News

Plans to redevelop the Crescent Apartments, which trace their lineage nearly back to Reston’s founding, took a key procedural step forward on Tuesday (July 16).

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 9-0 to transfer the 16.5-acre site to the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority, enabling the agency to work on finding a private partner for the redevelopment project.


Countywide

Despite continued concerns about inflation, federal worker layoffs and other issues, business leaders in Northern Virginia are feeling more upbeat about their own economic prospects and those of the region than they were this spring, a new survey found.

The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (NVC) worked with the marketing firm Pinkston to survey 135 corporate executives and business owners about their experiences with the Trump administration’s efforts to downsize the federal government, their expectations for the near-future and their policy priorities.


Sponsored

Trek & Treat is back with a brand-new route, fun prizes, and a $150 Early Bird incentive if you register by October 1

Game on! The Tysons Trek & Treat Fall Challenge returns this week, running October 2 through November 1. Participants can walk, bike, or roll through Tysons while checking in at stops, earning points, and redeeming them for prizes.

Hosted by Tysons Community Alliance (TCA), the free mobility challenge features five walkable and bike-friendly routes—including a brand-new route this season!—for a range of ages and abilities. Explore The Boro on the Yellow Route, wander past Arbor Row and Tysons Galleria on the Green Route, stroll Scott’s Run Trail and Capital One Center on the Red Route, or take on the Orange and Purple routes by bike or wheels.

There’s no app to download, so just choose a route, grab your phone, and start exploring.

And there’s a good reason to sign up now: pre-register by October 1, and you’ll automatically be entered to win a $150 Experience Tysons e-gift card, redeemable at participating businesses throughout Tysons.

Explore More, Earn More

As you make your way through Tysons, be on the lookout for Trek & Treat check-in stickers posted at stops along each route. Scan the QR code on each sticker to check in, earn points, and keep moving toward your next prize.

While racking up points, you can earn prizes including wireless earbuds, a Bluetooth speaker, an OGIO backpack, Metro SmarTrip cards, portable chargers, and more. Participants can also earn Experience Tysons e-gift cards, including $300 for the Tysons Trailblazer grand-prize winner, $250 for second place, and $200 for third place.

Register and complete at least one check-in by October 10, and you’ll also receive an exclusive “I Trekked Tysons” t-shirt.

So whether you’re looking for a fun way to get outside, discover new corners of Tysons, or earn prizes along the way, Trek & Treat offers plenty of reasons to explore this fall. Registration is easy at tysonsva.org/exploretysons/gameon.

Tysons Trek & Treat Fall Challenge runs October 2–November 1


News

Food distributors operating in Fairfax County say newly approved cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits could have a devastating impact on a region already struggling with food insecurity.

President Donald Trump’s recent federal tax bill includes historic cuts to safety net programs like SNAP, the Washington Post reported.


Announcement

Alexandria, Virginia – October 1, 2026 – Body Imperium, an Old Town Alexandria strength-training studio, has announced that it is rebranding as Imperium Strength and Longevity, known simply as Imperium.

The new name reflects the studio’s evolution from its Pilates origins into Alexandria’s only strength-training facility powered by ARX® (Adaptive Resistance Exercise) technology. The evolution of the business closely follows founder Victoria Azor’s personal experience building strength and longevity.


Countywide
Water fountains in front of Plaza America office buildings (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Heat Advisory in Effect — “The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for … much of the D.C. area. Heat index values are expected to reach around 105 degrees Thursday, creating potentially hazardous conditions for outdoor activities.” Fairfax County has activated its emergency heat plan for the day, establishing cooling centers where people can find water and other supplies. [ARLnow]

GMU Students Concerned by Federal Probe — “When student Hanaan Kazia first heard about the federal civil rights probe into George Mason University, she wasn’t surprised. But the junior political science major and member of the school’s Political Science Honor Society says the implications still scare her.” Kazia and other students, faculty and lawmakers have spoken out in support of GMU, championing its diversity and calling the investigation “baseless and politically motivated.” [Virginia Mercury]

Contractor Moving to Reston Town Center — “Noblis has inked a lease to take virtually the entirety of 12050 Inspiration St., a roughly 90,000-square-foot office that is part of BXP Inc.’s Reston Next extension of Reston Town Center.” Starting in September 2027, the nonprofit will occupy 74,681 square feet, a “significant downsize compared to the 160,000-square-foot, two-building lease” signed a decade ago for its current headquarters at 2002 Edmund Halley Drive. [Washington Business Journal]

Great Falls Road to Temporarily Close — “Weather permitting, Walker Road (Route 681) will be closed to through traffic between Colvin Run Road (Route 743) and Georgetown Pike (Route 193) for two weeks due to work related to the Walker Road over Piney Run bridge replacement project.” The closure is scheduled to last from 10 p.m. this Friday (July 18) until 9 p.m. on Aug. 1, requiring drivers to take a detour. [VDOT]

Seven Corners Offices Sold — “The two high-rise office buildings at the Seven Corners intersection recently sold for 13 percent less than what they were acquired for six years ago, the Washington Business Journal reports. Sage Ventures bought the two 13-story office towers at 6400 and 6402 Arlington Blvd. from BoundTrain Real Estate in June for $33.7 million.” [Annandale Today]

Virginia Partners With Google on A.I. — Visiting the tech company’s Reston offices, “Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced on Tuesday that Google will partner with his administration to provide free and low-cost artificial intelligence certification courses to Virginians as part of his office’s ongoing effort to connect citizens to new jobs amid changes to the state’s economy.” [Associated Press]

Fliers Anxious After DCA Crash — “Ruffini and her cohort aren’t the only passengers experiencing emotional turbulence related to DCA. Following the midair collision over the Potomac River that claimed 67 lives, fliers shared with Washingtonian that they’re experiencing heightened flight anxiety — especially when it comes to traveling through Reagan National.” [Washingtonian]

Deadline to Pay Real Estate Taxes — Fairfax County has mailed bills for the first installment of this year’s real estate taxes, which are due July 28. “If you have not yet received your bill, you may find the taxes owed on our website. If you plan to pay via smartphone or online, you will need this year’s stub number from your real estate tax bill.” [Department of Tax Administration]

It’s Thursday — There’s a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms starting around 5pm, accompanied by mostly sunny weather and a high near 95. The heat index may reach as high as 105, with a southwest wind around 10 mph and gusts up to 18 mph. Night will be partly cloudy with a low around 77. [NWS]


Event

Join the Do It for Dan Foundation for our annual fall fundraiser supporting lung cancer research at Inova Schar Cancer Institute. Enjoy live music, trivia, raffles, foundation updates, and a special presentation from thoracic oncologist Dr. Janakiraman Subramanian. Help us raise $10,000 to advance research and better treatment options for people facing lung cancer.


Around Town

Good Wednesday 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 — Jul 16, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Thursday’s forecast

Showers and thunderstorms are likely after 5pm, with mostly sunny conditions and a high near 96. The heat index may reach up to 106, accompanied by a west wind at 8 to 10 mph and gusts as high as 20 mph. Precipitation chances stand at 30%. Thursday night will be partly cloudy with a low of around 76, a southwest wind at 7 mph, shifting to northwest after midnight. 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

Despite objections to one of the projects from nearby residents, the Fairfax County Planning Commission at its July 9 meeting approved Dominion Energy’s requests for two new electrical substations to support future data centers in the Dulles area.

A 300-megawatt Towerview substation will be wedged between Sully Road (Route 28) and Park Center Road in the Floris neighborhood, just east of Dulles International Airport. Dominion will lease the site from the owner of the Dulles Gateway data center, which is being constructed immediately to its south.


News

Three people were hospitalized earlier this afternoon (Wednesday) after a building under construction in Merrifield collapsed.

Fairfax County and Fairfax City firefighters were dispatched to the site in the 3000 block of Cedar Lane north of Route 50 (Arlington Blvd) around 1:18 p.m., Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) spokesperson Ashley Hildebrandt says.


Countywide

Fairfax County supervisors were all singing from the same songbook yesterday (Tuesday), unanimously declaring the county to be the “Music Capital of Virginia.”

Others across the commonwealth might disagree, but Fairfax leaders said the sheer breadth of musical performances throughout the year, but particularly in summer, made the county deserving of the title.


Announcement

A Bison Celebration is part of the Smithsonian Institution’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The Bison Celebration will be a full day event that brings together organizations, scholars, scientists and filmmakers to celebrate the past, present, and future of North America’s largest land mammal. Through captivating films and thought-provoking panel discussions, the museum will explore the bison’s vital role in restoring grassland ecosystems and its deep spiritual connection to Tribal nations.