Fairfax County’s median apartment rental rate dipped 2.3% year-over-year in March, as most major corridors of the county posted declines.
The median apartment rate of $2,359 for the month countywide dropped from $2,414 in March 2025, according to data reported March 30 by Apartment List.
Local law enforcement is searching for a 21-year-old Baltimore woman accused of swiping jewelry from multiple victims through sleight of hand.
Cristina Milhaela Paun has been connected to two different incidents where a woman’s necklace was stolen — both on March 20, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
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
Vienna residents will have to wait a little while longer before a forthcoming Shipley Do-Nuts location officially opens for business.
Construction to build out the space adjacent to Smoothie King is underway. But despite recent speculation that it could open as soon as next month, the neighborhood’s new donut shop is not expecting to open its doors until later this summer.
Herndon leaders took a long-awaited step last week to ensure affordable housing will be a priority in future development.
The Herndon Town Council directed town staff and a hired consultant on March 24 to develop guidance for promoting affordable housing until a more detailed, long-term policy can established as part of a comprehensive plan update for 2050.
*Mamistad Groups meet IN PERSON-only the introductory Zoom call is virtual. 🙂
Pregnancy and new mom groups are a lifesaver when it comes to normalizing those feelings we just can’t be prepared for.
A man in Bailey’s Crossroads has been charged with murder for the death of his infant daughter.
Fairfax County police officers were dispatched to an apartment in the 3400 block of Lake Street around 7:32 p.m. last Friday (March 27) after receiving a report of an infant “not breathing,” according to the police scanner.
Frying Pan Carousel Damaged — “A 108-year-old carousel enjoyed by generations of families in Northern Virginia has gone forever silent and still. The Fairfax County Park Authority said January’s winter storm left the antique carousel at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon severely damaged … Efforts are getting underway to bring a new carousel to the park, hopefully in the spring of next year.” [WTOP]
FCPS Calendar Changes Considered — “To address the logistical challenges frustrating some parents, several school board members, including Dunne, Melanie Meren, Ricardy Anderson and Ryan McElveen, are proposing changes. One would allow schools to remain open on Veterans Day and Indigenous Peoples Day. Another would limit early-release days at elementary, middle and high schools to no more than four per year.” [WTOP]
Pennino Building Won’t Reopen Before Summer — “The Pennino Building, which houses many of the county’s human services agencies and was damaged in February by flooding, will continue to be closed for the next couple of months, at least. The earliest the building will reopen will be in the summer,” though the county says “significant progress has been made” on repairs. [Fairfax County Emergency Information]
White House Ballroom Construction Halted — “U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon ruled Tuesday that construction on President Trump’s White House ballroom ‘must stop until Congress authorizes its completion.’ Using a notable number of exclamation points, Leon said … the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States is likely to succeed in their lawsuit and therefore he is granting a preliminary injunction to halt construction.” [NPR]
Clinics Advocate for State Contraception Funding — “Planned Parenthood clinics are urging lawmakers to move a key contraception access program back to state funding as uncertainty grows around federal health care support. Despite currently being state funded, the budget introduced by former Gov. Glenn Youngkin … shifted the Virginia Contraceptive Access Initiative to a federal funding stream.” [Virginia Mercury]
Springfield Plaza Adding EV Chargers — Electrify America has leased a portion of Springfield Plaza’s parking lot for a “large-format” electric vehicle charging station that will have about 20 chargers. The site had been used by commuters for slugging until Fairfax County opened its new parking garage in 2024, and efforts to market the space for a new retail building found no takers. [Washington Business Journal]
New Thai Restaurant in Falls Church — “After nearly a year of preparations, My Home Thai Bistro plans to host a grand opening this Saturday for its new restaurant at 1009 W. Broad Street. The new eatery aims to bring ‘a modern take on Thai cuisine with a refined yet welcoming atmosphere,’ co-owner Anuchit ‘Andrew’ Suthus-na-Ayuttaya told ARLnow.” [ARLnow]
Walk and Win Challenge Begins — “The 2026 Fairfax County Walk & Win Challenge returns April 1, inviting residents, employees, and visitors to get moving, explore their community, and win prizes — just by walking … Submit your walk by uploading a photo or screenshot along with your name, email and chosen route to be entered into weekly prize drawings.” [Supervisor Rodney Lusk/Facebook]
It’s Wednesday — Expect mostly sunny conditions with a high near 86, and a 30% chance of precipitation after 3 pm. Southwest winds will be 8 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph. Chances of showers and possibly a thunderstorm are 70% at night until 2 am. It will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
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 — Mar 31, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Expect a mostly sunny day with a high of 86°F and a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 PM. Southwest winds will range from 8 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph. By Wednesday night, showers and possible thunderstorms are likely, especially before 2 AM, becoming less frequent after that. It will be mostly cloudy with a low of 58°F, and south winds shifting to east at 5 to 7 mph. There is a 70% chance of precipitation, with rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, potentially higher during thunderstorms. 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.
As Fairfax County continues to plan for the future of Lake Anne, a newly conceived award will honor individuals who have helped turn Reston’s oldest village center into the community it is today.
Radhika Murari, owner of Lake Anne Plaza’s OmBaked CBD Boutique (11414 Washington Plaza West), is currently seeking nominations for the inaugural Lake Anne Good Neighbor Award.
Vienna is slated to welcome a new, family-owned destination for Yemeni cuisine over the next few months.
Sheeba Restaurant, a franchise offering both Yemeni and Mediterranean cuisine, is currently preparing to open at 111 Church Street NW, where it’ll offer a variety of specialties, including sandwiches, salads, shawarma platters, all-day shak-shookah and spreads like hummus and baba ghanouj.
