Fairfax County could be visited by some wintry weather on Christmas Eve.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the county and other parts of the D.C. area in anticipation of freezing rain and a potential “dusting” of snow tomorrow (Tuesday) from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MidnighTreats is going to bring its monster-sized, vegan cookies to Reston Town Center.
The homegrown business will move from its original Reston storefront in Plaza America to a currently vacant space at 1826 Discovery Street next to Playa Bowls, possibly late next spring, according to MidnighTreats owner and founder Johnny Nguyen, who said late last week that the deal “was just finalized.”
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid outlined a timeline on Thursday (Dec. 19) for revising policies related to student athletics following a controversy over alleged football-recruiting irregularities at Hayfield Secondary School.
Engaged in ongoing damage control, the superintendent told the Fairfax County School Board at its last meeting of the year that “clear, bright-line rules and regulations” will be rolled out in coming months.
One Seriously Injured in Mantua House Fire — Fairfax County firefighters were on scene shortly after midnight on Saturday (Dec. 21) for “a house fire in the 9100 block of Little River Turnpike in the Mantua area. Units arrived to fire showing. The fire is under control. One civilian was transported with life-threatening injuries. Fire investigators are on scene.” [FCFRD/Facebook]
Defense Seeks Dismissal of Wesley Shifflett Conviction — “About two months before his sentencing date, the defense for a former Fairfax County police officer convicted in a shooting that killed a suspected unarmed shoplifter argued the verdict should be thrown out.” A jury found Wesley Shifflett guilty of recklessly handling a firearm but acquitted him on the more serious charge of involuntary manslaughter. [WUSA9]
Route 7 Crash Caught on Video — “Watch: A driver travels across five lanes of opposing traffic before crashing into a vehicle in the far right lane. This was [Thursday] evening at Haycock & Route 7 at the Fairfax County – Falls Church border. Video from SafetyVid.com.” [Dave Statter/Twitter]
New Casino Bill May Come From Different Lawmaker — “While it has yet to be introduced in the upcoming session, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax County, tells WUSA he plans to continue the fight to have a referendum to build a casino in the Tysons Corner area.” A recent letter signed by over 100 people argued a casino could pose a national security risk. [WUSA9]
Power Tools Stolen From Local Businesses — “Detectives from our Criminal Investigations Division are seeking the community’s help in identifying suspects who burglarized and stole power tools from businesses in Annandale, Merrifield, Lincolnia, and Chantilly.” The burglaries occurred on Dec. 15 and 16 and believed to involve the same suspects, police say. [FCPD]
Customers Frustrated With Metro Shuttle Service — “MetroAccess, which offers Metro’s door-to-door service for people with disabilities, faces growing criticism for a lack of performance and poor customer satisfaction. Numan Aslam, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, said he’s been using MetroAccess for more than 15 years. Recently, he’s been losing patience” with the service. [NBC4]
Montgomery Leader Responds on American Legion Bridge — At a recent Dulles corridor transportation panel, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Jeff McKay suggested Maryland doesn’t want to replace the American Legion Bridge so workers will stay on its side of the Potomac River. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich says the assertion is “inaccurate” but he does “understand his frustration.” [MoCo Show]
DC United Visits Local Hospital — “Patients receiving inpatient rehabilitation services at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital (IMVH) got a special treat Dec. 20, courtesy of local professional soccer team, D.C. United. Every year, the hospital holds a winter market where patients recovering from a variety of traumatic conditions and injuries can ‘shop’ for gifts for loved ones, but this was the first year that an outside organization stepped in to donate gifts.” [On the MoVe]
It’s Monday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high around 35 degrees with calm winds that will later shift to the south at 5 to 7 mph. As for Monday night, the skies will turn mostly cloudy with a low temperature of approximately 27 degrees and a south wind blowing at 3 to 6 mph. [NWS]
George Mason University has ushered a new class of graduates out into a world that they were told yesterday (Thursday) is filled with both opportunities and challenges.
“Believe it or not, your learning journey is just beginning,” George Schindler, former president and CEO of the technology firm CGI, said during winter commencement ceremonies held at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax.
Bonchon is back in Herndon.
After temporarily closing last year amid customer complaints, the Korean fried chicken chain reopened its franchise at Franklin Farm Village Center (13320 Franklin Farm Road) in the Oak Hill area on Wednesday, Dec. 18, under new ownership.
Undocumented immigrants in Fairfax County and elsewhere in Virginia could face threats on two fronts in the new year, with both national and state elected leaders proposing policies targeting that population.
As incoming president Donald Trump plans mass deportations, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin unveiled a budget proposal this week that would require local governments to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and withhold funding from those with cooperation-limiting policies, including Fairfax County.
Potential economic and political headwinds are unlikely to derail sales and price increases Northern Virginia’s 2025 housing market, industry experts believe.
That’s good news for prospective sellers, but purchasers, especially first-time homebuyers, could face continued challenges, according to a 2025 housing market forecast publicly unveiled on Tuesday (Dec. 17) by George Mason University researchers and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR).
A Reston man is facing criminal charges for his involvement in a recent fatal crash on Fairfax County Parkway.
The Fairfax County Police Department says Ayaan Usmani, 23, was drunk and speeding when he lost control of the 2019 BMW M850I he was driving near Elden Street around 2:40 a.m. on Nov. 23.
GMU Student Charged With Plotting Anti-Israel Attack — A freshman at George Mason University “faces one count of demonstrating how to manufacture an explosive with intent to murder internationally protected persons.” Investigators that the 18-year-old was planning “an attack on Israel’s general consulate in New York using a bomb, assault rifle or suicide vest.” [Washington Post]
Police Investigate Reported Drone Sightings — “The drama over drones that began in New Jersey has led to thousands of sightings nationwide, including hundreds in Maryland, Virginia and D.C. In Virginia, the Virginia Fusion Center, located within the Homeland Security Division of the Virginia State Police, said it has received more than 150 tips regarding drone activity in the Commonwealth.” [WTOP]
Flu Vaccine Rates Down for Children in D.C. Area — “Fewer kids are getting flu shots so far this season in D.C., Maryland and Virginia, per new CDC data.” In Virginia, vaccine coverage is at 45.1% so far this year, compared with 49.9% last year — a lower decline than what has been reported in D.C., Maryland and nationwide. [Axios D.C.]
Local NAACP to Host Casino Discussion — The Fairfax County NAACP will host a panel discussion on the proposed Tysons entertainment complex at the Gum Springs Community Center on Jan. 7, 2025. Participants will include potential developer Comstock, the No Casino Coalition, the Northern Virginia Labor Federation and George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis Director Terry Clower. [Patch]
New Owner for Seven Corners Apartment Building — “The Jefferson, a 310-unit apartment building in Seven Corners, has changed hands, the Washington Business Journal reports. Eagle Rock Properties acquired the complex, at 6166 Leesburg Pike, on Nov. 20 from Capital Investment Advisors LLC for $65.65 million.” [Annandale Today]
Glasgow Middle School Names New Principal — “Fairfax County Public Schools named Lisa Barrow the new principal of Glasgow Middle School. She has served as principal of Cooper Middle School in McLean since 2020 … Barrow was principal of Sleepy Hollow Elementary School from 2011 to 2016.” [Annandale Today]
Over $2M Donated to County Parks — “The Fairfax County Park Foundation Board joined with members of the Park Authority Board and Fairfax County Supervisors Andres Jimenez (Mason District) and Rodney Lusk (Franconia District) to commemorate the more than $2.1 million in monetary contributions received in 2024 to support park programs and initiatives throughout the county.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly cloudy conditions with a high near 43 and a calm wind turning northeast at 5 mph in the afternoon, coupled with a 50% chance of rain. The chance of rain will lessen to 30% before 1 am, while temperatures dip to around 32. The northwest wind will increase to 6-11 mph with gusts up to 18 mph. [NWS]
