A handful of restaurants with Fairfax locations are still in the running for the D.C. region’s 44th annual RAMMYS Awards.
Narrowed down from dozens of semifinalists who were publicly revealed last month for the first time ever, the list of finalists announced last night (Monday) by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) includes regional chains and hip, chef-driven spots as well as a longstanding local favorite.
Parole Denied for Woman Involved in Killing — “Convicted murderer Erika Sifrit has been refused parole in connection with the killing of a Fairfax, Virginia, couple in Ocean City, Maryland, in 2002, WTOP has learned … Sifrit appeared in her first parole hearing since she was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years for her role in the 2002 murders of Joshua Ford and Martha Crutchley.” [WTOP]
Route 28 Widening to Be Considered — Today (Tuesday), the Prince William Board of County Supervisors “will discuss whether to move forward with plans to widen Route 28 from Liberia Avenue, in Manassas, to the Fairfax County line. Last year, the board voted to cancel the Route 28 bypass project” that had been in the works since 2019, frustrating some Fairfax County leaders. [WTOP]
Va. News Coverage Declining — “The number of ‘news deserts’ in Virginia more than doubled between 2023 and 2025, per Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism’s ongoing State of Local News project … As of last year, 16 Virginia counties didn’t have a local news source. Another eight were at high risk of losing theirs.” [Axios Richmond]
AI Already Shaping Virginia Job Market — “Virginia is quickly becoming a national hotspot for AI adoption — and disruption, according to a Virginia Chamber Foundation report released last year, looking at the effect of the technology on statewide jobs … The Virginia report estimates 1.5 million jobs statewide could be affected.” [Axios DC]
State to Rejoin RGGI — “Virginia is poised to reenter the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative this summer, a move that could again add a monthly charge to electricity customers’ bills as utilities resume buying carbon credits.” The General Assembly passed legislation directing the Department of Environmental Quality and Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources David Bulova to finalize regulations for participating in the program by May 21. [Virginia Mercury]
Springfield Library Reopens After Emergency Closure — “We are pleased to announce that Richard Byrd Library will reopen with normal operating hours beginning Monday, April 6 at 10 a.m. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we worked to replace the branch’s heating system,” which forced the library to temporarily close in December. [Fairfax County Public Library]
FCDOT Seeks Input on Proposed Tysons Street — The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is gauging interest in a public hearing on the planned Lincoln Street that would connect Old Meadow Road and Magarity Road in Tysons. Requests for a hearing must be submitted via written letter to FCDOT project manager Sonia Shahnaj by the end of this Friday (April 10). [Patch]
Glass-Blowing Studio Planned in Lorton — “Lorton’s Workhouse Arts Center is in the process of creating a new public glassblowing studio called the Hot Shop. This new studio will transform Workhouse’s Building W-7A into a space with specialized glass-working equipment and facilities.” Other upcoming additions to the former prison campus include a pizzeria partnered with Bunnyman Brewing. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Tuesday — Expect a sunny day with a high around 53°F and northwest winds blowing at 10 to 14 mph, gusting up to 26 mph. Tonight will be clear, with temperatures dropping to about 33°F and a north wind at 6 to 8 mph. [NWS]
Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.
A Virginia bill crafted in memory of Oakton High School students killed on Blake Lane in 2022 is on its way to becoming law.
Del. Holly Seibold (D-12), whose district includes part of Oakton, has been pushing for a bill (HB 994) to expand speed camera locations to “safety red zones” designated by the state. The bill passed the Virginia General Assembly and is awaiting action from Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).
Fairfax County drivers can expect to see an increase in traffic enforcement this month.
Local law enforcement will revive their Road Shark initiative, which aims to reduce speeding and reckless driving, later in April in conjunction with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Fairfax County Police Department said.
One local state lawmaker announced plans today (Monday) to seek a newly-drawn Congressional seat if Virginia’s redistricting amendment is approved by voters later this month.
Saddam Azlan Salim, a Democrat who has served in the state Senate since 2023, joins a crowded primary field for the proposed 7th Congressional District that includes two other state lawmakers and a former Virginia first lady.
The new toll lanes on the Capital Beltway (I-495) in McLean have been operating for a few months now, but construction on the project known as 495 NEXT is not yet complete.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will set the stage for a new milestone tonight (Monday) with a traffic shift on the Georgetown Pike Bridge over I-495.
Va. Sees Big ACA Enrollment Drop — “A new federal report indicates 1.2 million fewer Americans signed up for ACA insurance during the most recent open enrollment period nationwide. In Virginia, about 33,000 people have dropped off, State Health Exchange Director Keven Patchett said at a forum with the State Corporation Commission.” [Virginia Mercury]
Herndon Deck Fire Under Investigation — Fairfax County firefighters responded around 3:51 p.m. on Saturday (April 4) “to the 2600 block of Jetstream Road in Herndon for multiple calls of a deck fire that was rapidly spreading. Units arrived to find a middle unit townhouse with fire and smoke showing from the rear … There were no civilian or firefighter injuries.” [FCFRD/Facebook]
Voters Mixed on Redistricting Proposal — “A slim majority of Virginia voters favors a redistricting measure to give Democrats as many as four extra seats in Congress this November, with 52 percent of likely voters saying they support redrawing state political maps and 47 percent opposed, according to a Washington Post-Schar School poll.” [Washington Post]
Route 29 Lane Closures in Centreville — “Weather permitting, Route 29 between Union Mill Road/Centreville Farms Drive (Route 8285) and Summit Drive/Buckleys Gate Drive (Route 1257) will have lane closures on weekdays from Tuesday, April 7, through Friday, April 17, for Route 29 widening project work … Drivers should expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes.” [VDOT]
Martial Arts Studio Reopens After Fire — “After UMS Martial Arts was destroyed by a fire on New Year’s Day, the studio has been operating in a temporary space at the same Barcroft Plaza shopping Center … The martial arts studio’s temporary location is a vacant storefront formerly occupied by Pearle Vision at 6343 Columbia Pike.” [Annandale Today]
Assistant Police Chief Leaving — “Assistant Chief Robert A. Blakley will retire from the Fairfax County Police Department after more than two decades of dedicated service.” Nearing five years as the assistant chief of operations for the Fairfax County Police Department, he will begin a new job as a deputy county executive position for Prince William County on April 13. [FCPD]
Textile Recycling Pilot Expands Again — “Fairfax County has expanded its textile recycling program to three new locations, including the West Springfield Government Center, at 6140 Rolling Road. Residents can drop off clothing, shoes, and household textiles in blue Helpsy bins,” which can also be found at the I-66 Transfer Station, I-95 Landfill Complex, Jim Scott Community Center and Sully Government Center. [Annandale Today]
Vienna Community Potluck Returning — “After a successful debut last year, The Longest Table Vienna is returning for its second annual potluck. On Saturday, May 9, 500 community members will gather along the Vienna Town Green on Mill Street SE to share a meal. The free, public event will be held from noon to 2 p.m.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
New Legal Notice — ABC permit sought: restaurant/caterer, beer, wine, mixed beverages, on/off-premise. [Public Notices]
New Legal Notice — Applying for off-premises beer-wine license; objections due within 30 days. [Public Notices]
It’s Monday — Expect increasing clouds today with a high of 62°F and west winds at 10 mph, gusting up to 21 mph. Tonight, skies will be mostly clear with a low of 42°F and northwest winds at around 7 mph. [NWS]
With the weather warming up, Fairfax County families are dusting off the strollers and heading outside — and the county’s playgrounds are ready for them, from fully accessible destination parks to shaded neighborhood favorites tucked into the woods.
Here are the nominees for “Best Playground in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite playground below? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, April 17.
Voting for Best Pest Control Company in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, April 10 at 8:30 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Lawn Care Service around Fairfax. The results are now official:
An increased fee for non-riders is one option reportedly being considered to ease traffic and parking constraints at the West Falls Church Metro station in Idylwood.
Traditionally one of Metro’s sleepiest stops, the West Falls Church station has become a hub of activity in recent months due to simultaneous construction on three different developments.
United Airlines is testing a digital tracker for airport security wait times after the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown snarled lines at major airports across the country.
Touting the tool as the “first of its kind” from a major U.S. airline, United added the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wait times tracker to its mobile app on Wednesday (April 1). It’s currently available for seven pilot locations, including Dulles International Airport.
