At their first meeting after a stabbing at West Potomac High School this week, School Board members said safety and the Fairfax County Public Schools budgets are inextricably linked.
School Board members expressed sympathy for staff, students and families affected by the stabbing, but also used it as a rallying cry in an ongoing budget battle with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Consideration of a meals tax has gained most of the attention this budget cycle, but Fairfax County supervisors also are looking at increasing the transient-occupancy tax paid on hotel stays.
If adopted next month, the increase from 4% to 6% on stays of less than 30 days will raise an additional $13 million in the coming fiscal year, said Phil Hagen, director of the county’s Department of Management and Budget.
Basketball coach and teacher credited for intervening in West Potomac High School stabbing — “West Potomac girls basketball coach, Joe Petrucelli, has been identified as a hero for intervening to restrain the assailant.” [Twitter]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high near 79 and calm winds shifting to the south at 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Friday night, there’s a 70% chance of showers, mainly after 8pm, with temperatures dropping to around 64. Winds will be from the southeast at 8 mph, and new precipitation amounts may be less than a tenth of an inch. [NWS]
Suspect who shot at two officers has previous traffic stop encounter — “Officers attempted to pull over Wali in 2018, but he didn’t stop initially, later stopping at a shopping center, police said. He was charged with felony speed to elude, resisting arrest and running a red light. His concealed carry permit was suspended following that incident.” [NBC]
At-large School Board member no-show at court hearing — “Last Friday in courtroom 2B of the Loudoun County Circuit Court, when the judge called out the next case on the docket, “Blue Label Aviation Inc. v. Robert Kyle McDaniel,” there was one notable absence. McDaniel, the defendant in the case and a current at-large member of the Fairfax County School Board, was nowhere to be seen.” [Fairfax Times]
No one hurt in Fairfax County garbage truck fire — “No one was hurt in a Thursday garbage truck fire in Fairfax County, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.” [DC News Now]
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Fairfax County budget to eliminate residential program — “In addition to cuts to public safety, tax hikes, and the gutting of resources to the neurodivergent community, the advertised budget by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors could impact women and children with the proposed elimination of a program called New Generations.” [Fairfax Times]
It’s Thursday — The weather will be sunny, reaching a high near 79 as calm winds shift southward at 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. By Thursday night, expect partly cloudy skies and a low of about 55, with southeast winds at 5 to 7 mph calming down after midnight. [NWS]
Luxury condominiums are part of Reston Station mixed-use development — “The Reston Station development, going up now at the city’s Metro stop, could be called Reston 2.0.” [Washington Post]
Fairfax County residents speak out about $300M budget shortfall — “Hundreds of millions of dollars could be slashed from Fairfax County’s budget and people are concerned about what that will mean for their communities.” [FOX 5]
Fairfax County supervisors on Tuesday (April 22) took the first step in what could result in a local-government takeover of trash-collection services across single-family neighborhoods in the county.
Supervisors voted 9-1 to advertise, for a June 24 public hearing, a plan that would start the clock running on a five-year waiting period before the county government could create a unified, countywide trash-collection district.
These days, any storage space at Reston’s Elden Street Tea Shop is full.
That’s not solely due to the success of the business, which first opened its doors in 2017, but rather the result of precautions taken as the tariffs cloud the shop’s future.
Virginia Attorney General blasts Fairfax and Arlington prosecutors — “On Tuesday in Fairfax County, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares met with crime victims and their families who shared their stories about how they feel local prosecutors went easy on alleged criminals.” [ABC7]
One person killed another injured in Oakton construction accident — “A construction accident in Oakton, Virginia, left one woman dead and sent a man to the hospital with injuries, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.” [ABC7]
It’s Wednesday — Expect a mostly sunny day with temperatures reaching around 76 degrees, accompanied by a northeast wind of 5 to 7 mph, shifting to the east in the afternoon. The night will be mostly clear, with lows near 55 degrees and a southeast wind of about 5 mph, calming down later in the evening. [NWS]
Capitals player puts McLean home on market — “Nicklas Backstrom has put his McLean home on the market for $15 million, per Fairfax County property records and local real estate listings.” [Axios]
Ambulance fees going up in Arlington — “Fees for Arlington ambulance trips are going up in July, with baseline costs increasing to between $1,000 and $1,500.” [ARLnow]
One of the world’s most popular fast-casual brands will open a new Reston restaurant tomorrow, six years after closing its last neighborhood eatery.
Panera Bread is coming to 2401 Fulton Place, placing a grab-and-go option in the mixed-use development Halley Rise — located at the intersection of Reston Parkway and Sunrise Valley Drive near the Reston Town Center Metro station.
Written By: Synergy Design & Construction
Planning a major home remodel—whether it’s an updated kitchen, a finished basement, or a complete home makeover—starts with one important choice: who’s going to bring your ideas to life? For many homeowners, the journey begins with deciding between a traditional general contractor and a design build firm.
In the past, renovations often meant hiring an architect or designer for the plans and then finding a general contractor to carry them out. But more homeowners today are discovering the benefits of working with a design build company—a team that handles every phase, from concept to construction, all under one roof.
Both methods can get the job done, but the path you choose will shape your experience in big ways—from communication and budget control to overall stress. If you’re looking for a smoother, more cohesive process, understanding the design build difference is key.
What Exactly Is a Design Build Company?
A design build firm merges the creative side of home renovation—design and planning—with the technical side—construction and execution—into one integrated service. Rather than coordinating between a designer and a builder separately (and hoping they stay aligned), design build firms offer a unified team that works together from the beginning.
At Synergy Design & Construction, our unique Renovation Roadmap is designed to make the experience as enjoyable as the final result. Our system prioritizes open communication, careful planning, and respect for both your home and your time.
Design build is an excellent choice for homeowners who want:
Comparing General Contractors To Design Build Firms
While both general contractors and design build firms manage remodeling projects, their roles—and your experience—differ in meaningful ways.
