Cherry blossom trees along path to Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Fairfax County urges locals to kill spotted lanternflies — “On your next outdoor excursion, try finding the egg masses of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect in Fairfax County.” [Fairfax County]
It’s Tuesday — Expect a partly sunny day with temperatures reaching around 78 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 6 to 9 mph. As for Tuesday night, the skies will be mostly cloudy and the temperature will drop to approximately 56 degrees, while a gentle north wind of 3 to 5 mph persists. [NWS]
Gov. Youngkin announces Virginia passes 500 immigrant arrests — Gov. Glenn Youngkin said the Virginia Homeland Security Task Force has made over 521 arrests since it was formed in February, claiming the group has arrested over 500 ‘criminal illegal immigrants’. [WDBJ7]
Falls Church considering fee-based trash service — “At the March 24, 2025, budget presentation Mayor Letti Hardi directed staff to look into the feasibility of implementing a fee-based trash collection service in FY2026. Staff returned in April with the cost data while pleading for more time to implement such a plan.” [Falls Church Pulse]
GMU experts share gun violence data at Capitol hearing — “Featured speakers included several of the nation’s leading experts on firearms violence. They presented to an audience of more than 230 registrants including congressional staff, federal agency representatives, researchers, and advocacy organizations.” [GMU]
Easter tea party display at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Shake Shack headed to Reston Town Center in June — “Shake Shack’s Reston Town Center restaurant will be the burger and milk shake chain’s sixth location in Northern Virginia.” [Patch]
It’s Monday — There is a slight chance of showers in the early morning, followed by partly sunny conditions and a high of 71°F with southeast winds at 8-11 mph. Rain may return after 2pm with a 20% chance of precipitation. For Monday night, showers are more likely after 8pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a low of 63°F. Southeast winds will shift to the southwest after midnight, ranging from 5-9 mph and gusts up to 18 mph. There is a 40% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Fairfax Police arrest a Peeping Tom — “A man was caught peeping into a window and quickly arrested.” [X]
No one hurt in Fairfax County townhouse fire — “No one was hurt in a Friday townhouse fire in Herndon, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.” [DC News Now]
Measles case confirmed in Virginia — “After multiple exposures in the state, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has found the first case of measles in the state after a child traveled internationally and was diagnosed.” [WRIC]
Metro train traveling next to I-66 in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Fairfax Co. police launches recruiting push targeting laid-off federal workers — “Fairfax County police are launching a recruitment push aimed at federal workers who have lost their jobs.” [WTOP]
Car fire near Tysons blocks traffic — “Watch: This is the car fire that tied up the Beltway south of Route 7 in Tysons a short time ago. Two lanes now getting by to the right.” [Dave Statter/X]
Fairfax restaurant owner candidly tells customers struggles of staying open with tariff threats — “The owner of Okonomi Asian Grill in Fairfax is letting customers know the reality of making a profit and worries of tariffs affecting his bottom line.” [WUSA9]
It’s Friday — Expect a mostly sunny day with temperatures reaching about 77°F, accompanied by a south wind blowing at 7-16 mph and gusts up to 28 mph. The night will be partly cloudy, as temperatures drop to around 64°F. The south wind will persist at around 14 mph and may gust up to 22 mph. [NWS]
Make Your Own Scented Candles, Charm Jewelry At New Mosaic Boutique — “District Candle Lab and Fawne will celebrate the grand opening of their shared space in the Mosaic District on May 3 with free swag.” [Patch]
Two Fountain Square at Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Lawsuit accuses Fairfax County School Board member of improperly spending business funds — “A lawsuit filed by a Northern Virginia company alleges that a Fairfax County School Board member who is a former official of the company improperly used business funds to pay for tens of thousands of dollars in personal and campaign expenses.” [Washington Post]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 64 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind at about 7 mph. For Thursday night, the skies will be partly cloudy with temperatures dipping to around 47 degrees. The calm wind will shift to a southerly direction at approximately 5 mph after midnight. [NWS]
Driver hits pedestrian after slamming into light pole and other cars — “A suspect is in custody after police say he crashed into a pole and several other cars before hitting a pedestrian in Fairfax County Wednesday night.” [Fox5]
FCPL Honors 19 with Annual Star Volunteer Awards — “To recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of library volunteers and community partners, FCPL annually hosts the Star Volunteer Awards.” [Fairfax County]
Northern Va. ‘trophy’ offices will likely stay valuable in turbulent times, analysis finds — “Though federal workforce reductions will likely cause fluctuations in office space this year, Northern Virginia’s most sought-after properties are expected to remain valuable.” [ARLnow]
Traffic on Route 50 in West Falls Church (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Education takes center stage in Virginia governor’s race — “With trust in Virginia’s public schools at a crossroads, education is once again taking center stage in the race for governor — and the two nominees are offering Virginians starkly different paths forward.” [Virginia Scope]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny and breezy conditions with highs near 59°F accompanied by a 14 to 21 mph northwest wind and gusts up to 34 mph. Tonight, the skies will remain clear, with lows around 40°F and a 6 to 11 mph northwest wind, gusting up to 22 mph. [NWS]
Virginia braces for changes to student aid programs — “U.S. Education Department suggests permanently altering Public Service Loan Forgiveness, income-based repayment programs.” [Virginia Mercury]
GMU to Launch Virginia’s First Public Master’s Program in AI — “Students will learn how to manage artificial intelligence with real-world applications beginning in fall 2025.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Could Tysons Corner Casino Proposal Be A Potential Gateway To Online Gaming Legalization? — “Virginia lawmakers have decided to continue discussing the possibility of allowing a new casino complex in Tysons Corner, Fairfax County.” [Washington City Paper]
Watch Out for These New Bakeries Coming Soon to Northern Virginia — “Croissants, cupcakes, and pastries are coming your way.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Turtles on a log in Wolftrap Creek (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
States Jockey to Poach Federal Agencies From D.C. Area — “Ahead of Monday’s deadline for agencies to submit plans to relocate offices out of the region, officials in Ohio, Texas and Florida have been lobbying to land key agencies, sensing that D.C.’s loss of these major employers could be their economic gain.” [Washington Post]
School Board Debates Expanding Cell Phone Restrictions — “During a recent work session meeting, FCPS proposed to ban the use of cellphones from the start to end of school, including lunchtime and in between classes. Phones and tablets would no longer be used for instructional purposes … The recommendations would align with a new law passed by the Virginia General Assembly to keep phones away from bell-to-bell.” [WUSA9]
Seven Corners Bakery to Close After 30 Years — “After 30 years in the Seven Corners Center, Tiffany’s Bakery is closing for good. Their last day is April 26. Owner Beatrice Echegoyen plans to focus her energies on the other Tiffany’s Bakery, at 7022 Columbia Pike in Annandale … Both shops offer cakes, cookies, pastries, croissant sandwiches, and made-to-order cakes.” [Annandale Today]
Possible Summer Opening for Reston Shake Shack — Shake Shack is aiming to open its new location at Reston Town Center in June. Construction “was well underway” when The Burn recently passed the nearly 2,800-square-foot space previously occupied by The Counter. [The Burn]
Virginia Opts Out of Michelin Guide — “Virginia is noticeably absent from the forthcoming Southern restaurant guide that Michelin announced earlier this month … The state tourism office declined to participate in the pay-to-play guide — a whopping $360,000 to be included, reports Axios Richmond’s Karri Peifer.” [Axios DC]
Local Teacher Competes to Be ‘America’s Favorite’ — Marcy Fisher, a first grade teacher at Union Mill Elementary School in Clifton, says it’s a “very emotional experience” to reach the quarterfinals of a national “America’s Favorite Teacher” contest. Voting to determine the semifinalists is open to the public until Thursday (April 17) at 7 p.m. [WTOP]
County’s Poet Laureate Offers Free Workshop — “To celebrate National Poetry Month, explore the intersection between music and spoken word at the Making Your Mixtape: Poetry Writing Workshop on April 19, led by the Fairfax County Poet Laureate Angelique Palmer.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Metro Recognizes Anniversary of Train’s Debut — “On this day 10 years ago, the first 7000-series train debuted on the Blue Line, departing from Franconia-Springfield.” The trains became a headache for Metro after a derailment in Arlington in 2021 led to all of them being removed from service for inspections. [WMATA/Bluesky]
It’s Tuesday — Scattered showers and possible thunderstorms after 2pm accompany a partly sunny day with highs near 65. West winds start at 10-15 mph, increasing to 21-26 mph and potentially gusting up to 41 mph. There’s a 30% chance of precipitation. At night, expect mostly clear skies with lows around 44. [NWS]
A flowering tree near the Shops at Avenir Place courtyard (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Search and Rescue Task Force Returns From Floods — On Friday night (April 11), Virginia Task Force 1’s “45 team members and 2 canines returned home to waiting family members after assisting Frankfurt, Kentucky with swift water rescue resources and damage reconnaissance. We are honored to be able to serve whenever and wherever the need arises.” [Virginia Task Force 1/Facebook]
Chantilly Pickleball Facility to Open This Week — “The Dill Dinkers team has announced that their 12 p-ball courts will be ready for players on Thursday, April 17. The 30,000 s.f. sporting venue is located in the Sully Place Shopping Center off of 50, east of State Road 28. The space used to be a Babies R Us store.” [The Burn]
Pilot Falsely Linked to DCA Crash Sues for Defamation — “A transgender pilot is suing a popular right-wing influencer after he falsely connected her to the midair collision that killed 67 people near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, in January. Jo Ellis, a helicopter pilot with the Virginia Army National Guard, filed the defamation lawsuit against social media personality Matt Wallace in a Colorado federal court.” [WTOP]
Single-Family Residents Object to Apartment Expansion — “Residents of the single-family neighborhood that backs up to The Jefferson Apartments in Seven Corners expressed significant concerns about a proposal to add more housing to the site. The property owner has submitted an amendment to the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan to add 101 additional multifamily units on the surface parking lot at … 6166 Leesburg Pike.” [Annandale Today]
First Look at Forthcoming Reston Restaurant — “Award-winning Vienna restaurant Clarity is eager to complete its new outpost near Reston Town Center, with a goal to be open for business in the spring of 2026 … Expect vibrant lunch offerings and a robust happy hour.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
VDOT to Pause Lane Closures for Easter Weekend — “Whether you are on spring break or driving to see family and friends, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) wants to help make your travels egg-cellent. VDOT will be suspending many highway work zones and lifting most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Friday, April 18, until noon on Tuesday, April 22.” [VDOT]
Deadline to Get a Real ID Approaches — “You have under a month to obtain a Real ID before it’s required for domestic flights and access to some federal facilities like courthouses and military bases — but if you’re a D.C. or Maryland resident, chances are you’re on it.” In comparison, only 59% of Virginia residents have obtained the new ID. [Axios DC]
Local Food Critics Check Out Tysons Supermarket — “Move over H Mart, Great Wall and 99 Ranch. Tysons has a new Asian market and it’s a stunner. Opened in January, the 18,000-square foot Marufuji Japanese Market is a Japanophile’s dream, chockablock with (mostly Japanese) food products, plus some home goods thrown in.” The Washington Post’s Tom Siestema also recently assessed the new specialty grocer. [Arlington Magazine]
It’s Monday — Expect a mostly cloudy day with temperatures reaching near 69, and a calm wind turning south at 5-7 mph in the morning. Night will likely bring showers and possibly a thunderstorm, with a low temperature around 58. There is a 60% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Flowering tree on Trap Road outside the entrance to Wolf Trap National Park’s Filene Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Airplane Wings Clipped at DCA — “A plane clipped the wing of another passenger jet carrying several members of Congress on a taxiway at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on Thursday afternoon.” No injuries were reported in the collision, which involved an American Airlines flight headed for South Carolina striking another flight bound for New York City. [WTOP]
Contentious Fairfax City Trail Project Delayed — “Fairfax City Council voted unanimously during its Tuesday meeting on a motion not to advertise the controversial George Snyder Trail Project in its present form. The motion, which was introduced by Councilmember Tom Peterson, also directed city staff to explore possible modifications to the project.” [Patch]
Possible Development Near Bren Mar Park Draws Questions — “Of the four development proposals for Mason District reviewed at a community meeting on April 9, the only one to draw concern from residents was a townhouse project on Edsall Road … Bruce Olcott, the representative for the developer, said the project would be a high-end townhouse community with about three dozen homes” adjacent to Bren Mar Park. [Annandale Today]
Automated Metro Trains Raise RedFlags — “Two eye-opening reports released Tuesday are raising concerns about safety on Metro. One details how two trains came within 400 feet of a head-on collision, and another could delay automatic train operation from moving beyond the Red Line.” [NBC4]
Money for Route 28 Bypass Project Returned — “The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to reimburse the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority nearly $7.5 million in funds related to the Route 28 bypass project. The board voted to cancel the project during its Feb. 4 meeting,” citing uncertainty about Fairfax County’s commitment to the regional project as a contributing factor. [Inside NoVa]
Reston Energy Efficiency Firm Has New Leader — “GridPoint Inc., a Reston company that helps its customers reduce commercial building energy costs, has tapped an insider to be its next CEO as it prepares to enter a new stage of growth following a recent $45 million capital infusion.” Derek Booth was promoted from his chief operating officer role this week. [DC Inno]
Pepsi Challenges Coke in Tysons Face Off — “From April 11 to the 13, Pepsi invites local residents to take the Pepsi Challenge and decide for themselves if they prefer Pepsi Zero Sugar over its rival Coke Zero Sugar. The event is open to challengers from noon to 7 p.m. at Tysons Corner Center at 1961 Chain Bridge Rd.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Falls Church Debates Trash Collection Funding — “Falls Church City Council members appear as divided as ever on how costs for trash collection in single-family neighborhoods should be funded. At a Monday work session, Council members split almost down the middle on whether to shift to a fee-for-service model or to stick with funding weekly trash services through the city.” [ARLnow]
It’s Friday — Expect showers with a high near 54, a northeast wind of 8 to 10 mph, and a 90% chance of precipitation bringing three quarters to one inch of rain. There’s a 100% chance of showers at night with a low around 44 and a north wind of 11 mph with gusts up to 21 mph. [NWS]
Kwanzan cherry blossoms at Hunters Woods Village Center in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Springfield Parents Allege Assaults on School Bus — The mother of an autistic kindergarten student at Springfield Estates Elementary School says video footage showed her daughter being sexually assaulted by another student on a school bus that transports special education students. “She contacted police to make them aware, and learned other students may have experienced something similar.” [WTOP]
Driver Crashes into Fairfax Japanese Restaurant — “An elderly man drove his car into the dining room of Ariake, a Japanese restaurant in Fairfax, on Friday, April 4. The incident occurred around noon, just as the lunchtime rush was about to start. About 15 customers were inside Ariake at the time of the accident, Shiho Norris, the restaurant’s manager says.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Dulles Airport Flight Evacuated for Security Search — “Frontier Airlines Flight 4708 inbound from Atlanta landed around 2:30 p.m. and then stopped just off the runway. Several emergency vehicles staged nearby but most kept their distance. According to Frontier, a beeping noise from the cargo area prompted a ‘precautionary security search.'” [WUSA9]
Agriculture Department Could Leave D.C. HQ — “The Agriculture Department is planning to dismantle its presence in Washington, D.C., according to several officials briefed on the plans, and will relocate those it does not lay off to three hubs around the country.” The potential new locations and the extent of layoffs accompanying the moves are unclear. [Government Executive]
Gun Charge Dropped Against N. Va. Man — “The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Alexandria is dropping a criminal charge against a Dale City man dubbed by the Trump administration as the East Coast’s top leader of the MS-13 street gang.” Prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss the firearm possession charge against the 24-year-old man, who was arrested on March 27 in a “dramatic and highly-publicized” raid. [Inside NoVa]
Eden Center Businesses Thrown by Tariffs — “Massive retaliatory tariffs that went into effect today before abruptly going on pause have left Eden Center businesses rethinking pricing and fearing for the future.” The 120-plus family-owned businesses in the Falls Church shopping center rely heavily on imported goods from China, Vietnam and other mostly Asian countries. [ARLnow]
Reston Association Election Results Announced — “At the Reston Association’s annual meeting on Tuesday night, the results of the 2025 board of directors election were announced. Matthew Mullenix and Michael Lanza were elected to serve three-year terms as the new At-Large Director and North Point Director, respectively.” [Patch]
Tysons Steakhouse Rolls Out Brunch — “801 Chophouse Tysons Corner (8484 Westpark Dr.) is thrilled to debut its new Sunday brunch service, available weekly from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.” The brunch menu includes dishes like avocado toast and steak and eggs, along with a selection of cocktails. [Tysons Today]
It’s Thursday — Expect cloudy skies and temperatures reaching up to 57. Southeast winds will range from 6-10 mph, gusting up to 20 mph, and there’s a 60% chance of precipitation, mainly after 2pm. Night will bring a 90% chance of rain, lows around 47 and east winds of 7-10 mph. [NWS]
A clock on top of the City of Fairfax’s City Hall (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
School Bus Camera ProgramBegins Today — “Fifty bus camera systems will be installed during the initial rollout, with warning citations beginning on Wednesday, April 9. At the end of the grace period, beginning on Monday, May 12, violators will be subject to a fine of $250, sent in the mail, underscoring the seriousness of ensuring drivers obey laws tied to student safety.” [Fairfax County Government]
Supreme Court Allows Federal Worker Firings — “The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the Trump administration can move forward with the termination of 16,000 probationary federal workers across six agencies and departments, rescinding a lower court order that they be reinstated as litigation challenging the layoffs continues.” [ABC News]
Nominees for Next Va. GovernorSolidified — “The 2025 election season in Virginia is officially underway — and the landscape is coming into sharp focus after last week’s filing deadline for the June 17 primaries.” Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears is the Republican gubernatorial nominee after two potential challengers failed to qualify for the primary ballot, and Rep. Abigail Spanberger will lead Democrats’ bid to win back the governor’s mansion. [Virginia Mercury]
New Traffic Safety Campaign Launched — “Motorists in the D.C. area may notice signs and other advertisements encouraging them to slow down and be more aware of pedestrians and bicyclists.” The “Street Smart” campaign is part of a regional effort to reduce fatalities after 110 pedestrians and bicyclists were killed last year. [WTOP]
Funeral Held for Firefighter Who Died From Cancer — “A procession and funeral was held Tuesday for beloved Fairfax County Fire Captain Barry Maham, who passed away following a long battle with occupational cancer. The procession started around 11 a.m. at Jefferson Funeral Chapel in Alexandria and traveled to Expectation Church in Fairfax.” [WJLA]
Volunteers Help Clean Up County’s ‘Trashiest Stream’ — “Little Hunting Creek got a much-needed clean-up April 5, when Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-Mt. Vernon) hosted his annual Little Hunting Creek Cleanup in the Hybla Valley area at Janna Lee Avenue Bridge and at the Mount Vernon Shopping Plaza.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]
Students Learn About Public Health at Inova — “About 80 Youth Ambassadors from Justice and Mount Vernon high schools took part in the [Dream B!G] event, which featured presentations from professionals and hands-on activities aimed at encouraging the students to consider careers in healthcare.” [Annandale Today]
Korean Community Center Celebrates in Tysons — More than 550 people attended the 51st Annual Gala for the Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington (KCSC) at the Hilton McLean hotel on Sunday (April 6). Organization leaders said they remain committed to its mission of “providing social services and mental health support to empowering immigrants, seniors and youth through education, language access and advocacy.” [WUSA9]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunshine today accompanied by a high of 55 degrees with mild, fluctuating winds that will pick up to 6 mph from the southwest in the afternoon. At night, there will be some cloudiness and a 20% chance of light showers after 2 am, with a low around 42 degrees and light south wind at 6 mph. [NWS]
