Fairfax supervisors on Tuesday (Sept. 16) informally confirmed their support of the Interstate 495 Southside Express Lanes project as it moves toward a make-or-break regional vote next month.
Despite concerns about specifics of the 11-mile-long toll-lanes proposal across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, even the most skeptical supervisors said they supported keeping the project moving through the review process.
With winter creeping closer, the Town of Herndon is looking ahead to snow removal this season and, hopefully, some improvements for trail users in future years.
Tammy Chastain, acting director of public works, walked the Town Council through what’s planned for dealing with snow this season.
Starting tomorrow, Fairfax County voters will again head to the polls.
The nearly seven-week early voting period begins Friday, allowing voters to cast ballots ahead of Nov. 4’s Election Day.
Trump Administration to Withhold Money from Thomas Jefferson High School — “The U.S. Department of Education has notified Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) that it cannot certify their Magnet School grant applications ‘as they are in violation of federal civil rights laws, including Title IX.'” [WJLA]
It’s Thursday — Expect a mostly cloudy day to eventually clear up and become sunny, with temperatures reaching a high near 82°F and a mild north wind at about 5 mph. As for Thursday night, the skies will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to a low around 62°F. A gentle west wind of around 5 mph will begin after midnight. [NWS]
Fairfax Co. Supervisors Tout Proposed Beltway Toll Lane Extension — “Several Fairfax County Supervisors on Tuesday indicated support for a proposal to extend toll lanes through an 11-mile stretch of the Capital Beltway, despite concerns about neighborhood impacts and bike and pedestrian infrastructure.” [WTOP]
Fairfax County Scouts Help Save Father’s Life with CPR — “The Scout’s Motto is ‘be prepared” — and that’s exactly what helped three Longfellow Middle School eighth-graders when the unthinkable happened.” [DC News Now]
Former Vice President Mike Pence Joins Faculty at GMU — “Former Vice President Mike Pence will be joining George Mason University’s Arlington-based Schar School of Policy and Government this fall.” [ARLnow]
New Food and Retail Coming to Dulles — “When the 435,000-square-foot Concourse E opens at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia later this fall, travelers will be able to enjoy some familiar retailers and restaurants, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.” [Patch]
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) announced yesterday that a series of meetings over the next month will cover plans to add new bike lanes and marked crosswalks around the county.
According to FCDOT, the restriping is scheduled for next year’s repaving season, which typically begins in the spring and ends in November.
Uncertainty remains as county leaders and budget staff begin looking toward the fiscal 2027 budget process.
“Overall, we’re kind of sitting in the same place,” said Philip Hagen, director of the county’s Department of Management and Budget. He was briefing members of the Board of Supervisors’ Budget Policy Committee on Sept. 16.
JW Marriott and Comstock Companies announced the opening of the chain’s new Reston Station hotel yesterday.
The new project is a hotel and condominium high-rise building at 11350 Reston Station Blvd, with 247 hotel rooms and 94 residential units.
County supervisors reacted unhappily to how little of their approved funding for pedestrian and bicyclist improvements has filtered down to completed projects.
“How completely unacceptable — it has to change,” said Dranesville Supervisor Jimmy Bierman to the news that only about $12 million of the $82.1 million approved for improvements has been encumbered or spent.
Family Reunited with Missing Cat — “Two years ago, one family’s beloved cat Spencer went missing. Last week, they were finally reunited.” [ABC7]
It’s Wednesday — Showers and potential thunderstorms are likely throughout the day, with temperatures reaching a high near 70°F and north winds of 11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. There is a 60% chance of precipitation, and new rainfall amounts may vary between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, potentially higher during thunderstorms. The chance of showers decreases to 30% before 2am on Wednesday night, with a cloudy low of 63°F and north winds of 6-8 mph. [NWS]
Senators Demand Education Department Restore School Funding — “U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner sent a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Monday demanding the immediate reversal of federal funding cuts to Alexandria City Public Schools and four other Northern Virginia school districts over transgender student policies.” [ALXnow]
Dranesville Shooting Suspect Charged with Murder — “A 25-year-old man has been charged with murder after police say he rammed the victim’s vehicle with his own and then shot him multiple times.” [FOX5]
Banners Hallmark Shop Files for Bankruptcy — “A Virginia retail chain filed for bankruptcy, telling the court it hopes to recoup its losses during the upcoming holiday shopping season.” [Patch]
Falls Church Officials Prepare for Early Voting This Week — “Falls Church election officials are getting ready for the start of early voting on Friday and the general election in November.” [ARLnow]
Celebrate Guacamole Day at These 5 Northern Virginia Restaurants — “We’re in the last few weeks of summer, so it’s time to savor all the bites, dishes, and ingredients that remind us of sunny days and balmy nights. One of the best? Chips and guacamole. Plus, September 16 is National Guacamole Day, so we’ve rounded up five NoVA restaurants serving up some of the best guac around.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
County leaders have now joined School Board members in pushing for more early budget collaboration, to avoid repeating an impasse that soured relationships last spring.
At a Sept. 16 meeting of the Board of Supervisors’ Budget Policy Committee, County Executive Bryan Hill said school leaders needed to develop a “budget of reality” for fiscal 2027.
