Another round of snow is expected to hit the D.C. area today (Sunday).
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the region, forecasting between 1 and 3 inches of snow for Fairfax County and other parts of Northern Virginia.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized staff on Tuesday (Jan. 14) to make federal grant requests totaling nearly $91 million to fund eight transportation projects.
The application for fiscal year 2031 Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) funding now goes to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA), where it will be scored against applications from other jurisdictions in the region.
A math teacher at South Lakes High School has been recognized by the White House as one of the best science and math educators in the country.
Emily Burrell, who has taught at the Reston school for a decade, is among 336 teachers and mentors to receive this year’s Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), which are considered the U.S. government’s highest honor for K-12 math, science, engineering and technology teachers.
Fairfax County Public Schools needs $2.6 billion over the next decade to address renovations and construction projects already in its pipeline, school officials say.
While $428 million is available from past bond referendums, it’s far from enough to cover the school system’s current priorities, which were laid out in a draft Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for fiscal years 2026-2030 presented to the Fairfax County School Board on Tuesday (Jan. 14).
Truck Driver Charged for Fatal Chantilly Crash — “Detectives from our Crash Reconstruction Unit have charged the driver from the December 23 fatal pedestrian crash in Chantilly with Failure to Maintain Control.” Police say the 44-year-old man from Maryland “drifted over the solid white line” on Sully Road before hitting Centreville resident Amin Emad-Eldin Hammoud, who was on the road shoulder after his vehicle got disabled. [FCPD]
Inauguration to Close I-395 Ramps — “The Virginia Department of Transportation will support Virginia State Police for bridge and ramp closures from Virginia into Washington, D.C. on Jan. 20. Drivers should plan now to use alternate routes during this time. Portable and overhead message signs will remind drivers of the closures.” [VDOT]
Bill Increases Penalties for Striking Pedestrians — “State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) plans to introduce legislation this year that would sidestep debate over what counts as ‘careless’ or ‘distracted’ by punishing any driver who seriously injures or kills somebody who is in a crosswalk or otherwise legally on a roadway with up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.” [Washington Post]
GOP Pushes to Ban Transgender Student-Athletes — “Republican lawmakers, joined by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, Attorney General Jason Miyares and student athletes, gathered on Wednesday to support legislation that would bar transgender students from participating in school sport teams inconsistent with their biological sex.” [Virginia Mercury]
Local Events to Celebrate MLK Day — “To commemorate King’s legacy, below is a list of events that highlight the importance of community service, reflection and dialogue, musical performances, children’s activities and more. Note: Fairfax County Government offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20.” [Fairfax County Government]
Hearing Set on Cut-Through Permit Program — “Fairfax County is considering adding a permit component to the ‘residential cut-through traffic mitigation program.’ At its Jan. 14 meeting, the Board of Supervisors agreed to hold a public hearing on the permit proposal. The hearing is scheduled for Feb. 18 at 4 p.m.” [Annandale Today]
First Hike Photo Public Vote Winner Unveiled — “The Fairfax County Park Authority is thrilled to announce Rena Schild as the winner of the People’s Choice Award for the 2025 First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest. Rena’s captivating photo, taken at Huntley Meadows Park, received the highest number of online votes submitted by residents from across the county.” [FCPA]
It’s Friday — Expect sunshine and a high around 40 degrees, with west winds at 5 to 9 mph shifting to southern winds in the afternoon. By Friday night, clouds will increase and temperatures will drop to around 30 degrees, accompanied by a southerly wind at 5 to 8 mph. [NWS]
A Maryland man has been convicted of cocaine possession after the drug was found in a cake he transported from Colombia to Dulles International Airport last spring.
Gildo Ricci, a 69-year-old Peruvian citizen who legally resides in Rockville, had 2.07 kilograms of cocaine concealed in food that customs agents discovered in his luggage on April 25, 2024, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Fairfax County’s plan to transform a shuttered hotel in the Fair Oaks area into an emergency family shelter has cleared a major hurdle, but the county’s planning commission will have the final say later this month.
The Board of Supervisors voted 9-1 on Tuesday (Jan. 14) to allow the former Extended Stay America at 3997 Fair Ridge Drive to be repurposed as a public facility. Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity was the lone dissenting vote.
Conviction of FCPD Officer in Tysons Shooting Upheld — “A Fairfax County judge has denied a motion to dismiss the guilty verdict for former police officer Wesley Shifflett, who was convicted in October for reckless handling of a firearm” after fatally shooting Timothy Johnson outside Tysons Corner Center on Feb. 22, 2023. [WUSA9]
How Inauguration Will Affect Travel — “Anyone driving, riding the Metro or taking the bus in Washington, D.C., on Inauguration Day can expect changes and plenty of closures. Here’s everything to know about getting around in D.C. on Monday — including what travelers can expect at D.C.-area airports.” [NBC4]
Former Falls Church Youth Minister Accused of Sexual Abuse — “The alumnus was one of three Falls Church Episcopal youth group members who an independent investigation revealed in April were allegedly sexually abused by [Jeff] Taylor in the 1990s or the early 2000s when they attended the church.” Taylor, now the subject of an FBI investigation, left Falls Church Episcopal in 2001 to work at churches in Atlanta, where he faced more allegations. [Washington Post]
Tysons Casino Opponents Speak Out — Members of the No Fairfax Casino Coalition voiced their concerns about the proposed legislation at a press conference in Richmond yesterday. “Virginia state Sens. Jennifer Boysko and Saddam Salim joined the group, along with Fairfax County Supervisors Walter Alcorn and Jimmy Bierman.” [WTOP]
Capital One Hit With Federal Lawsuit — “The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has sued Capital One and its McLean holding company, Capital One Financial, alleging the companies cheated millions of consumers out of more than $2 billion in interest payments, the federal agency announced Tuesday.” [Virginia Business]
Herndon Roofing Company Eyed for Acquisition — “A Connecticut building products company is attempting a hostile takeover of Herndon’s Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. (NASDAQ: BECN), offering to acquire the fast-growing Fortune 500 company for $11 billion in cash.” Beacon said it reviewed the offer, which was proposed in November and publicly confirmed yesterday (Wednesday), but “found it lacking.” [Washington Business Journal]
Data Dashboard Shows County Energy Use — “By making its buildings energy efficient, installing solar panels for clean energy, and electrifying its vehicle fleet, Fairfax County has also cut its greenhouse gas emissions by almost 28% since fiscal year 2018, according to new data from the county’s energy dashboard.” [Fairfax County Government]
Franconia Supervisor to Chair Key Regional Group — “The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Board of Directors today elected Fairfax County Supervisor Rodney Lusk as its Chair for 2025.” Lusk will lead the regional planning body as it prepares for potential changes to the federal government and finalizes transit funding recommendations. [COG]
It’s Thursday — There’s a 30% chance of snow showers after 1pm, with increasing clouds and a high near 34 degrees. Expect a south wind of 3 to 8 mph. In the evening, it’ll be cloudy before gradually clearing, and the temperature will drop to around 25 degrees. A calm wind will become northwest at 5 to 8 mph later in the night. [NWS]
Fairfax County Public Schools is rolling out a new plan to tackle traffic and pedestrian safety concerns at its 200 schools, but not everyone on the school board is sold on the idea.
The School Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment Program, discussed during a school board work session on Tuesday (Jan. 14), aims to streamline how schools identify and address issues like clogged “Kiss and Ride” loops, bus congestion and pedestrian safety.
This year promises to be a big one for Reston Station.
Most pieces of Reston Row, a new district expanding the development along Sunset Hills Road near the Wiehle Metro station, are on track to finish construction by the end of 2025, according to a spokesperson for the developer Comstock Companies.
