Virginia Department of Transportation workers inspecting a truck that will serve as a snow plow (via VDOT)
This winter is expected to be a little warmer than usual in Northern Virginia. But when inclement weather does hit, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will have thousands of trucks — with access to 120,000 tons of salt, 250,000 gallons of brine, and 25,000 tons of sand — ready to go.
During VDOT’s annual winter weather briefing for local government officials and the media on Nov. 17, staffers with the transportation agency and the National Weather Service (NWS) explained how they’re preparing — and what Northern Virginia residents can expect to see on the roads — over the coming months.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission meets on Nov. 19, 2025 (via Fairfax County Channel 16)
Fairfax County is one step closer to updating its regulations for manufactured homes for the first time in nearly half a century.
At its meeting last Wednesday (Nov. 19), the Fairfax County Planning Commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors amend the Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinance guidelines for manufactured homes, which are sometimes called mobile homes or trailers.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved changes last Tuesday (Nov. 18) to the plan for the mixed-use project known as RTC Next, including an increase in office space and a change in location for a planned arts facility.
A crescent moon is visible over Maple Avenue in Vienna (photo by Amy Woolsey)
Man Hospitalized After Metrobus Fight — “A Metrobus ride turned violent Saturday [Nov. 22] after an argument escalated into a brutal beating, leaving a man hospitalized in critical but stable condition, according to the Metro Transit Police Department … MTPD and Fairfax County Police officers responded to the bus in Falls Church for reports of a fight on board.” [WJLA]
Woman Who Chained Children Sentenced — A Groveton woman has been sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty in July to assault and abduction charges. “Police called to an apartment in Groveton in August 2024 found two brothers, ages 7 and 9, with red marks on their ankles. Investigators seized chains and padlocks that had been used to restrain them while their mother, Wendi Del Cid Rodriguez, was at work.” [NBC4]
Lawmakers Seek Trump Call Transcript — “U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman on Friday led a press conference urging President Donald Trump to release the transcript of Trump’s 2019 phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman. The issue relates to the crown prince’s involvement in the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Northern Virginia resident and Washington Post journalist.” [Inside NoVA]
Centreville Fun Land Faces Lawsuit — “Annandale residents Ellen and Michael Smith say a faulty go-kart caused severe injuries to their adult daughter, Chloe Elizabeth Smith. They have filed a $1 million personal injury lawsuit against Fun Land in Fairfax, The Independent reported. Chloe is autistic and is under the legal guardianship of her parents.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
FroYo Shop Opens in Annandale — “A frozen yogurt shop called Yomo opened Nov. 15 at 7406 Little River Turnpike in Annandale in the former Casa d’Mama Pizzaria spot. In addition to self-serve frozen yogurt, Yomo offers smoothies and Nutella crepes. Additional crepe varieties will be added later.” [Annandale Today]
Buckle Up for Thanksgiving Travel — “The holiday travel season is nearly upon us and Virginia State Police is asking everyone to buckle up every time you enter a vehicle. During the last two Thanksgiving holidays, more than half of the fatal crashes involved someone not wearing a seatbelt, or seatbelt use could not be determined.” [Press release]
Teacher Nominated for National Award — Laure Grove, an early childhood inclusion teacher at Terra Centre Elementary in Burke, has been nominated for a National Wildlife Federation award for her work leading sustainability initiatives. “What started as a small project to get the gardens ready for use again evolved into a schoolwide approach to get students involved and excited about protecting the environment.” [WTOP]
Holiday Donation Drives Underway — “There are many ways to support your neighbors and community this holiday season. We’ve rounded up a list of giving opportunities right here in Fairfax County,” including the annual Toys for Tots campaign and several food and winter clothing drives. [Fairfax County Government]
It’s Monday — Expect sunshine and a high of 55 degrees with a northwest wind around 6 mph, calming in the afternoon. By Monday night, skies will become mostly cloudy and the temperature will drop to around 41 degrees. The calm wind will shift to the south at about 6 mph after midnight. [NWS]
Officials cut a ribbon to celebrate the impending opening of new I-495 Express Lanes (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
After more than three years of construction, the new Capital Beltway toll lanes in McLean will welcome their first drivers on Sunday (Nov. 23), just in time for next week’s Thanksgiving travel rush.
Though the start of tolling operations has been delayed by a day due to expected rain tonight (Friday), Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay and other officials gathered this morning for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in anticipation of the occasion at the Hyatt Regency hotel at Tysons Corner Center.
A 31-year-old Herndon woman has been arrested and charged with the stabbing death of her 79-year-old mother, the Fairfax County Police Department announced today.
A car is a hefty investment, so when undertaking cleaning or maintenance, a shop you can trust to take care of your vehicle without damaging it is a must. Fortunately, reliable providers can be found around Fairfax County.
Here are the nominees for “Best Car Wash or Auto Detailing Service in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite auto care shop below? If not, write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5.
Voting for the Best Electrician in Fairfax is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, Nov. 28 at 8:30 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Plumber in Fairfax. The results are now official:
Dulles International Airport's new Concourse E is on track to open in 2026 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Airlines at a growing Dulles International Airport will see higher operating costs in 2026 under a new budget adopted Nov. 19 by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).
The $889.5 million package, adopted unanimously by the authority’s board of directors, estimates that the “cost per enplanement” at Dulles will rise from the $11.17 budgeted in 2025 to $12.77 in 2026 — an increase of about 14%.
Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano and Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney Ramin Fatehi listen to crime survivors at the National Organization of Victim Advocacy's office in Old Town Alexandria on Nov. 19, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)
As the federal government slashes public safety funding, including grants supporting programs for crime victims, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano joined other top prosecutors in Alexandria this week to hear stories from survivors.
For more than an hour on Wednesday (Nov. 19), Descano, Arlington Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Deghani-Tafti and Norfolk CA Ramin Fatehi listened to crime survivors at the National Organization of Victim Advocacy (510 King Street) headquarters, next door to the Alexandria Courthouse.
A red fox sitting in brush in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Harris Teeter Plans Layoffs — “North Carolina-based supermarket chain Harris Teeter will permanently close a fulfillment center in Fairfax County on Feb. 1, 2026, resulting in layoffs of 91 employees. Harris Teeter notified the state of the closure and layoffs on Tuesday,” indicating that delivery operations from the site at 6306 Gravel Avenue in Franconia “may begin to wind down in early to mid-January 2026.” [Virginia Business]
Deep Dive Into Virginia Election Data — While the results of Virginia’s Nov. 4 elections won’t be officially certified until Dec. 1 “enough dust has settled since the polls closed on Election Day that we can look at some of the commonwealth’s interesting voting trends in 2025.” The data confirms that voters heavily favored Democrats, with all 133 jurisdictions in the state moving further left compared to the 2021 gubernatorial race. [VPM Media]
Driver Hospitalized After Bailey’s Crossroads Crash — “An adult male is in the hospital in a life-threatening condition following a crash in the 3400 block of Carlin Springs Road in Bailey’s Crossroads shortly before 4 p.m. on Nov. 19.” Police say the man was driving a BMW “at a high rate of speed toward Leesburg Pike when he struck a bollard and lost control of the vehicle.” [Annandale Today]
Fairfax Man Charged with Child Porn — “A 19-year-old Fairfax City man is facing 29 charges of possession of child pornography, according to authorities.” The man was arrested on Wednesday (Nov. 19) following a search of his home “in connection to an unnamed incident that occurred on Sept. 28, according to court documents.” [Patch]
Driver Crashes into Tysons Store — ” A woman has been cited for reckless driving after crashing into the American Girl doll store at Tysons Corner and injuring a wheelchair user Wednesday afternoon, according to police.” [WUSA9]
Bagel Deli Legal Fight Brewing — The owners of Call Your Mother, the D.C. deli that now boasts three Fairfax County locations, filed a lawsuit this week “against Bubbi Bagels — also known as Call Your Bubbi — a bagel shop that opened on the Jersey Shore last year.” Andrew Dana and Daniela Moreira argue that the New Jersey shop’s continued use of the name Call Your Bubbi and a similar bagel-focused logo infringes on their trademark. [Washingtonian]
Winter Lantern Festival Returns — “Hundreds of lanterns light the night sky in Tysons for the holiday season,” as the Winter Lantern Festival returns to Lerner Town Square (8025 Galleria Drive) for a fourth year. Featuring light displays, food and entertainment, the festival will open tomorrow (Saturday) and stay through Jan. 20, per its online calendar. Tickets start at $18. [Out and About Fairfax]
It’s Friday — Rain is expected mostly after 1pm, accompanied by mostly cloudy conditions and a high temperature near 56°F. There’s a 50% chance of precipitation. Friday night will see temperatures drop to 49°F with a 90% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
