Old Keene Mill Road near the Springfield commuter parking garage pedestrian bridge at sunset (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Data Center Construction Draws Complaints — “Residents living near a data center construction site in Reston say constant drilling, banging and bright nighttime lights are disrupting their daily lives. The construction site is less than 100 feet from some homes on Cocquina Drive, residents say. A three-story, roughly 75-foot structure now towers over their backyards.” [WUSA9]

Refunds for Taxpayers Penalized by Error — “Fairfax County, Virginia, officials said it will refund some residents impacted by a system glitch that caused some users to pay late fees on personal property taxes before the actual deadline … Officials said the system deadline was set to start issuing late penalties and interest after 11:59 p.m. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) instead of 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).” [WJLA]

In-State Tuition for Migrant Students Upheld — “Months after the U.S. Department of Justice sued to end Virginia’s Dream Act, a federal judge ruled on Monday, Oct. 5, that the policy could continue … The Dream Act gives undocumented and refugee students in-state tuition rates if they meet certain criteria like graduating from a Virginia high school and paying state taxes.” [WRIC]

Fraud Emails Impersonate County — “Fairfax County has received reports of fraudulent emails targeting county vendors. The messages impersonate county employees and request payment to address purported vendor compliance issues. Fairfax County does not require vendors to pay a deposit or fee to resolve a records or vendor compliance issue, and the county does not request vendor payments by email.” [Fairfax County Procurement]

Local News Outlet Baffles Community — “The Winchester Gazette, a news website covering this city of 28,000 people in the Shenandoah Valley, calls itself ‘a publication committed to reporting the truth.’ But city leaders, residents, newsmakers and a former reporter say the truth about the Gazette is a mystery.” [Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism]

Republicans Propose Gas Tax Holiday — “Virginia Republican leaders on Tuesday called for Gov. Abigail Spanberger to summon lawmakers to Richmond and suspend the state’s gasoline and diesel taxes for 90 days, arguing that the temporary break would help families, farmers and trucking companies cope with high fuel prices.” [Virginia Mercury]

Regional Funding for I-95 Projects to Open — The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission “anticipates that between $45 million and $50 million will be available for local projects in the I-395/95 corridor during the FY 28-29 funding cycle. Localities and transit agencies have a two-month window — Oct. 19 to Dec. 18 — to submit funding requests.” [ARLnow]

Call for Traffic Signals at Woodburn ES — “Community and safety organizations are urging Fairfax County officials to require a developer proposing dozens of new homes along Gallows Road to install traffic signals near a local elementary school, citing pedestrian safety concerns at two intersections bordering the property.” The planning commission will hold a public hearing on the proposal for 32 homes in Annandale tonight (Wednesday). [Patch]

Sushi Restaurant Coming to Falls Church — “Ian Sushi is currently hiring employees and completing work on a space at 112 S. West Street, in the Modera apartment complex. The restaurant’s website advertises flame-seared sushi and house-made sauces, with a wide menu of dishes named after movies.” [ARLnow]

It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny weather with a high of around 70 degrees and a gentle south wind blowing at 5 to 9 mph. Night will be clear, with temperatures dropping to about 54 degrees. [NWS]

There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.


News

England’s Prince Edward, known as the Duke of Edinburgh, made his presence felt last Thursday (Oct. 1) at George Washington’s Mount Vernon while celebrating America’s 250th birthday.

The royal visit to the first U.S. president’s former residence was in partnership with the British embassy to highlight not only America 250, but to raise awareness about the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award — a charity created to assist and encourage young people in achieving their goals.


News

A proposal to replace office buildings in Tysons with an expanded data center has powered down for now.

The California-based operator Serverfarm recently requested that its special exception application to allow a “Vienna Cloud” data center complex on a 14.4-acre site at 7980 and 7990 Quantum Drive be deferred indefinitely, Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik shared in a newsletter last Thursday (Oct. 1).


Around Town

True Food Kitchen has permanently closed its Reston Town Center location after more than five years in business.

The health food chain announced yesterday (Monday) that it has filed for bankruptcy to kick off a restructuring process that involved shuttering 12 restaurants, including ones in Reston and Bethesda. The affected locations had their final day of service on Sunday (Oct. 4).


Countywide

A local youth recently reminded Fairfax County supervisors they still have time to turn their elections next year into ranked-choice voting events.

“It is a very realistic goal,” said John Tashkhanov, speaking at the monthly public comment session at the tail end of the Sept. 29 Board of Supervisors meeting.


Countywide

Despite a declining unemployment rate, Fairfax County in August recorded its smallest civilian workforce count in four-and-a-half years, according to new state data.

With 607,418 residents employed and 20,842 seeking jobs, August’s unemployment rate was 3.3%, according to figures reported Sept. 30 by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.


News

The inclusive playground at McLean’s Clemyjontri Park remains a gem of Fairfax County, but after two decades of operations, the local park authority is contemplating a refresh.

With much of the original equipment nearing or exceeding its expected life cycle, the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) plans to fully renovate the playground with the goal of creating a place “where every child can play,” according to a press release.


Artwork by Franklin Sherman Elementary School students on display at the 2026 McLean Artfest (photo by Chetan B.)

Metro to Propose Fare Increases — “Metrorail fares could jump by 11.1% under a new proposal the transit agency shared Monday — going from today’s range of $2.25-$6.75 up to $2.50-$7.50. Late-night fares could also be impacted, and bus fares would likely increase from $2.25 to $2.50. July would be the earliest the changes could take effect.” [NBC4]

Herndon Restaurateur Accused of Unpaid Taxes — The Justice Department has sued Amphora Bakery and Amphora Diner Deluxe co-owner Steven Bilidas for allegedly failing to pay over $20 million in employment taxes. “Bilidas and George Cholakis are personally responsible for millions of dollars in unpaid employee withholding taxes and penalties,” the lawsuit alleges. Fairfax County and the Town of Vienna, where Amphora Restaurant closed in 2021, also claim they’re owed taxes after Bilidas filed for bankruptcy on June 24. [Washington Business Journal]

Federal Funding for Chesapeake Bay — “U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi announced Friday in Smithfield that the agency will disburse $37 million to localities to aid Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction and clean up efforts. An additional $53 million in matching grant funds will be awarded to 83 projects across the watershed.” [Virginia Mercury]

Falls Church Biscuit Shop Closes — “Preservation Biscuit Company ended its five-and-a-half-year run at 102 E. Fairfax Street last week, while Harvey’s owner Thomas Harvey sold his business and departed at the end of September. Customers showed up in droves to send off Preservation Biscuit, whose owners wrote on Facebook that their last week was one of their busiest since 2021.” [ARLnow]

Fairfax City Council Candidates Raise Funds — “Steve Chang has raised more money in 2026 than any of the 11 candidates seeking six seats on the Fairfax City Council, followed by incumbent Anthony Amos and María José Padmore, according to a Patch analysis of campaign finance reports filed through Aug. 31.” [Patch]

County Launches Development Tracker — “Land Development Services just launched a brand-new tool called the Development Tracker. It is an interactive digital map designed to help you see exactly what is being built nearby.” An address search will pull up active construction sites, recent building permits, zoning applications, comprehensive plan amendments and occupancy certificates. [Fairfax County Government]

Ambulance Used on 9/11 Now a Museum — “When Dylan Hackworth and his wife, Tamaria Cooper, launched a mobile museum in West Virginia last January dedicated to the state’s firefighting history, they had no idea the truck they were using was historically significant. They later learned it had been an ambulance from the Annandale Volunteer Fire Department that had been deployed at the Pentagon on 9-11.” [Annandale Today]

New Restaurant at DCA — “A new option for Mexican food has arrived at Reagan National in the latest addition to the airport’s dining options. Mi Vida Cantina & Taqueria hosted a grand opening near Gate B16 last week … This is Mi Vida’s fifth location, joining two others in D.C., plus spots in Virginia Beach and Philadelphia.” [ARLnow]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny weather with a high near 65 degrees and a gentle north wind at 6 mph, which will die down to calm in the afternoon. Tuesday night will be clear, with temperatures dropping to around 43 degrees and calm winds. [NWS]

Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.


News

Fairfax County leaders and their regional counterparts are champing at the bit to get moving on a coordinated Route 7 bus rapid transit (BRT) network.

“If there’s only one thing I hope to see in my lifetime, it’s this project,” Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said half-jokingly at an Oct. 1 meeting of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) board of directors.


Countywide

Members of Northern Virginia’s Democratic congressional delegation convened at the Fairfax County Government Center last Thursday (Oct. 1) for a forum to address concerns about the upcoming November elections.

The “shadow hearing” called by House Democrats, who lack the legal power to subpoena or control formal hearings due to the party’s minority status in the chamber, was led by Rep. Joe Morelle (D-New York), a ranking member of the Committee on House Administration, and Fairfax County’s own Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-Va.).


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