The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is seeking the county circuit court’s approval for a $460 million school bond referendum to be included on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The Fairfax County School Board formally requested on June 12 that the supervisors approve a referendum, a request that was granted without comment at a board meeting last Tuesday (June 24).
School Weapons Detectors to Become Permanent — “All Fairfax County high schools will have a permanent weapons detection system in place starting in the fall. Virginia’s largest school division launched a pilot program last spring … But calls for extra security intensified after what police described as a stabbing at West Potomac High School in April.” [WTOP]
WaPo Video Editor Arrested — “A video editor for The Washington Post was arrested Thursday on a federal charge of possessing child pornography, according to prosecutors. Thomas P. LeGro, 48, who has worked at The Post for 18 years in two stints since 2000, was held after an initial appearance Friday before a U.S. magistrate judge in D.C.” [Washington Post]
ACLU Investigates ICE Detentions — “The American Civil Liberties Union is investigating reports of immigration officials detaining people in Virginia courthouses.” The investigation stems specifically from reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents recently “lingering” at the Chesterfield County General District Courthouse, where 14 people detained earlier this month. [Courthouse News Service]
Fairfax Tops Ranking of Best Places for Families — “A new study ranks Fairfax County as the best in the nation for new families. The study by financial technology company SmartAsset analyzed 830 U.S. counties based on affordability, access to parks and healthcare, childcare costs, and family-friendly demographics.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Dulles Traveler Pleads Guilty to Kicking Dog — “A 70-year-old Egyptian man admitted in federal court on Wednesday [June 25] to kicking a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture detector dog that alerted to undeclared food items in the traveler’s baggage, according to CBP.” The man was ordered to pay the dog’s veterinarian fee and was put on a flight back to Egypt. [Patch]
WaPo’s Fave Tysons Dining Spots — “Tysons is so much more than its perpetually transitioning shopping malls … Bop around the Silver Line hot spot with these dining tips from Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema, Post food writer Tim Carman and your intrepid local dining reporter.” [Washington Post]
Pavilion Proposed for Green Spring Gardens — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will host a public meeting to present a revised proposal for a pavilion at Green Spring Gardens. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 30, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the multipurpose room of the Horticultural Center at 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria.” [FCPA]
South County Student Elected to School Board — “Faith Mekonen, a rising senior at South County High School, has been elected by the countywide Student Advisory Council (SAC) to serve a one-year term as student representative to the Fairfax County School Board, beginning July 1 … She will be the 55th student representative to the School Board.” [FCPS]
It’s Monday — Showers and thunderstorms are likely between 3pm and 5pm, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 90. Heat index values may reach up to 100. At night, it will be mostly cloudy with a low around 76. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Editor’s note to FFXnow Press Club members — You may have noticed that the early morning notes didn’t get sent out today. That was a timing issue on our end, and I apologize. You will get it in your inboxes tomorrow.
Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw is now one election away from succeeding his political mentor in Congress.
Walkinshaw bested nine other candidates in a firehouse primary to secure the Democratic nomination for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, local party officials announced today (Saturday) shortly before midnight.
A former FBI staffer who said at a forum last Sunday (June 22) that he supports President Donald Trump “a hundred percent” will be the GOP’s nominee for a Fairfax-area Congressional seat this fall.
Stewart Whitson will advance to face the Democratic nominee in a Sept. 9 special election for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, local Republican officials announced this evening (Saturday).
With the weekend nearly upon us, FFXnow would like to extend a warm welcome and thank you to everyone who has signed up so far for our recently launched Press Club.
Given the economic uncertainty facing the D.C. region and the many news outlets and other services out there competing for subscriptions, your willingness to part with some hard-earned cash to support our reporting is truly appreciated.
Metro’s first major overhaul of its bus network in decades is set to take effect this coming Sunday (June 29).
Approved by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Board of Directors last November, the Better Bus Network redesign will introduce revised routes and new signage, while also eliminating a number of stops.
Undeterred by long lines, more than 5,000 Fairfax County Democrats cast ballots during the party’s early voting period for the 11th Congressional District primary.
With turnout steadily increasing over the three days from Tuesday through Thursday (June 23-26), a total of 5,085 votes were cast — including a high of 1,793 yesterday, the final day before tomorrow’s scheduled primary election.
Over a dozen highly rated delis and shops across Fairfax County offer classic sandwiches, subs and bagels piled high with toppings.
Here are the nominees for “Best Sandwich Shop in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite place below? If not, write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 9 a.m. Friday, July 11.
Voting for the Best Barbecue Restaurant in Fairfax is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Bar and Nightlife Spot in Fairfax. The results are now official:
Artwork at the Reston Town Center Metro station is in the running for an international public art award, with local residents eligible to cast ballots in support.
“Ethos” by George Bates is among 100 pieces of public art vying in the CODAawards competition, sponsored by CODAworx.
Unemployment Continues to Rise — “Virginia’s unemployment rate is on a steady five-month increase — the longest streak since the 2008 Great Recession … The Trump administration’s federal job slashing and freezing of grants, contracts and medical research may be to blame.” [Axios DC]
Warner Questions HUD Relocation — “Senator Mark Warner is demanding a full cost-benefit analysis of the federal government’s decision to relocate the Department of Housing and Urban Development to Alexandria, expressing skepticism about claimed taxpayer savings and concern for displaced National Science Foundation employees.” [ALXnow]
Arrest Made in Tysons Vehicle Break-Ins — “Detectives from our Criminal Investigations Division, with the assistance of our Fugitive Track and Apprehension Unit, have arrested a Maryland man responsible for multiple vehicle break-ins and larcenies in McLean.” Expected charges include credit property destruction and card fraud and theft. [FCPD]
What Might Come First in RTC North — At a June 23 community meeting on the proposed Reston Town Center North development plan, Fairfax County officials and an attorney representing Inova indicated that a new Reston Regional Library will likely be the first block to start development. Work won’t start, though, until a land swap agreement is finalized, which is expected in mid-2026. [Patch]
Updated Speed Camera Citations Data — “It’s been over two years since Fairfax County, Virginia, first rolled out speed cameras in some school zones, and they’re still catching thousands of drivers going too fast. The two speed cameras in the school zone near Key Middle School issued the most tickets last school year, according to Fairfax County data obtained by WTOP.” [WTOP]
Man Charged With Package Thefts — “Just before 1 p.m. [on June 25], a patrol supervisor from the Mount Vernon Police Station spotted a man riding an e-scooter along Sherwood Hall Lane in Hybla Valley who matched the description of a suspect wanted for multiple package thefts.” The 25-year-old man from New York was arrested and “charged with grand larceny and being a fugitive from justice.” [Annandale Today]
Food Festival Begins in Springfield — “Get ready for three full days of food, fun, and community at Springfield Town Center, June 27-29! With over 40 food trucks and vendors serving gourmet dishes and sweet treats, and dozens of artisans showcasing handmade jewelry, art, and crafts, there’s something for everyone!” [Springfield Town Center]
Tennis Court Repairs for Lake Barcroft Park — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will begin reconstruction work on the tennis courts at Justice Park early next week. This project includes crack filling, birdbath levelling, new fencing, and a complete level construction repair to improve the playing surface and user experience.” [FCPA]
It’s Friday — Showers and thunderstorms are expected mainly after 1pm with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 81. At night, the chance of rain increases from 40% to 60% with lows around 71. New rainfall amounts could range between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. [NWS]
