Countywide

As Fairfax County officials work to fill an estimated $292.7 million budget shortfall in the next fiscal year, public safety services will bear a substantial brunt of potential cuts.

Of the $59.8 million in reductions proposed in the advertised budget, which was unveiled by County Executive Bryan Hill earlier this month, approximately $26.2 million will come from the police department, fire and rescue department, and sheriff’s office.


Sports

It took a determined fourth-quarter rally in a title game for the Flint Hill Huskies to complete a perfect dual-championship girls’ basketball season against conference opponents.

By defeating the No. 2 seed Episcopal Maroon, 52-48, in the final of the Independent School League A Division high-school tournament on Sunday (Feb. 23), Flint Hill capped an undefeated 14-0 season against conference opponents.


Around Town

A fitness center that has been offering classes in parkour, aerial silks and other specialized workouts for more than a decade will soon bid farewell to its longtime home in the Alexandria area.

MindShift Gym, previously known as Urban Evolution, announced earlier this month that its last day of business at 5505 Cherokee Avenue in Lincolnia will be March 31. The gym is in the process of relocating to a new facility in Reston that it hopes to open as soon as possible.


News

Everyone seems to agree that Oakton’s roadways are untenable for drivers as well as pedestrians and cyclists, especially in light of recent fatal crashes.

The dividing line between supporters and skeptics of a proposed overhaul of AT&T’s office campus and other mixed-use developments in the area has become whether they believe the impending projects will alleviate or exacerbate the current congested, hazardous status quo.


Event

NoVa Youth Ensembles was recently selected to perform at the White House during the 2026 Christmas season at the Holiday Open Houses. Being chosen to perform at the White House is an incredible honor, and we are excited to represent Fairfax and Loudoun counties during this special time of year. As The White House welcomes visitors each Christmas season, performers have the unique opportunity to share their musical talents and holiday cheer. In the past, only a few dozen performer groups have been selected from over 1,000 applicants.


Countywide

Virginia school boards may soon have more control over how cell phones and smart devices are governed in classrooms. Legislation granting local districts the authority to craft their own policies cleared the General Assembly on Friday and now heads to Gov. Glenn Youngkin for consideration.

House Bill 1961, introduced by Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, and its companion measure, Senate Bill 738 by Sen. Stella Pekarsky, D-Fairfax, comes amid growing concerns over the impact of smartphones on children’s health. While research has linked excessive phone use to adverse effects on students’ well-being, advocates also recognize the role devices play in providing educational resources and communication tools.


Countywide
Clouds in the sky above a Vienna neighborhood (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Mother Killed in Crash Honored with Vigil — Loved ones gathered on Richmond Highway near Buckman Road in Hybla Valley on Sunday (Feb. 23), almost a month after Erica Tibbs, 33, was killed in a hit-and-run crash. Fairfax County police still haven’t located the driver in the crash, which also injured Tibbs’s 5-year-old son. [NBC4]

DCA Now Closes Runways for Presidential Helicopter — “Airline passengers have experienced serious disruptions at Washington’s Reagan National Airport because of new rules that trigger runway closures when President Donald Trump flies to and from the White House aboard his helicopter, according to people aware of the restrictions, flight tracking data and federal records.” [Washington Post]

Late Singer Previously Lived in Fairfax County — “Sad to learn of the passing of Roberta Flack. Not only was she an amazing musician/singer, but for a time she lived in my neighborhood and the district I represent in the Virginia General Assembly. Everyone loved her! She will be missed but her music lives forever. May she rest in peace.” [Delegate Paul Krizek/Bluesky]

Pedestrian Injured in Fairfax City Hit-and-Run — “City of Fairfax Police are asking the public to help identify a vehicle and locate the driver who investigators said was involved in a hit-and-run involving a pedestrian on Sunday afternoon. Police released photos of the car that they say struck a pedestrian around 3 p.m. at 11130 Fairfax Blvd.” [Patch]

How Federal Worker Layoffs Might Affect N. Va. Housing — “We asked some of the region’s top real estate brokers and industry experts about current market conditions and whether plans to reshape the federal workforce could significantly impact the area. The consensus: Pent-up housing demands are so great that the market should be able to withstand these changes.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

New GDC Judge Elected — Trial attorney Raymond Obregon will be the newest judge in Fairfax’s General District Court. Obregon, who has practiced locally since 1999, was unanimously elected by Virginia’s General Assembly last week. He will join the bench on April 1. [Jared Serre]

Lincolnia Plumbing Supply Store Burglarized — “Detectives from our Criminal Investigations Division are seeking the community’s assistance in identifying two suspects who burglarized a plumbing supply store in Lincolnia. On February 16, at 5:43 a.m., officers responded to the 5600 block of General Washington Drive … for a commercial burglary.” [FCPD]

It’s Tuesday — Expect partly sunny skies with highs reaching 61 degrees and light, variable winds strengthening to a northwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. For Tuesday night, it will be mostly clear as temperatures drop to a low of 37 degrees and a northwest wind maintains a speed of around 6 mph. [NWS]


Around Town

Good Monday 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 — Feb 24, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌤️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect partly sunny skies and a high of 61, with calm winds shifting to a northwest direction at 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Tuesday night will be mostly clear, with a low of around 37 and a northwest wind at approximately 6 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.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.


Countywide

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin had a message this week for federal workers in Virginia affected by the Trump administration’s mass layoffs: there are job openings in the Commonwealth.

Speaking at Capital One headquarters in Tysons today (Monday), Youngkin announced the launch of VirginiaHasJobs.com, a new website aimed at connecting job seekers with employment opportunities across the state.


News

Virginia State Police are investigating a crash on Route 28 that killed a motorcyclist yesterday (Sunday).

According to police, the crash occurred around 12:36 p.m. yesterday on the entrance ramp from southbound Route 28 (Sully Road) to the I-66 West Express Lanes in Centreville.