Fairfax County leaders have joined hundreds of municipalities across the nation in pledging to do more to help the monarch butterfly’s survival.
The county’s Board of Supervisors agreed during its Jan. 14 meeting to sign on to the National Wildlife Foundation’s Mayors’ Monarch Pledge Program, which commits local governments to take various actions to stem loss of habitat for pollinators.
A company that provides athletic and strength training is planning to open a studio at Reston Station once the weather heats up.
Healthy Baller, which already has a location on Inova Health Systems’ campus in Merrifield, has signed a lease for 4,700 square feet of retail space in the office building at 11400 Commerce Park Drive, property owner Comstock Companies announced late last week.
Hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s technology meltdown, Fairfax County Park Authority officials are making revisions to their 2025 spring and summer camp registration procedures.
The biggest change: The first day of registration will vary depending on where a camp program is located.
Groveton Apartments Targeted by ICE Raid — “Some residents of an apartment complex in Fairfax County, Virginia, say they’re alarmed and frightened after waking up to loud door knocks from federal agents before sunrise on Sunday.” The raid at the Beacon Hill Apartments was one of many carried out nationwide by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Jan. 26, leading to more than 1,170 arrests. [NBC4]
Two Virginia Children Die From Flu — “The Virginia Department of Health on Monday reported two influenza-associated pediatric deaths, the first reports for the 2024–25 flu season. One death occurred in a young school-aged child between the ages of 5 of 12 years old in Virginia’s Eastern Region and one in a teenage child between the ages of 13 and 17 years old in the Central Region, which is in the southern part of the state.” [Inside NoVA]
Senate Passes Bill to Protect Voting ‘Quiet Period’ — The state Senate voted 20-18 yesterday (Monday) to pass a proposal from Sen. Aaron Rouse (D-Virginia Beach) “to clarify the federal 90-day threshold for voter roll removals and extend the response time for flagged individuals to contest their potential purge.” Removals of voters flagged as “non-citizens” last year led to a lawsuit and reports of people being erroneously dropped from voter rolls. [Virginia Mercury]
Longtime Radio Anchor Dies — “WTOP evening anchor Dimitri Sotis, whose deep, warm voice informed and kept listeners in the D.C. region company during storms, elections and breaking news, has died at the age of 55 … Sotis was the evening anchor at WTOP for more than two decades; listeners heard his distinctive timbre weekdays from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.” [WTOP]
N. Va. Business Leaders Optimistic About Economy — “Northern Virginia business owners are overwhelmingly optimistic about the region’s economy in the new year, but affordability has become a top concern for business leaders trying to attract new talent and new businesses to the region,” according to a recent survey conducted on behalf of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. [WTOP]
Fairfax City Police Make Arrest After Gunshots Reported — “City of Fairfax Police have apprehended a suspect in connection to the attempted malicious wounding that occurred Friday morning in the 3100 block of Campbell Drive … Investigators recovered shell casings on the scene. No injuries were reported and no property was reported damaged, according to police.” [Patch]
Falls Church Advances Accessory Unit Policy Update — “Falls Church officials are nearing a decision on an ordinance that would make it easier to build accessory-dwelling units … At a Council work session last week, however, there was a split between elected leaders and top staff on how much remaining public input is advisable before the matter goes to a vote.” [ARLnow]
Local Students Compete in World Diving Championships — “Carter G. Woodson High School senior Nathaniel Grannis and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) senior Rem Turatbekov have gone international. Nathaniel and Rem recently returned from the Junior World Diving Championships in Rio de Janeiro, where Nathaniel represented the U.S. and Rem dove for his birth country, Kyrgyzstan.” [FCPS]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny conditions today with a high of around 52 degrees and west winds at 7 to 12 mph, increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon, with potential gusts up to 33 mph. The evening will bring mostly clear skies and a low of about 31 degrees. [NWS]
Congressional Republicans are once again pushing to rename Dulles International Airport after President Donald Trump.
North Carolina Rep. Addison McDowell introduced H.R. 691 last Thursday, Jan. 23 to designate the Northern Virginia airport as “Donald J. Trump International Airport,” proclaiming the move a fitting parallel to former president Ronald Reagan’s moniker gracing Washington National Airport in Arlington.
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid is requesting an additional $268.3 million from the county for fiscal year 2026, with most of it going toward a 7% across-the-board pay raise for teachers and staff.
The raise, costing $213 million, is part of a newly negotiated collective bargaining agreement between the school board and the recently formed Fairfax Education Unions. Whether the county can afford it, however, is still an open question.
By Richard Chew, Reston Association Elections Committee Chair
More than six decades ago, Robert E. Simon set out to create a community that would emphasize quality of life, where residents could live, work, and play in harmony, enjoying shared open spaces and scenic beauty.
Today, Reston stands as one of the region’s most well-respected communities, still grounded in Simon’s vision. The responsibility of maintaining that delicate balance between “live, work, play and get involved” rests with the Reston Association (RA) and its Board of Directors. Now more than ever, the Board plays a crucial role in preserving the character of Reston and its commitment to housing, open spaces, and community amenities.
If you’re passionate about shaping Reston’s future, we invite you to consider running for a position on the RA Board of Directors.
The RA Board of Directors guides the policies and procedures of the Association, ensuring the upkeep of more than 50 miles of trails, overseeing recreational programs, events, and facilities, and contributing to the development of the annual budget and key capital projects. Board members play an essential part in making sure that Reston continues to thrive as a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient community.
If you’re invested in Reston’s legacy and want to play a role in securing its future, consider running for one of three open seats on the Reston Association Board.
For information on eligibility, candidate details, and application materials, visit the Board of Directors Election page online or view the Statement of Candidacy Form. All candidate materials must be filed no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 30.
A search for an operator to run an independent living facility planned for Reston Station’s upcoming Midline district has apparently come up empty so far.
With demolition of the vacant office building currently on the site at 1831 Wiehle Avenue expected to begin this year, developer Comstock Companies is exploring the possibility of delivering age-restricted housing for seniors instead, according to an application submitted to Fairfax County last Thursday (Jan. 23).
‘Pancake’ Ice Forms on Potomac River Near Great Falls — “Because of prolonged cold weather, pancake ice has formed on the Upper Potomac River near Great Falls. The circular slabs have been spinning and colliding with one another for days while trapped in the river’s eddies.” [Washington Post]
One Person Hospitalized by Newington Forest Fire — Fairfax County firefighters responded on Saturday (Jan. 25) to a fire at a home in the 8000 block of Steeple Chase Court. “Units arrived with a working fire and occupant trapped. Crews rescued the occupant via ground ladders and contained the fire to a single unit. 1 civilian transported with non life threatening injuries.” [FCFRD/Twitter]
Man Sentenced to Prison for Kidnapping and Theft Plot — “A man was sentenced in D.C. court Friday for his role in a kidnapping and high-end robbery of two victims at an Alexandria address in Fairfax County. Robbie Terrell Clark, 27, of Washington, D.C., will serve 108 months in federal prison in relation to the September 2022 kidnapping and robbery.” [Patch]
FCPS Officials Promise to Defend Students From ICE — “As fears mount following President Trump’s threat to deport many more immigrants, including those here legally, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid told Annandale Today, ‘We are committed to the fullest extent of the law to protecting our students and staff.’ Reid said she met with all the principals last week” and sent a letter to the community on Saturday. [Annandale Today]
Fairfax City Chooses Acting Manager — “Following a special meeting on Jan. 21 to discuss interviews for city boards and commissions and other personnel matters, the Fairfax City Council unanimously appointed Bryan Foster to serve as acting city manager … He will begin his new role on Monday, Jan. 27.” [City of Fairfax]
Falls Church Considers West End Redevelopment — “Falls Church’s ongoing redevelopment spurt could next focus on 15 acres of mostly industrial land in the community’s West End. City leaders have invited a contingent from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) … for a look at what the city calls its Gordon Road Triangle.” [ARLnow]
Reston Summer Camp Registration Coming — “Reston Community Center’s summer camp program has grown significantly under [Jeff] Morgan’s leadership, now featuring about 70 specialty camps designed for kids ages 6 to 17 … The 2025 summer camp season runs from June 16 through Aug. 15. Registration opens Feb. 1 for Reston residents and those that work in Reston and Feb. 8 for non-residents.” [Fairfax County Government]
Herndon Theater Postpones Shows Due to Illness — “Due to illness in the cast and crew, the opening of NATIVE GARDENS has been postponed by one week. All performances the weekend of January 23-26, 2025 have been canceled. Patrons with tickets to the canceled performances will be contacted by the Box Office shortly.” [NextStop Theatre/Instagram]
It’s Monday — Expect a partly sunny day that will eventually transform into full sunshine, with temperatures peaking around 45°F. Winds will come from the southwest, blowing at 5-10 mph. For Monday night, anticipate an increase in cloud coverage and lows near 31°F. [NWS]
After a week of freezing temperatures, jumping into a body of cold water might not sound like the most enticing Saturday activity, but that’s exactly what dozens of Fairfax County residents are expected to do at two upcoming charitable events.
First, Special Olympics Virginia will bring its annual Polar Plunge to the Mosaic District in Merrifield tomorrow (Saturday) from noon to 2 p.m.
