News

George Mason University has begun raising money in earnest to help fund a $70 million makeover of its performing arts center in Fairfax.

Publicly launched yesterday (Wednesday), the “Give Voice” initiative seeks to raise $35 million for a renovation of the Center for the Arts, the 1,935-seat concert hall at 4373 Mason Pond Drive. The university itself is expected to match the private donations with an additional $35 million.


Countywide

Local superstar Ilia Malinin and other figure skaters will convene in D.C. next month to pay tribute to the victims of last week’s airplane and helicopter crash near Reagan National Airport.

Set for Sunday, March 2, at Capital One Arena, the “Legacy on Ice” benefit will raise funds to support the families and loved ones of the 67 people killed in the Jan. 29 crash, while serving as a showcase for the American figure skating community, which lost 28 members.


Countywide

If it seems like you know or have encountered more sick people this winter, it might not be your imagination.

The Fairfax Health District, which includes Fairfax County, Fairfax City and Falls Church, is experiencing high levels of respiratory illnesses, driven particularly by influenza, according to the Fairfax County Health Department.


Event

Menopause is more than a physical transition—it can also be a time of profound change in how we see ourselves and what we want from life. As familiar roles, responsibilities, and priorities shift, many women find themselves asking, “Who am I now?” In this presentation, we'll explore how our identities have been shaped and consider which parts of ourselves still fit and which may be ready to change.

RSVP: erica@indigotangles.com


News

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors took less than 10 minutes on Tuesday (Feb. 4) to approve land-use changes allowing for a continuing-care facility along Route 7 in the Reston/Great Falls area.

The proposal by Silverstone Senior Living calls for up to 130 units — a mix of independent-living and assisted-living options — on the 22.5-acre parcel at 10819 Leesburg Pike, across from Riva Ridge Road and west of Baron Cameron Avenue.


News

More federal employees soon may be back working full-time from their offices — at least those who don’t get laid off.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors directed staff on Tuesday (Feb. 4) to develop a communication and outreach strategy to inform workers who will be returning to the office, as ordered by the Trump administration, of the full range of available transit options and ways to make commuting less costly.


Countywide
Difficult Run opens to the Potomac River in Great Falls Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

ICE Arrests Annandale Residents — “ICE agents arrested six men outside Fairmont Gardens in Annandale [Wednesday] morning. The men were spotted walking down Little River Turnpike in handcuffs. The men were waiting for jobs. One was released because he had a work permit, says Nayely Lopez of FACETS.” [Annandale Today]

Driver Killed in I-95 Crash — “Virginia State Police are investigating a crash that happened just after 2:30 p.m. on [Tuesday, Feb. 4 in] the southbound 95 Express Lanes at the 151 mile marker in Prince William County,” creating traffic delays from Dumfries to Lorton. A Lexus driver died at the scene, and a passenger in the vehicle was taken to a hospital. [WTOP]

Health Centers Closing Due to Funding Freeze — “Half of Virginia’s community health centers have been cut off from federal grant money, forcing some to stop providing certain services and others to close branches.” Even though a judge stayed the Trump administration’s funding freeze last week, 16 of the state’s 31 Federally Qualified Health Centers have been unable to access funds used to pay their employees. [VPM]

Arrest Made in Chantilly School and Church Thefts — A Chantilly man has been charged with burglary, property destruction and petit larceny after he allegedly stole from a church donation box and burglarized a school. “The two separate incidents happened at the end of January 2024, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.” [DC News Now]

Police Investigate Vehicle Part Thefts — Fairfax County police are looking for an Ohio man who they say was involved in catalytic converter thefts in Woodlawn on Jan. 5. “The complainant reported seeing two men carrying tools and attempting to break into vehicles. Officers located several catalytic converters, the suspects’ vehicle, and tools nearby.” [FCPD]

Lincolnia Credit Union Robbed — The Navy Federal Credit Union in Barcroft Plaza was robbed yesterday (Wednesday) shortly before 11:30 a.m. “The suspect entered the bank, at 6343 Columbia Pike in Lincolnia, and demanded money, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. The suspect did not display a weapon. No one was injured.” [Annandale Today]

Falls Church to Wait and See on Deer Management — “Deer culling efforts are unlikely to get off the ground in Falls Church any time soon, city leaders indicated this week.” At a Monday (Feb. 3) night work session, the city’s animal control officer said complaints about deer have been minimal, but city council members suggested keeping an eye on local populations. [ARLnow]

Murals Could Beautify Route 1 Construction — “As more and more buildings along Richmond Highway are demolished in preparation for construction of the bus rapid transit (BRT) system, the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation (SFDC) is hoping to improve the appearance of the corridor with more artwork.” [On the MoVe]

It’s Thursday — Expect rain mainly before 1pm, with a high temperature near 49°F. There’s a 90% chance of precipitation, with new amounts between a tenth to a quarter of an inch possible. For Thursday night, it’ll be mostly cloudy with a low around 40°F. [NWS]


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 — Feb 5, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌧️ Thursday’s forecast

Rain and sleet can be expected until 11am, followed by a chance of rain until 1pm. The high will be around 50°F with a southeast wind of 7-10 mph shifting to southwest in the afternoon and gusts up to 20 mph. Precipitation is almost certain, with less than half an inch of sleet accumulation. Tonight, expect mostly cloudy skies, a low of 39°F, and a 7-9 mph southwest wind turning 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.


Sports

Wrestlers from 20 different high schools in Fairfax County recently earned berths at the Zone 4 qualifying event to participate in the Virginia High School League girls state tournament.

The top five wrestlers in each weight class earned those berths at Hayfield Secondary School, with the fifth-place finishers designated as alternates. The state tournament is Wednesday-Thursday, Feb. 26-27, at the Henrico Sports and Events Center in Glen Allen.