Two women are facing a range of criminal charges in connection to a series of thefts at Fairfax County businesses more than seven months after the crimes occurred.
In the most recent case, on July 19, 2024, officers were dispatched to the 2900 block of District Avenue in Merrifield’s Mosaic District at 5:51 p.m. for a grand larceny report.
Ash Seen Falling in Fairfax — “Ash [was] falling on parts of Arlington and Fairfax County due to a ‘very large controlled burn’ nearby … Fairfax County Fire and Rescue said on social media around 5:30 p.m. [Sunday, March 30] that it’s due to an intentional brush fire to the south” at Quantico Marine Corps Base. [ARLnow]
Police Chief Comments on Immigration Enforcement — “Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced he wanted to tie state funding to cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. He said that would, in particular, impact Fairfax County. [Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin] Davis admitted he wasn’t aware of the governor’s comments, but that his department had its hands full enforcing state and local laws, and was content to let federal agencies handle federal laws.” [WTOP]
Fairfax City Music Venue to Close — “Fairfax City’s Earp’s Ordinary announced on social media [last Wednesday, March 26 that] it was closing its doors after 15 months. The 10,000-square-foot restaurant/bar/music venue will pack up its guitars and amplifiers for the last time on Sunday, April 13.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Two-Alarm House Fire in Springfield — “Earlier [Sunday], around 3:30pm, #FairfaxsBravest responded to reports of a house fire in the 7900 block of Hill Stream Court in Springfield. Units arrived to heavy fire and smoke coming from the home and fire rapidly spreading … All occupants safely evacuated. No firefighter or civilian injuries.” [FCFRD/Facebook]
FCPS to Pilot Later Middle School Start Times — “The Fairfax County School Board directed the superintendent to develop a pilot program for later start times at Mason District middle schools … The motion says the plan should minimize start time changes for the high school pyramids that serve those middle schools. It calls for Superintendent Michelle Reid to report back to the school board by April 10.” [Annandale Today]
Upgrades in the Works for Rec Centers — “The Fairfax County Park Authority is undertaking significant revitalization projects at Oakmont and Franconia Rec Centers to enhance pool air quality for swimmers and spectators.” Work at Oakmont is underway and expected to finish in April, while the Franconia renovations are set to begin in mid-April and continue into early May. [FCPA]
GMU Men’s Basketball Coach’s Contract Extended — George Mason University announced has extended its contract for Tony Skinn, the head coach of its men’s basketball team, through the 2029-2030 season. Skinn was named the 2024-25 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year after leading the Patriots to their best-ever season in the Atlantic 10 conference and a school record-tying 27 overall wins. [GMU]
Local Little League Kicks Off 60th Anniversary Season — “Little League Opening Day today at Fort Hunt and [Woodlawn]. Woodlawn LL celebrating its 60th anniversary! Lots of happy kids ready to get outside and experience some teamwork and community activity!” [Scott Surovell/Bluesky]
It’s Monday — Expect isolated showers to develop into afternoon thunderstorms with a high near 79. Rainfall amounts may reach up to a quarter of an inch. Thunderstorms continue before 8pm, followed by potential showers until 2am; low near 45. Chance of precipitation remains high, with up to three-quarters of an inch of rain possible. [NWS]
A rally organized by local LGBTQ advocacy groups outside Luther Jackson Middle School in Merrifield last night (Thursday) served as both a celebration of the upcoming Transgender Day of Visibility and a call for solidarity.
During the half-hour rally, that solidarity manifested in dozens of passing vehicles honking in apparent support of the crowd, which had gathered ahead of a Fairfax County School Board meeting to support the trans community.
Metro is following through on plans to prohibit people alleged to have committed serious infractions on its property from returning.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Board of Directors voted 8-0 yesterday (Thursday) to approve a new policy allowing the transit agency to issue citations banning individuals arrested for assault or sex-related crimes from its system.
Spring is in the air, which means another Friday Night Live! season is on the horizon.
The free outdoor concert series will return to the Town of Herndon for its 31st year on May 2. Highlights of the upcoming season include the first-ever introduction of a non-alcoholic beer option and a “special reunion show” by the D.C. area party band Gonzo’s Nose, according to Friday Night Live! Chairman Laura Poindexter.
When it comes to preserving economic development gains in challenging times, localities need to have strategies to play offense and defense, and Fairfax County has room for improvement in both cases, a consultant told the Board of Supervisors earlier this week.
Economic success is “not something to take for granted,” Camoin Associates CEO Rachel Selsky said at an economic initiatives committee meeting on Tuesday (March 25).
Local high school girls’ basketball teams recently wrapped up their winter season with a pair of all-star games as part of the recent 20th annual Northern Virginia Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (NVWBCA) Suburban Classic.
The contests, preceded by a three-point shootout, consisted of seniors from high schools throughout the area. The afternoon classic on Sunday, March 16 was held in front of a sizable crowd at Oakton High School.
Partial Solar Eclipse May Be Visible — NASA says a rare partial solar eclipse will be visible in parts of North America early tomorrow (Saturday) morning. “The eclipse will be visible from the Washington, D.C., area up to Maine and parts of Canada and across the Atlantic Ocean to portions of Africa and Europe, according to a map from NASA.” [NPR]
New Details on Potential Federal Worker Cuts — “Federal officials are preparing for agencies to cut between 8 and 50 percent of their employees as part of a Trump administration push to shrink the federal government, according to an internal White House document.” Sources said “planning remains fluid,” but the draft included reductions at the IRS, Interior Department and more. [Washington Post]
Alleged East Coast Gang Leader Arrested — “The alleged leader of the violent MS-13 street gang on the East Coast has been arrested in Virginia, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday.” The 24-year-old man from El Salvador was taken into custody in Manassas on an outstanding ICE warrant and charged with illegal gun possession. [Associated Press]
Va. Could Limit Speeds of Reckless Drivers — “Virginia is poised to become the first state to implement a high-tech speed-limiting device in the vehicles of convicted reckless drivers. HB2096, which Gov. Glenn Youngkin returned to the House with an amendment, would establish the Intelligent Speed Assistance Program.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Local Students Head to International Art Contest — The U.S. will be represented in this year’s International Aviation Art Competition in Switzerland by three Fairfax County students: Andrew Yang of Great Falls, Aspen Xing of Vienna and Lalitha Kuchipudi of Chantilly. They were chosen from 140 participants in the national contest, which followed a state competition also dominated by local residents. [Virginia Department of Aviation]
Student Concerned by Potential Loss of After-School Activities — “Poe Middle School student Diego Egas said he takes part in the after-school program from Monday through Friday.” With Fairfax County proposing to eliminate funding for the middle school program in its budget, Diego shared his concerns at a virtual town hall hosted on Wednesday (March 26) for the Mason District. [WJLA]
Vienna Library Gets Farewell Celebration — “Patrick Henry Library will hold a community farewell event Saturday ahead of construction. The library, which has been around for 54 years, is expected to close in late spring or early summer for the renovation and expansion project.” [Patch]
Monthly Asian Market Returns to Annandale — “The monthly Asiantique night markets are coming back to Annandale. The first one this season will be Sunday, March 30, 5-9 p.m., in the parking lot behind the Elmer Timberman Masonic Lodge at 6911 Columbia Pike. There will be about 25 food vendors offering mostly Thai specialties plus two craft vendors.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Friday — Showers are possible after 2pm, with partly sunny skies and a high near 68. There’s a 30% chance of precipitation. At night, there’s still a 30% chance of showers before 8pm, followed by partly cloudy conditions and a low around 59. [NWS]
The Fairfax County Police Department has wrapped up the first “wave” of its now-annual campaign cracking down on traffic violations.
Launched on March 17 in partnership with the Virginia State Police (VSP), the 2025 Road Shark campaign aims to deter aggressive driving and reduce crashes by boosting enforcement in areas known to be problematic and promoting traffic safety through social media, educational events and community outreach.
Fairfax County officials are likely headed back to the drawing board after a veto of a bill that would have let Northern Virginia localities host a pilot program to reduce vehicle exhaust noise.
H.B. 2550, which was introduced in the Virginia General Assembly by local Del. Rip Sullivan (D-6), was one of 157 bills vetoed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Monday (March 24).
