After-school and summer programs that serve thousands of middle school students are at risk of ending under Fairfax County’s proposed budget.
To close a projected $292.7 million funding gap, County Executive Bryan Hill pitched a fiscal year 2026 budget last month that cuts nearly $60 million in spending and 208 staff positions across multiple agencies, affecting everything from public safety to housing assistance programs and park maintenance.
An office complex near the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons could soon be reinvigorated by the power of dance.
A dance studio has expressed interest in opening a new location at the Westwood Center, Atlantic Realty Company — which owns and manages the adjacent buildings at 8603 and 8605 Westwood Center Drive — said in a zoning application submitted to Fairfax County in late February.
More than a decade after it started exploring a program, Fairfax County is finally ready to introduce school bus cameras designed to catch illegally passing drivers.
The county government and Fairfax County Public Schools will install stop-arm camera systems on 50 buses for the program’s initial launch, which will begin with a 30-day warning period on April 9.
Workers Fired at D.C. Area National Parks — “More than 750 national park workers have been fired amid the Trump administration’s purge of federal employees, per an unofficial tally … Nearly 40 employees were fired from the National Capital Region, which encompasses 15 designated parklands, including Great Falls.” [Axios DC]
Man Charged with Indecent Exposure in Centreville — Police have arrested a 20-year-old man from Maryland who allegedly exposed himself in front of a woman. “On February 26, the victim reported that she was walking near Route 28 and Machen Drive in Centreville when she was approached by a man in a car who exposed himself.” [FCPD]
WaPo Columnist Resigns Over Op-Ed Changes — “A top political columnist for The Washington Post resigned today, accusing Post chief executive and publisher Will Lewis of killing her column that criticized owner Jeff Bezos’s drive to overhaul the opinion pages to focus on his libertarian priorities.” [NPR]
Parent Concerned by Potential FCPS Start Time Changes — “As Fairfax County Public Schools weighs options for how to start middle schools later in the morning, some parents in the Northern Virginia school district are concerned about the impact such a change would have on their kids’ routines.” [WTOP]
Middle Eastern Eatery Opens in Seven Corners — “Hamza & Madina Halal Food is now open in the Seven Corners Center. The eatery offers $10.99 platters featuring chicken, lamb, fish, kofta, or falafel over rice or salad.” [Annandale Today]
Bills Would Bolster Tree Canopy Preservation — Two General Assembly bills currently awaiting Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s signature would give all localities statewide the option to increase their tree canopy preservation requirements and create funds for planting and maintaining trees. Right now, only a select few localities in Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County, have those authorities. [Virginia Mercury]
General Assembly Passes Invasive Plants Bill — “Del. Holly Seibold, D-Fairfax, introduced House Bill 1941 and Sen. Saddam Salim, D-Fairfax, introduced Senate Bill 1166. The bills, which passed with bipartisan support, require stores to post signage to educate shoppers on invasive species and encourage native plants as an alternative.” Previous versions of the bills that included fines were vetoed last year by Youngkin. [VCU Capital News Service/Virginia Mercury]
New Art Studio in Vienna Welcomes Beginners — “You can’t miss the entrance to iCreate. The eccentric new art studio in Vienna caters to nonartists, with an array of beginner-friendly creative classes — including an option to aim BB guns and throw water balloons filled with nontoxic paint at your canvas.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunshine and a high of around 72 degrees, with calm winds shifting to the south at around 6 mph in the afternoon. As for Tuesday night, it will be mostly clear with a low of approximately 44 degrees. South winds at 5 to 7 mph will transition to northwest after midnight. [NWS]
Matchbox is no longer just about pizza, especially in McLean.
In late February, the regional chain rolled out an expanded “Matchbox Prime” dinner menu with steak and seafood options exclusively at its McLean location, which opened at 1340 Chain Bridge Road next to Lidl in April 2023.
A one-time Virginia Senate candidate will have to spend time in jail and pay restitution to her victims after fraudulently posing as an immigration lawyer.
Jasmine Moawad, a 49-year-old woman originally from Bolivia, was sentenced to five years in jail for fraud on Friday, March 7, with all but six months suspended, the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office announced.
Two gowns worn by Oscar-nominated actor Lily Gladstone (Siksikaitsitapi [Blackfeet]/Nimiipuu [Nez Perce]) are on view at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
The special installation, “Making a Statement,” will be on view through March 2026.
Both gowns were a custom collaboration, designed by Gucci and Indigenous artist Joe Big Mountain (Mohawk/Cree/Comanche) of Ironhorse Quillwork. The gowns were worn by Gladstone the evening of March 10, 2024, to the 96th Academy Awards and the Vanity Fair Oscars party. Gladstone was the first Native American nominated for best actress for her work in the film Killers of the Flower Moon.
Join us for these weekend programs:
Public Programs
Free | National Museum of the American Indian
Friday, March 14, 7 p.m.
After Hours: Celebrating Indigenous Fashion
The museum hosts a special after-hours event in celebration of “Making a Statement.” Visitors can see the special installation, appreciate contemporary Indigenous fashion with a unique showcase, participate in hands-on activities by visiting teaching carts, and enjoy music by DJ Jon Ray all evening. Light food and beverages (including beer and wine) available for purchase. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Celebrating Indigenous Fashion
Celebrate the power and beauty of Indigenous fashion and design. Hear from Indigenous designers who create looks at the intersection of Indigenous tradition and contemporary fashion and support their work.
Visitors can get a close look at a first-of-its-kind collaboration between quillwork artist Joe Big Mountain (Mohawk/Cree/Comanche) and haute couture brand Gucci, and appreciate contemporary Indigenous fashion with a unique showcase.
Visit AmericanIndian.si.edu for event updates.
Fairfax County high school students may soon have to keep their phones off and out of sight for the entire school day, not just during class.
This week, school staff recommended the School Board adopt a stricter “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban, replacing the current policy of allowing phone use during passing periods and lunch.
State health officials have been alerted to a confirmed case of measles in a recent traveler at Dulles International Airport.
A Maryland resident returning to the D.C. area earlier this month may have exposed other travelers to the highly contagious, airborne illness, local health departments said over the weekend.
State Department Worker Charged in Espionage Case — “A U.S. Department of State employee from Alexandria is facing federal charges for allegedly participating in a criminal conspiracy to gather, transmit, or lose national defense information.” The 42-year-old man is accused of sharing classified information with people he met online “in exchange for payments.” [ALXnow]
Metro Axes Diversity and Sustainability Offices — “Metro is eliminating its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as the transit system looks to secure federal funding from the Trump administration … Metro’s Office of Sustainability will also be eliminated. Department head Rachel Healy will assume a new role as the director of Energy and Environment.” [WTOP]
GW Parkway Ramp to Close for Tree Clearing — “On Tuesday, March 11, the ramp from George Washington Memorial Parkway to northbound I-495 will be closed between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The ramp closure will allow crews to conduct tree clearing as part of the I-495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project.” [VDOT]
GMU Women’s Basketball Team Makes NCAA Tournament — “The George Mason women’s basketball team is going to the NCAA tournament for the first time in the school’s history after beating St. Joseph’s 73-58 Sunday to claim the Atlantic-10 Conference tournament title. The Patriots’ program has existed for 51 years and this is the team’s first-ever appearance in the upcoming NCAA tournament.” [WTOP]
Man Sentenced to Jail for Grocery Store Thefts — “A 33-year-old D.C. man was sentenced last month to eight months in prison for committing a string of petit larcenies at grocery stores in Alexandria and Fairfax County.The man was arrested on January 28 for four outstanding warrants in Alexandria [and] nine outstanding warrants in Fairfax County.” [ALXnow]
Park Authority Launches Needs Study — “The Fairfax County Park Authority is launching the Parks Count! 2026 Parks Needs Assessment to evaluate park and recreation needs across the county. We want to hear from you! Your feedback will help guide improvements to amenities, facilities and programs for the next five years.” [FCPA]
Centreville Restaurant Still a Draw After a Decade — “At a restaurant that’s already successful, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. But introducing a cheese wheel, well, that couldn’t hurt. That’s what Antonino Di Nicola, executive chef and partner at Ciao Osteria, was thinking at the start of 2020 when he began serving fettuccine with lobster out of a wheel of Parmesan.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Photo Show Coming to Vienna — “Amateur photographers from across the region are invited to put their talent and photography skills on full display in the 2025 Vienna Photo Show. The show and contest are set to take place Saturday and Sunday, March 15-16, at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., SE, Vienna, Virginia.” [Town of Vienna]
It’s Monday — Expect a sunny day with a high temperature around 65 accompanied by a light southwest breeze. As the night progresses, it will be mostly clear with temperatures dropping to around 40, along with mild and fluctuating winds. [NWS]
