The Town of Herndon is considering a number of changes to Bennett Street intended to make walking and cycling around the local high school safer.
Mike Shindledecker, the town’s transportation engineer, unveiled a preferred concept at a community meeting in the Herndon High School cafeteria on Wednesday (May 13) that would narrow the four-lane road to one travel lane in each direction.
Whether you’re seeking general academic support for your child or more intensive test preparation services, options abound in Fairfax County for programs that will keep kids’ minds sharp outside of class.
Here are the nominees for “Best Tutoring Service in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite center below? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, May 29.
A few weeks ago, we voted on the Best Real Estate Agent for Sellers in Fairfax County. The results are now official:
No matter your age, having a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family. A properly prepared will ensures your wishes are carried out, helps reduce family disputes, and can make the estate administration process much smoother.
Unfortunately, many Virginians make avoidable mistakes that can create unnecessary stress and expense for their loved ones. Here are five of the most common.
Online templates and DIY wills may seem like an easy way to save money, but they often create bigger problems later. Virginia law has specific requirements for a valid will, including proper signatures and witness requirements. Even small mistakes can leave a will open to challenges or delay the administration of an estate.
A will shouldn’t be something you create once and forget. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, buying a home, or losing a loved one can all affect your estate plan.
Reviewing your will every few years—or after a major life event—helps ensure it still reflects your wishes and keeps your loved ones protected.
Virginia no longer has a state estate tax, but federal estate taxes may still affect larger estates. As home values and investments continue to grow, more families may find themselves closer to the federal exemption than they expected.
Planning ahead can help minimize tax consequences and preserve more of your estate for your beneficiaries.
For parents, a will does more than distribute assets—it allows you to name a guardian for your minor children. Without that designation, a court may ultimately decide who will care for them.
Many families also choose to establish a trust so inherited assets can be managed responsibly until children reach an age or milestone they determine is appropriate.
Your executor is responsible for carrying out your wishes, paying debts, and distributing your assets. Selecting someone who is organized, trustworthy, and capable of handling those responsibilities is just as important as deciding who inherits your property.
It’s also essential to clearly identify your beneficiaries. Vague language or outdated information can create confusion and, in some cases, disputes among family members.
A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:
Together, these documents can help protect your finances, outline your healthcare wishes, and simplify matters for your family if you’re ever unable to make decisions yourself.
A well-prepared estate plan provides peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. By avoiding these common mistakes and keeping your documents up to date, you can help ensure your wishes are honored while reducing stress for your family in the future.
If it’s been several years since you’ve reviewed your will—or you’ve never created one—it may be time to speak with an experienced Virginia estate planning attorney about your options.
At PJI Law, PLC, we work with clients across Fairfax and Northern Virginia to build estate plans that reflect their intentions and align with Virginia law. Our estate planning attorneys take the time to review your assets, beneficiary designations, business interests, and family structure so your plan works as intended.
Whether you’re creating your first will or revisiting an existing one, our team will help you avoid the mistakes that can undermine your entire estate plan.
Call (703) 865-6100 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary consultation today.
PJI Law, PLC
3900 Jermantown Rd, 2nd Floor
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
(703) 865-6100
https://pjilaw.com
Fairfax County supervisors have reacted tepidly to a staff proposal for imposing what might be termed a “trash tax” on Fairfax’s property owners to support solid waste disposal.
“I don’t think we’re ready. It’s kind of a hard sell,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said in response to the proposal, floated at the May 12 meeting of the board’s Environment Committee.
Republican lawmakers accused Fairfax County’s top prosecutor and sheriff of being soft on crime and endangering lives due to policies limiting cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement — a charge both denied during a tense congressional hearing yesterday (Thursday).
Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano and Sheriff Stacey Kincaid testified that they do not provide preferential treatment to immigrants, as congressional Republicans repeatedly alleged throughout the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement hearing.
The George Mason Friends will hold their semi-annual Fall Book Sale at George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale from Wednesday evening, September 23 through Sunday, September 27, 2026.
A Preview Sale will be held on Wednesday evening from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm for a $20 entry fee per adult. A no entry fee, General Sale, will begin on Thursday, September 23 and run through Sunday, September 27, with hours 10:00 am to 5:30 pm daily.
A man from the Groveton area will face a slew of criminal charges once he leaves the hospital after allegedly stealing a delivery van and crashing it multiple times on Richmond Highway, injuring himself and another driver.
Officers responded around 3:31 p.m. on Wednesday (May 13) to Richmond Highway and Lorton Road in Lorton after receiving reports of “a multi-vehicle crash involving a stolen package delivery van that had been taken earlier in the day” in Fort Belvoir, the Fairfax County Police Department said.
Murder Charge for Huntington Stabbing — Fairfax County police arrested a 16-year-old boy on Wednesday (May 13) and charged him with first-degree murder for a fatal stabbing that occurred at the Farrington Place condominiums last Saturday (May 9). “The suspect and victim are known to each other and there is no threat to the community.” [FCPD]
Geese Cause I-66 Backup — “A family of geese — walking, instead of flying — backed up traffic on westbound I-66 in Arlington for more than an hour [yesterday] afternoon. A Metro Transit Police K-9 officer was the first to respond, protecting the birds alone for about 45 minutes” before state and county police arrived to assist, D.C.-area public safety watcher Dave Statter reported. [ARLnow]
NAACP Backs Redistricting Appeal — The civil rights organization “asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse Virginia’s high court ruling striking down the state’s redistricting referendum, arguing the decision nullified the votes of millions of Virginians who approved the measure last month.” [Virginia Mercury]
Spanberger Focused on Midterm Elections — “Days after Virginia Democrats filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court as part of their ongoing redistricting battle, Gov. Abigail Spanberger said she’s focused on the fall midterm elections and ensuring voters are motivated to turn out.” This year’s elections “will proceed under the current map,” regardless of the appeal’s outcome, she said. [WTOP]
FCPS Expanding Montessori Program — “Fairfax County Public Schools is embracing the Montessori learning model in some schools. After launching a Montessori program this academic year, the district will expand its offerings to new schools in the 2026–2027 school year.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Smithsonian Castle to Reopen — “The Smithsonian Castle is temporarily reopening on the National Mall next week after a years-long closure, complete with historic treasures and New England eats … The Smithsonian is going big for America’s 250th anniversary, reopening some of its most beloved landmarks on the south side of the Mall amid major renovations.” [Axios DC]
Tenant Coming to Vacant Commercial Building — “Something new and different is coming to a long-vacant building in Seven Corners. The building, at 6320 Castle Place, will be the second location of Redwood K-Wellness, a spa focusing on scalp treatments aimed at producing thick, full, and healthy hair.” [Annandale Today]
Park Authority Wins Federal Energy Award — “The Fairfax County Park Authority has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as a winner of the Better Project Award, which honors partners for outstanding accomplishments in implementing energy, water, and/or waste reduction projects at individual facilities.” [FCPA]
It’s Friday — The weather will be sunny with a high of around 71°F and northwest winds blowing at 10 to 13 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. Friday night will be mostly clear with a low near 53°F and calm winds. [NWS]
Good Thursday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — May 14, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Friday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Expect mostly sunny weather today with temperatures reaching a high of around 71°F. Winds from the northwest will be between 10 to 13 mph, with gusts up to 21 mph. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to about 53°F and calm winds. See more from Weather.gov.
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.
Fairfax County officials are ready to let residents move into Kingstowne Towne Center.
At its May 5 meeting, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Halle Companies’ proposal to convert a parking lot into two residential buildings with 646 units at the 35-acre shopping center.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has vetoed collective bargaining legislation from Fairfax County legislators that would have expanded collective bargaining rights in Virginia.
SB 378 and HB 1263 from Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34) and Del. Kathy Tran (D-18) would have repealed any bans on collective bargaining, mandating that the state and local governments negotiate labor contracts if public employees form a union.
