Housing will soon rise on a vacant lot in Merrifield where an office building had stood for over four decades.
Elm Street Development broke ground at the end of 2025 on its upcoming apartment building at 2722 Merrilee Drive, nearly five years after the project was approved to replace the 1980s-era Dunn Loring Center.
Driver Killed at I-66 Rest Stop — “A driver was killed Saturday afternoon when their Toyota sedan struck a parked tractor-trailer at the eastbound Interstate 66 rest area near Manassas and then caught fire … State police said it appears the Toyota struck the rear of a legally parked tractor-trailer. Following the impact, the car burst into flames.” [Inside NoVA]
Social Media Restrictions Blocked — “A federal judge on Friday blocked Virginia from enforcing a new law that aimed to protect children from being addicted to social media by requiring age verification and limiting use by those under 16 to one hour per day.” Signed by former Gov. Glenn Youngkin and in effect as of Jan. 1, the law was challenged by the technology trade group NetChoice. [Reuters]
Pedestrian Injured in Annandale Crash — A woman was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries on Saturday (Feb. 28) after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road near John Marr Drive and Ravensworth Road. John Marr Drive was closed for a period as detectives investigated before reopening shortly before 9 p.m. that evening. [FCPD/X]
Winner of $1M From Lottery Identified — “A retired electrician has won $1 million from a Powerball ticket purchased in Annandale, the Virginia Lottery announced on Feb. 24. The lottery winner bought the ticket at the Express 1 Food Mart at 4713 Backlick Road on Dec. 13. It took him a month to realize he had a winning ticket.” [Annandale Today]
Reston Native Sets Powerlifting Record — “Most people are enjoying retirement at 75. But for Reston native Becky Lane, that milestone marked a new beginning: On Feb. 14, she stepped onto a powerlifting platform for the first time and broke the national record three times. With that, Lane is headed to Anaheim, Calif., near the end of May to compete on the national stage.” [Fairfax Times]
Outdoor Furniture Store Nears Opening — “A Fortunoff Backyard Store is slated to open in Springfield in April, just in time for spring outdoor furniture shopping. The company sells high-end outdoor furniture and patio accessories. Fortunoff leased 11,000 square feet at the Springfield Commons shopping center, 6721B Frontier Drive.” [Washington Business Journal]
Women’s Day Protest Planned — “Herndon-Reston Indivisible is hosting a International Women’s Day Protest on Sunday, March 8, 2 to 3:30 p.m., at the corner of Reston Parkway and Baron Cameron Avenue.” The grassroots organization says the protest is intended to rally “support for women everywhere, specifically the women who are victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump.” [Patch]
Lacrosse Tournament Offers Olympics Preview — “Many of the world’s best lacrosse players are in town for the kickoff of the Lexus Championship Series on Friday night at the St. James in Springfield … Rachael DeCecco, senior vice president of lacrosse for both [the Premiere and Women’s] leagues, said it will be an exciting preview of what to expect in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.” [WTOP]
It’s Monday — A cloudy day is expected with a high near 36 and a 50% chance of precipitation. Snow may fall starting from 1pm. At night, snow could turn into rain or freezing rain between 1am and 4am with a low around 30 and 80% chance of precipitation. Accumulations of ice and snow are expected to be minimal. [NWS]
It took three attempts by two different patrons, but legislation to potentially allow a casino in Fairfax County appears to be heading toward adoption.
After setting aside a similar bill last year, the Virginia House Appropriations Committee voted 18-4 earlier today (Friday) to advance SB 756, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, to the full chamber.
While the Fairfax County has worked on boosting affordable housing, local officials are wary of state bills that would reduce local zoning authority over residential development in commercial zones.
HB 816 by Del. Dan Helmer (D-10) and SB 454 by state Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-16) would require local zoning ordinances to permit by-right multifamily and mixed-use residential development on a portion of commercial or business zoning district land.
Apartment hunters across most of Fairfax County are seeing lower rental rates than they were at this time last year, but higher costs are likely come springtime, according to new data.
Six of seven Fairfax communities included in Apartment List’s March rental report for the D.C. area showed year-over-year declines in median asking rents during February.
Whether you’re planning a major addition or a remodel of a single room, there are contractors across Fairfax County waiting to deliver your dream home — hopefully without breaking the bank.
Here are the nominees for “Best Home Renovation Firm in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite business below? If not, write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, March 13.
Voting for the Best Bicycle Shop around Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, March 6 at 8:30 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Barbershop in Fairfax. The results are now official:
A McLean man admitted yesterday (Thursday) to threatening the life of a government official and longtime ally of President Donald Trump.
Scott Allen Bolger, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of making an interstate threat after sending a message on Dec. 23 to special presidential envoy Richard Grenell threatening to shoot him in the head.
Evacuated Homes Could Be Cleared Soon — “Nearly two weeks after a gas leak sparked a home explosion in the Centreville area of Fairfax County, families who were forced to evacuate are finally preparing to return home.” The number of evacuated homes “has now dropped to 19, and officials say those remaining families are expected to be cleared to return as soon as late Thursday night or early Friday morning.” [DC News Now]
Water Activities to Return to Potomac River — “DC Health is set to lift the advisory against recreational contact with the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., weeks after a sewer line ruptured and spilled more than 240 million gallons of raw sewage and wastewater into the waterway. Beginning Monday, residents can boat, fish and let dogs splash along the shoreline in the D.C. section of the river (swimming is not permitted in D.C. waters).” [NBC4]
Bank Moving Corporate HQ to Tysons — “Freedom Financial Holdings Inc., the parent company of the Freedom Bank of Virginia, is relocating its corporate headquarters from Fairfax city to 1750 Tysons Blvd. next month, President and CEO Joe Thomas told me in an interview this week. It’s also opening a new branch there.” Freedom’s home of more than 20 years at 10555 Main Street will still serve as its bank HQ with a branch and operations center. [Washington Business Journal]
Lane Closures on I-395 in Springfield — “Weather permitting, the northbound and southbound I-395 general purpose lanes and 395 Express Lanes will have lane closures at Edsall Road (Route 648/Exit 2) Friday night, Feb. 27; Saturday, Feb. 28; and Sunday morning, March 1, for bridge work … Drivers are reminded to use caution when traveling in active work zones.” [VDOT]
Police Raise Alarm About Home Burglaries — “Police are investigating a string of home burglaries targeting Asian Americans in Fairfax County. The thieves have reportedly taken half a million dollars in cash, jewelry, clothing, handbags and even gold bars. According to the Fairfax County Police Department, the eight burglaries happened within the last two months.” [WUSA9]
Bill to Clarify Legislative Language Finds Support — “HB1299 defines the word ‘shall’ in state code to mean something is mandatory, not just ‘directory,’ or a suggestion. Bill patron and Fairfax Democratic Delegate Karrie Delaney said the bill was needed in the wake of state court rulings that downgraded ‘shall’ to not being required, and, after being in the chamber for almost a decade, she was sick of it.” [WVTF]
Former Federal Workers Reflect on Past Year — Since President Donald Trump took office for a second term in January 2025, “more than 300,000 people left the government through a combination of firings, layoffs, and resignations … The 51st spoke to seven former federal workers to hear how their job losses affected them, what they’ve been up to since, and where they hope to go next.” [The 51st]
FCPD Taps New Communications Director — “Chief Kevin Davis has promoted Alaina Gertz to Director of Communications for the Fairfax County Police Department.” Serving as deputy communications director since joining the FCPD in 2023, Gertz previously worked for D.C.’s police department, managing media relations during major events like the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021 and the 2019 World Series championship festivities. [FCPD]
Bailey’s Crossroads Car Wash Advances — “The Fairfax County Planning Commission on Feb. 25 recommended approval of a proposal to add a carwash facility at Radley Acura in Bailey’s Crossroads. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold a hearing on the proposal on March 17.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Friday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 53°F and calm winds becoming southerly at 5 mph in the afternoon. The evening will be mostly clear with lows near 38°F and south winds between 3 and 6 mph. [NWS]
A plan for mixed-use redevelopment on a small but key parcel in downtown McLean has won the support of the Fairfax County Planning Commission.
Commission members voted 10-1 yesterday (Wednesday) in support of Reston-based Cypress Real Estate Company’s plan to construct 56 residential units with 2,120 square feet of ground floor retail on a 0.56-acre parcel at the northwest corner of Beverly Road and Elm Street.
Millions of dollars in federal funds are coming to Fairfax County after a minibus funding package was signed into law earlier this month.
Approximately $7.7 million has been allocated for six different projects, including $3.1 million for a traffic safety initiative focused on Springfield.
