Chief Judge Penney Azcarate (photo via Fairfax County Government/Flickr)
Fairfax County Circuit Court Chief Judge Penney S. Azcarate will be honored by the local Board of Supervisors ahead of her retirement later this summer.
The 10-member board voted unanimously Tuesday (April 14) to prepare a resolution honoring Azcarate, who will retire June 31 after nearly 20 years as a judge in Fairfax County — including the last 10 as chief judge of the Circuit Court.
Cars drive on a hilly section of Prosperity Avenue in Woodburn (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Farmers Market Season Returns — “Fairfax County Farmers Markets return for the 2026 season, bringing farm-fresh produce, baked goods and specialty foods to communities across the county.” The season kicks off tomorrow (Saturday) in Burke, with the Reston and Mount Vernon markets also starting this month. Seven other markets are set to launch in May. [Fairfax County Park Authority]
State Budget Deal Unlikely Next Week — “Legislators are scheduled to meet next week to try to complete the two-year budget for Virginia — but the two chambers, which are both under Democratic control, are no closer to an agreement than they were at the end of the legislative session a month ago.” The General Assembly will reconvene next Thursday (April 23) for a special session as a July 1 deadline to approve a new budget looms. [Virginia Scope]
Early Voting on Redistricting Picks Up — Initially, early voting turnout in Northern Virginia for the proposed constitutional amendment to allow mid-decade redistricting “was largely muted compared to sizable turnout in parts of the state currently represented in Congress by Republicans.” However, more polling places opened last Saturday (April 11), leading to an apparent surge, with voters in Fairfax County alone casting 17,000 ballots. [WTOP]
Trump Arch Design Approved — “A federal commission has approved the design concept for the 250-foot triumphal arch that President Donald Trump wants to build at Memorial Circle.” The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which is filled entirely with Trump appointees, “will review an updated design before taking a final vote at a future meeting.” [ARLnow]
Utility Regulation Bills Revised — “Del. Destiny LeVere Bolling’s (D–Henrico) HB1393 and state Sen. Louise Lucas’ (D–Portsmouth) SB253 cover electric line undergrounding, utility weatherization programs, data center grid costs, long-term fuel payments and more.” LeVere Bolling and a Dominion Energy spokesperson both expressed opposition to amendments proposed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger, saying they undermine the legislation’s goals. [VPM News]
Polling Site Relocation Proposed — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on April 14 authorized a public hearing on an ordinance to relocate the polling place for the Holmes precinct in Mason District from the Culmore Community Library to Bailey’s Elementary School. The hearing will be held on May 5, at 4:30 p.m.” [Annandale Today]
FCPD Trains Recruits for Training — “Inside the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) are nearly 40 police recruits training to reach their goal of becoming police officers. The Pre-Academy Recruit Program, launched in 2017, was created to help police recruits be better prepared before entering the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy.” [WJLA]
Reston Community Yard Sale Coming Up — “One of Reston Association’s longest-running and most popular community traditions returns this month with the semi-annual Community Yard Sale. More than 80 families will set up vendor tables at the event (vendor space is sold out), scheduled for Saturday, April 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Reston Association parking lot.” [Reston Association]
It’s Friday — There is a 30% chance of showers mainly before 11 a.m., followed by mostly sunny skies with a high near 83°F. Winds will come from the northwest at about 7 mph. Overnight, expect mostly clear conditions with a low around 62°F and light, variable winds. [NWS]
Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has proposed amendments to marijuana legislation that include delaying the launch of a recreational sales marketplace for adults.
The governor’s substitute for HB 642 and SB 542 would move the start of the legal retail market for marijuana from Jan. 1 to July, 1, 2027. It also changes marijuana possession limit from 2.5 to 2 ounces — still up from the current 1-ounce possession limit — and reduced the number of permitted stores from 350 to 200 until Jan. 1, 2029.
Fairfax County police secure the home of former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, in Annandale, Va., Thursday, April 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Former Virginia lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax is one of two people found dead early this morning (Thursday) after an apparent murder-suicide in Annandale.
Fairfax, 47, shot and killed his wife, 49-year-old Cerina Wanzer Fairfax, before turning the gun on himself inside the family’s home in the 8100 block of Guinevere Drive, the Fairfax County Police Department confirmed.
The intercity bus service FlixBus is expanding its presence in the D.C. region with new stops in Tysons and Fredericksburg.
Launching today (Thursday), the Tysons stop on Gosnell Road at Leesburg Pike (Route 7) will provide service to Richmond and the corridor from Bethesda to New York City.
Green space outside Pupatella at the Mosaic District in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
New Heat Records for April 15 — “Record highs were set across the region with many spots topping 90 [yesterday] afternoon. The new records include D.C. at 90, Dulles Airport with 91 and Baltimore at 91. It’s the fourth record high this year for Washington.” [Capital Weather Gang]
Man Arrested After Brandishing Machete — “City of Fairfax police arrested a 54-year-old man at Hilltop Shopping Center on Friday after officers responded to a reported weapons violation at the Main Street plaza.” Reportedly seen “waving a machete,” the man was charged with being drunk in public, disorderly conduct and obstructing justice. [Patch]
Fire Outside Herndon Apartment Under Investigation — Fairfax County firefighters responded around 12:42 p.m. yesterday (Wednesday) to the 13400 block of Coppermine Road for an outside fire that was spreading to a ground-floor apartment. “One patient was evaluated on scene. No firefighter injuries. Fire investigators are on scene working to determine the cause.” [FCFRD/Facebook]
Some Dems Frustrated by Amendments — “Democratic members of the Senate Finance Committee meeting hammered Secretary of Finance Mark Sickles, a member of Spanberger’s cabinet, Tuesday morning over the governor’s veto of a bill that would have legalized skill games and an amendment to the cannabis retail framework bill that would push the start of recreational sale to July 2027.” [Cardinal News]
Va. Backs Shift to Popular Vote — “Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a bill Monday that adds the state to the National Popular Vote Compact, an agreement among states to award their presidential electoral votes to the nationwide popular vote winner.” The bill pushes supporters’ closer to the 270 electoral votes needed to elect a president. [NPR]
No More Tax Breaks for Confederate Groups — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia has signed into law a bill to end tax exemptions for a slate of Confederacy-related organizations in the state … The new law’s most significant target is the United Daughters of the Confederacy, founded in 1894 for descendants of Confederates.” [New York Times]
Dessert Cafe Makes U.S. Debut — “Dessert 39, a new café in Annandale, has been busy since it had a soft opening earlier this month. Manager Sean Oh says the shop has drawn crowds of people curious to try the first Dessert 39 shop outside Korea. Dessert 39 is located at 7326A Little River Turnpike in the space formerly occupied by the Manoa bakery and café.” [Annandale Today]
Housing Authority Offers Loans to First-Time Buyers — “The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) announced [on Tuesday, April 14] that it is offering down payment loans to qualified individuals for first-time home purchases. These loans are made possible by a grant from Virginia Housing.” Eligibility requirements include a household income at or below 80% of the area median. [FCRHA]
It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 92°F and a light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Night will be partly cloudy with a low around 69°F. There’s a 30% chance of showers, mainly after 2 a.m. [NWS]
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Address:10305 Mountington Ct Neighborhood: Tamarack Type: 4 BR, 2 (+1 half) BA single-family detached – 3615 sq. ft. Listed: $1,325,000
Noteworthy: Cul De Sac, Direct Access to the W&OD, Hunter Mill Pool Membership Conveys
Built in 1972, this St Clair model in the Tamarack neighborhood welcomes you with a charming front entry and double door. The foyer has Brazilian cherry hardwoods, which flow throughout the main level. On the left, you’ll find a spacious living room with plantation shutters. The living room opens to the dining room with a big window overlooking your spacious and flat backyard. The eat-in kitchen has an abundance of cabinet space for storage, granite countertops, and newer stainless steel appliances. There’s a sliding glass door to your Trex deck, patio and yard. There is also a powder room, a family room with wood burning fireplace and brick surround, plantation shutters, and large custom wooden mantel, a laundry/mudroom, and two car garage.
The upper level features carpet throughout. The primary suite has an en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower, double vanity and a spacious walk in closet with organizers in addition to a 2nd closet. Each of the other three bedrooms has custom California closets, ceilings fans and bright windows. They share a hall bath with tub.
The finished lower level is a giant rec space with recessed lighting, carpet, and a door to walk out to the yard. There are four full size windows for natural light along with a window in the door. New Roof.
The backyard features a playset that will convey. The flat backyard is perfect for whatever your needs may be. The home comes with a Hunter Mill Swim and Racquet Club membership.
Fairfax County Federation of Teachers president Emily VanDerhoff speaks at rally (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
A union representing some Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) employees rallied yesterday (Tuesday) for restoration of pay, benefits and staffing levels negotiated last year but not funded by county leaders.
“We’re here to make sure the Board of Supervisors knows … they cannot leave the schools behind,” Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT) President Emily VanDerhoff said at the late-afternoon event, held in front of the Fairfax County Governmental Center.
Heat forecast for the D.C. region on April 15, 2026 (via National Weather Service)
Fairfax County will get an early taste of summer over the next couple of days, with temperatures expected to climb into the low to mid-90s.
While the D.C. region is no stranger to those temperatures, it would set records for this time of the year, the county government said on its emergency blog, urging residents to “take heat safety seriously” today and tomorrow (Thursday).
Hunter Mill Supervisor Walter Alcorn with anti-casino forces in 2025 (courtesy Hunter Mill District Office)
Fairfax County supervisors opposed to a bill that would’ve allowed a casino in Tysons said this week they hope Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s veto of the legislation puts an end to the matter once and for all.
“This has been a distraction — our residents have been traumatized,” Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn said at the Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday (Tuesday).