Snow falling in a parking lot in Vienna (photo by Amy Woolsey)

County Government Closed by Weather — “Fairfax County Government offices are closed Monday, Feb. 23. Emergency administrative leave is granted for county employees not designated as emergency personnel. Emergency personnel should report as scheduled.” Courts and libraries are closed, and Fairfax Connector will provide holiday weekday service levels. [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Street Race Closes McLean Intersection — An apparent street race led police to shut down the intersection of Georgetown Pike and Dolley Madison Blvd in McLean early yesterday (Sunday) morning. While a pedestrian was initially believed to have been struck by one of the drivers, no injuries were ultimately reported. [DMV Live/X]

U.S. Attorney Hired, Then Fired — “The federal judges in the Eastern District of Virginia unanimously appointed longtime litigator James W. Hundley to serve as interim U.S. attorney on Friday, and the Justice Department almost immediately fired him, continuing a clash over control of one of the country’s highest-profile prosecutor’s offices.” A former Fairfax County prosecutor, Hundley co-founded the firm Briglia Hundley in Tysons. [Washington Post]

Contractor Signs Reston Station Lease — Amentum, an engineering and technology firm currently based in Chantilly, has signed a lease for 45,000 square feet of office space at Reston Station. The company plans to relocate its headquarters “early next year into 1900 Reston Metro Plaza, a 365K SF glass office tower that also houses Google. The new headquarters will also include a technology showcase for Amentum’s clients.” [Bisnow]

Potomac Spill Raises Environmental Concerns — “The Potomac accident is among the largest sewage spills in U.S. history, and it highlights a chronic problem facing communities around the United States, says Gussie Maguire, Maryland staff scientist at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.” Sewage overflows could increasingly become a challenge, as climate change leads to more intense storms that then strain aging infrastructure. [NPR]

Fairfax Connector Changes Proposed — “Fairfax Connector seeks public comment on proposed service changes for several routes, including routes 401 and 402, which go through Annandale. The changes will be discussed at two virtual meetings on Feb. 24 at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m.” If approved, the changes would take effect on June 27. [Annandale Today]

Legislators Weigh A.I. Regulations — “Legislators in Richmond are looking to put some limits on the growth of artificial intelligence, but an executive order from President Donald Trump” threatening to withhold funds for broadband internet expansion from states that impose regulations could stymie changes. Among the bills still under consideration is one from state Sen. Saddam Salim (D-37) that would require disclaimers for political ads that use A.I. [WVTF]

FCPS Hosts Adaptive Baseball Clinic — “The gym at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County, Virginia, was packed Saturday as 25 young athletes with disabilities took part in the school’s first adaptive baseball clinic. The event was hosted by the school’s varsity baseball team and led by Andrew Haydon, a 17-year-old junior who created it.” [WTOP]

New Legal Notice — Clarity is applying for a restaurant alcohol license for its new location at Reston Town Center: wine, beer, mixed; 30-day objections. [Public Notices]

It’s Monday — Snow is likely mainly before 1pm and it will be cloudy with a high temperature around 39°F. Expect a breezy northwest wind of 17 to 20 mph, gusting up to 33 mph, and a 40% chance of precipitation. For Monday night, the sky will transition from mostly cloudy to mostly clear, as the temperature drops to around 23°F. The northwest wind will continue at 14 to 17 mph, gusting as high as 26 mph. [NWS]


Countywide

After initially planning a two-hour delay, Fairfax County Public Schools has now canceled classes tomorrow (Monday) as snow has begun to accumulate across the D.C. region.

“Due to the worsening weather conditions, and after careful consideration, all FCPS schools and central offices will now be closed Monday, February 23, 2026,” FCPS said in an update issued shortly after 6:20 p.m.


Countywide

Just when the snow and ice from the last winter storm has mostly cleared, another is making its way toward the D.C. region.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the area, including Fairfax County, starting at 3 p.m. tomorrow (Sunday). The alert is currently scheduled to remain in effect until 10 a.m. Monday (Feb. 23).


News

The Town of Herndon has closed Harding Park and is in the process of replacing the playground, among other improvements.

A groundbreaking was held Tuesday (Feb. 17) at Harding Park (749 Van Buren Street), Town of Herndon spokesperson Reid Okoniewski told FFXnow.


Countywide

Fairfax County would overhaul its plan for funding facility renovations and other capital projects with bonds under the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget plan presented by County Executive Bryan Hill earlier this week.

Some projects have been deferred, others shifted to Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (EDA) bonds, and still others eliminated from the bond schedule entirely.


Countywide

Fairfax County could benefit economically from a casino-anchored development, but the numbers might be more modest than previously shared projections, an internal review by the county suggests.

A Fairfax County casino would produce an estimated $313.6 million in gaming revenue, delivering $62.1 million in local and state taxes, the county’s Department of Management and Budget said in a summary of a feasibility study it commissioned from the consultant MuniCap.


From the W&OD Trail in the north to the Mount Vernon Trail down south, Fairfax County’s growing network of bike paths and lanes is complemented by retailers and mechanics ready to assist the local cycling community.

Here are the nominees for “Best Bicycle Shop around Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite business below? If not, write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, March 6.

Voting for the Best Barbershop in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, Feb. 27 at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Nail Salon in Fairfax. The results are now official:

  1. Curve Nail Studio
  2. Nail Ritual
  3. Nail Evolution

Around Town

A restaurant serving up Japanese and Korean specialties is one of the first dining additions to the new Reston Row.

Noku Sushi is now open at 1800 Reston Row Plaza, Suite 120 in the newly-developed section of Reston Station. An employee confirmed to FFXnow that the restaurant opened on Monday, Feb. 16.


Countywide

By OLIVIA DIAZ Associated Press/Report for America

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Virginia court on Thursday effectively blocked Democrats’ planned April voter referendum to redraw the state’s congressional maps, another potentially devastating blow to the party’s effort to pick up four more U.S. House seats in the national redistricting battle.


Traffic lights on International Drive near Tysons Galleria with Park Crest apartments in the distance (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Post-Explosion Re-Entry Plan Released — “A re-entry plan has been established for residents on Buggy Whip Drive to re-occupy their homes” after dozens were evacuated following a natural gas-fueled explosion in Centreville on Sunday (Feb. 15). “Please complete this form with your contact information to receive re-entry updates. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will contact you directly with next steps.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Teen Charged in I-66 Hit-and-Run — “An 18-year-old is in custody after he was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run on Interstate 66 in Fairfax County.” The Manassas man has been charged with felony hit and run, unauthorized use of a vehicle and following too closely after allegedly rear-ending a Mazda near the Route 28 exit in Centreville and leaving the scene. [DC News Now]

Data Center Tax Exemptions Advance — “The Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday passed legislation continuing billions of dollars in state tax exemptions for all qualifying new and existing data centers as long as they take a series of steps to move away from fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy.” The bill sponsored by Del. Rip Sullivan passed “roughly along party lines.” [Inside Climate News]

Spanberger Tapped for State of the Union Response — “Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address next week, just months after resoundingly winning an office previously held by a Republican. The Democratic rebuttal will immediately follow Trump’s address to Congress next Tuesday, offering the party’s most high-profile opportunity to deliver a countermessage.” [Associated Press/NBC4]

Bills Would Bump Back Absentee Ballot Deadline — “HB 82 and SB 58, introduced by Del. Adele McClure (D-2) and State Sen. Barbara Favola (D-40), respectively, call for moving the deadline from noon to 5 p.m. on the third day after an election.” Absentee ballots would still need to be postmarked by Election Day. [ARLnow]

Health Care Clinic Temporarily Moves — “The Culmore Clinic, a nonprofit that provides free and low-cost healthcare to lower-income residents of Seven Corners and Culmore, is temporarily relocating” as its home undergoes renovations ahead of a housing development project. “The clinic plans to reopen next Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Columbia Crossroads Baptist Church at 3245 Glen Carlyn Road in Bailey’s Crossroads.” [Annandale Today]

Cherry Blossoms Could Peak Later — “Peak cherry blossom bloom could arrive later than recent years thanks to D.C.’s record-breaking cold … There’s no official peak projection yet, but [National Park Service spokesperson Mike] Litterst says bloom will likely come ‘later in the season than we’ve seen for the last few years.'” [Axios DC]

Mixed Grades for Tobacco Control Policies — The D.C. region received a mixed report card, including a slate of ‘F’s’ in the American Lung Association’s 2026 State of Tobacco Control report … D.C. fared the best with a majority of A’s; Maryland had a more mixed report with an A, as well as B’s and F’s; and Virginia scored a C and four F’s.” [WAMU]

It’s Friday — Expect rain mainly before 10am, accompanied by areas of fog lasting until noon, with the high temperature reaching around 57°F. There is a 90% chance of precipitation, potentially amounting to less than a tenth of an inch. Night skies will be mostly clear, and the low temperature will be around 40°F. [NWS]


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