Countywide

An Oakton-based nonprofit has been sounding an alarm about Fairfax County’s plans to eliminate funding for a key mental health program.

The fiscal year 2027 budget presented by County Executive Bryan Hill in February would terminate a $618,952 contract for BeWell, a program run by the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) and the nonprofit HopeLink Behavioral Health that coaches people living with serious mental illnesses on their overall health and wellness.


Countywide

Hoping to alleviate parents’ concerns about the frequency of disruptions this school year, the Fairfax County School Board has backed a calendar for the upcoming academic year that cuts down on the number of early-release days and nixes Veterans Day as a holiday.

At its meeting Thursday (April 9), the board debated the calendar for the upcoming school year in an effort to cut down on weeks with fewer than five days of classes.


Countywide

Cell phone bans will be strengthened at Virginia’s K-12 schools after a bill from a Fairfax County state senator was signed into law.

The bill tightening restrictions from state Sen. Stella Pekarsky (D-36) was signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) last week and will take effect on July 1.


Around Town

An award-winning restaurant from Vienna is getting closer to opening its second location in Reston.

Clarity aims to open next month at the Reston Town Center. The RAMMY-studded, upscale American restaurant is “progressing rapidly and [is] looking to tentatively open on May 1,” joining its initial location that opened in 2015 at 442 Maple Avenue, a spokesperson told FFXnow.


Virginian bluebells by the Potomac River at Riverbend Park in Great Falls (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Was Eyed for ‘Sphere’ — As suggested by state Sen. Scott Surovell in his response to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s veto of his bill to allow a casino in Fairfax County, the Las Vegas concert venue reportedly “flirted with picking Fairfax County” for its second location before selecting Maryland’s National Harbor in January. The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority declined to comment when asked by FFXnow if it was aware of those discussions. [Axios DC]

Renderings Released for Trump’s Proposed Arch — “The Trump administration has submitted detailed architectural plans for a proposed 250-foot triumphal arch at Memorial Circle, drawing strong pushback from Arlington’s congressman … The renderings show a massive neoclassical stone arch topped with a 60-foot gilded statue of a winged figure — which Trump has called Lady Liberty — flanked by two smaller golden eagles.” [ARLnow]

Longtime AP Reporter Dies in Reston — “Bill Mann, a reporter and editor who covered the Philippines, Cairo, India, Scandinavia and Washington, D.C., over a nearly 50-year career at The Associated Press, died Thursday in Reston, Va., his family said. He was 83.” [Associated Press]

Fees Drive Up Va. Electric Bills — “Virginians’ power bills have increased 14.5% since 2022 and doubled in 25 years. But Dominion Energy customers scrutinizing their bills to understand why are likely confused … The bill does not show charges for numerous power and clean-energy projects. Known as rate adjustment clauses, or ‘riders,’ these are the fastest growing part of the bill.” [Fauquier Times]

Herndon Satellite Provider to Go Public — “Fast-growing Herndon defense contractor HawkEye 360 Inc. filed plans for an initial public offering following a series of big capital raises over the past few years … It has yet to identify the number of shares it plans to issue, the price it will seek or a timeline for when it expects to go public,” but the company said Friday (April 10) that it will trade under the ticker name “HAWK” on the New York Stock Exchange. [Washington Business Journal]

Update on Regional Jobs Initiative — “D.C. Deputy Secretary for Education Paul Kihn said the creation of a job search board is helping make sure that area residents are prepared for shifts in the rapidly changing job market.” Talent Capital AI launched in October specifically to support “displaced federal workers,” Kihn told the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and has drawn over 100,000 unique users so far. [WTOP]

Annandale Hosts First Asian Night Market — “A large crowd gathered in Annandale on April 11 for food and entertainment at an Asian Night Market presented by Neon District DMV. The event, on the parking lot at the ACCA Child Development Center on Columbia Pike, featured 32 food vendors – most of them offering Thai specialties – and 32 non-food vendors.” [Annandale Today]

Preview of D.C. Region’s 250th Anniversary Plans — “Organizers for the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday bash discussed some of the plans for the national and local celebrations in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.” Fairfax County 250th Commission chair Gretchen Bulova, now also a state delegate, said mobile museums and “events from Mount Vernon to Monticello” will lead up to July 4 in Virginia. [WTOP]

It’s Monday — Expect partly sunny skies with a high near 83 degrees and a southwest wind at 14 mph, with gusts up to 26 mph. Night will be partly cloudy with a low around 63 degrees and a southwest wind blowing at 3 to 7 mph. [NWS]


Countywide

Starting this July, Virginia drivers will no longer have the option to purchase special license plates commemorating the Confederacy.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger approved House Bill 1344 from Fairfax Del. Dan Helmer (D-10) on Monday (April 6) ending the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles’ authorization to issue or renew license plates honoring Confederate General Robert E. Lee and the Sons of Confederate Veterans.


Around Town

Public Art Reston will take over Reston Town Square Park later this month with the return of its annual ChalkFest.

The centerpiece of Reston Town Center’s eARTh Day Celebration on Saturday, April 25, the event will celebrate the literary arts for the first time as well as visual arts with the addition of a public art poetry contest.


A leaky or deteriorating roof can be a serious hazard. Thankfully, there are professionals around Fairfax County with the tools and know-how to safely fix any issues.

Here are the nominees for “Best Roofing 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, April 24.

Voting for Best Playground in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, April 17 at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Pest Control Company in Fairfax County. The results are now official:

  1. My Pest Pros
  2. Holiday Termite & Pest Control
  3. Rossi Pest Services

Countywide

Fairfax County Planning Commission members on Wednesday (April 8) joined a growing chorus calling on county leaders to emphasize maintenance of existing government facilities over construction of new ones.

“Prioritizing preventive maintenance and system renewal is a fiscally responsible alternative to the higher cost of full renovations or facilities replacements,” said at-large commissioner Timothy Sargeant.


News

A student at Fairfax High School was convicted yesterday (Thursday) of assault and battery after being accused of groping more than a dozen of his female classmates.

Israel Christopher Flores Ortiz, an 18-year-old who is currently a junior at the school, was found guilty by a judge on nine misdemeanor counts that stemmed from numerous instances of what prosecutor Jenna Sands described as “grabbing butts.”


View More Stories