Countywide

Officials at Fairfax Water are bracing for one-time and ongoing costs that could approach a half-billion dollars over the next decade to comply with new federal environmental regulations.

Unless workarounds are found, most of the costs of addressing the looming impact of chemicals known as PFAS will be borne by its customers, the agency’s head told the Board of Supervisors’ Environment Committee on Tuesday (Oct. 29).


News

Inova has broken ground on its new Franconia-Springfield hospital, promising to bring full-service inpatient care to the area by 2028.

Marking the start of construction on the expansion of Inova’s HealthPlex campus, the groundbreaking at 6361 Walker Lane in Franconia was the first of two ceremonies that the health system held yesterday (Monday), along with one for the new Inova Alexandria Hospital at Landmark.


Countywide

With the 2024-2025 school year in full swing, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is still working to get thousands of students up to date on their required vaccinations.

FCPS officials reported last week that over 9,000 students — down from 29,000 in July — still need vaccinations against diseases like measles, polio and meningitis, potentially putting their enrollment at risk. The division has approximately 181,000 enrolled students for this year, as of September, according to FCPS data.


Countywide

This summer is closing out with one final heat wave that’s expected to peak in the D.C. area tomorrow (Wednesday).

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory that’s scheduled to take effect from 1-7 p.m. tomorrow. On top of that, the air quality is expected to enter Code Orange territory for a second straight day, meaning it’ll be unhealthy for people with lung and heart disease, outdoor workers and other sensitive groups to spend time outside.


News

It’s that time of the year when algae tends to surface in Reston’s lakes.

Reston Association reported yesterday (Monday) that “potentially harmful” blue-green algae was seen that morning in Lake Anne, advising community members to avoid contact with the lake’s waters.


Countywide

Heman Bekele has another title to go along with his status as America’s reigning Top Young Scientist.

The 15-year-old Fairfax resident has been chosen as the 2024 Kid of the Year by Time for his efforts to create a soap that could help treat skin cancers. The magazine’s issue recognizing Heman and five other “Kid of the Year” honorees hit newsstands today (Friday).


Countywide

The illness popularly known as “whooping cough” is on the rise in Fairfax County, according to local health officials.

The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) shared yesterday (Wednesday) that it’s seeing an increase in pertussis throughout the Fairfax Health District, which also includes the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. Cases are also up statewide and nationally.


Countywide

Fairfax County has gained a couple spots in an annual ranking of the healthiest communities in the U.S.

The county snagged 14th place, up from 17th in 2022, in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 rankings of the nation’s healthiest communities. It came in higher than Fairfax City (no. 15) and Arlington County (no. 19) but couldn’t beat Falls Church City, which claimed the top spot.


Countywide

Fairfax Water customers weren’t affected by the recent Boil Water Advisory that went out to D.C. and Arlington County residents before Independence Day.

The utility, which serves almost 2 million people in Northern Virginia, suspended its use of the Washington Aqueduct early on Wednesday (July 3) before the advisory was issued later that day. Though D.C. and Arlington both lifted the advisory yesterday (Thursday), Fairfax Water says it hasn’t yet resumed getting water from the aqueduct.


Around Town

The Vienna Business Association is reviving its Get Healthy Vienna! Expo for 2024.

First introduced last May, the health and fitness showcase will return to the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry Street SE) on April 6, from 10 am. to 2 p.m. The event is intended to highlight health-related businesses and resources available in the local community, VBA Health, Wellness & Fitness chair Karen Kerrigan says.


View More Stories