Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid is requesting an additional $268.3 million from the county for fiscal year 2026, with most of it going toward a 7% across-the-board pay raise for teachers and staff.
The raise, costing $213 million, is part of a newly negotiated collective bargaining agreement between the school board and the recently formed Fairfax Education Unions. Whether the county can afford it, however, is still an open question.
By Richard Chew, Reston Association Elections Committee Chair
More than six decades ago, Robert E. Simon set out to create a community that would emphasize quality of life, where residents could live, work, and play in harmony, enjoying shared open spaces and scenic beauty.
Today, Reston stands as one of the region’s most well-respected communities, still grounded in Simon’s vision. The responsibility of maintaining that delicate balance between “live, work, play and get involved” rests with the Reston Association (RA) and its Board of Directors. Now more than ever, the Board plays a crucial role in preserving the character of Reston and its commitment to housing, open spaces, and community amenities.
If you’re passionate about shaping Reston’s future, we invite you to consider running for a position on the RA Board of Directors.
The RA Board of Directors guides the policies and procedures of the Association, ensuring the upkeep of more than 50 miles of trails, overseeing recreational programs, events, and facilities, and contributing to the development of the annual budget and key capital projects. Board members play an essential part in making sure that Reston continues to thrive as a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient community.
If you’re invested in Reston’s legacy and want to play a role in securing its future, consider running for one of three open seats on the Reston Association Board.
For information on eligibility, candidate details, and application materials, visit the Board of Directors Election page online or view the Statement of Candidacy Form. All candidate materials must be filed no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 30.
After months of anticipation, Northern Virginia residents got their first look at the new Japanese grocery store in Tysons this past weekend.
Shoppers began lining up well before Marufuji Japanese Market (8520-A Leesburg Pike) opened its doors at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, so anyone who showed up on time found themselves at the end of a queue that past the nearby Starbucks and looped multiple times around Tysons 3 Center’s rear parking lot.
‘Pancake’ Ice Forms on Potomac River Near Great Falls — “Because of prolonged cold weather, pancake ice has formed on the Upper Potomac River near Great Falls. The circular slabs have been spinning and colliding with one another for days while trapped in the river’s eddies.” [Washington Post]
One Person Hospitalized by Newington Forest Fire — Fairfax County firefighters responded on Saturday (Jan. 25) to a fire at a home in the 8000 block of Steeple Chase Court. “Units arrived with a working fire and occupant trapped. Crews rescued the occupant via ground ladders and contained the fire to a single unit. 1 civilian transported with non life threatening injuries.” [FCFRD/Twitter]
Man Sentenced to Prison for Kidnapping and Theft Plot — “A man was sentenced in D.C. court Friday for his role in a kidnapping and high-end robbery of two victims at an Alexandria address in Fairfax County. Robbie Terrell Clark, 27, of Washington, D.C., will serve 108 months in federal prison in relation to the September 2022 kidnapping and robbery.” [Patch]
FCPS Officials Promise to Defend Students From ICE — “As fears mount following President Trump’s threat to deport many more immigrants, including those here legally, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid told Annandale Today, ‘We are committed to the fullest extent of the law to protecting our students and staff.’ Reid said she met with all the principals last week” and sent a letter to the community on Saturday. [Annandale Today]
Fairfax City Chooses Acting Manager — “Following a special meeting on Jan. 21 to discuss interviews for city boards and commissions and other personnel matters, the Fairfax City Council unanimously appointed Bryan Foster to serve as acting city manager … He will begin his new role on Monday, Jan. 27.” [City of Fairfax]
Falls Church Considers West End Redevelopment — “Falls Church’s ongoing redevelopment spurt could next focus on 15 acres of mostly industrial land in the community’s West End. City leaders have invited a contingent from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) … for a look at what the city calls its Gordon Road Triangle.” [ARLnow]
Reston Summer Camp Registration Coming — “Reston Community Center’s summer camp program has grown significantly under [Jeff] Morgan’s leadership, now featuring about 70 specialty camps designed for kids ages 6 to 17 … The 2025 summer camp season runs from June 16 through Aug. 15. Registration opens Feb. 1 for Reston residents and those that work in Reston and Feb. 8 for non-residents.” [Fairfax County Government]
Herndon Theater Postpones Shows Due to Illness — “Due to illness in the cast and crew, the opening of NATIVE GARDENS has been postponed by one week. All performances the weekend of January 23-26, 2025 have been canceled. Patrons with tickets to the canceled performances will be contacted by the Box Office shortly.” [NextStop Theatre/Instagram]
It’s Monday — Expect a partly sunny day that will eventually transform into full sunshine, with temperatures peaking around 45°F. Winds will come from the southwest, blowing at 5-10 mph. For Monday night, anticipate an increase in cloud coverage and lows near 31°F. [NWS]
Two have moved on to college sports, while one remains at Oakton High School, but all three Toole-family siblings are plenty busy and productive in athletics.
Girls basketball and softball player Sophie Toole is a junior standout in both sports at Oakton, currently helping the hoop team to a 15-1 record this winter season. She leads the team in many statistical categories.
How about winning five straight NCAA Division I championships?
That’s what Madison High School graduate and University of Virginia graduate student Anna Keating is chasing during this winter’s swimming and diving college season.
Much travel will be involved over the next month for teams participating and spectators attending some of the upcoming girls and boys postseason track-and-field meets for local high-school squads.
That has been the case every year for many winter indoor seasons, as those postseason meets are no longer held at the indoor facilities of George Mason University.
After a week of freezing temperatures, jumping into a body of cold water might not sound like the most enticing Saturday activity, but that’s exactly what dozens of Fairfax County residents are expected to do at two upcoming charitable events.
First, Special Olympics Virginia will bring its annual Polar Plunge to the Mosaic District in Merrifield tomorrow (Saturday) from noon to 2 p.m.
HITT Contracting broke ground yesterday (Thursday) morning on its new headquarters at Virginia Tech’s Northern Virginia Center in Idylwood.
In development since 2019, the six-story, 270,000-square-foot building will serve as the centerpiece of a $100 million project aimed at transforming the campus into a hub for innovation and sustainable growth. Construction is set to begin this year, with the headquarters slated to open in early 2027.
The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s (RAMW) Winter Restaurant Week is back.
Starting next Monday, Jan. 27 and continuing through Sunday, Feb. 2, the biannual campaign to promote the D.C. region’s culinary scene will feature more than three dozen restaurants from Fairfax County, along with establishments in the District, Maryland and elsewhere in Northern Virginia.
