Countywide

Fairfax County leaders are taking preliminary steps to potentially restrict new tobacco and hemp retailers from locating in close proximity to schools and day-care facilities.

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously yesterday (Tuesday) to direct county staff to begin studying the regulatory options available to localities under a law passed earlier this year by the Virginia General Assembly.


News

Pickleball and tennis courts at two parks in the McLean area might be retired in the future.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is considering relocating two shared-use courts at Linway Terrace Park (6246 Linway Terrace) in McLean. Westgate Park (7508 Magarity Road) in Tysons also has two courts — one dedicated to tennis and one for both tennis and pickleball — slated for removal.


Countywide

Despite continued growth in early voting, Fairfax is facing an increasing space crunch at its Election Day voting locations.

“Many precincts are growing rapidly,” Fairfax County Electoral Board chair Kate Hanley told the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors yesterday (Tuesday) during a review of the 2024 election season.


Countywide

Construction is moving along on United Airlines’ new concourse at Dulles International Airport, a 14-gate expansion that officials say will usher in a “new era of growth” for the D.C. region’s largest airline.

Expected to open in late 2026, the 435,000-square-foot Concourse E will directly connect to the airport’s underground Aerotrain station, add capacity for international flights and offer new amenities, including retail, concessions and a 40,000-square-foot United Club for the airline’s members.


Event

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.


Around Town

A national pizza chain is targeting Belle Haven’s Kings Crossing Shopping Center for its next Fairfax location.

Permits have been filed to install a Papa Johns location in the shopping center, nestled into a space next to anchor tenant Walmart.


Countywide
Boats are docked on Lake Thoreau with Reston Station in the background (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

County Police Step Up DWI Enforcement for Holidays — “Our DWI Enforcement Squad ramps up at the end of every year to focus on Safe December. During this campaign, running from December 4 to December 29, the squad will increase their staffing and focus on ensuring our roadways remain safe this holiday season.” [FCPD]

Two People Shot Near Annandale Bowlero — “Police are investigating a shooting by the Bowlero bowling alley at 4245 Markham St. in Annandale on Dec. 1.” Officers who responded around 5 p.m “found a juvenile suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body.” Detectives believe an adult man who appeared at Virginia Hospital Center with a gunshot wound was also involved. [Annandale Today]

FCPS Still Looking Into Hayfield Football Program — “A week after Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid withdrew Hayfield Secondary School’s football team from the playoffs, the Virginia school system is still investigating troubling text messages that led to the high school athletic director’s resignation.” [WTOP]

Capital Bikeshare Use Growing but Uneven — Capital Bikeshare “has hit new monthly ridership records for six months and counting, and year over year, ridership jumped up a whopping 47.7% between October 2023 and October 2024 … But CaBi’s growth is uneven outside of the District itself, despite significant pockets of density and transit usage in the area’s suburbs.” [Greater Greater Washington]

Route 1 Widening to Close Local Bank — “United Bank, a community bank located at the corner of Richmond Highway and Sherwood Hall Lane in Gum Springs, will be permanently closing in February 2025, a spokesperson from the bank confirmed … The bank falls within the proposed right of way for the future Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit system.” [On the MoVe]

Pupatella Marks Reston Anniversary With Discount — “Wednesday, December 4th our Reston location is celebrating their Anniversary with $10 pizzas all day! Join us for great food, great fun, great prizes, and so much more!” [Pupatella/Instagram]

GMU Student Art to Be Displayed at Metro Stations — “You may spot some new works of art on your daily commute, thanks to four George Mason University student artists. These students will have original animations displayed on screens in six Metro stations as part of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Art in Transit Program.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Reston Association Seeks Board Candidates — “Reston Association is seeking candidates to serve on its Board of Directors. A total of three seats will be open for the election in March 2025,” including one at-large seat and the seats for the Tall Oaks/Lake Anne and North Point district directors. [Reston Association]

It’s Wednesday — Expect a mostly sunny day with temperatures reaching up to 42 and southwest winds increasing to 10-15 mph and gusts up to 24 mph. At night, there’s a 40% chance of rain and snow showers after 1 am, coupled with mostly cloudy skies and a low of 34°F. [NWS]


Around Town

Good Tuesday 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 — Dec 3, 2024.

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌥️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect increasing clouds and a high of 42 with light southwest winds turning south at 10 to 15 mph, gusting up to 25 mph. Wednesday night, there’s a 50% chance of rain and snow showers after 1am, with clouds gradually clearing and a low of 34. South winds will be around 16 mph, gusting up to 28 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.


News

Northbound traffic entering Tysons on the Capital Beltway is at a standstill as a result of a tractor-trailer fire.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units were dispatched to I-495 North under eastbound Leesburg Pike (Route 7) for a truck fire around 6:37 p.m.


Sports

Six girls volleyball players from the rival Flint Hill Huskies and Potomac School Panthers were chosen to Division I all-state teams from their performances during the fall high-school season.

Making first team from Flint Hill were senior hitter and setter Isabelle Bardin, senior libero Kadi Pynchon and sophomore middle blocker Hunter Ross and, from Potomac School, senior middle hitter Skylar Guliani.