A task force empaneled to look at strategies for making transit service in the D.C. region sustainable long-term might not, in the end, deliver specific recommendations on a funding mechanism.
“It is, at this time, I think, still up in the air,” Nick Donohue, a staff facilitator for the DMV Moves task force, told the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) Board of Directors last Thursday (April 3).
After a pleasantly warm March, a chill has decidedly returned to the D.C. area — a trend expected to continue with temperatures dipping below freezing early tomorrow (Wednesday).
The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning for the region, including Fairfax County, that’s scheduled to take effect from 2-9 a.m.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has delayed – if not outright killed – implementation of a bipartisan bill that requires data center developers to disclose noise and environmental impacts before receiving local approval.
Following Youngkin’s amendment [last] week, the requirement won’t go into effect until 2026 at the earliest.
In response to reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting international students on college campuses, George Mason University (GMU) faculty are calling on the school to step up its protection of students, teachers and staff.
The George Mason University chapter of the American Association of University Presidents (GMU-AAUP) delivered a resolution signed by 228 members of the school community to the university’s administration on March 31.
A new restaurant concept expects to open mere steps from Lake Anne in Reston later this summer.
From the company behind Shipgarten in Tysons will come Reston Brats n Beers, which has leased a space in the neighborhood’s eponymous Lake Anne Plaza.
Fox in Loudoun Tests Positive for Bird Flu — “Preliminary testing indicates a red fox taken to the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center from the town of Hamilton in Loudoun County was infected avian influenza, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources reported Friday.” The department says it’s the first known infection of a mammal in Virginia, though cases have been reported in birds, including in Fairfax County. [Inside NoVA]
Felony Charge Dropped in Strangulation Case — “Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano’s office, in a plea agreement, dropped a felony charge against [a man] for allegedly strangling a woman in exchange for a guilty plea for brandishing a machete/blade in January, which is a misdemeanor, according to court documents 7News obtained.” [WJLA]
McLean Man Charged With D.C. Robberies — “A 28-year-old McLean man was arrested on [April 1] for his role in a pair of robberies in Washington D.C., according to the Metropolitan Police Department.” The man has been charged with attempting to commit robbery and second-degree theft. [Patch]
Route 29 Widening to Close Road — “Weather permitting, Willowmeade Drive (Route 5407) between Route 29 and Knight Arch Road (Route 7699) will be closed from 7 a.m. Wednesday, April 9 until 7 a.m. Saturday, April 12 to continue installing a water main as part of the Route 29 widening project.” [VDOT]
GMU ‘Body Farm’ Advances Forensic Science — “Since May 2024, researchers at George Mason University have been studying human decomposition in real time, taking meticulous notes as their donors melt into turmeric-colored puddles. The work is thankless, underfunded, and extraordinarily smelly. But it also has the potential to transform how homicide cases are solved.” [Washingtonian]
Ben and Jerry’s Offers Free Ice Cream — “Ben & Jerry’s is spreading joy with its annual Free Cone Day on Tuesday, April 8, from 12 to 8 p.m. No minimum purchase is required. Participating locations in Northern Virginia include Reston Town Center, Fairfax Corner, Vienna, and Old Town Alexandria.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Falls Church Planning for America’s Birthday — “The Little City is starting to think big for the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026. Much remains up in the air, including the question of how much funding the City of Falls Church will set aside. At a March Falls Church250 committee meeting, however, officials floated ideas ranging from history talks to planting a remembrance tree.” [ARLnow]
Herndon Seeks Applicants for Boards and Commissions — “The Town of Herndon is seeking applicants interested in serving on town boards, commissions, and advisory committees.” Some positions requiring specific expertise, such as the planning commission and Architectural Review Board, are compensated, while others feature volunteers. [Town of Herndon]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunshine and a high of around 47 degrees, accompanied by northwest winds at 14 to 16 mph and gusts reaching up to 29 mph. The night will be mostly clear with a low temperature of around 30 degrees, while northwest winds will blow at 5 to 11 mph. [NWS]
Fairfax County has completed the initial steps of converting a former hotel into a permanent emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness.
Families began moving into the Fair Ridge Shelter (3997 Fair Ridge Drive) off of West Ox Road in the Fair Oaks area last Wednesday (April 2). The opening came shortly after the county wrapped up its Hypothermia Prevention Program, which provides overnight accommodations throughout the winter, on March 31.
John Morrill, Director | Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC)
2024 was the hottest year ever recorded in Fairfax County. Extreme weather and high energy bills are hitting many households hard. From prolonged heatwaves to higher utility costs, it’s becoming increasingly clear that climate change and economic strain are affecting us all.
In response, Fairfax County is taking steps to reduce the emissions that drive climate change and helping our community adapt to its growing impacts.
A community-led climate action plan in 2021 set bold goals for Fairfax County: cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. While your local government is taking steps to reduce its emissions, most of Fairfax County’s carbon footprint comes from everyday community activities — meaning we all have a role. We can only get there if everyone does their part.
That’s why we’ve launched the Sustain Fairfax campaign — an important initiative designed to empower everyone in Fairfax County to be part of the solution.
Why Every Resident’s Action Matters
Community-wide participation isn’t just helpful; it’s necessary. With the county government’s impact limited to a fraction of total emissions, collective individual actions are critical. Every small step you take at home or in your daily commute adds up significantly.
Simple but impactful actions you can take right now include:
Introducing the Sustain Fairfax Challenge
Fairfax County developed the Sustain Fairfax Challenge — a user-friendly, interactive online platform to make these actions easy, enjoyable, and impactful. This resource provides Fairfax-specific information, rebates, and tips to help you cut carbon emissions and save money.
Participants can track their impact, earn badges for their achievements, collaborate with neighbors, and join community-wide sustainability challenges. This interactive approach creates a powerful sense of collective accomplishment, transforming individual efforts into community-wide victories.
Simple Changes, Significant Benefits
Your participation isn’t just good for the environment — it’s great for your wallet, health, and community well-being. By adopting sustainable practices, you can immediately see benefits, including:
These actions also support smart energy choices. Improving your home’s efficiency helps reduce emissions and energy costs while making your space more comfortable and future-ready.
Join Us Today — Your Actions Matter
The Sustain Fairfax Challenge is accessible, easy to use, and designed for immediate impact. You’ll join your neighbors and actively help shape the future of Fairfax County by participating.
I invite you to visit sustainchallenge.fairfaxcounty.gov today and sign up. Let’s prove our actions can create a healthier, more resilient Fairfax County. Our climate goals are ambitious, but they’re achievable if we collaborate. We can build a greener, healthier community, one action at a time.
A Reston man was killed last week after his motorcycle apparently veered off a rural Loudoun County road.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) responded to the 20000 block of Airmont Road in Bluemont last Thursday (April 3) afternoon for a motorcycle crash, according to a press release.
Year-over-year apartment rents continue to trend upward in Northern Virginia, even as fears of economic upheaval loom.
The growth also comes despite a national year-over-year decline in median apartment rental prices.
