Casino gaming still isn’t permitted in Northern Virginia, but that hasn’t stopped the Town of Herndon from considering zoning parameters for a potential establishment.
At a work session tonight (Monday), the Herndon Planning Commission is scheduled to discuss a proposed zoning ordinance amendment that would add a casino gaming establishment as an indoor entertainment use allowed near the town’s Metro station.
Kayaker Injured After Falling Into Potomac — “A man suffered life-threatening injuries Sunday after falling out of his kayak and being swept up in the Potomac River. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer said the incident involved three men and unfolded near the Great Falls area.” [WTOP]
Measles Case Confirmed at Dulles Airport — “Virginia and Washington, D.C. health officials on Friday confirmed a new case of measles in the region after an infected person traveled through Washington Dulles International Airport last week. According to officials, the person is a D.C. resident who traveled through the airport on April 23 and April 24.” [Patch]
Lawsuit Challenges Reproductive Rights Amendment — “Tazewell County makes news once again — this time over a second lawsuit challenging a proposed constitutional amendment that would enshrine reproductive rights in Virginia. Filed in Tazewell County Circuit Court, the suit claims the ballot language is misleading and echoes arguments in a previously filed case that challenged the legality of the amendment process.” [Virginia Mercury]
Banfield Lawyers Challenge Guilty Verdict — “Brendan Banfield’s defense team has filed a motion to set aside the guilty verdict in the ‘au pair affair’ double murder trial, a little more than a week before his sentencing date where he faces a mandatory life sentence … Arguments over the motion are expected to be heard during the sentencing hearing next Friday, May 8, at 11 a.m.” [DC News Now]
How Allergy Season Compares to Last Year — “Coughing, sneezing, and sniffles are signs it’s officially the worst part of spring in DC: allergy season. According to the Weather Channel forecasts, Washington will experience a ‘very high’ presence of tree and grass pollen for at least two weeks.” [Washingtonian]
More Lane Closures on Route 29 — “Weather permitting, Route 29 between Union Mill Road/Centreville Farms Drive (Route 8285) and Summit Drive/Buckleys Gate Drive (Route 1257) will continue to have lane closures on weekdays from Monday, May 4, through Friday, May 15, for Route 29 widening project work … Drivers should expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes.” [VDOT]
Va. Given More Time to Restore Voting Rights — “Virginia has an extra month to comply with a federal court order that re-enfranchises residents with certain felony convictions — something a judge says the state has not done (in violation of federal law) for over a century.” [VPM News]
County Offers Free Trees to Residents — “FREE native trees and shrubs are here for Fairfax County residents! Urban Forestry + Solid Waste were up early loading seedlings and delivering them to the 66 Transfer Station and 95 Disposal Complex! Starting [May 1], residents can pick up 3 free seedlings.” [DPWES/X]
New Legal Notice — Public budget hearings May 12, 6pm; May 13 overflow; broadcast. [Public Notices]
It’s Monday — Expect mostly sunny weather with temperatures reaching a high of 76°F. The southwest wind will range from 7 to 11 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. Night will bring partly cloudy skies and a low of around 61°F. [NWS]
Flags across Virginia will be lowered next Monday (May 4) to honor the memory of Dr. Cerina Fairfax and other victims of domestic violence.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger ordered today (Friday) that U.S. and Virginia flags be flown at half-staff on all state and local government buildings and grounds from sunrise to sunset, expressing a commitment to “helping those who face domestic violence or the threat of domestic violence.”
When purchasing a house or other property, it’s helpful to have a trusted partner to assist with research and the financial process, ensuring you’re getting what you’re paying for.
Here are the nominees for “Best Title Company in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite business below? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, May 15.
Voting for Best Real Estate Agent for Sellers in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, May 8 at 8:30 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Moving Company in Fairfax County. The results are now official:
The Fairfax County Planning Commission has thrown its support behind a proposed expansion of the Lofts at Reston Station with the expectation that the developer will address several outstanding complaints raised by existing residents.
All eight commissioners present for a meeting on Wednesday (April 29) voted to recommend that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approve a comprehensive plan amendment that would allow residential development on the 5-acre site at 1810, 1825 and 1850 Samuel Morse Drive, which are currently occupied by low-rise office buildings.
DHS Shutdown Over Except for ICE — “President Donald Trump swiftly signed a bipartisan legislation Thursday to fund much of the Department of Homeland Security, but not its immigration enforcement operations, shortly after the package won final approval in the House, ending the longest agency shutdown in history.” [Associated Press]
Charges for Attempted CIA HQ Entries — A 28-year-old man from the Fort Worth area of Texas was arrested on Monday (April 27) “after allegedly attempting to breach the CIA’s Virginia headquarters three times since Friday, according to court filings … He was charged with trespassing for the attempted CIA breaches and released on bond with the condition he not return to either government facility.” [Washington Post]
Fairfax and Arlington Diverge on Real Estate Taxes — “Higher assessed property values mean most homeowners in both jurisdictions will pay more in property taxes, under the new budgets. But how did Fairfax County manage to reduce its rate while Arlington increased it?” [ARLnow]
Faith in Housing Bill to Become Law — Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed into law a pair of bills that “will eliminate the rezoning step for faith-based organizations and other tax-exempt nonprofits to develop affordable housing on their properties. The law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027 and will sunset on Jan. 1, 2031 unless reenacted by a future General Assembly.” [ARLnow]
Satellite Company Sets IPO Target — “Herndon defense technology contractor HawkEye 360 Inc. intends to raise up to $416 million from its initial public offering, according to [an April 27] filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.” Planning to offer 16 million shares priced between $24 and $26 each, the $2.4 billion company is expected to debut on the New York Stock Exchange “within the next few days or weeks, though no official date has been set yet.” [Washington Business Journal]
Sneak Peek of Reston Restaurant in D.C. — The annual New Kitchens on the Block offered visitors at Mess Hall in D.C. “an early taste of the city’s next big cafes, restaurants and bars to find out if the hype is real.” Among the participants was Ebbitt House, a new concept from Clyde’s Restaurant Group that’s expected to open at Reston Station this August. [WTOP]
Spring Farm Day Returns to Frying Pan — “See life on the farm in full swing — including the spring baby boom — at Spring Farm Day on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park. Experience hands-on activities, live demonstrations and family-friendly fun throughout the day.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
Sully District Celebrates Birthday — “Please join Supervisor Kathy Smith to celebrate the Sully District’s 35th birthday on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 11 am to 2 pm. Gather with friends and family to celebrate this milestone, enjoy cake, a flashback of Sully District history, and take advantage of onsite County services.” [Sully District Office]
It’s Friday — This afternoon will be mostly sunny with a high of 67°F and a slight 20% chance of showers after 2 PM. Overnight, expect mostly cloudy skies with a 40% chance of showers between 8 PM and 2 AM, and a low around 48°F. [NWS]
Travelers at Dulles International Airport have a new option for reaching South Korea.
The airport is now offering nonstop service to and from Seoul Incheon International Airport, courtesy of the Korean airline Air Premia.
From curbside pickups to ridesharing services and Amazon Prime deliveries, drivers making quick trips through neighborhoods or to local businesses have become increasingly commonplace in Fairfax County.
However, the county still doesn’t have any regulations around short-term parking, even after it adopted new parking rules in 2023, its first comprehensive update in 35 years.
Construction is progressing on a new townhome neighborhood near the Vantage Hill Condominiums in Reston.
Two buildings containing the first seven of 28 houses planned in The Fairland at Vantage Hill are on track to be completed this summer, likely in July or August, according to Craftmark Homes sales manager Lori Windsor.
Three-Story Home Addition Blocked — “A controversial three-story home addition that sparked backlash in a Fairfax County neighborhood will not move forward as planned after a zoning board denied the homeowner’s appeal.” Complaints about the project prompted county leaders to revisit their height restrictions for single-family houses. [DC News Now]
New Laws Regulate Rideshare Safety — “A change to how Virginia screens rideshare drivers will take effect this summer after Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed two bills tightening background check and identity requirements for companies such as Uber and Lyft. The new rules take effect July 1.” [The Center Square/Inside NoVA]
Redistricting Vote Certification Still on Hold — “Virginia’s top court on Tuesday left in place a county judge’s order temporarily blocking the state from certifying the results of last week’s referendum, when voters approved a new Democratic-drawn congressional map aimed at flipping four Republican U.S. House seats.” [Reuters]
Dominion Energy Bill Awaits Signature — “A bill backed by Virginia’s largest and most powerful electric utility is on Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk for final action after the legislature rejected some of her cost-saving suggestions. The legislation … would assign certain electric grid upgrade costs to data centers and allow Dominion Energy to spend $900,000 a mile burying local distribution lines.” [Inside Climate News]
House Seeks New Rules for Data Center Tax Break — While state Senate leaders are advocating for an elimination of Virginia’s sales and use tax exemption for data centers, a spending plan proposed by the House of Delegates would condition the exemption on new environmental standards, including a commitment to energy efficiency and a prohibition on co-locations with carbon-emitting power facilities. [Virginia Mercury]
Furniture Store Opens in Bailey’s Crossroads — “Regency Furniture opened April 25 in the space formerly occupied by Value City Furniture in Bailey’s Crossroads … Regency Furniture has a wide selection of sofas, loveseats, chairs, bedroom sets, coffee tables, dining sets, office furnishings, and décor accessories.” [Annandale Today]
Over 22K Pounds of Food Collected for Students — “A Food For Neighbors Red Bag collection in Fairfax County brought in about 22,300 pounds of food Saturday during the nonprofit’s final event of the school year, according to the organization … The group said the food from Saturday’s event was especially important because it was the last Red Bag collection of the school year.” [Patch]
Anti-Distracted Driving Demo in McLean — “McLean HS in Fairfax partnered with Virginia State Police for a distracted driving awareness event. Students saw firsthand the dangers of distracted driving and the importance of safe choices behind the wheel.” [Virginia State Police/X]
It’s Thursday — It will be mostly sunny with a high near 67°F and a northwest wind blowing at about 15 mph, with gusts reaching up to 25 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 44°F and a lighter northwest wind at 7 to 10 mph. [NWS]
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