Countywide

Fairfax County is requiring future electrical substations to be built at least 100 feet away from residential property lines.

At its meeting last week (Dec. 9), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a zoning ordinance amendment governing substations.


News

At some point in the new year, Fairfax County residents might start seeing signs for 20-mph speed limits in their neighborhood.

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has proposed several streets for inclusion in a pilot study testing the reduced speed limits that’s tentatively expected to launch in summer 2026.


Countywide

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors next month will honor the efforts of local police to restore and maintain order at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

With the attack’s five-year anniversary nearing, the board voted 9-0 at its Dec. 9 meeting in support of a proposed commemorative proclamation sponsored by supervisors Rodney Lusk (Franconia) and Dan Storck (Mount Vernon) with Chairman  Jeff McKay.


An airplane descending toward Dulles International Airport in Chantilly with some snow on the ground (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Plane Returns to Dulles After Engine Failure — “A United Airlines flight out of Dulles International Airport made an emergency landing after one of the plane’s engines failed during takeoff on Saturday afternoon. One of the engines of the Boeing 777-200ER suddenly failed at takeoff around 12:20 p.m., the FAA said, producing sparks and smoke.” [NBC4]

GW Parkway Rehabilitation Progresses — “From Spout Run Parkway up to the Beltway in McLean, paving is done and mainline construction is on track to conclude by the end of the month as a major rehab project announced in 2021 draws toward a close.” [ARLnow]

Man Charged With McLean-Area Burglaries — “Investigators have linked a Maryland man arrested in Tysons on Tuesday to multiple attempted burglaries in the McLean earlier this month, according to authorities.” A woman reported that the man had trespassed on her backyard on Dec. 9, and police believe he’s also behind two home burglaries that occurred in McLean on Dec. 5. [Patch]

Passenger Injured by Dulles Baggage Claim — “A passenger got stuck in baggage claim equipment at Washington Dulles International Airport on Thursday morning and is hurt, authorities say. The adult made ‘an unauthorized entry into the baggage delivery system’ and got trapped, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said.” [NBC4]

Longfellow Students Aim to Extend Science Olympiad Win Streak — “Kim is one of 30 students who secured a spot on Longfellow Middle School’s prestigious Science Olympiad team. Over 100 competed for one, taking tests and building devices, with the hope of keeping the Fairfax County school’s reputation in tact. Longfellow’s team has won 13 consecutive state titles, and is eyeing a 14th. The school has won the state championship 19 times.” [WTOP]

Food Delivery Robots Enter Alexandria — “California-based Serve Robotics Inc., in partnership with Uber Eats, recently launched its autonomous sidewalk delivery company across the city. That means that folks ordering food in Old Town, Del Ray, Potomac West and nearby neighborhoods now have the option to get their orders delivered by a driverless robot.” [ALXnow]

Nonprofit Plans Bar Crawl Fundraiser — “The community is invited to a bar crawl on Saturday, Dec. 20, at four locations in Annandale. The event is a fundraiser for Me & You, a nonprofit organization that supports projects at nine schools in the metropolitan D.C. area, including Braddock Elementary School in Annandale.” [Annandale Today]

Park Authority Hires Planning Deputy Director — “The Fairfax County Park Authority is pleased to announce the appointment of Nigel A. Fields to the position of deputy director for Planning and Development. Fields is a leader in conservation, park development and programming, and land use planning and management. He began his new role on Dec. 1 and succeeds Aimee Vosper, who is retiring from the Park Authority on Dec. 26 after 12 years of service.” [FCPA]

It’s Monday — Expect mostly sunny conditions and a high temperature of around 30 degrees during the day, with the northwest wind of 7 to 11 mph shifting to the southwest in the afternoon. Tonight, you’ll experience partly cloudy skies, with the temperature dropping to a low of about 21 degrees. The south wind will be blowing at 5 to 7 mph before becoming light and variable after midnight. [NWS]


Countywide

As predicted, Fairfax County was hit by its second snowfall of the season overnight, though accumulations appear to have stopped short of the 1 to 3 inches forecast by the National Weather Service.

In anticipation of the winter weather, the Fairfax County Park Authority delayed opening its parks and facilities until 9 a.m. today (Sunday). Other county facilities opened on time.


Countywide

Another snowstorm is expected to visit Fairfax County and the rest of the D.C. region tomorrow (Sunday).

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory shortly after 9 a.m. that’s expected to take effect at midnight and continue until 10 a.m.


News

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) predicts there’s a small chance that the Senate will coalesce around a deal to prevent premium health care hikes for millions of Americans before next month.

Kaine made the statement today (Friday) at a roundtable with health care professionals at a Neighborhood Health clinic in Hybla Valley after most Senate Republicans rejected a Democratic bill Thursday that would’ve extended Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at the end of this year.


Countywide

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday night (Dec. 9) to raise the maximum base charge for trespass towing by 40% to the new state maximum of $210.

Maximum allowable fees for the drop charge, storage and administration also would increase. The new fees went into effect immediately.


Primary care doctors can be literal lifesavers, providing valuable health advice and detecting potential issues before they become crises. But given the different needs of different patients, finding the right match can be a challenge.

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

Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 26.

Voting for the Best Orthodontist in Fairfax is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, Dec. 19 at 8:30 a.m.

A few weeks ago, we voted on the Best Car Wash or Auto Detailing Service in Fairfax. The results, published earlier this week, are:

  1. Divine Auto Spa
  2. ClubExec Auto
  3. Flagship Car Wash and Cruz-N-Shine Car Wash (tie)

News

New facilities to enhance the visitor experience at the Barns at Wolf Trap have been approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Supervisors voted unanimously at their Dec. 9 meeting in support of land-use changes requested by the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts for a 9,300-square-foot addition to the 352-seat performance facility, located at 1635 Trap Road in the Vienna area.


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