Fairfax County government | FFXnow

Herndon, Vienna, Clifton would benefit from revisions to plastic bag tax law

Published February 11, 2025 at 2:30PM

A plastic grocery bag (via Christopher Vega on Unsplash)

Its future remains uncertain, but legislation in Richmond could bring the towns of Herndon, Vienna and Clifton more money to spend on environmental and social-service initiatives.

A bill patroned by Del. Marty Martinez (D-29) would allow Virginia towns to get a portion of the plastic bag tax revenue collected by their surrounding county. After passing the House of Delegates on a 52-45 vote on Jan. 23, the measure advanced from a Senate Committee on Local Government on a party-line tally of 8-7 on Monday (Feb. 10).

Countywide

JUST IN: FCPS to open on two-hour delay Thursday due to icy weather

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 5, 2025 at 3:55PM | Updated February 5, 2025 at 4:12PM

The surface of Wolftrap Creek turned to ice after snowstorms in January 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Schools will clear school grounds early tonight (Wednesday) and start classes late tomorrow (Thursday) in anticipation of some wintry weather.

FCPS announced that all activities on school grounds, including sports practices and extracurricular activities, must wrap up by 9 p.m. In addition, schools will start on a two-hour delay tomorrow with a mix of snow and sleet expected to freeze overnight.

Countywide

Fairfax officials scramble to assess impact of Trump’s federal funding freeze

By James Jarvis and Angela Woolsey

Published January 28, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated January 28, 2025 at 6:31PM

The White House (via René DeAnda on Unsplash)

Update: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s order freezing federal grants and loans minutes before it was set to take effect at 5 p.m.

Earlier: Fairfax County officials are scrambling to assess how a new federal directive halting financial aid programs might impact local services and capital projects.

Countywide

Fairfax County names permanent transportation director after 19 months

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 23, 2025 at 3:45PM

Fairfax County Department of Transportation Director Gregg Steverson (courtesy Fairfax County)

Gregg Steverson can finally drop the “acting” from his job title.

The career transportation planner has been appointed as Fairfax County’s permanent director of transportation after intially filling the role on an interim basis following predecessor Tom Biesiadny’s retirement in May 2023, the county announced today (Thursday).

Countywide

Planning Commission defers vote on revised rules for special events, food trucks

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 10, 2025 at 1:15PM

Stands serve food at the 2024 Mosaic District Fall Festival (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Proposals to streamline the process of applying for community special event permits from the county government won the Fairfax County Planning Commission’s general support on Wednesday (Jan. 8).

However, with a number of details left unresolved, members deferred final action on whether to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the changes to next Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Countywide

Fairfax County suspends bus and trash service, travel discouraged as snow falls

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 6, 2025 at 10:20AM

An emergency vehicle drives in the snow on Burke Lake Road around 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The snowstorm that began overnight has effectively shut down Fairfax County.

After closing most local government offices and facilities, the county announced this morning (Monday) that Fairfax Connector has suspended all bus service, as of 7:46 a.m., and no trash and recycling collection services will be provided today.

Countywide

BREAKING: FCPS cancels Monday classes with at least 5 inches of snow predicted

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 5, 2025 at 3:55PM | Updated January 5, 2025 at 4:54PM

A Fairfax County Public School bus in snow (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Schools has called off classes for tomorrow (Monday), giving students an extra day of winter break as the D.C. region braces for what could be its biggest snowstorm in years.

Joining Arlington and other local school districts, FCPS will close its school buildings and offices tomorrow. All activities on school grounds have been canceled, including extracurricular activities, athletic practices and adult education classes, and School Age Child Care centers will also be closed.

News

Reston neighborhood is first to get EV chargers under county program

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 26, 2024 at 11:15AM

Reston's Harpers Square cluster has installed two shared electric vehicle charging ports (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

More than a year after it launched, Fairfax County’s program to help neighborhoods introduce communal electric vehicle charging stations has resulted in its first installations.

County officials joined residents of the Harpers Square cluster in Reston on Dec. 18 for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the addition of two EV chargers, making it the first community to successfully get through the Charge Up Fairfax program.

Countywide

GMU to help Fairfax County adopt AI tech for 911 call center

By Jared Serre

Published December 11, 2024 at 9:00AM

Inside Fairfax County's 911 center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Thanks to a grant of nearly $1 million, Fairfax County’s emergency response stands to capitalize on recent gains in artificial intelligence.

The county’s Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC) is partnering with George Mason University’s Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities (C-RASC) for a project that will embrace AI solutions to tackle challenges faced by emergency communications systems across the region.

Countywide

Fairfax County board finalizes priorities for state lawmakers, Congress

By Scott McCaffrey

Published December 5, 2024 at 9:00AM

In front of the Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After weeks of discussions, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted along party lines on Tuesday (Dec. 3) to adopt policy packages establishing its 2025 priorities for the Virginia General Assembly and Congress.

The packages seek additional funding from the state legislature, particularly for education and transportation, and set up potential conflict areas with the incoming Trump administration.