Local and state transportation planners hope to provide some additional protection to users of the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail with a new safety initiative.
If approved by the Virginia Department of Transportation, the initiative will add high-visibility stop signs at nine trail intersections in Fairfax County, according to NOVA Parks, which owns the 45-mile-long regional park and is supporting the proposal.
A proposed amendment to Fairfax County’s comprehensive plan that could transform Centreville over the next few decades gained a key endorsement from the county’s planning commission this week.
The commission voted Wednesday (June 10) to recommend adoption of the amendment, which envisions a more walkable 2,700-acre area with a defined “town center,” more affordable and mixed-use housing, and enhanced public transportation.
For Fairfax County families, deciding to seek help is often only the beginning. The next question is more difficult: does the person need residential treatment, a Partial Hospitalization Program, an Intensive Outpatient Program, or standard outpatient care? The answer depends on more than the severity of substance use. Withdrawal risk, mental health symptoms, the home environment, previous treatment experiences, and the ability to remain stable between sessions can all change the recommendation. A clinical assessment helps determine the appropriate level of care without requiring families to make that decision alone.
No two people experience addiction the same way. The factors that influence treatment decisions include:
A thorough clinical assessment evaluates these factors before recommending a level of care. The goal isn’t to fit every person into the same program; it’s to match the amount of structure and support to what the individual actually needs at that point in recovery.
This is why addiction treatment in Fairfax, VA often involves different levels of care for different people, even when the underlying substance use appears similar.
For many individuals, the first step in treatment is detoxification; the process of managing withdrawal when the body is no longer receiving the substance it has become dependent on. Alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines are among the substances where withdrawal can be uncomfortable or, in some cases, medically serious.
Detox serves a specific purpose: stabilization. It helps individuals move through the acute withdrawal phase safely, with medical supervision when appropriate. However, detox isn’t a standalone treatment. It’s a preparation for ongoing care.
Novara Recovery Center in Fairfax coordinates inpatient detox placement when clinically appropriate and provides outpatient detox management for individuals who don’t require 24-hour medical supervision. The goal of detox isn’t to resolve addiction; it’s to create a stable foundation for the therapeutic work that follows.
The levels of care available in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia each serve a distinct purpose.
Residential Treatment provides higher structure and separation from everyday triggers. It may be recommended when someone can’t safely maintain stability in their home environment or needs a break from their usual surroundings.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) offer highly structured daytime clinical programming while allowing individuals to return home in the evenings. PHP provides intensive support without the need for residential care.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) involve multiple weekly treatment sessions while maintaining more independence. IOP offers consistent therapeutic support while accommodating work and family responsibilities.
Outpatient Addiction Treatment provides lower-intensity ongoing support when appropriate. It’s often used as a step-down after higher levels of care or for individuals who need less frequent clinical supervision.
The goal isn’t to place everyone in the most intensive program available. It is to match the level of structure to what the person needs at that point in recovery.
The most popular month for weddings is here, and Fairfax County offers a variety of settings for couples looking to tie the knot, from elegant ballrooms to scenic vistas and historic sites.
Here are the nominees for “Best Wedding Venue in Fairfax County” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite location below? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, June 26.
Voting for Best Mortgage Lender in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, June 19 at 8:30 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Summer Activities in Fairfax County. The results are now official:
It’s going to be another hot, humid day in Fairfax County, which will be under Heat Advisory from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today (Friday).
As it did yesterday, Fairfax County Public Schools has canceled all outdoor activities on school grounds during the time covered by the advisory, including recess, extracurricular activities and recreational programs by community groups.
Clear Out. Shred Securely. Give Back.
Sept. 19th | from 9-12 | Bring your unwanted documents to be securely shredded on-site by Priority 1 Shredding while helping support our local community!
Join Us To:
~Securely shred your unwanted documents
~Protect your personal information
~Help care for our environment
~Make a donation to help those in need
Non – Perishable Food or Personal Care Donations are welcome and appreciated!
The repurposing of Inova Health System’s former administrative headquarters in Merrifield is seeing mixed success nearly three years after it was approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
While construction continues on a conversion of one office building at 2990 Telestar Court into affordable housing, the live/work units planned for an adjacent building at 8110 Gatehouse Road are no longer moving forward, Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik shared at the board’s meeting on Tuesday, June 9.
IKEA will open its new Chantilly store at the site of the former Dulles Expo Center on June 18, the company announced yesterday.
The 107,000 square-foot space at 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center Drive is the Swedish furniture company’s first full-sized store in Fairfax County and its third in Virginia.
Dominion Leaders Grilled on Merger — “Lawmakers gathered in Richmond this week to grill Dominion leadership on the $67 billion all-stock deal which could see management of half of Virginia’s energy move outside the commonwealth.” Legislators on Virginia’s Energy Commission who questioned the acquisition by NextEra included Fairfax Del. Rip Sullivan and Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell. [WVTF]
Kennedy Center Board to Challenge Ruling on Name — “President Donald Trump’s handpicked board at the Kennedy Center is mounting a last-minute effort to keep his name on the facade of the iconic performing arts facility before a court-ordered deadline to remove it by Friday.” The board voted yesterday (Thursday) to seek a stay of the May 29 ruling that found Trump’s name was added illegally. [Associated Press]
Criminal Record Sealing Law to Take Effect — “A Virginia law going into effect on July 1 will seal the criminal records of many people convicted of low-level offenses … Advocates say the change will open up housing and employment opportunities, helping people to move on with their lives years after committing an offense. Critics have raised public safety concerns.” [ARLnow]
Tex-Mex Restaurant Opens Near GMU — Doña Mesa Tex Mex Kitchen opened yesterday (Thursday) at 106 Braddock Road, Suite C, in University Mall, joining other recent additions like the rebranded Velocity Bar and Kitchen and Another Broken Egg Cafe. The menu features “the quesadillas, fajitas and tacos Tex-Mex fans will expect, as well as specialties like slow-cooked Mexican ribs, stuffed shrimp, marinated grilled chicken, ribeye steak and more.” [Patch]
Sports Complex Expansion Approved — “The Board of Supervisors on June 9 approved a zoning special exception to allow a major expansion of the private school for elite student athletes at the St. James sports complex in Springfield … The expansion will allow the [St. James Performance Academy] to enroll 660 students and add 110 employees.” [Annandale Today]
Resources for the World Cup — “The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway until July 19 — the global sporting event that captures passion and play … There are many watch parties for many teams across the county. If you want to cheer on the U.S. Men’s National Team, then Tysons is one spot to consider for matches on June 12, June 19 and June 25.” [Fairfax County Government]
Taste of Springfield Returns — “Join us for the 8th annual Taste of Springfield Festival on Saturday, June 13th from 11 AM-5 PM in the parking lot near Dick’s Sporting Goods … This family-friendly event allows you to stroll through the dozens of fun exhibitors outdoors while sampling some of the delicious offerings of local restaurants and chefs.” [Springfield Town Center]
RTC North Town Hall Next Week — “Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn will host a community town hall next week on the Reston Town Center North rezoning proposal before it advances to the Planning Commission in July. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the North County Governmental Center.” [Hunter Mill District Office]
New Legal Notice — Establishment seeks restaurant ABC license; objections due within 30 days. [Public Notices]
It’s Friday — There’s an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5 pm, with some severe storms possible. The high will be near 95, and the heat index could reach 103. In the evening, storms will continue until about 8 pm, with lows around 67. [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 — Jun 11, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Friday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Expect showers and thunderstorms, especially after 4pm, with some storms potentially severe. The high will be near 95, with a heat index reaching up to 103. Winds will come from the west at 3 to 8 mph, and there’s an 80% chance of rain, with potential for heavy rainfall in thunderstorms. Friday night, thunderstorms are likely before 8pm and may also be severe. The sky will be mostly cloudy earlier, clearing gradually later, with a low around 67. Winds will shift from west to northwest at 7 to 9 mph after midnight, and there’s a 60% chance of rain. 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.
With the last day of school coming up fast, Fairfax County Public Library hopes to see more kids cracking open books over summer break, instead of putting them away.
The county library system will kick off its annual summer reading program this Saturday, June 13 with the return of its Children’s Summer Reading Festival, a free event organized by the nonprofit Fairfax Library Foundation.
