Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse's 2026 Winter Restaurant Week menu includes tiramisu as a dessert option (courtesy Davio's)
The impending return of Winter Restaurant Week could provide a much-needed boost for the D.C. region’s food service industry.
While Fairfax County didn’t face all the same challenges last year as the District, where a record number of eateries reportedly closed amid inflation, tariffs and the presence of federal law enforcement and the National Guard, many local establishments will take part in the biannual promotional campaign, which will kick off on Monday (Jan. 19) and continue through Jan. 25.
Lorenzo Quinn’s “The Force of Nature” sculpture at Reston Station with winter holiday decor in background (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
FBI Searches WaPo Reporter’s Home — “Hannah Natanson, who has been covering President Donald Trump’s transformation of the federal government, had a phone, two laptops and a Garmin watch seized in the search of her Virginia home, the Post reported.” The Justice Department said the search was “part of a leak investigation into a Pentagon contractor accused of taking home classified information,” but Post Executive Editor Matt Murray called the action “deeply concerning” in a message to employees. [Associated Press]
Democrats Choose 39th Senate District Nominee — “Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) has been declared the winner in a firehouse primary for Virginia’s 39th District Senate seat, defeating three opponents with 70.6% of the 4,647 ballots cast.” A special election to choose a successor to state Sen. Adam Ebbin, who will resign on Feb. 18, has been set for Feb. 10. [ALXnow]
Va. House Passes Constitutional Amendments — “Virginia House Democrats wasted little time flexing their new majority on the opening day of the 2026 General Assembly, pushing through four proposed constitutional amendments Wednesday aimed at” protecting abortion rights, restoring voting rights for people convicted of felonies, removing a defunct ban on same-sex marriage and setting up a voter referendum on mid-cycle redistricting. [Virginia Mercury]
Wanted Man Arrested After I-495 Chase — “A man arrested after a brief car chase with Fairfax County police on Tuesday was previously wanted on several charges, including a felony, according to police officials.” The man was spotted on I-495 in the Huntington area in a car with a female driver. “Officials said the man was wanted for felony abduction and several other charges, while the woman faces an alluding charge.” [WJLA]
McLean Company to Support NASA — “NASA has selected a McLean-based company to provide launch range operations support at its Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia … Under the contract, ARES Technical Services Corporation, which is headquartered in McLean, will provide technical and operational support for launch range activities at Wallops.” [Center Square/Inside NoVA]
Dulles Adding Nonstop Taiwan Flights — “EVA Airways [on Monday, Jan. 13] announced that it plans to launch a new flight service to Washington in July, making it the first Taiwanese carrier to provide direct flights to the US capital. The airline plans to provide four flights to Washington in the initial stage using Boeing 787-9s, EVA Airways president Clay Sun told reporters in Taipei.” [Taipei Times]
Metro Swag in Demand — “While the Commanders flounder and Nats rebuild, our transit system is winning — breaking record ridership numbers and releasing merch that’s hotter than a Red Line rail at rush hour … Demand for Metro merch was up 300% in 2025, year over year, according to WMATA.” [Axios DC]
Art Contest to Encourage Glass Recycling — “Fairfax County is launching an art contest with the goal of educating kids in Mason District about the benefits of recycling glass. The contest is open to students in grades 6-12 who attend a school in the Justice, Annandale, or Falls Church high school pyramids.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies and a high of 32 degrees with a west wind at 17 mph, gusting up to 30 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear with a low of 22 degrees, a west wind of 9 to 14 mph, and gusts up to 26 mph. [NWS]
William Wang, 28, has been charged with a felony hit and run for his involvement in the fatal crash, which was initiated by another vehicle who first hit the pedestrian, the Fairfax County Police Department announced today (Wednesday).
Home for sale sign (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Home sales across Fairfax County in 2025 were essentially flat from a year before, according to new data, while the average sales price was up modestly.
A total of 11,780 properties went to closing countywide last year, down 0.1% from 11,787 in 2024, according to figures reported Jan. 12 by MarketStats by ShowingTime.
Resolution presentation to Fairfax police on Jan. 13, 2026 (screenshot via Fairfax County)
County supervisors on Tuesday (Feb. 13) honored Fairfax County Police Department personnel for providing support at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
“We can’t forget the people who were wearing the uniform that day, defending democracy,” Board Chair Jeff McKay said at the presentation, which honored the police personnel from the county who responded when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.
Virginia drought indicators, as of Jan. 13, 2026 (via Virginia Department of Environmental Quality)
A drought watch in place across Northern and Central Virginia since November has now escalated into a warning.
With limited rain and snowfall in recent weeks resulting in dry conditions, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a drought warning advisory yesterday (Tuesday) for Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County and Fairfax City, as well as Roanoke River and the Shenandoah region.
An airplane contrail descending towards Archer Hotel Tysons in Scotts Run (photo by Amy Woolsey)
Hunters Woods Village Center Sold — “Edens has offloaded Hunters Woods Village Center in Reston, more than 15 years after acquiring the Safeway-anchored retail center as part of a larger expansion.” Fairfax County property records show an affiliate of J.C. Bar, a Pennsylvania-based real estate company, bought the site for almost $30.5 million on Dec. 18. The center is 88% leased with almost 14,900 square feet of vacant retail space. [Washington Business Journal]
Two Arrested for Annandale Carjacking — According to Fairfax County police, “around 1:45 a.m. on Jan. 11, officers responded to the 7400 block of Little River Turnpike for the carjacking. The victim reported that a ‘known suspect’ had been riding in their vehicle when he brandished a gun and demanded that the victim get out of the car after an argument.” A 19-year-old man from Annandale and a 17-year-old boy were arrested after “a short chase.” [DC News Now]
No Injuries in Centreville House Fire — Firefighters responded around 5 p.m. yesterday (Wednesday) to a fire at a single-family home in the 15300 block of Harmony Hill Court. “Crews arrived to heavy smoke coming from the front door. The fire is under control. No civilian or firefighter injuries … Thank you to Loudoun County Fire and Rescue and Prince William County Fire & Rescue System for assisting.” [FCFRD/Facebook]
More Tension in U.S. Attorney’s Office — “The Justice Department has fired the No. 2 official in the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Virginia after he declined to lead the controversial prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey.” Robert McBride’s removal came on the same day that Lindsey Halligan defended continuing to act as the U.S. attorney despite a federal judge ruling that her appointment was illegal. [MS Now]
Man Charged With Stealing Power Tools — “On December 30, 2025, officers responded to a larceny from a vehicle in the 4500 block of Roundhill Road in Rose Hill. The suspect forced entry into the van and stole multiple power tools around 4:45 p.m. A witness observed a subject removing items from a work van and took photos of the suspect and the vehicle.” The 58-year-old man initially eluded officers at a traffic stop before he was located and arrested in Fair Haven. [FCPD]
Japanese and Korean Restaurant Opening in Annandale — “Pike Chicken is expected to have a soft opening this Thursday afternoon and a grand opening on Friday. The restaurant, located at 7023 Columbia Pike in the former O’My Chiq space, features Japanese and Korean food. Diners can order sushi and nigiri from the Roll Play menu or stone pot bibimbap and other items from Bowl Play.” [Annandale Today]
McLean Cafe Plans Drive-Thru Location — “Sweet Leaf Cafe is coming to 603 W. Broad Street, the former location of a drive-thru Smoothie King. According to the business, this is the first new Sweet Leaf to open in five years.” Aiming for a summer launch, the new site will be the McLean-based company’s first with a drive-thru. [ARLnow]
Inside Tysons’ Japanese-Brazilian Steakhouse — “At Tysons’ swanky new Japanese-Brazilian steakhouse Churasuko, you can get wagyu carved tableside, sashimi skewered like meat, and a seafood tower with both dry ice and flames. As far as owner Derek Liu is aware, it’s the first restaurant in the country combining the two cuisines.” [Washingtonian]
It’s Wednesday — There is a 20% chance of rain in the morning and late afternoon, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 52. The chance of rain jumps to 70% tonight, with snow possible after 1 am, though little or no accumulation is expected. The low will be around 25. [NWS]
The proposed changes would impact what are known as Battery Energy Storage Systems, or BESS. Language in the amendments would add a new definition for BESS and add new use standards and submission requirements, including minimum setbacks and the completion of a noise study before a site plan can be approved.
Elizabeth Lower-Basch speaks to legislators (screenshot via Fairfax County)
The Fairfax County delegation to the General Assembly heads to Richmond this week with plenty of requests from constituents.
Nearly 100 of them descended on the Fairfax County Government Center Saturday morning (Jan. 10) to make their case on issues ranging from social services to economic development.
