Around Town

Public Art Reston will take over Reston Town Square Park later this month with the return of its annual ChalkFest.

The centerpiece of Reston Town Center’s eARTh Day Celebration on Saturday, April 25, the event will celebrate the literary arts for the first time as well as visual arts with the addition of a public art poetry contest.


A leaky or deteriorating roof can be a serious hazard. Thankfully, there are professionals around Fairfax County with the tools and know-how to safely fix any issues.

Here are the nominees for “Best Roofing Company in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite business below? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, April 24.

Voting for Best Playground in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, April 17 at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Pest Control Company in Fairfax County. The results are now official:

  1. My Pest Pros
  2. Holiday Termite & Pest Control
  3. Rossi Pest Services

Countywide

Fairfax County Planning Commission members on Wednesday (April 8) joined a growing chorus calling on county leaders to emphasize maintenance of existing government facilities over construction of new ones.

“Prioritizing preventive maintenance and system renewal is a fiscally responsible alternative to the higher cost of full renovations or facilities replacements,” said at-large commissioner Timothy Sargeant.


News

A student at Fairfax High School was convicted yesterday (Thursday) of assault and battery after being accused of groping more than a dozen of his female classmates.

Israel Christopher Flores Ortiz, an 18-year-old who is currently a junior at the school, was found guilty by a judge on nine misdemeanor counts that stemmed from numerous instances of what prosecutor Jenna Sands described as “grabbing butts.”


Cherry trees in bloom along Center Street in Vienna (photo by Susan Woolsey)

More Early Voting Sites to Open — “Starting this Saturday, April 11, early voting on the proposed [redistricting] constitutional amendment expands to 13 more locations around the county. Voting by mail? Application deadline is tomorrow, Friday, April 10.” [Fairfax County Votes/X]

Minimum Wage Increase Signed — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Thursday signed legislation to gradually raise Virginia’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2028, delivering on a top Democratic priority and setting in motion a series of wage increases that will affect workers, businesses and the state budget for years to come.” [Virginia Mercury]

N. Va. Business Owners on Edge — “On Tuesday, the Northern Virginia Chamber (NVC) released a NVC and Pinkston Business Leader Survey showing most Virginia business owners are pessimistic about the economy, and they’re concerned about several bills that were introduced this year in Richmond.” [WJLA]

Warner Launches Reelection Bid in Tysons — “President Trump must be held accountable for the war in Iran, Sen. Mark Warner told the crowd at a re-election campaign event in Tysons on April 8, where he was joined by Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi and Rep. James Walkinshaw.” The three-term senator, who is facing three Democratic primary challengers, also shared his views on artificial intelligence. [Annandale Today]

Some 7th District Candidates Make Pitches — “J.P. Cooney, Dave Kennedy, Del. Adele McClure and State Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim join a field of Democrats for the 7th District that includes State Sen. Dan Helmer, who spoke to [Arlington] Democrats in March, and former Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, who has yet to make an appearance. Another contender, Joe Schiarizzi, announced his candidacy today (Thursday).” [ARLnow]

State Education Leaders to Slow Changes — “Parents, teachers, administrators and school district leaders from across Northern Virginia gathered in Alexandria on Wednesday night, brainstorming ways schools can better support students and families and retain teachers.” Fairfax County School Board Chair Sandy Anderson attended the session, where the state superintendent acknowledged a need to be “thoughtful about change.” [WTOP]

Olympics Speedskaters Visited Local Kids — “Thank you to the US Speedskating team for stopping by Mount Vernon Rec Center as part of the Tour of Olympians! It was an honor to witness their skill, dedication, and love for the sport up close last weekend (3/27).” The visitors included Thomas Jefferson High School alum Brandon Kim. [Fairfax County Park Authority/Facebook]

Tips for Protecting Dark Skies — “During International Dark Sky Week, April 13-20, the Fairfax County Park Authority invites the community to experience the beauty of dark skies and take simple steps to protect them.” Recommended actions include dimming lights at night to accommodate migrating birds, reducing glare in your neighborhood, and checking out “night-sky experiences at county parks.” [FCPA]

It’s Friday — After some early morning fog, partly sunny skies turn fully sunny, with temperatures reaching a high near 75°F. A light south wind will pick up to 5 to 9 mph by morning. Night will see increasing clouds and a low around 56°F. [NWS]


Countywide

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has rejected legislation that would’ve opened the door for a casino in Fairfax County.

The governor vetoed SB 756 from Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell today (Thursday) ahead of an April 13 deadline for her to take action on all of the bills passed by the General Assembly during its 2026 session.


Countywide

Community members may soon get more information on local transportation projects across Fairfax County earlier in the development process — but they also may find their input opportunities cut off earlier, too.

That was one potential scenario considered by county supervisors and staff on April 6, as they brainstormed ways to improve a process they acknowledged can take frustratingly long.


Around Town

For the past six months, ArtStream’s Virginia Company B has been developing and rehearsing a war of the worlds, featuring a clash of famous show-business and historical figures.

And tomorrow night (Friday), “The Great Put-Together!” makes its world premiere at James Lee Community Center (2855 Annandale Road, #114) in the West Falls Church area of Fairfax County.


News

As the deadline for her to act on 2026 General Assembly legislation approaches, Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed additional bills yesterday (Wednesday) on health care, housing and energy, including a few championed by Fairfax County lawmakers.

The governor has approved hundreds of bills since the General Assembly session ended on March 14. The latest round of bills includes a codified right to contraception, limits on prior authorizations on prescription drugs from insurance plans, stricter emissions standards for data centers, tools to incentivize and preserve affordable housing, and a longer mandatory waiting period before landlords pursue evictions.


News

Fairfax County is pinning all its hopes for a new round of regional transportation funding on a single major project, but local travelers could also benefit from some of the other contenders.

As authorized last fall by the Board of Supervisors, the county is seeking $463 million from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) for its planned “The One” bus rapid transit (BRT) system, which would serve nine stations along a 7.4-mile stretch of Richmond Highway, also known as Route 1, from Huntington to Fort Belvoir.


View More Stories