morning notes

Post-Explosion Re-Entry Plan Released — “A re-entry plan has been established for residents on Buggy Whip Drive to re-occupy their homes” after dozens were evacuated following a natural gas-fueled explosion in Centreville on Sunday (Feb. 15). “Please complete this form with your contact information to receive re-entry updates. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will contact you directly with next steps.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Teen Charged in I-66 Hit-and-Run — “An 18-year-old is in custody after he was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run on Interstate 66 in Fairfax County.” The Manassas man has been charged with felony hit and run, unauthorized use of a vehicle and following too closely after allegedly rear-ending a Mazda near the Route 28 exit in Centreville and leaving the scene. [DC News Now]

Data Center Tax Exemptions Advance — “The Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday passed legislation continuing billions of dollars in state tax exemptions for all qualifying new and existing data centers as long as they take a series of steps to move away from fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy.” The bill sponsored by Del. Rip Sullivan passed “roughly along party lines.” [Inside Climate News]

Spanberger Tapped for State of the Union Response — “Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address next week, just months after resoundingly winning an office previously held by a Republican. The Democratic rebuttal will immediately follow Trump’s address to Congress next Tuesday, offering the party’s most high-profile opportunity to deliver a countermessage.” [Associated Press/NBC4]

Bills Would Bump Back Absentee Ballot Deadline — “HB 82 and SB 58, introduced by Del. Adele McClure (D-2) and State Sen. Barbara Favola (D-40), respectively, call for moving the deadline from noon to 5 p.m. on the third day after an election.” Absentee ballots would still need to be postmarked by Election Day. [ARLnow]

Health Care Clinic Temporarily Moves — “The Culmore Clinic, a nonprofit that provides free and low-cost healthcare to lower-income residents of Seven Corners and Culmore, is temporarily relocating” as its home undergoes renovations ahead of a housing development project. “The clinic plans to reopen next Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Columbia Crossroads Baptist Church at 3245 Glen Carlyn Road in Bailey’s Crossroads.” [Annandale Today]

Cherry Blossoms Could Peak Later — “Peak cherry blossom bloom could arrive later than recent years thanks to D.C.’s record-breaking cold … There’s no official peak projection yet, but [National Park Service spokesperson Mike] Litterst says bloom will likely come ‘later in the season than we’ve seen for the last few years.'” [Axios DC]

Mixed Grades for Tobacco Control Policies — The D.C. region received a mixed report card, including a slate of ‘F’s’ in the American Lung Association’s 2026 State of Tobacco Control report … D.C. fared the best with a majority of A’s; Maryland had a more mixed report with an A, as well as B’s and F’s; and Virginia scored a C and four F’s.” [WAMU]

It’s Friday — Expect rain mainly before 10am, accompanied by areas of fog lasting until noon, with the high temperature reaching around 57°F. There is a 90% chance of precipitation, potentially amounting to less than a tenth of an inch. Night skies will be mostly clear, and the low temperature will be around 40°F. [NWS]

What Bills Are Still Alive in General Assembly — “The 2026 General Assembly reached its midpoint Tuesday night as lawmakers hit crossover, the session’s deadline for legislation to pass its chamber of origin and move to the other side of the state Capitol … At crossover, Democrats have moved several of their highest-profile priorities, and they approved three constitutional amendments that will appear on November’s ballot.” [Virginia Mercury]

Emergency Declared for Potomac Sewage Spill — “D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared local public emergency regarding the sewage spill in the Potomac River, according to the Mayor’s Office. The declaration allowed her to also make a Presidential Emergency Disaster Declaration request, which could bring in federal support to help respond to the disaster.” [NBC4]

Fatal Crashes Increasing in Region — “Vehicle crashes in the D.C. region remain below pre-pandemic levels but have been rising since 2020, and crash-related fatalities have increased almost continuously since 2015, according to the findings of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board’s 2025 Roadway Safety Study.” [WTOP]

Residents Share Thoughts on Possible Casino — “A proposal to allow Northern Virginia voters to weigh in on whether to build a casino in Fairfax County has advanced to the state’s House of Delegates. And even though the latest plan doesn’t specify Tysons as the location for the project, some community members there are still skeptical.” [WTOP]

Report on Deadly Mid-Air Crash Finalized — “A dizzying range of factors led to last year’s deadly collision between an Army helicopter and a regional jet over the Potomac River, per the final National Transportation Safety Board report out Tuesday.” Identified issues included the proximity of a helicopter route to the path airplanes use to approach Reagan National Airport, “unsustainable” traffic levels at DCA, high workloads for control tower operators and more. [Axios]

New Metro Railcars Running Late — “The next series of Metro railcars will modernize the transit agency’s fleet, but delivery of those trains could be delayed. The 8000 series is supposed to be in service in 2028, but Metro signaled it is not happy with the way the timeline stands right now.” [NBC4]

Community Center to Celebrate 20 Years — The recently reopened “Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate in Reston will celebrate its 20th anniversary this July. The center, which first opened on July 10, 2006, serves as an intergenerational hub for the community.” A community celebration will be held on Aug. 15. [Patch]

Eden Center Celebrates Lunar New Year — “The Vietnamese community celebrated the Lunar New Year at the Eden Center on Feb. 17 with a lion dance, speeches, the raising of Vietnamese and American flags, recognition of Vietnamese military veterans, and fireworks.” [Annandale Today]

It’s Thursday — Expect rain to begin mainly after 3pm with a high near 48°F. An east wind of 5 to 10mph accompanies an 80% chance of precipitation. There’s a 100% chance of rain and patchy fog at night, with a low around 42°F. New rainfall may reach a quarter to half an inch. [NWS]

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GW Parkway Rehab Nears Finish — “After more than two and a half years of major traffic disruptions for commuters and other drivers, the National Park Service (NPS) said it has reached ‘substantial completion’ of rehabilitation work on a northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway.” However, additional repairs will be needed on the Route 123 bridge over the GW Parkway at the McLean exit, starting by the end of February. [WJLA]

Minimum Wage Increases Pass — “Virginia’s minimum wage is on track to continue increasing over the next two years. Two companion bills — SB1 and HB1 — have passed both chambers and are expected to go to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), who has indicated that she will sign them into law.” [ARLnow]

Senate Advances ICE Cooperation Limits — “The Virginia Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that would place hefty guardrails on any proposed 287(g) agreements allowing local law enforcement to carry out federal immigration functions. The bill still must go to the House … The Virginia bill is part of a growing wave of pushback against President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown by Democratic-led states.” [Associated Press/ARLnow]

Video of Springfield Mall Shooting Released — “Video shows a fight between young people that escalated into a shooting inside the Springfield Town Center mall on Friday evening. A 19-year-old was wounded, and a 17-year-old was arrested, Fairfax County’s police chief said on News4.” [NBC4]

Residents Propose Data Center Land Swap — Homeowners’ associations in Bren Mar Park opposed to a planned data center near their neighborhood have suggested that Fairfax County buy that land from the developer in exchange for a portion of the police training campus in Chantilly currently under consideration for a sale to allow a data center. The group says the Plaza 500 site would be better suited for affordable housing. [Annandale Today]

Tips for Avoiding Tax Scams — “As tax filing season ramps up, so do attempts by scammers looking to steal personal information and hard-earned money. The Fairfax County Police Department is reminding residents to stay alert and recognize the warning signs of common tax-related fraud schemes.” [FCPD]

Cannabis Retail Sales Bill Heads to Governor — “After years of clearing the General Assembly only to meet a veto, legislation to create a legal, adult-use cannabis market in Virginia passed both chambers Tuesday — this time with a governor ready to sign it and retail sales poised to begin as early as November.” [Virginia Mercury]

Fairfax City IDs Capital Project Priorities — At a work session on Tuesday, Feb. 10, Fairfax City Council and Planning Commission members discussed the combined Willard Sherwood Community Center, the Fire Station 3 replacement and a study of the city’s property yard as three projects that should be prioritized for funding in the fiscal year 2027-2031 capital improvement program. [Patch]

It’s Wednesday — There is a 20% chance of rain after 2pm, with fog expected before 9am, followed by mostly cloudy conditions and a high temperature near 58°F. Southwest winds will be 5 to 10 mph, with gusts of up to 20 mph. At night, clouds will gradually clear, leading to a low temperature around 43°F. [NWS]

There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.

Town Halls Planned on Explosion — “Fairfax County will host two town hall meetings on Tuesday, Feb. 17, for residents affected by the ongoing fire-related incident in the Centreville area. These meetings are an opportunity for community members to receive the latest updates, ask questions and hear directly from county officials.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Senate Passes Fairfax County Casino Bill — “A proposal to bring a casino and entertainment district to Northern Virginia passed the state’s senate Friday, even as some Fairfax County leaders and residents criticized the idea. After a 23-14 vote, the measure will now head to the Virginia House of Delegates.” [WTOP]

Faith-Based Affordable Housing Legislation Passed — “The Senate voted 21-18 on Wednesday [Feb. 11] to pass state Sen. Jeremy McPike (D-29)’s SB 388, which would eliminate the rezoning step for faith-based organizations and other tax-exempt nonprofits to develop affordable housing on their properties. The legislation might still need final approval in the House next year, however.” [ARLnow]

Reproductive Freedom Amendment Set for Ballot — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed a proposed constitutional amendment that would guarantee reproductive freedom in Virginia’s Constitution, clearing the final step before the measure heads to voters in November.” The amendment wouldn’t expand access to abortion beyond what’s currently legal, but enshrining reproductive freedom in the state’s bill of rights would make it harder to change the law in the future. [WHRO]

State Police Helped With ICE Detentions — “Virginia State Police (VSP) aided federal immigration agents in apprehending nearly 200 people between February 2025 and February of this year, when Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) ended the 287(g) agreements established under her Republican predecessor … Per a VSP spokesperson, a total of 60 of the agency’s employees were given credentials under its” agreement. [WRIC]

Police Traffic Stops Rise in Virginia — “Law enforcement officers conducted more than 1.24 million stops last year, a 7% increase from 2024, according to new data from the Virginia State Police … In raw numbers, Fairfax County recorded the highest number of stops last year, with more than 117,000 encounters, a reflection of its large population and proximity to Washington, D.C.” [Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism]

HIV Program Funding Uncertain — “The Virginia Department of Health has not yet developed a clear plan for how to manage lost services that provide wraparound care for the state’s most vulnerable residents with HIV, the state epidemiologist said Friday. Late last year, the department significantly reduced funding for” a federal program that provides medical services “for low-income residents living with HIV.” [Cardinal News]

Local Firefighter Dies After Illness — “With deep sadness, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department announces the death of Firefighter Brandon Winfield on Thursday, February 12, 2026, following a brief illness.” The fire department’s honor guard transported Winfield’s body to a funeral home during a ceremony yesterday (Monday). [FCFRD]

Franconia District Office Moving — “The process of moving the Franconia District Supervisor’s office from 6121 Franconia Road to its new location at 7130 Silver Lake Blvd has begun. Staff from my office and I will continuously serve you remotely … Unfortunately, walk-in services and community room use will not be available beginning Tuesday, February 17, 2026, through Sunday, March 15.” [The Lusk Report]

It’s Tuesday — Expect patchy fog to clear by 8am, giving way to partly sunny skies and a high near 55 with light southwest winds. As for Tuesday night, it’ll turn cloudy with a low around 43. The calm wind will gradually pick up from the south at around 5 mph after midnight. [NWS]

Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.

Scammers Impersonate Sheriff’s Office — “The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) is warning residents about a scam in which criminals are impersonating the Sheriff’s Office and attempting to gain victims’ trust through deceptive voicemail messages.” Residents have reported receiving voicemails from a “Lt. Michael McCrae from the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office. These messages often sound urgent and may reference missed jury duty, legal matters, or requests to return the call. This is a scam message. Residents should not return the call.” [FCSO]

Crash Victims’ Families Call for Aviation Reforms — “Key senators and the families of the 67 dead in an airliner collision with an Army helicopter near the nation’s capital are convinced that advanced aircraft locator systems recommended by experts for nearly two decades would have prevented last year’s tragedy.” [Associated Press/ARLnow]

Rolling Road Down to One Lane Today — “Rolling Road (Route 638) between Viola Street (Route 6010) and Birmingham Lane (Route 4153) will have one lane of alternating traffic via flagging Friday, Feb. 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for pavement work as part of the Rolling Road widening project … Drivers should expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes.” [VDOT]

Saks Fifth Avenue in Tysons Safe for Now — “Saks Global announced Tuesday that it plans to close eight Saks Fifth Avenue stores, including one in Virginia, as the retail empire moves through Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings … The Virginia Saks Fifth Avenue store slated for closure this spring is located at Stony Point Fashion Park in Richmond. As of Wednesday, the store at Tysons Galleria in McLean was not expected to close.” [Patch]

Human Services Building Still Closed — “Progress continues on repairs to the Pennino building, which was damaged last week by flooding, but the building will continue to be closed until further notice. There are several alternate ways to get assistance with services that are offered in Pennino.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

ER Could Replace Chantilly Deli — “CA Healthcare’s StoneSprings Hospital Center wants to establish a new freestanding emergency room in Chantilly. And they are targeting the current site of Santini’s New York Style Deli in Chantilly, The Washington Business Journal reported.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Lincolnia Bank Branch Gone — “The TD Bank on Little River Turnpike and Braddock Road next to Pinecrest Plaza has closed. The bank opened in 2017 in a space previously occupied by an Exxon gas station … TD Bank closed 38 branches in 2025 and planned to close 51 more in early 2026.” [Annandale Today]

Burger Chain Seeking N. Va. Locations — “According to a post on social media from Renaud Consulting, a commercial real estate company – Halal Burger Paradise is looking for new retail opportunities. Its ideal space is between 1,000 s.f.–2,000 s.f. and it’s targeting not just Sterling, Chantilly, and Fairfax, but also Springfield, and Manassas.” [The Burn]

It’s Friday — Expect sunshine and a high of 39°F accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 7 to 10 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. For Friday night, the skies will be mostly clear, and temperatures will drop to a low of around 28°F, with a gentle southwest breeze. [NWS]

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Person Killed in I-95 Crash — “One person is dead after being struck by an SUV while involved in an argument on Interstate 95 in Fairfax County overnight.” Occupants of two vehicles in an initial crash before 2 a.m. yesterday (Wednesday) had gotten out of their vehicles and were having an “altercation” when one person “stepped into another travel lane, where a Mercedes-Benz SUV that was traveling south struck them, state police said.” [DC News Now]

Man Arrested for Stealing From Reston Beauty Store — “Investigators with Fairfax County Police Department arrested a 22-year-old Herndon man they say was responsible for a series of thefts” that targeted Sephora at Reston Town Center in December and January. The man has been “charged with eight counts of petit larceny and possession of Schedule I/II narcotics and held on a $5,000 bond.” [Patch]

More Sewage Plaguing Potomac River — “After the sewage spill in the Potomac River a few weeks ago, DC Water began pumping the contaminated water and diverting it to the C&O Canal, but on Sunday, another spill released 600,000 more gallons of sewage into the river.” The spill on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 8) “was caused by a massive clog of non‑disposable wipes flushed down the toilet.” [NBC4]

Demand Soars at Reston Skating Rink — Local figure skater Ilia Malinin’s success leading up to and during the Milan Cortina Olympics has fueled a surge in interest at SkateQuest, the Reston facility where he trains. Executive Director Nate Smith and Skating Director Katie Lange say enrollment in their learn-to-skate program has jumped this year, with the next class expected to reach 800 students — up from 550 students for the same period in 2025. [Washington Business Journal]

Ban on Robert E. Lee License Plates Advances — “Virginia Democrats celebrated the advancement of a bill Tuesday that stops the issuance of license plates honoring Robert E. Lee as part of a broader effort to cut ties with the state’s Confederate past. The bill, introduced by Delegate Dan Helmer, is one of a slew of measures targeting the removal of tax dollars from policies that support a Lost Cause narrative.” [Courthouse News Service]

Metro Construction to Affect DCA Trips — “Travelers heading south to Reagan National Airport should budget extra time this weekend because the Crystal City Metro station will be closed. The station will be closed from Saturday, Feb. 14, through Monday, Feb. 16, in the first of 10 weekend closures between now and June.” [ARLnow]

New Arts Education Leader at RCC — “Coming from a huge family of teachers, Rebecca Campana grew up loving the arts and loves working with people in the arts … On Jan. 14, Campana stepped into her new role as the Reston Community Center’s arts education director, following the retirement of Cheri Danaher, who dedicated 35 years of service to RCC.” [Patch]

Actor Reflects on Growing Up in D.C. Area — “DC native Teddy Sears appears in the NBC medical drama Brilliant Minds and Netflix’s The Night Agent.” He says he didn’t try acting until he moved to New York City in his 20s, instead spending his childhood “swimming in McLean” and visiting the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies and a high near 38 degrees. The northwest wind will be blowing at a speed of 11 to 15 mph, alongside gusts reaching up to 26 mph. Night will be mostly clear, with the temperature dropping to around 24 degrees. [NWS]

Democrat Wins State Senate Election — “Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) is getting a promotion in Richmond. Voters in [Tuesday’s] special election gave the Democrat a sweeping victory against Republican Julie Robben Lineberry … setting her up to succeed Sen. Adam Ebbin as he joins Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration.” [ALXnow]

Prosecutor Fired After Removal From Case — After being cited for public drinking and getting removed from the high-profile murder case against Brendan Banfield, senior deputy prosecutor Eric Clingan was fired by the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office on Jan. 12 — days before the trial began. “Clingan said he was ‘wrongfully and unfairly terminated and pursuing litigation.'” [WTOP]

Groveton Fatal Shooting Still Unsolved — “Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau are seeking the community’s assistance in solving a murder that occurred in Groveton more than four years ago.” Ronald Worthy Jr., a 19-year-old Virginia State University student, was found dead with “apparent gunshot wounds” in the Beacon Hill apartment where he was living for the summer with his grandmother on July 27, 2021. [FCPD]

Post-Winter Storm Thaw Finally Begins — “That ‘snowcrete‘ — named for its rock-hard consistency — is finally poised to begin a long, slow fade. Temperatures are expected to climb above freezing each day in the D.C. area for the foreseeable future, with some days next week reaching the 50s or higher.” [Capital Weather Gang]

Bill Could Shift Energy Costs to Data Centers — The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee passed a bill on Monday (Feb. 9) that “would effectively require, with approval from state regulators, new data centers and other high energy use facilities (HEUFs) to cover more of the costs required to serve them.” State Sen. Louise Lucas proposed the amendment to her own bill, which originally focused on energy assistance programs and a push for Dominion Energy to underground its power lines. [VPM News]

Culmore Library Programs Move to Church — “Now that the Culmore Community Library is closed for an HVAC replacement project – and isn’t expected to reopen until January 2027 – library programs will be held at the Culmore Church in Bailey’s Crossroads. According to updated plans for the pop-up library, it won’t have books, said FCPL Marketing and Communications Director Sara Prohaska.” [Annandale Today]

Reston School Helps Student Artists Flourish — “For decades, as part of [Hunters Woods Elementary School’s] artist in residence program, sixth graders have worked with a local artist to produce artwork that gets displayed in the library, hallways or outside the school building. The school’s PTA covers the program costs and the artwork remains there permanently, offering students an opportunity to establish their legacy before leaving for middle school.” [WTOP]

It’s Wednesday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high temperature near 44 degrees and winds potentially gusting up to 32 mph. The nighttime will be partly cloudy with a low temperature around 29 degrees. [NWS]

Trump Wanted Dulles Airport Renaming — The Trump administration suggested it would release funding for a rail tunnel project connecting New York and New Jersey if Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer agreed to have Dulles International Airport and Penn Station in New York City renamed after President Donald Trump. “Schumer (D-N.Y.) declined the offer, according to two people with knowledge of the request.” [Politico]

Bill to Decriminalize Homelessness Set Aside — “In 2024 the US Supreme Court okayed the use of criminal penalties for homelessness. And Thursday morning, an effort to block Virginia localities from doing so was killed in a House of Delegates subcommittee,” which sent it to a housing commission for review. Patron Del. Joshua Cole said he hopes to bring the bill back in 2027. [WHRO]

One Injured in Ice Bank Crash — “One person sustained minor injuries after an overturn crash in Tysons on Sunday, according to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). Police responded to reports of a single-vehicle crash shortly after 6:30 p.m. in the 1800 block of Tysons Blvd. There, investigators found that a car had overturned after striking an ice bank.” [DC News Now]

Arrest in Smash-and-Grab Burglaries — “A man was arrested and charged for a series of smash-and-grab burglaries targeting phone stores in Fairfax County. Surveillance video shows the man using a rock and a hammer to break into the store and take items inside.” Most of the targeted stores were along the Richmond Highway corridor, but a Metro by T-Mobile on Arlington Blvd in West Falls Church was also hit, police said. [WUSA9]

Construction to Close Worldgate Drive Lane — “On Tuesday, February 10, a lane closure will be in effect on Worldgate Drive due to crane installation” for contractor Peraton’s new office. “Routes 921 and 952 will be impacted. Bus Stops #3824 and #3825 will be temporarily closed during this work. Passengers may use Bus Stop #6356 as an alternate stop.” [Fairfax Connector/X]

Correction: FFXnow initially suggested the crane installation is for BXP’s planned redevelopment of vacant offices along Worldgate Drive, but a spokesperson for the developer says it’s related to the new office building for Peraton.

Vienna Ice Skater’s Backflip Was Historic — “His moves in Milan aren’t just awe-inspiring, but historic: [Ilia] Malinin is the first person to legally land a backflip at the Olympics in five decades.” The move was banned from 1977 until 2024, partly due to safety concerns, but French skater Surya Bonaly performed a backflip at the 1998 Olympics out of a desire “to make her mark on history,” despite knowing it would cost her points. [NPR]

Braddock Supervisor Highlights Priorities — “Rachna Sizemore Heizer, the newly installed Braddock representative on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, told residents at an open house on Feb. 4 that her top priority is constituent services … Other priorities include helping small businesses, economic development, and support for education, parks, and trails.” [Annandale Today]

Minneapolis Mayor Grew Up in Oakton — “There’s no denying that Minneapolis is making headlines lately. And come to find out, the city’s 44-year-old mayor, Jacob Frey, grew up in Northern Virginia. We spoke with Frey about his NoVA upbringing and ties to the area.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Tuesday — Expect partly sunny skies today, a high near 48, and a south wind at 3-7 mph. Tuesday night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 35. The south wind will increase to 7-9 mph before turning northwest after midnight. [NWS]

Fairfax Schools Open on Time — “This weekend our weather team traveled around the county to see first hand the progress of ongoing efforts to clear snow and ice from sidewalks and bus stops. We are pleased to report that these efforts have done enough for us to return to our regular school day. With that in mind, all FCPS schools and offices will open on time for Monday, February 9, 2026.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]

Students Report Man Following Them — “City of Fairfax Police are actively investigating a suspicious incident involving a group of children who reported on Thursday [Feb. 5] seeing a man following them as they walked home from school, first in Van Dyck Park and later in their neighborhood. The children described the man as wearing black winter gear.” [City of Fairfax Police]

Man Killed in Four-Vehicle Crash Identified — Fairfax County police are continuing to investigate a four-vehicle crash on Braddock Road that killed one driver who is believed to have crashed into a police cruiser, setting off a chain reaction of rear-end crashes at a red light. The initial driver — Dariush Bakhtiani, 57, of Centreville — was transported to a hospital, where he died. [FCPD]

Measles Exposure at National Airport — “A pre-school age child with measles traveled through Reagan National Airport and on a Yellow Line Metro train last week.” The child, a resident of another state, traveled through the airport on Jan. 26, according to the Virginia Department of Health, which says the state has now reported six cases of measles this year. [ARLnow]

Transit-Oriented Housing Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk — “Bills that could allow by-right zoning for apartment buildings, townhomes and mixed-use developments in certain commercial corridors cleared the Senate Thursday, one of several proposals to boost housing supply working through the Virginia legislature.” [Virginia Mercury]

Human Services Building Closed After Flooding — “Due to the flooding issue this morning, Friday, Feb. 6, the Pennino building will be closed a minimum of one week and potentially longer. If you have a scheduled appointment at this location, please contact the agency you were visiting to reschedule.” The flooding was caused by a “water line break” in the building, which houses the county’s family, neighborhood and human services agencies. [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Centreville Burglary Under Investigation — “On January 24, at 11:25 a.m., officers responded to the 13900 block of Big Yankee Lane … for a burglary report. The victim was alerted by a neighbor that their home was burglarized. Officers reviewed surveillance footage and observed two men forcibly enter the residence through the back door around 8:46 p.m. on January 23.” Police are offering a $5,000 reward for information that results in an arrest of the suspects, who appear to have stolen two guns. [FCPD]

Tysons Company Loses Big on Bitcoin — “Strategy Inc. reported its largest loss ever in the fourth quarter — a whopping $12.4 billion — as the Tysons company took a massive write-down on the value of its bitcoin holdings.” Though the loss “essentially wiped out” its profits from 2025, the company “formerly known as MicroStrategy continues to load up on the cryptocurrency, acquiring more than 41,000 bitcoins in January alone.” [Washington Business Journal]

Indian Restaurant Eyes Tysons Location — The Texas restaurant Dum ‘N Grill is planning to expand around the country, including with locations in Loudoun and Fairfax counties. “Over in Fairfax County, Dum N Grill is working on a location at the Tysons Corner Center shopping mall.” [The Burn]

New Legal Notice — Establishment seeks ABC Marketplace Wine and Beer On-Premises license. [Public Notices]

It’s Monday — Expect sunshine and a high temperature around 33 degrees, with northwest winds of 3 to 6 mph. The night will bring mostly cloudy skies and a low temperature near 22, accompanied by calm winds. [NWS]

Person Hospitalized After Falling Down Slope — “At 2:14pm #FCFRD responded to 700 blk of Bulls Neck Rd in McLean for a person who fell down a slope. Crews found 1 civilian 200ft down a ravine on steep hill. Tech Rescue crews operated on rope systems to remove the civilian who was transported w/ non-life-threatening injuries.” [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/X]

Trump Official Target of Alleged Murder Attempt — “A Maryland man is facing attempted murder charges after reportedly showing up to the Arlington home of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director Russ Vought while armed. Colin Demarco, 26, was taken into custody Jan. 22, five months after the Aug. 10 incident,” though his arrest wasn’t announced publicly by police until yesterday (Thursday) evening. [ARLnow]

Longtime Local Reporter Among WaPo Layoffs — “On Wednesday, The Post announced plans to move on from that legacy as part of widespread cuts to the newsroom. The layoffs, affecting more than 300 of the roughly 800 journalists at the paper, are landing hard on the local news desk, where [Martin] Weil has worked since 1965. He was among those laid off, one of the last ties to the paper’s Watergate era.” [NY Times]

House Democrats Pass Gun Control Bills — “Virginia House Democrats on Thursday muscled through a sweeping package of gun control legislation, passing more than half a dozen bills aimed at restricting access to certain firearms, tightening storage requirements and expanding civil liability for the gun industry, as Republicans … spoke forcefully in opposition but were ultimately unable to stop the measures.” [Virginia Mercury]

Arrest for Tire Theft Spree — A Maryland man has been charged with several counts of larceny for allegedly stealing tires from “numerous” vehicles in the Fair Oaks district. Police began investigating the thefts after a reported incident on Oct. 24 at the Extended Stay on Route 50, but the man wasn’t arrested until last Sunday (Feb. 1) when his vehicle triggered a license plate alert in the Town of Herndon. [FCPD]

Police to Escort Monks’ Walk for Peace — “Our Police Department is planning to assist with the Monks’ Walk for Peace as they travel through our county.” After receiving a hearty welcome in Richmond, the Buddhist monks are expected to arrive for lunch at the Hoa Nghiem Pagoda in Fort Belvoir this Sunday (Feb. 8), Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn says. [Fairfax County Government/Bluesky]

Reston Association Rec Passes Available — “Reston Association is excited to announce that Recreation Passes for the 2026 season are now available. Recreation passes provide access to RA pools, tennis and pickleball courts.” RA members can receive a pass free of charge as part of their annual assessment, and for the first time this year, they can choose to have their pass automatically renewed when they pay their assessment. [Reston Association]

Burke Lake Park Scouts for Seasonal Hires — “Drop-in interviews at the Burke Lake Park Information Center will be held Feb. 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27 from noon to 5 p.m. Appointments are not necessary, so come by to explore job opportunities, complete an application and interview on the spot — all in one visit!” [Fairfax County Park Authority]

New Legal Notice — Hotel seeks limited beer and wine ABC on/off-premises license. [Public Notices]

New Legal Notice — Hotel seeks limited ABC license for beer and wine, on/off-premises. [Public Notices]

It’s Friday — Snow is likely after 2pm, with increasing clouds and a high near 34. A calm wind will shift to the south at 5mph. Precipitation chance is 40%. On Friday night, snow may occur before 1am, followed by gradual clearing and a low around 13. Winds will be light, becoming northwest at 13-18 mph and possibly gusting up to 31 mph. Precipitation chance remains at 40%. [NWS]