FFXnow - Fairfax County, Va. local news

Morning Notes

Published November 29, 2023 at 8:15AM

Reston Town Center's Colonial parking garage is decorated with a mural at the intersection of Freedom and Fountain drives (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Dulles Airport in Record-Long Snowless Streak — “From southern Virginia to New York City, nearly two years have elapsed since the last time an inch or more of snow fell on a calendar day. In several locations, the snow drought is the longest on record. The lack of snow has occurred during abnormally warm winters and amid a trend toward declining amounts of snow — both probable consequences of human-caused climate change.” [Washington Post]

Attack on Rep. Connolly Staff Gets Court Hearing — “A Congressional staff member who was struck in the head with a baseball bat in May continues to undergo therapy for the aftereffects of the concussion she suffered in the attack at Rep. Gerry Connolly’s city of Fairfax district office, the staffer testified Monday.” [Patch]

Around Town

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Nov 28, 2023

By FFXnow.com

Published November 28, 2023 at 8:30PM

Good Tuesday 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 — Nov 28, 2023.

Move in today — Tysons Corner’s newest affordable apartment community near McLean Metro

Published August 12, 2026 at 10:45AM

Up to Two Months Free on Select Apartments!*

Finding a modern, budget-friendly apartment in the heart of Tysons Corner just got easier. Indigo at McLean Station is open and welcoming residents to a vibrant, connected lifestyle. Located just .3 miles from the McLean Metro Station, this brand-new affordable housing community merges transit-oriented convenience with exceptional apartment finishes and upscale amenities.

Discover Phase I & Phase II Floor Plans

Whether you are looking to move immediately or planning for the fall, Indigo has an option for you:

Phase I (Immediate Move-Ins): Limited studio and one-bedroom floor plans are remaining. All remaining Phase I apartments are reserved for households at the 60% Area Median Income (AMI) level.
Phase II (November 2026 Move-Ins): Pre-leasing is now underway for studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. Phase II homes accommodate AMI tiers ranging from 50% to 70%.

Ready to find your perfect layout? Visit the Floor Plan Page of our Website to browse current availability and download detailed information on maximum allowable household income guidelines.

Join Us for an Open House Event

Come experience the community firsthand! We are hosting an Open House, and you are invited to tour our brand-new spaces.

Date & Time: Saturday, August 22nd from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: 1750 Old Meadow Rd, McLean, VA 22102
What to Expect: Full tours of Phase I apartments and community amenities, light refreshments, and an exciting raffle.
Exclusive Event Special: Anyone who submits an application during the Open House will receive 1/2 month’s rent free*! This can be combined with any of our active leasing specials.

Can’t make it to the event or want to lock in your spot sooner? Schedule a Tour Today to see the property on your own schedule.

Modern Finishes, Flexible Living, and Ultimate Pet-Friendliness

Indigo at McLean Station is designed to elevate your daily routine. Inside your apartment, you will find contemporary finishes, open layouts, and energy-efficient appliances.

We also believe peace of mind extends to your finances and your furry family members:

Flexible Rent Payments: We partner with the Flex Platform, giving residents the ability to pay rent on a prescribed, flexible monthly schedule that matches their cash flow.
True Pet-Friendly Living: Indigo has no breed restrictions. We feature an on-site Pet Spa to keep your pets looking their best, alongside a beautiful Walking Trail right outside your door.

A Connected, Tech-Driven Community Lifestyle

Life at Indigo is built around connection. Through our exclusive resident app, Cobu, neighbors easily plug into a thriving community lifestyle. The Cobu app serves as your digital neighborhood hub, allowing you to:

View the full resident events schedule.
Access exclusive local deals and offers.
Buy and sell items securely in the neighborhood marketplace.
Join interest groups and chat with neighbors.
Create and host your own resident-sponsored events.

Curious about what it is actually like to live here? Chat With One of Our Residents to get an authentic perspective on the Indigo lifestyle.

Start Your Journey Today

We are currently offering incredible introductory leasing incentives, including Up to Two Months Free on Select Apartments!*

Take a look around right now by exploring our Virtual Tour Playlist to view detailed video walkthroughs of our Phase I apartments and amenities. For more details, Visit Our Website for full availability, pricing, and active specials. Have questions about income qualifications? Contact Us Online or call our leasing team directly at (571) 786-5546.

*Specials apply to new applicants only, on select apartments, are subject to change and may have additional conditions

Schedule a Tour

News

Traffic Alert: Hunter Mill Road closed near Nova Wild zoo for gas leak

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 28, 2023 at 7:10PM

Fire and rescue units and Washington Gas are on the scene of a gas leak in the 10600 block of Chamberlain Drive in Reston (via FCFRD/Twitter)

Nearly a mile of Hunter Mill Road in Reston has been closed in response to an outside gas leak in a residential neighborhood.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department says units responded around 4 p.m. to the gas leak in the 10600 block of Chamberlain Drive. Washington Gas is currently on the scene making repairs.

News

Redevelopment of Food Star site in Bailey’s Crossroads approved

By Fatimah Waseem

Published November 28, 2023 at 3:30PM

A mix of commercial and retail uses were approved for the Food Star site in Bailey's Crossroads (Image via handout/Fairfax County Government).

The Food Star site in Bailey’s Crossroads is officially open for redevelopment.

At a meeting on Nov. 21, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a plan amendment to allow a mix of commercial and residential units on the 12.7-acre site at the southeast intersection of Leesburg Pike and Carlin Springs Road.

Event

A Safe Place: How to Prevent the Next School Shooting by local author

September 6, 2026 2:00 pm -3:30 pm

Centreville Regional Library

14200 St. Germain Dr.

Centreville, Virginia 20121

Website Contact

Local author and Fairfax County Public Library librarian Luis D. Aponte invites parents and community leaders to an empowering discussion inspired by his book “A Safe Place: How to Prevent the Next School Shooting.” Drawing on seven years of research into more than 1,200 U.S. school shooting incidents, he shares practical, nonpartisan, research‑based steps families and schools can use to strengthen safety and emotional well‑being. Discover hopeful, community‑building solutions that help every child feel supported and able to thrive. Attendees receive two free ebooks, with a paperback signing to follow.

Adults. No registration required. Free event. For more information, visit ASafePlaceBook.com.

Around Town

New bank coming to Reston’s Campus Commons

By Fatimah Waseem

Published November 28, 2023 at 2:30PM

The bank is slated to open at the Campus Commons development (Image via Google Maps).

A new bank is coming to Reston’s Campus Commons development.

Capital Bank appears to be opening a location at 1900 Campus Commons Drive in Suite 130, according to Fairfax County permits. The company did not return several requests for comment from FFXnow.

News

FCPS reveals more details of planned Dunn Loring Elementary School

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 28, 2023 at 1:30PM | Updated April 5, 2024 at 8:11PM

Fairfax County Public Schools is seeking to build a four-level Dunn Loring Elementary School at Idylwood and Gallows Road (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County Public Schools has settled on a path forward for its plan to construct a new elementary school in Dunn Loring.

A rezoning application recently submitted to the county proposes demolishing the existing Dunn Loring Administrative Center at 2334 Gallows Road and replacing it with a four-level school building that will be accompanied by athletic fields and playgrounds.

Countywide

Virginia launches pilot to mentor new principals

By Nathaniel Cline / Virginia Mercury

Published November 28, 2023 at 11:45AM

Two teachers walk in a school corridor (via Virginia Department of Education/Facebook)

The Virginia Department of Education is launching a pilot program to help support new and inexperienced principals at federally designated at-risk schools in an effort to address what officials call a “crucial need.”

“We are excited about it. Mentoring principals has been a long time coming to the commonwealth,” said Randy Barrack, CEO of the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals, which along with the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals is partnering with VDOE, in an email to the Mercury.

News

County board approves zoning changes to curb light pollution in Great Falls

By Fatimah Waseem

Published November 28, 2023 at 11:00AM | Updated November 28, 2023 at 4:56PM

The roll-top observatory at Turner Farm Park (courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority)

(Updated at 4:55 p.m.) After more than two years of development, a new set of regulations will officially preserve dark skies around Turner Park Farm Observatory in Great Falls.

At a meeting on Nov. 21, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved zoning changes that aim to reduce light pollution and preserve dark skies within a half-mile of the observatory.

Countywide

Union for Fairfax Connector workers blasts pay proposal as contract nears expiration

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 28, 2023 at 10:15AM

A Fairfax Connector bus in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax Connector’s operator and workers remain far apart in their negotiations for a new labor contract, says the union representing drivers and other employees of Northern Virginia’s largest public bus system.

Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 accused contractor Transdev of “clearly not [being] serious about bargaining in good faith” in a strongly worded statement issued last Wednesday (Nov. 22), just before Thanksgiving.