Countywide

Fairfax Connector will not provide any bus service during the upcoming Winter Storm Fern.

With heavy precipitation and ice accumulation expected, the county bus system announced this afternoon (Saturday) that it will suspend service starting at 9 p.m., continuing through Sunday (Jan. 25).


Countywide

Fairfax County has issued a local emergency declaration for Winter Storm Fern, enabling it to mobilize additional resources and seek outside assistance.

Expected to hit the D.C. region tonight (Saturday) and linger into early Monday morning (Jan. 26), the storm could bring “catastrophic” ice accumulation and “heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain,” totaling between seven and 14 inches, according to the National Weather Service. A Winter Storm Warning has been issued, starting at 11 p.m.


Countywide

Activities on Fairfax County government and school grounds will largely grind to a halt starting tonight (Saturday), as the region hunkers down for a potentially crippling snowstorm.

Fairfax County will close all of its facilities at 8 p.m. today through Sunday (Jan. 25) in anticipation of Winter Storm Fern, which is expected to bring snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice that could snarl roads and power lines for days.


Countywide

A Virginia Senate subcommittee has advanced the Tysons casino bill, setting it up for further consideration after its 2025 defeat in a House of Delegates committee.

The Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology voted 5-3 today (Friday) in favor of the legislation from Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34) to add Fairfax County as an eligible host for a casino.


When unanticipated injuries or health concerns crop up, having a trusted, convenient option for receiving prompt treatment can help reduce the accompanying stress.

Here are the nominees for “Best Urgent Care in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite center below? If not, write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6.

Voting for the Best Orthopedist in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, Jan. 30 at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Pediatrician in Fairfax. The results are now official:

  1. Michael Martin
  2. Ranjana Jain
  3. Laurence J. Murphy

Countywide

The National Weather Service continues to pile on alerts for the potentially massive snowstorm barreling toward the D.C. area.

The agency has now upgraded a previously announced winter storm watch for the region, including Fairfax County, into a Winter Storm Warning that’s scheduled to take effect at 11 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday) and remain in place until 4 a.m. Monday (Jan. 26).


Countywide

Post-pandemic commuting trends appear to be stabilizing in the D.C. region, with workers spending more days at the office, but remote work remains prevalent.

“We seem to be approaching a much more settled ‘new normal,'” Dan Sheehan, transportation operations program director for the Transportation Planning Board (TPB) said at a Jan. 21 meeting, where staff unveiled the new State of the Commute report.


Countywide

The number of Fairfax County residents among the ranks of the unemployed was up 43% year-over-year, new state jobs data show.

A total of 24,051 county residents were recorded as seeking jobs in November, according to figures reported on Wednesday (Jan. 22) by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.


Aerial view of the Strawberry Lane and District Avenue corner at the Mosaic District in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Residents Stock Up Ahead of Snowstorm — “The latest forecast predicts 10 inches of snow falling on the Washington, D.C. region, bringing cold temperatures with it. In anticipation, Fairfax County residents began flocking to area hardware stores to stock up on shovels, bags of salt, and sleds.” [Patch]

Man Guilty of Murder at ATM — “Winston Nathaniel Lark IV was found guilty Thursday of first-degree murder and using a firearm in commission of a felony” for fatally shooting Nelson Alexander at an ATM in West Falls Church on Oct. 20, 2021. “A sentencing date has not been set yet. Lark faces 20 years to life on the first-degree murder conviction.” [NBC4]

Redistricting Referendum Date Proposed — “The House of Delegates Appropriations Committee voted 15–7 on Thursday to move forward a bill introduced by Chair Luke Torian (D–Prince William) that would set April 21 as the date for a ballot referendum on a proposed constitutional amendment that passed through the legislature on a partisan vote last week.” [VPM News]

Updates Underway at Bailey’s Homeless Shelter — “Since FACETS took over management of the troubled Bailey’s Shelter in late 2025, the nonprofit has taken steps to resolve the problems stemming from New Hope Housing’s mismanagement.” In addition to introducing more staff, the new shelter operator is working to upgrade its security system and has rejoined Fairfax County’s Operation Stream Shield litter pick-up program. [Annandale Today]

Homeowner Appeals Denial of Addition — A homeowner on Marble Lane in the Greenbriar area has turned to the Board of Zoning Appeals after Fairfax County staff ordered him to stop construction on a three-story addition found to be a few inches too close to a neighbor’s property line. Intended for the resident’s parents, the expansion sparked neighbor complaints and discussions of a zoning ordinance amendment that could “accelerate later this year.” [Washington Business Journal]

Parents Lobby for More Child Care Support — “Kaila Brewer, a Chesapeake mother and special education teacher, had to leave her job during the COVID-19 pandemic to care for her five-year-old son, who is autistic … That experience spurred her to advocate alongside other parents and supporters at the state Capitol on Wednesday and urge lawmakers to expand early childhood care options.” [Virginia Mercury]

Nonprofit Rolls Out Mobile Bathrooms — A Mobile Outreach Unit with private bathrooms, including hot showers, from Fairfax-based Pathway Homes will soon travel to sites in Northern Virginia and D.C., providing services to people experiencing homelessness. “According to Pathway Homes, only two of the 41 homeless shelters in Northern Virginia offer drop-in shower services for people not living in the shelter.” [WTOP]

Feedback Wanted From Military Community — “The Fairfax County Veterans and Military Families Commission is conducting a survey to identify gaps in serving county veterans and military community … The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete. The survey will close on Feb. 16, 2026. The feedback will be used to help inform county policy and practices.” [Neighborhood and Community Services]

It’s Friday — Expect partly sunny skies and a high near 44, as west winds increase to 12-17 mph in the afternoon, with gusts up to 24 mph. Friday night will be partly cloudy and colder, with lows around 10 and wind chill values as low as -7. Blustery conditions will prevail, featuring a north wind of 18-25 mph and gusts up to 36 mph. [NWS]


Countywide

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger declared a State of Emergency today (Thursday), as the D.C. region steels for what could be its biggest snowstorm in years.

With the National Weather Service predicting significant snowfall starting Saturday night (Jan. 24), Spanberger and other state officials urged residents across the Commonwealth to make preparations now to stay at home throughout the weekend and potentially into the coming week.


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