Countywide

In a rare moment of bipartisan agreement on education policy, Virginia leaders have enacted sweeping changes to the state’s K-12 testing system, aiming to raise student performance and make the Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments more meaningful.

Despite ongoing political clashes over broader education policy, Gov. Glenn Youngkin and state lawmakers united earlier this month behind a plan they hope will strengthen student outcomes.


Around Town

In case the present is becoming a bit overwhelming, a pair of upcoming events at Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls will give visitors the opportunity to escape into the past.

The historic site, located at 10017 Colvin Run Road, will first offer an adults-only experience with a Spirited Grains Whiskey Tasting this Saturday (May 17) starting at 4 p.m.


News

While some Fairfax County Public Schools grapple with overcrowding, a private school in the Wolf Trap area hopes to boost enrollment by welcoming younger students.

The Oakcrest School plans to start serving kindergarten and elementary students, expanding its current scope of sixth through 12th grade, according to a zoning application recently submitted to Fairfax County.


Countywide

Fairfax County arts organizations have not been immune from the Trump administration’s efforts to downsize the federal government.

Both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) have started rescinding funding awards from projects and organizations they say don’t fit the priorities of President Donald Trump.


Event

Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets (NoVA FSS) cordially invites you to attend and support our upcoming World Day of Remembrance (WDoR) for Road Traffic Victims.

World Day of Remembrance is an annual event where we honor those whose lives were prematurely ended after being struck by a person driving. This year is particularly painful and sad as we think about the recent death of a 13-year-old Frost middle school student who was struck and killed by a person driving a truck on Pickett Road. We will also honor the nearly 30 other people (as of today’s date) who have been killed on Northern Virginia streets while, walking, biking, or rolling since last year’s day of remembrance.


News

Graduation season is getting underway for college and high school students alike, which means an influx of traffic for people living around George Mason University.

GMU warns that “heavy traffic” is expected around its main Fairfax campus for the next month, with dozens of graduation ceremonies scheduled to take place at EagleBank Arena (4500 Patriot Circle).


Countywide
Chalk drawings on the fountain at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston celebrate Mother’s Day (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

White South African ‘Refugees’ Coming to Dulles — “Plans are underway to fly approximately 60 Afrikaners to Dulles International Airport on a State Department-chartered plane Monday, with federal and Virginia officials preparing to receive them in a ceremonial news conference.” The group is being welcomed despite the Trump administration’s suspension of other U.S. refugee admissions. [Washington Post]

Update on Herndon Double Murder Case — “Prosecutors are seeking to include statements made to police by a 4-year-old girl after her mother and another victim were found slain in the family’s home [in] Herndon.” The motion will be argued soon after attorneys met for a brief hearing last Friday (May 9). [NBC4]

Prison Sentence for Fatal I-395 Motorcycle Crash — “A Falls Church man who fled the scene after striking a motorcyclist near the Pentagon last year has been sentenced to three and a half years behind bars.” The sentence was handed down in Arlington Circuit Court last Friday, May 2. and exceeds the recommended 180 days. [ARLnow]

School Board Revises Cell Phone Usage Policy — After months of debate, the Fairfax County School Board voted 9-3 on Thursday (May 8) to permit “limited cellphone use by students. The compromise allows students to use their cellphones before and after class and during their lunch break.” A phone storage pilot program is still in effect. [WTOP]

Tree Falls Onto Fairfax City Home — “A falling tree crashed onto a duplex in Fairfax County, tearing down power lines and forcing a family out of their home.” The family that resides in the duplex was sleeping at the time, but fortunately, no one was in the bedroom where the tree fell, so there were no injuries. [NBC4]

New Watch Shop Opens in Tysons — “Luxury watch retailer Lenkersdorfer has unveiled a new 7,800-square-foot showroom in Tysons Corner Center, where customers can find a selection of watches from prestigious brands.” The showroom is complemented by the brand’s only Tudor boutique in the area. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Park Authority Awarded Invasive Species Grant — The Fairfax County Park Authority will receive a $60,827 grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry for invasive species management on parkland. The funds will support an Early Detection Rapid Response program that identfies new populations of invasive plants and “must be used by the end of June 2025.” [FCPA]

It’s Monday — Expect mostly cloudy skies and a high near 76, accompanied by a 30% chance of rain. The likelihood of precipitation will jump to 90% at night, with showers and possible thunderstorms appearing after 5am. The low temperature will be around 64. [NWS]


Legal Notice

Bae Down the Line Sports Center Inc.

Trading as: DTL Sports Center

4311 Ravensworth Rd.

Annandale, VA 222003

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Retail Annual Mixed Beverage Application – Sports Facility, Wine, Beer, Mixed Beverages, Consumed On and Off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Jimmy Bae/Partner


Around Town

Good Friday 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 — May 9, 2025.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  • Fairfax board to approve meals tax, real estate rate cut with FY 2026 budget (17900 views)
  • Fairfax County teachers’ union blames supervisors after budget crushes labor agreement (11195 views)
  • Construction to start soon on Merrifield office-to-affordable housing conversion (6190 views)
  • Fairfax City sees progress on plans to build new fire station, overhaul awkward intersection (5392 views)
  • New York-based food hall plans expansion to Reston and Franconia (5164 views)
  • Three Herndon men charged with soliciting children online in Loudoun (4824 views)
  • All-you-can-eat sushi restaurant works toward opening near Dulles Airport (4294 views)
  • Decaying garage stands in the way of housing at Huntington Metro (4156 views)
  • NEW: Reston Town Center North plan calls for housing, rec center and more (3844 views)
  • Fairfax NAACP blasts police for ‘unilaterally’ releasing new foot pursuit policy (2691 views)
  • Fairfax school board considers new approaches to school construction projects (2631 views)
  • 📅 Upcoming events

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

    Here are the events planned for Sunday:

    ☀️ Saturday’s forecast

    Expect sunny skies and a high near 71 during the day, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 9 to 14 mph and gusts up to 22 mph. The night will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 53, and a gentle west wind at 3 to 5 mph. 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.

    We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋


    News

    Fairfax County police are investigating a single-vehicle crash in Clifton that killed a teenager yesterday (Thursday).

    Officers responded to the 11000 block of Chapel Road at 3:24 p.m. for a report of a 2005 Toyota Highlander SUV “that left the roadway and struck a tree,” the Fairfax County Police Department said in a press release today (Friday).