The champion George Mason women (courtesy of George Mason athletics)
It has been an exciting winter for George Mason University’s basketball teams. One made history by earning a Division I NCAA tournament berth, while the other just missed making the big March Madness dance.
The women’s team (27-5) received an automatic berth by winning the Atlantic 10 Conference tourney earlier this month as the No. 2 seed. The George Mason men came close to the same feat, but lost in the Atlantic 10 tournament final to Virginia Commonwealth University in a 68-63 heartbreaker on Sunday, March 16.
Stock and crypto market trends (via Maxim Hopman on Unsplash)
A Great Falls businessman has been ordered to serve prison time and pay restitution for stealing nearly $4.5 million from the IRS and his customers.
A federal judge sentenced Rick Tariq Rahim, 56, on Friday (March 14) to six years and six months in prison after he pleaded guilty last year to wire fraud and intentionally failing to report and pay taxes, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced.
Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by James Jarvis)
By OLIVIA DIAZ Associated Press/Report for America
FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — A northern Virginia judge determined embryos are not property that can be divided up, rejecting a previous analysis by the court saying such fertilized eggs could be considered divisible “goods or chattel” based on 19th-century slave law.
Cars pass District Taco on Prosperity Avenue near the Dunn Loring Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Supervisor Herrity Recovering FromSurgery — Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity underwent surgery on Thursday (March 13) for a hereditary heart condition discovered after he experienced medical issues earlier last week. Herrity, who hopes to become Virginia’s next lieutenant governor, says he’s expected to fully recover but will be “sidelined from the campaign trail” for a few weeks. [Pat Herrity/Facebook]
Trump to Halt FBI HQ Move Again — “In a speech Friday at the Department of Justice, President Donald Trump (R) said he would stop plans to build the new FBI headquarters in Maryland because it’s ‘three hours away’ from the agency’s current site.” Maryland leaders said they will continue fighting for a relocation to Greenbelt, which was chosen over potential sites in Springfield and Landover. [Maryland Matters]
Man Banned from Flying United After Punching Dulles Worker — “A Frederick man punched a United Airlines gate agent at Dulles International Airport Thursday night, hospitalizing him. The shocking swing was caught on camera in a video shared with WUSA9.” The 54-year-old man has been charged with assault and disorderly conduct. [WUSA9]
WaPo Sportswriter Dies in McLean — “John Feinstein, a Washington Post sportswriter who became the best-selling author of more than 40 books, including “A Season on the Brink,” an inside look at volatile Indiana University men’s basketball coach Bob Knight, died March 13 at his brother’s home in McLean, Virginia. He was 69.” [Washington Post]
Local Contractor Charged with Fraud — “A Fairfax County, Virginia, contractor faces criminal charges for allegedly taking money from clients but never doing any work.” The owner of Capital Pro Services is facing six criminal charges related to three cases, including two involving homeowners they paid for construction that was never started. [NBC4]
D.C. Area Population Is Growing — “The Washington metro region is growing faster than the country overall, per the U.S. Census Bureau. The number of DMV residents dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic, per Census data, hurting everything from the office market to the restaurant scene. But the region has since bounced back — and then some.” [Axios DC]
Vienna Man Bites Officer, Police Say — “Officers responding to the report of an intoxicated man located the man lying on the ground. The man aggressively ran toward one of the officers attempting to assault him. As the officer was taking him into custody, the man bit the officer.” The 33-year-old man was arrested and charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer and obstructing justice. [Vienna Police]
Speed Humps Planned for Mount Vernon Road — “Slowly but surely, Radford Avenue — a residential road connecting Richmond Highway with the neighborhood of Mount Zephyr — is getting safer. The section of Radford between Route 1 and Jackson Place, an approximately one-third-mile segment of road, is getting two speed humps, according to the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT).” [On the MoVe]
It’s Monday — Expect partly sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high around 56°F, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 15 to 17 mph, and gusts peaking at 28 mph. As night falls, the sky will be mostly clear, with the temperature dropping to about 36°F. [NWS]
Cyclist on the Cross County Trail (photo via Fairfax County Park Authority)
Starting next week, a portion of the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail near Newington will be closed as part of a major wastewater rehabilitation project from Fairfax County.
The Fairfax County Park Authority said a portion of the trail in Pohick Stream Valley Park will be closed starting Monday, March 17, between Cliff Forest Drive and Wadebrook Terrace.
Vape accessories at AJ Tobacco & Mini Mart at 1037 W. Glebe Road in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum/ALXnow)
A staff proposal to restrict future sales of cigarettes and vapes near Fairfax County schools and child-care facilities has drawn a mixed reaction from county supervisors.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors directed staff in December to study options for regulating tobacco, nicotine and hemp products after the Virginia General Assembly adopted a law last year allowing localities to restrict sales from new businesses within 1,000 feet of a school or child care facility.
The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (file photo)
A Dumfries man will serve nearly 20 years in federal prison, primarily for his involvement in four different armed robberies in Fairfax County.
Dwayne Selman-Neville, 38, was sentenced yesterday (Thursday) to 19 years and two months of incarceration after pleading guilty on Oct. 11 to charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances.
Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale (staff photo by Jared Serre)
Local colleges have joined the rush to support workers affected by the Trump administration’s broad purge of the federal government’s ranks.
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), the biggest public higher education institution in Virginia, launched a NOVA New Employment, Exploration and Transition program (NOVAnext) on Wednesday (March 12) that will give laid-off federal workers and contractors free access to select classes and employment workshops.
New Herndon Police Chief Steven Pihonak (courtesy Town of Herndon)
Maggie DeBoard is officially out as head of the Herndon Police Department.
The Town of Herndon announced yesterday (Thursday) that Captain Steven T. Pihonak has been appointed as its new police chief, just over a month after DeBoard was placed on administrative leave for reasons the town declined to disclose. Pihonak was serving in the role on an acting basis since Feb. 12.
People cross Market Street in Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Racist Graffiti Reported in Burke — “Fairfax County police are investigating racist and antisemitic graffiti spray painted near a school bus stop in Burke, Virginia. The graffiti was discovered Wednesday morning on utility boxes and neighborhood signs at the corner of Burke Centre Parkway and Wheaton Drive.” [NBC4]
Regional Leaders Seek to Step Up Response to Trump Admin — “After weeks of playing defense, some D.C.-area leaders are now considering a more aggressive approach to the Trump administration.” Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw stressed at a COG meeting that the region needs to “continue to fight.” [ARLnow]
Police Seek Tips in Missing Woman Case — “City of Fairfax Police are asking the public’s help in locating Amanda L. Childess. She has not been heard from since she disappeared on March 6, 2022 under suspicious circumstances. Investigators have gathered evidence that indicates Childess may have been the victim of foul play, according to police.” [Patch]
Relief Available for Businesses Affected by Drought — “Fairfax County small businesses hit by last July’s drought still have time to get help. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest loans to businesses suffering financial losses, but you must apply before April 7, 2025.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]
Court Renovations Coming to WakefieldPark — “The Fairfax County Park Authority plans to renovate the tennis and pickleball courts at Wakefield Park in Annandale and expand the number of dedicated pickleball courts. Construction is expected to begin in early April.” [Annandale Today]
Free Lyft Rides Offered for St. Patrick’s Day — “The Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) is offering free Lyfts this Saturday, March 15, through Monday, March 17. WRAP’s 2025 St. Patrick’s Day SoberRide program hopes to prevent drunk driving throughout the area.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Agreement to Preserve Historic Oakton Schoolhouse — “On March 7, 2025, the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Greater Oakton Community Association officially finalized a Memorandum of Agreement to support the historic Oakton Schoolhouse … Under the MOA, GOCA will use the Oakton Schoolhouse for events, meetings, rentals, historical presentations, classes, theater productions and educational programs.” [FCPA]
It’s Friday — Patchy fog will dissipate by 9am, leading to initially cloudy conditions that will gradually become mostly sunny with the temperature reaching around 59. For Friday night, patchy fog will return after 3am. The sky will see increasing clouds, and temperatures will drop to around 44. [NWS]
