Elections have consequences, and now, Northern Virginia leaders are in wait-and-see mode on what those could be for local transit and transportation funding.
The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) board met Thursday (Nov. 7) for the first time since the 2024 general election, when Donald Trump regained the presidency and Republicans took control of at least one chamber of Congress — an unnerving prospect for Northern Virginia’s mostly Democratic political leaders.
All seven suspects believed to be connected to a gun store robbery in Newington have been taken into custody, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis announced today (Friday).
Four suspects were seen on surveillance footage ramming a stolen vehicle into Dominion Defense in the early morning of Sept. 18, gaining access and emerging with 14 stolen firearms — a “brazen crime,” Davis said at a press conference this morning.
Live Fairfax is a bi-weekly column exploring Fairfax County. This recurring column is sponsored and written by Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney Associates. Questions? Reach Sharmane at 813-504-4479.
Fairfax, are you ready for a culinary gem that’s been taking Arlington by storm?
Ruthie’s All Day is officially expanding to Fairfax Corner in 2025, and it’s hard to overstate what a win this is for our local food scene. Imagine savoring Southern-inspired dishes that pack bold flavors, all crafted with love and care — that’s the Ruthie’s experience.
For those unfamiliar, Ruthie’s All Day has earned its reputation as one of Virginia’s top dining spots since opening in 2020. The restaurant draws crowds for its welcoming atmosphere and the nostalgic, homey feel that keeps people coming back. Owner and chef Matt Hill, a James Beard Award nominee, channels his North Carolina roots and honors his late grandmother, Ruthie, by creating the kind of warm, unforgettable meals that feel like they’re straight from her kitchen.
From tender, 14-hour, smoked brisket to addictive campfire cookies (pro tip: try them warm!), each dish is crafted with a blend of passion and skill that you can taste in every bite.
Ruthie’s has quickly become a local favorite, even snagging top spots on Northern Virginia Magazine’s Best Restaurants list year after year, and was featured by Virginia Living as a top pick for dining out. Their commitment to quality has earned Ruthie’s more than just high praise — it’s won the hearts of the Arlington community and beyond.
And now, with plans to open at Fairfax Corner, Ruthie’s is ready to bring that same charm and award-winning flavor closer to home for Fairfax residents. This new location promises a spacious, inviting layout, complete with outdoor seating, a full bar, and a menu filled with both Ruthie’s classics and seasonal specials. It’s not just a restaurant — it’s an experience.
Excited yet? The countdown is on, and this is one spot you’ll want to put on your 2025 to-do list. So Arlington fans, share your favorites in the comments, and Fairfax foodies, get ready to welcome this all-day eatery!
Sharmane Medaris | Live Fairfax | www.soldbysharmane.com | Sharmane@mcenearney.com | @soldbysharmane | 813-504-4479 | 374 Maple Avenue Suite 202, Vienna, VA 22180
Facing growing concerns over inconsistent grading practices, the Fairfax County School Board is moving forward with plans for a comprehensive update of its grading policy for the first time in more than a decade.
The policy revamp comes after years of complaints from teachers, parents, and students that the current system lacks clarity and consistency.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for high fire danger Friday across much of Northern Virginia.
The warning is in effect from noon to 6 p.m. for Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, eastern Loudoun, northeast Prince William and northern Fauquier.
A new route is now available to help pedestrians and bicyclists travel between Reston Town Center and its paired Metro station.
The newly completed pedestrian bridge over the Washington & Old Dominion Trail near the Reston Town Center Transit Station (12051 Bluemont Way) drew “lots of people” when it opened over the last weekend (Nov. 2-3), one reader told FFXnow.
County Warns About Fake Shredding Events — “Residents have recently reported arriving at Fairfax County facilities for shredding events that were falsely advertised on a suspicious website. These events are not associated with the county and we urge you to take steps to avoid misinformation and potential scams.” [Fairfax County Government]
Hayfield Argues Against Potential Postseason Ban — “Hayfield Secondary School made its final appeal Thursday to overturn a recommended two-year postseason ban in football. The hearing was held before a Virginia High School League three-person Executive Committee subcommittee,” which now has five working days to reach a final decision. [Inside NoVA]
FCPD Details Results of License Plate Readers — “The Fairfax County Police Department reports strong results from license plate readers.” Since the tools were introduced in November 2022, they have led to arrests of 514 people, 200 stolen vehicle recoveries, 43 gun recoveries and the locations of 30 missing people. [Annandale Today]
Local Voters Cite Economy, Abortion Among Top Issues — “Originally a Republican stronghold, Fairfax began to shift in the early 2000s as its population grew more diverse and younger families moved in. From student loan debt and health care to economic stability, these issues drive voters to make their voices heard in what many see as a defining election.” [The Wash]
Speculation on Youngkin Joining Trump Team — “Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin has been getting closer to Donald Trump in recent months, with the two even appearing together on stage, leading to questions about whether Youngkin would possibly leave the state and join the incoming Trump administration.” [WTOP]
Herndon Cybersecurity Firm Buys Competitor — Everfox “previously known as Forcepoint Federal, has acquired Frederick, Maryland-based Yakabod Inc., a 23-year-old software company that provides cybersecurity and related services to federal agencies, corporations, universities and other organizations.” Announced on Nov. 1, the deal is Everfox’s second acquisition in three months. [DC Inno]
Herndon Homecoming Parade to Close Streets — “The Herndon High School Homecoming Parade is set to take place this Saturday, November 9th, kicking off at 9:30 am… To ensure the safety and smooth flow of the event, please take note of the following street closures and parking restrictions on Saturday morning.” [Town of Herndon]
Meadowlark Gardens Lets Kids See Winter Lights for Free — “Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights has four nights when kids will be admitted for free. On those nights, kids ages 2 to 12 will be admitted to the botanical gardens when they are accompanied by someone who has paid to get in.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 70 degrees with a light northwest wind that will reach 5-10 mph in the morning and potentially gust up to 20 mph. Clear conditions will continue into Friday night, with a low around 45 degrees. [NWS]
The D.C. area’s historic rain-free streak continues after a predicted chance of precipitation this morning (Thursday) failed to materialize.
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) announced today that it has extended a drought watch that has been in place since July, urging nearly 6 million residents and businesses in the region to take voluntary steps to conserve water.
A Maryland artist who has worked for nearly half a century is the subject of the latest exhibit unveiled by the Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art in Reston.
Betsy Packard’s solo exhibition “Ways of Thinking About Your Life” opened on Nov. 1 at the institute’s gallery in the Signature apartment building at 11850 Freedom Drive, where it will remain on display through Feb. 1, 2025.
After reporting record turnout levels in 2016 and 2020, Fairfax County saw a noticeable dip in voter participation for this year’s general election.
The county reported a voter turnout of 68.35%, with 561,368 of its 821,347 registered voters casting a ballot either on Tuesday (Nov. 5) or during the 45-day early voting period, according to unofficial results that will be certified after noon tomorrow (Friday), the deadline for the county’s elections office to receive mail-in ballots.
