The Langley High School girls basketball team won its second-ever region title and first since 2017 by defeating the Oakton Cougars Friday night (Feb. 28) in a championship game at Wakefield High School.
The Saxons (24-3) won the game and the 6D North Region title with a 54-37 victory. Oakton fell to 23-5 for the season, but both teams move on to the state tournament, which opens this week.
A Fairfax resident who served in the U.S. Army and was recently let go by the Federal Aviation Administration job as part of the current White House’s push to drastically downsize the federal government will attend President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress.
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine announced yesterday that he has invited Jason King as his guest for Trump’s first speech to Congress since the president returned to office for a second term on Jan. 20.
Ice Skaters Emotional at DCA Crash Benefit — “A low murmur of crying pierced a lengthy moment of silence as fans lit the arena with their cellphones, riding waves of emotion through a poignant figure skating show Sunday in the nation’s capital to remember and raise money for the victims of the midair collision outside Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.” [Associated Press/WTOP]
Annandale Private School Teacher Arrested — “Eric Sean Williams of Annandale, a longtime substitute teacher at St. Michael’s Catholic School in Annandale, was arrested on Feb. 27 for multiple counts of sexual assault involving a minor, the Catholic Diocese of Arlington announced. No known criminal incidents took place on parish or school property, the diocese states.” [Annandale Today]
Beware Unpaid Toll Bill Texting Scam — “From Northern Virginia Department of Transportation — Have you received a text message like this? IT IS A SCAM. Toll bills are NOT sent via text message and Virginia DMV doesn’t do this. Do not click on any links or give financial info through text messages.” [Fairfax County/Facebook]
N. Va. Business Leaders Brace for Layoff Impacts — “As thousands of federal workers are abruptly fired under the Trump administration’s plans to slash government spending, business leaders in the D.C. region consider the impact that could have on individuals and businesses alike.” Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce President Julie Coons says “the next 18 to 24 months could be very challenging for our region.” [WTOP]
Italian Restaurant Opening Near Fort Belvoir — “A new ‘farm-to-fork’ restaurant specializing in rustic Italian cuisine will open March 5 at Hillside Village Center … The Farmhouse Tuscan is the fifth restaurant concept from Titan Hospitality Group,” which also runs Blackwall Hitch in Old Town Alexandria. [On the MoVe]
Feedback Wanted for Franconia Street Study — “The Virginia Department of Transportation could be bringing changes to S. Van Dorn Street in Franconia … including possible bicycle/pedestrian improvements. A Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions (STARS) study is set to complete next year and, as part of that study, VDOT is collecting feedback on what roadway improvements should prioritize.” [ALXnow]
Contractor Might Have Relocated to Tysons — “Cybersecurity company and federal contractor BigBear.ai appears to have quietly shifted its headquarters from Columbia, Maryland, to Northern Virginia.” In a regulatory filing yesterday, the company listed 7950 Jones Branch Road as the address of its executive offices, a move that “appears to have coincided with the company’s naming of former acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan as its new CEO in late January.” [Washington Business Journal]
It’s Tuesday — Expect partly sunny skies and a high near 60 degrees, accompanied by a south wind between 6-11 mph and gusts up to 21 mph. Tonight, there is a 30% chance of showers after 1 am as clouds increase. The temperature will dip to around 50 degrees, with a south wind at 8-14 mph and gusts reaching 23 mph. [NWS]
Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano slammed Gov. Glenn Youngkin today (Monday), accusing the Republican executive of commuting a former police officer’s prison sentence without regard for “the law or the facts.”
The governor’s office announced late Sunday that Youngkin had commuted the sentence of former Sgt. Wesley Shifflett only two days after it was handed down by Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Randy I. Bellows.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is cooking up changes for next year’s school menus, and students got a first taste at the second annual FCPS Student Food Show last Thursday (Feb. 27).
Held at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles in Chantilly, the event invited hundreds of students — from elementary through high school — to sample and rate more than two dozen potential meal options, helping determine what could land on breakfast and lunch menus across the district’s 199 schools next year.
After seeking to pressure localities to work with federal immigration authorities by proposing to withhold funding, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is now directly ordering state police and local jails to cooperate.
Youngkin signed an executive order last Thursday (Feb. 27) directing the Virginia State Police to sign an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that would create a task force with deputized troopers who can help identify and arrest undocumented individuals “who pose a risk to public safety.”
It took nearly two decades, but last year delivered a new record passenger count to Dulles International Airport.
Just over 27.25 million passengers traveled through the airport in 2024, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) announced in late February.
Man Charged With Murder for Chantilly Shooting — Douglas Sommer, an 88-year-old man from Chantilly, has been charged with second-degree murder and using a firearm to commit a felony for allegedly fatally shooting his wife at their home last Friday (Feb. 28). Police believe the shooting occurred during an argument between the couple. [FCPD]
ICYMI: Youngkin Commutes Former FCPD Officer’s Sentence — “A former Fairfax County police officer who shot and killed a man in Tysons had his prison sentence commuted [yesterday] by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Former Sgt. Wesley Shifflett was sentenced to serve three years in state prison on Friday (Feb. 28) after being convicted of recklessly handling a firearm.” [FFXnow]
Man Who Shot at Police Sentenced to Prison — “A man who opened fire on Fairfax County police after a high-speed chase will spend the next six years in prison for his crime. The hours-long pursuit that started in Arlington when Ricardo Singleton displayed a gun at the courthouse. He raced away in a car, police said.” [NBC4]
Dulles Greenway Sues Over Nixed Toll Increase — “The owners of the Dulles Greenway last week filed a federal lawsuit seeking to strike down a Virginia law regulating toll rates on the 14-mile highway as well as the State Corporation Commission’s denial of its latest rate increase request.” [Loudoun Now]
Arlington Also Interested in Vehicle Noise Pilot — “An Arlington leader is showing interest in a pilot program to monitor noise levels from vehicles’ exhaust systems. Legislation now on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk would allow localities in Northern Virginia and the Fredericksburg area to begin using automated monitoring equipment to gauge the noise levels of passing vehicles.” [ARLnow]
Construction Begins on Hybla Valley Park Changes — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin revitalization work at Hybla Valley Park. Contractors will mobilize on site and active construction is scheduled to begin the first week of March. Weather depending, active construction is expected to conclude by the end of summer 2025.” [FCPA]
Fairfax City Police Seek to ID Alleged Home Burglar — “On February 26th, 2025, the above pictured male was observed on a doorbell camera knocking at a home in the 3800 block of Tedrich Blvd. Later in the day, that same home was burglarized of cash and jewelry. Police are seeking assistance from the public in identifying the individual pictured above.” [City of Fairfax Police]
Fairfax County Libraries Celebrate Women’s History Month — “Throughout the month of March, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) will honor the many women who have played an important role over the course of American history. This Women’s History Month, celebrate the lives and stories of women who have made an impact on Fairfax County and beyond with presentations, workshops, storytimes, crafts and more.” [FCPL]
It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies and a high of around 45 today, with light and variable wind becoming northwest around 6 mph in the morning. Tonight, the skies will be mostly clear and the temperature will drop to a low of around 31, accompanied by a south wind of 3 to 6 mph. [NWS]
A former Fairfax County police officer who shot and killed a man in Tysons had his prison sentence commuted tonight (Sunday) by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Former Sgt. Wesley Shifflett was sentenced to serve three years in state prison on Friday (Feb. 28) after being convicted of recklessly handling a firearm.
The former Fairfax County police officer who fatally shot Timothy McCree Johnson outside Tysons Corner Center in February 2023 has been sentenced to three years in prison.
Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Randy Bellows sentenced former sergeant Wesley Shifflett to five years of incarceration today (Friday) with two years suspended, the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office announced.
