East Coast, is now set to occupy the storefront at 256 Maple Avenue East.
The museum’s annual Native Art Market features award-winning and innovative Indigenous artists from across the Western Hemisphere. This event invites lovers of art and craftsmanship to meet Indigenous artists and learn about the traditional arts and contemporary Indigenous creativity. Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase traditional and contemporary handcrafted artworks, including beadwork, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, and sculpture.
