A banner for Liberty Amendments Month hangs over Maple Avenue in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
The U.S. Army’s 250th birthday parade isn’t the only procession taking to the streets in the D.C. region tomorrow (Saturday).
The Town of Vienna will host a parade of its own to kick off its fifth annual Liberty Amendments Month celebrations, which shine a light on the 13th, 14th, 15th and 19th amendments to the U.S. Constitution for bringing the country closer to its egalitarian ideals, at least on paper.
The Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy in Chantilly (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
By RYAN J. FOLEY Associated Press
A panel of experts called Wednesday for policy and cultural changes to prevent deaths linked to heat and exertion at the nation’s police academies, and insisted that urgent action is needed to save the lives of recruits.
Dranesville United Methodist Church's housing proposal had been proposed for removal from county study, but was kept on the list (screenshot via Fairfax County)
Fairfax County supervisors wrapped up the 2024-2025 Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) cycle at their meeting on Tuesday (June 10) with a few tweaks to recommendations from the Planning Commission.
Projects that made the cut will now be placed on a county staff work plan for further review and community outreach. Rejected submissions can return in the next cycle, expected to start in about 18 months.
DC News Now meteorologist Jackie Layer forecasts rain in Fairfax County on June 13-15, 2025 (courtesy DC News Now)
There’s a chance it might rain on the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday parade in D.C. tomorrow (Saturday).
Scheduled to roll down Constitution Avenue starting at 6:30 p.m., the military parade championed by President Donald Trump will follow a full day of festivities — and protests — that could be hit by a storm system expected to pass through the region this weekend.
Two people stand on the Van Gogh Bridge at Lake Anne in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Harmful Algae in Burke Lake — A blue-green algae bloom that could pose health risks to people and animals has been identified at Burke Lake, prompting the Fairfax County Park Authority to advise avoiding contact with the water “until further notice.” The park authority says it’s “monitoring the situation and coordinating with state and local health officials.” [FCPA/Facebook]
ICE Arrests in Annandale — “Four people were arrested by ICE on June 10 inside the immigration court in Annandale. They had been waiting for their cases to be heard, reports John Cano, a senior organizer with the Legal Aid Justice Center … As of [Wednesday], there was no information on whether the individuals taken by ICE had their cases dismissed or where they live.” [Annandale Today]
Anti-Trump Protests Coming — “The protests coincide with the day of Trump’s planned military parade in DC. The parade, celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday, is being held on the same day as Trump’s birthday.” More than a dozen protests are planned in Northern Virginia, including in Fair Lakes, Alexandria and Arlington. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Falls Church Movie Theater Opens — “A new movie theater in Falls Church is opening its doors tomorrow (Friday). The new Paragon Theaters at 112 Founders Avenue will offer $8 movie tickets now through June 30 to welcome its first guests. The location originally planned to open over Memorial Day weekend.” [ARLnow]
New Restaurants Along Richmond Highway — “First Watch, a restaurant chain specializing in made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch, opened its new Alexandria location in Groveton June 9, according to a company spokesperson.” Over in Penn Daw, prolific D.C.-area chef Peter Chang has leased space for a restaurant at South Alex. [On the MoVe]
Planned Bicycle Path WinsSupport — “A proposal to add a 10-foot-wide path for bicyclists along Haycock Road has won informal support from the Falls Church Planning Commission … The effort is being conducted in coordination with transportation-safety improvements along Shreve Road just to the south, also under the direction of Fairfax County officials.” [ARLnow]
Positive Start for Automated Metro Trains — “The safety oversight panel monitoring Metro’s rail system said in the first 10 days of automated train operation on the Green and Yellow Lines, there have been significantly less station overruns than when the system was implemented earlier on the Red Line.” [WTOP]
It’s Friday — Expect showers and thunderstorms mainly after 3pm, with a partly sunny high of 89°F and south winds of 3-6 mph. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation at night, which will be mostly cloudy with a low of 71°F. [NWS]
The entrance to ICE's Washington Field Office in Chantilly (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Facing funding threats at both the state and federal levels, Fairfax County leaders have publicly maintained confidence in their policies banning voluntary cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
As President Donald Trump’s administration began ramping up ICE activities to support his campaign threats of mass deportations, however, the Fairfax County Police Department quietly revised its policy governing officer interactions with immigrants.
Jeff McKay, Daniel Cross as George Washington, Dan Storck and Gretchen Bulova mark the nation's upcoming 250th birthday (screenshot via Fairfax County)
Arguably the most famous of all Fairfax County residents turned up Tuesday (June 10), as the local Board of Supervisors ramped up planning for the nation’s 250th birthday bash.
Escorted by a procession that included fife-and-drum accompaniment, George Washington himself strode into the Fairfax County Government Center’s Board auditorium in the person of Daniel Cross.
The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (file photo)
A former CIA analyst will spend the next three years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to improperly sharing top secret national defense information.
Asif William Rahman, 34, of Vienna, was sentenced yesterday (Wednesday) to a total of 37 months in prison — down from the maximum possible sentence of 20 years.
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has launched a Regional Crime Dashboard (via COG)
A new initiative reporting crime data from across the D.C. region in “near-real time” has won praise from local leaders and will provide new tools for policymakers, public safety agencies and the public.
“It’s the only one we’re aware of in the nation,” said Eli Russ, a senior public safety planner for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), who serves as project manager for the effort.
A fawn spotted in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Air Quality Alert Issued — “The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has forecast a Code Orange air day for tomorrow, June 12” in the D.C. region. Ozone pollution is expected to make the air “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” who are advised to limit outdoor activities and watch for symptoms of respiratory issues. [COG]
Police ID Body Found in Tysons — “Fairfax County Police have confirmed the body recovered Tuesday in a retention pond near Tysons Galleria is 19-year-old Kyle Coleman from Prince William County. The Morehouse College student went missing after a car crash last Friday night near Tysons Galleria.” [NBC4]
Possible ICE Raids Coming — “Northern Virginia is reportedly among the ‘five cities run by Democratic leaders’ that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is preparing to deploy tactical units to, according to MSNBC.” The other cities are New York City, Seattle, Chicago and Philadelphia. [ALXnow]
Metro Service Plans for Army Parade — Metro has announced its service plans for the Army’s 250th birthday celebration and parade on Saturday (June 14). “Metrorail is running Saturday service frequencies. Trains run every 4-6 minutes at most core stations during the day. At stations further out, trains arrive anywhere from every 8 minutes to every 12 minutes.” [WMATA]
Police Investigate Robbery — A Fairfax County police helicopter “briefly” circled around Annandale yesterday (Wednesday) to assist with a robbery report at 12:04 p.m., in the 7100 block of Murray Lane. Police said an unidentified man “approached the victim and forcefully took a piece of jewelry from them. Detectives are on scene investigating.” [FCPD]
Fairfax City Trail Project Moves Forward — “Fairfax City Council voted 5 to 1 Tuesday night not to adopt the hybrid option for the George Snyder Trail Project, which would have only built the western portion of the trail.” After a failed vote to cancel the project, the council voted 4-2 to construct the trail as previously approved. [Patch]
Military Bases Return to Old Names — “Seven Army bases whose names were changed in 2023 because they honored Confederate leaders are all reverting back to their original names, the Army said Tuesday.” That includes forts A.P. Hill, Pickett and Robert E. Lee in Virginia, though the monikers in each case now officially refer to service members who share the same last names. [Associated Press]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 93 during the day, with a calm wind turning west around 5 mph in the afternoon. On Thursday night, it will be partly cloudy with a low around 71, with the south wind at 5 mph calming down in the evening. [NWS]