After four months of study and community meetings, Fairfax County Public Schools has unveiled Superintendent Michelle Reid’s initial recommendation for Skyview High School’s future attendance boundaries.
Under Reid’s proposal, which was publicly released last Thursday (July 2), the new public high school at 2949 Education Drive in Herndon would pull from students currently assigned to Westfield, Chantilly and South Lakes high schools, starting with the 2027-2028 school year.
Reston Association is breaking out the herbicide this summer in response to a proliferation of hydrilla at Lake Thoreau.
The invasive aquatic plant resurfaced last year after a couple of quiet summers. Though RA replenished the lake’s population of grass carp this spring, the fish don’t appear to be keeping the hydrilla in check as effectively as hoped.
The number of Fairfax residents counted as unemployed remains up 7.6% year over year and stands 39% higher than the last month of the Biden administration, according to new state data.
A total of 612,670 Fairfax County residents were employed in the civilian workforce and 21,239 were looking for jobs in May, according to figures reported July 1 by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.
Storm Cleanup Underway in Reston Area — The Reston and Herndon area was hit hardest in Fairfax County by a storm that “tore down trees and knocked out power for thousands of people Sunday night.” No injuries were reported, but some homes and vehicles were damaged by fallen trees. Reston Association said its crews were working to clear its facilities, including trails, of fallen trees and other debris. [NBC4]
Townhouse Fire Under Investigation — “Just before 2:00 a.m., on July 6, units responded to reports of a townhouse fire” in the 3000 block of Ellenwood Drive in Merrifield. “Arriving crews found fire coming from the rear of the townhome.” No injuries were reported, but the cause of the fire remains under investigation. [FCFRD/Facebook]
Metro Claims Ridership Record — Based on a preliminary count, Metro says its system transported 667,652 riders on Saturday, a record for the Fourth of July, Washingtonian reported. The milestone was accompanied by a sellout of retro merchandise at a pop-up store for the transit agency’s 50th anniversary, more evidence that WMATA “has gone from regional punching bag to communal point of pride.” [The 51st]
Search and Rescue Team Finished in Venezuela — “Members of Urban Search and Rescue Virginia Task Force 1 are returning home to Fairfax County Monday after completing their deployment to earthquake-ravaged Venezuela. The Fairfax-based team announced Monday morning that it had been demobilized by the U.S. Department of State” and was expected to arrive at its Chantilly base at around 9:15 p.m. [WJLA]
How N. Va. Became Data Center Capital — “Today, the region houses the world’s largest concentration of data centers, making Virginia the nation’s digital capital. That growth has brought major economic benefits for local governments, but it has also divided communities increasingly weary of the facilities’ heavy demands on water and energy, among other impacts.” [Virginia Mercury]
County Appoints New Environmental Director — “Robert Sandoli has been appointed director of the county’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC), effective Monday, July 20. He succeeds John Morrill, who is retiring after serving with the department since 2020.” [Fairfax County Government]
More Funding Approved for Dulles Concourse — Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced last week that the Federal Aviation Administration has awarded $32.5 million in grants to modernize airports in Virginia, including $22.1 million for the upcoming Concourse E at Dulles International Airport. The award comes on top of another $41.8 million in federal funds allocated to the project earlier this year. [Office of Sen. Mark Warner]
Local Musicians to Perform With Lizzo — “Grammy Award-winning artist Lizzo, who is also a classically trained flutist, will reimagine her biggest hits with the National Symphony Orchestra. Local ensemble DCFlutes will open the show” tonight (Tuesday) at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center. “About 30 local student flutists will also join them on stage to perform a medley of Lizzo’s hit songs.” [WTOP]
It’s Tuesday — Expect patchy fog before 10am, then partly sunny skies with a high near 85. There’s a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. In the evening, precipitation likelihood is 80% with a low around 70. [NWS]
Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.
Though the National Independence Day Parade in D.C. was called off, hundreds of student musicians from around the country ensured America’s birthday celebration went on by relocating to a venue in Fairfax County.
Four high school bands that had expected to march in the District on Saturday (July 4) as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary festivities instead staged an impromptu concert at the National Museum of the United States Army in Fort Belvoir.
A Herndon man has been arrested and charged a second time in connection with a crash that injured a pedestrian in Reston more than a decade ago.
Police have accused Enda Browne, now 43, of crashing into a woman who was crossing Reston Parkway at Spectrum Center at around 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 16, 2014.
Northern Virginia leaders are treading cautiously with newly granted power to increase the sales tax in local jurisdictions.
Under the biennial state budget adopted in Richmond late last month, Northern Virginia localities now have the power to hold voter referendums to increase sales taxes by up to 1%, with the extra funding going to transportation, education or a combination.
Median year-over-year apartment rents declined in seven of eight Fairfax County corridors and the county overall in June, according to new data.
Only Lorton saw an increase in figures released June 30 by Apartment List. Its median rent was up 0.2%, standing at $2,250 for one-bedroom units, $2,728 for two bedrooms and $2,778 for all bedroom sizes.
Spike in Heat-Related ER Visits — “According to the Virginia Department of Health, 737 people visited emergency departments because of heat-related illnesses in just a four-day span from July 1 through July 4. Of those days, Friday, July 3 was the worst with 225 medical visits.” Since May 1, emergency departments in Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church have seen 128 visits for heat-related illnesses, the most in the state. [WAVY/DC News Now]
Reston and Annandale Residents Without AC — Residents of the Vantage Hill Condominiums in Reston and the Wedgewood Apartments in Annandale have been forced to endure the recent heat wave without functioning cooling systems. The Wedgewood property manager was reportedly working to fix the air-conditioning, while the Vantage Hill management says necessary electrical upgrades won’t be completed until next spring, per FOX5. [Annandale Today]
Teen Found Dead in Potomac River — “The body of a 16-year-old boy who was reported missing was found Friday in the Potomac River near Great Falls Park in Montgomery County, Maryland … The boy had been swimming there. He was with a group when he entered the water and never resurfaced.” [WTOP]
Chantilly Man Arrested for Shooting — “A Chantilly man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting in Loudoun County early Saturday … Deputies responding to the home for a shooting call discovered 33-year-old Brandon Fadden of Centreville dead at the scene.” Joshua Soroko, 31, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and other gun-related offenses, the county sheriff’s office said. [Inside NoVA]
No Injuries in Groveton House Fire – “The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said crews responded around 6:35 p.m. [on July 4] to the 2700 block of Schooley Drive in Groveton, where they found flames showing from multiple sides of the home and through the roof upon arrival … The cause of the fire remains under investigation.” [WJLA]
Reproductive Rights Amendment Faces Legal Challenge — “A legal challenge to Virginia’s pending reproductive rights amendment is headed toward a hearing later this month, with potential implications for two other pending constitutional amendments.” The lawsuit centers around “an argument that the clerk of the House of Delegates, Paul Nardo, failed to send copies of the amendment to circuit court clerks.” [Virginia Mercury]
Burke Family Struggling With Storm Recovery — “For Tony and Adrienne Toledo, the recovery is far from over. They spoke to WUSA9 shortly after the storm ripped the chimney off of their home the night of June 22. They were one of the many homeowners in the area impacted by the storm.” [WUSA9]
Warmth Could Increase Tick-Borne Illnesses — “Northern Virginia residents should brace for a surge in Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses as warmer weather following a mild winter creates ideal conditions for ticks.” McLean-based Dr. Gary Kaplan says Northern Virginia has a “very high concentration of ticks,” with the highest risk area being “the edge of most people’s backyards.” [Inside NoVA]
It’s Monday — Chance of precipitation is 40%, with a higher likelihood of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. The day will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures reaching around 87°F. Overnight, there’s an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms with a low near 71°F. [NWS]
Dulles International Airport recorded the highest rate of passenger growth among the nation’s 50 largest airports in 2025, according to new federal data.
The 13,859,735 enplanements for the year represented a 6.6% increase from 2024, based on preliminary figures reported this week by the Federal Aviation Administration.
