Countywide

Fairfax County offers financial aid to protect homes from flooding

By Angela Woolsey
A flooded neighborhood road (courtesy DPWES)

Amid an extended stretch of dangerous heat, humidity and potential drought, flooding hasn’t been the D.C. area’s top meterological concern this summer, but the possibility might’ve crossed some minds during a passing downpour on Wednesday (July 10) — remnants of Hurricane Beryl, which has devastated other parts of the U.S. and the Caribbean.

With climate change exacerbating storms and other extreme weather, Fairfax County has created a new grant program that will reimburse residents who shore up their home against flooding.

Go to Fairfax County offers financial aid to protect homes from flooding Read more
Countywide

FCPS plans pilot as Gov. Youngkin seeks to restrict cell phone use in schools

By James Jarvis
A closeup of an iPhone screen (via Adrien/Unsplash)

Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s recent executive order to limit phone use in Virginia schools may align with a new pilot program being considered by Fairfax County Public Schools.

Signed Wednesday (July 10), the executive order directs the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to gather feedback from parents, teachers, and administrators to create guidelines for enforcing “cell-phone-free” classrooms in public schools.

Go to FCPS plans pilot as Gov. Youngkin seeks to restrict cell phone use in schools Read more
News

Fairfax City to replace more Old Town gas lamps with LED lights

By Angela Woolsey
A streetlight on North Street in front of Draper's Steak and Seafood in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

More of the gas-powered lamps around Old Town Fairfax will dim in the coming weeks, as the city advances to a new phase of its push to convert all streetlights to LED bulbs.

To kick off the project’s next stage, workers will remove 33 decommissioned gas lights this month, starting Sunday (July 14) on Chain Bridge Road between Main Street and North Street. Additional work is planned for July 21 on Main Street from Chain Bridge Road (Route 123) to Blenheim Blvd and on a portion of University Drive south of Main Street.

Go to Fairfax City to replace more Old Town gas lamps with LED lights Read more
News

McLean police station designates traffic enforcement officer

By Angela Woolsey
Fairfax County Police Officer First Class Brian Hungarter is the new lead traffic enforcement officer for the McLean District Police Station (via Dranesville Dispatch)

The Fairfax County Police Department has assigned an officer to guide the enforcement of traffic laws and safety in its McLean District.

Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman shared in his Dranesville Dispatch newsletter yesterday that Police Officer First Class Brian Hungarter has been named the lead traffic enforcement officer for the station, which covers a 44-square-mile area from McLean, Great Falls and Tysons down to Merrifield and Pimmit Hills.

Go to McLean police station designates traffic enforcement officer Read more
Event

Botanical Estate: Flower, Fashion, & Fine Arts Show

Poster advertising Botanical Estate: Flowers, Fine Art & Fashion Show on August 22, 2026 at Hawa Center, Fairfax VA (People of the Garden).

Hawa Center Fairfax

4401 Fair Lakes Court

Fairfax, Virginia 22033

Website Contact Social

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.

Go to Botanical Estate: Flower, Fashion, & Fine Arts Show Read more
News

Reston Town Center bridge work to temporarily close W&OD Trail

By Angela Woolsey
W&OD Trail users will be detoured while a pedestrian bridge is installed near Reston Town Center (courtesy Boston Properties)

The Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail will be momentarily off limits near Reston Town Center, as construction continues on a new pedestrian bridge.

The trail will be closed from Friday, July 26 through Sunday, July 28 while workers install the bridge, which will cross over the trail to connect the existing town center with the Reston Next development emerging around the Metro station.

Go to Reston Town Center bridge work to temporarily close W&OD Trail Read more
Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com
Crossing University Drive at Main Street in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Scam Warning From County Animal Shelter — “SCAM ALERT! We’ve become aware of scammers falsely claiming to represent our shelter, calling pet owners alleging that we have their pets and requesting funds for urgent medical expenses. If you receive any suspicious communications, please hang up and contact us directly.” [Fairfax County Animal Shelter/Twitter]

McLean Rower Has Qualified for Olympics — “Fifteen athletes from Virginia have qualified for the Paris Summer Olympic Games as Team USA continues to take shape. Among those 15 Virginians is 27-year-old Claire Collins of McLean, who is a member of the U.S. Women’s Rowing Team.” [Patch]

Culmore Library Renaming Approved — “The Fairfax County Library Board of Trustees voted on July 10 to rename the Woodrow Wilson Library the Culmore Community Library…Over the past few months, the Library Board received numerous comments from the community urging the board to change the name citing Wilson’s support for racial segregation.” [Annandale Today]

Dulles Ranked Among World’s Best Airports — “Dulles International Airport ranks as the 11th best airport in the world, a ranking by AirHelp finds. AirHelp, a passenger rights tech company that assists passengers with flight disruptions, crunched data for 239 of the world’s busiest airports in 69 countries.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Local Delegate Reflects on General Assembly Session — “Active, highly partisan and ultimately productive are how Del. Rip Sullivan (D-McLean) described this year’s General Assembly session at the McLean Citizens Association’s July 3 board meeting.” His adopted bills included ones that address tree preservation and allergic reaction awareness training. [Gazette Leader]

Park Authority Recognizes Top Volunteers — “At its meeting on July 10, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved a resolution honoring 23 individuals as outstanding volunteers. These peer-nominated individuals were recognized for their dedication to their community and their invaluable service to the Fairfax County park system.” [FCPA]

Virginia Named No. 1 State for Business — “With the nation’s best education system and policies that give companies room — both literally and figuratively — to grow, Virginia is America’s Top State for Business in 2024. This is the Old Dominion’s sixth time at the top of CNBC’s rankings, and its third win in five years.” [CNBC]

It’s Friday — Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms, increasing after 7am with a high near 81. Precipitation likelihood is 90%, with new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch. Friday night brings a 70% chance of showers. Temperatures dip to around 73, and another quarter to half an inch of rain is expected. [NWS]

Around Town

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 11, 2024

By FFXnow.com

Good Thursday 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 — Jul 11, 2024.

📅 Upcoming events

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

  • No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.

⛈️ Friday’s forecast

Expect showers and thunderstorms before 2pm, followed by showers and potential thunderstorms mainly after 2pm, with a high near 81 and an east wind at 3-5 mph. Precipitation chance is 90%, with possible rainfall amounts between a quarter to half an inch. On Friday night, anticipate showers and possible thunderstorms mainly before 2am, with chances of showers and storms after 2am. Low temperatures will be around 72, with a southeast wind around 5 mph turning calm in the evening. Precipitation chance is 80%, with potential rainfall between a quarter to half an inch. 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

Traffic clogs I-95 near Springfield after dump truck crashes into sign

By Angela Woolsey
Three northbound lanes on I-95 are closed to traffic after an overhead sign was damaged by a dump truck (via 511Virginia)

Virginia State Police are searching for a dump truck that reportedly crashed into an overhead sign on I-95 in Springfield and bolted.

Troopers were dispatched to northbound I-95 at 12:18 p.m. today (Thursday) after getting a report of debris near the 168-mile marker, which is just south of the Franconia-Springfield Parkway interchange, according to the VSP.

Go to Traffic clogs I-95 near Springfield after dump truck crashes into sign Read more
View More Stories