Countywide

After seeking to pressure localities to work with federal immigration authorities by proposing to withhold funding, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is now directly ordering state police and local jails to cooperate.

Youngkin signed an executive order last Thursday (Feb. 27) directing the Virginia State Police to sign an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that would create a task force with deputized troopers who can help identify and arrest undocumented individuals “who pose a risk to public safety.”


Countywide

It took nearly two decades, but last year delivered a new record passenger count to Dulles International Airport.

Just over 27.25 million passengers traveled through the airport in 2024, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) announced in late February.


News

A crash in Centreville that killed a teenager last Thursday (Feb. 27) was the result of a drunk driver, Fairfax County police say.

Officers responded at 10:28 p.m. that night to the 5600 block of Pleasant Valley Road for the two-vehicle crash.


People walking down Whitehead Street in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Man Charged With Murder for Chantilly Shooting — Douglas Sommer, an 88-year-old man from Chantilly, has been charged with second-degree murder and using a firearm to commit a felony for allegedly fatally shooting his wife at their home last Friday (Feb. 28). Police believe the shooting occurred during an argument between the couple. [FCPD]

ICYMI: Youngkin Commutes Former FCPD Officer’s Sentence — “A former Fairfax County police officer who shot and killed a man in Tysons had his prison sentence commuted [yesterday] by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Former Sgt. Wesley Shifflett was sentenced to serve three years in state prison on Friday (Feb. 28) after being convicted of recklessly handling a firearm.” [FFXnow]

Man Who Shot at Police Sentenced to Prison — “A man who opened fire on Fairfax County police after a high-speed chase will spend the next six years in prison for his crime. The hours-long pursuit that started in Arlington when Ricardo Singleton displayed a gun at the courthouse. He raced away in a car, police said.” [NBC4]

Dulles Greenway Sues Over Nixed Toll Increase — “The owners of the Dulles Greenway last week filed a federal lawsuit seeking to strike down a Virginia law regulating toll rates on the 14-mile highway as well as the State Corporation Commission’s denial of its latest rate increase request.” [Loudoun Now]

Arlington Also Interested in Vehicle Noise Pilot — “An Arlington leader is showing interest in a pilot program to monitor noise levels from vehicles’ exhaust systems. Legislation now on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk would allow localities in Northern Virginia and the Fredericksburg area to begin using automated monitoring equipment to gauge the noise levels of passing vehicles.” [ARLnow]

Construction Begins on Hybla Valley Park Changes — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin revitalization work at Hybla Valley Park. Contractors will mobilize on site and active construction is scheduled to begin the first week of March. Weather depending, active construction is expected to conclude by the end of summer 2025.” [FCPA]

Fairfax City Police Seek to ID Alleged Home Burglar — “On February 26th, 2025, the above pictured male was observed on a doorbell camera knocking at a home in the 3800 block of Tedrich Blvd. Later in the day, that same home was burglarized of cash and jewelry. Police are seeking assistance from the public in identifying the individual pictured above.” [City of Fairfax Police]

Fairfax County Libraries Celebrate Women’s History Month — “Throughout the month of March, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) will honor the many women who have played an important role over the course of American history. This Women’s History Month, celebrate the lives and stories of women who have made an impact on Fairfax County and beyond with presentations, workshops, storytimes, crafts and more.” [FCPL]

It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies and a high of around 45 today, with light and variable wind becoming northwest around 6 mph in the morning. Tonight, the skies will be mostly clear and the temperature will drop to a low of around 31, accompanied by a south wind of 3 to 6 mph. [NWS]


News

A former Fairfax County police officer who shot and killed a man in Tysons had his prison sentence commuted tonight (Sunday) by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Former Sgt. Wesley Shifflett was sentenced to serve three years in state prison on Friday (Feb. 28) after being convicted of recklessly handling a firearm.


News

And the Oscar could go to…a Fairfax County Public Schools graduate!

RaMell Ross, an alum of Lake Braddock Secondary School, will get his second chance to win an Academy Award this Sunday (March 2), when he and co-writer Joslyn Barnes are competing in Best Adapted Screenplay for “Nickel Boys.”


Around Town

A school in Reston has been chosen to host the centerpiece event of this year’s nationwide Read Across America campaign.

Local author Kwame Alexander will visit Langston Hughes Middle School at 2:30 p.m. this Sunday (March 2) to celebrate Read Across America Day as well as the 10th anniversary of his 2015 Newbery Medal win for the bestselling novel “The Crossover.”


A ramp up to the boardwalk at Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve in Belle Haven (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Ice Skaters in D.C. for Crash Tribute — “In just a few days, the Legacy on Ice concert will bring U.S. figure skating champions to Washington, D.C., to perform and raise money for the families of the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) crash victims. 2024 World Championship skater Ilia Malinin, from Reston, Virginia, will be one of the performers — and for him, the show at Capital One Arena is personal.” [NBC4]

Menstrual Product Drive Launches — “Please join us in supporting our local shelters and nonprofits by donating new and sealed packages of tampons, pads, liners, and menstrual cups.” Drop-off locations for the drive, which will start tomorrow (Saturday) and continue through March 31, can be found at all library branches, the Fairfax County Government Center and other county facilities. [Providence District]

Metro Reports 5-Year Ridership High — The first two days of this week were “some of the system’s busiest since before the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020 … Federal workers have been ordered to return to many offices, the weather is warming and big events such as Capitals games are in high demand. That all adds to the ridership resurgence.” [NBC4]

Grand Opening Today for UVA’s Merrifield Campus — “The University will celebrate the grand opening of its Northern Virginia campus in Fairfax Friday, marking a major milestone in its efforts to expand educational access for working professionals in the Washington metropolitan area.” [Cavalier Daily]

Falls Church Monitors Approved Federal Grants — “Amid federal budget-slashing efforts, Falls Church officials are keeping a watchful eye on about $50 million in approved grant funds … [City Manager Wyatt] Shields said about half the $50 million in the pipeline relates to transportation projects. The remainder is split among areas ranging from affordable housing to stormwater.” [ARLnow]

Voting Begins for Reston Association Board — “Reston Association (RA) members are invited to make their voices heard in the upcoming election for the RA Board of Directors. Voting in the 2025 election officially begins at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28. Two individuals are vying for seats this year on the nine-member Board.” [Reston Association]

Local Hot Chicken Restaurants Offer BOGO Food — Crimson Coward will offer buy one, get one deals on chicken tenders at its West Springfield and Annandale locations from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow. The Nashville-style hot chicken chain’s customer appreciation events will also involve a random drawing with tablets and wireless earbuds as potential prizes. [Crimson Coward]

Splash Pad Planned for Gum Springs Park — “The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) plans to replace the baby pool at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Gum Springs with a splash pad, according to an FCPA spokesperson. The existing baby pool, which has been in place for over 50 years, is slated for renovation, but based on community input, the Park Authority decided to transform it into a splash pad.” [On the MoVe]

It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies and a high of around 54 degrees, as the northwest wind at 10 to 15 mph shifts southwest during the afternoon, with potential gusts up to 25 mph. Clouds will increase Friday night, bringing the temperature down to around 44 degrees. [NWS]


News

Fairfax County students again dominated the 2025 Virginia Aviation Art Contest.

Youth from McLean, Herndon and Chantilly swept first-place honors in all three age categories, the Virginia Department of Aviation announced on Feb. 19. A total of eight students from the local area will move on to national competition, with an opportunity to potentially compete internationally.


News

A Reston man has been sentenced by a federal judge to nearly two decades in prison for preying on teens he encountered online — more than three years after Fairfax County courts dismissed similar charges against him.

Xavier Dejuan Jackson, 28, was sentenced to 19 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff in Alexandria today (Thursday) after he pleaded guilty last year to sexually exploiting a child, transporting minors and attempting to coerce a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced.


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