Vietnamese community celebrates Lunar New Year at the Eden Center
The Vietnamese community celebrated the Lunar New Year at the Eden Center on Feb. 17 with a lion dance, speeches, the raising of Vietnamese and American flags, recognition of Vietnamese military veterans, and fireworks. The celebration commemorated the progress of the Vietnamese refugees who immigrated to the D.C. area and their descendants since the war … Continued
FY 2027 budget would retain current tax rate
Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill presented a FY 2027 advertised budget to the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 17 that proposes maintaining the current real estate tax rate of $1.1225 per $100 of assessed value. If that rate is adopted by the board, the average homeowner’s tax bill is projected to increase by approximately $356 … Continued
Real estate assessments are up 4.3 percent
Real estate assessments for residential properties in Fairfax County for 2026 are up an average of 4.31 percent from last year, the Department of Tax Administration announced Feb. 17. County Executive Bryan Hill’s recommendation for the advertised budget for FY 2027 would retain the current real estate tax rate of $1.1225 per $100 of assessed … Continued
HOA leaders propose data center land swap
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is considering selling county-owned land in Chantilly to a private developer for a data center. The property, located at 3721 Stonecroft Blvd., is in an industrial area near Dulles Airport and other data centers. The proposed agreement would allow the county to sell approximately 41.7 acres of the 128-acre … Continued
Virginia Supreme Court approves referendum on redistricting
In a major win for Virginia Democrats, the state Supreme Court ruled on Feb. 13 that a public referendum on a redistricting plan can go forward. A special election on a redrawn map of Virginia’s congressional districts is set for April 21. Early voting will start on March 6. The new map was developed by … Continued
School news roundup – February 2026
Boundary update – Fairfax County Public Schools updated its boundary explorer tool to show the school boundaries adopted by the school board on Jan. 22. The changes will take effect for the 2026-27 school year. The tool lets families plug in their address and view their assigned school. The school board will not provide transportation … Continued
Local writer hosts poetry workshops
By James Albright, chair of the Mason Arts Council Community members are invited to a pair of poetry workshops here in Annandale this month led by local writer Lisa Lowry. The Poetry for All workshops will be held on subsequent Thursdays (Feb. 19 and 26) 10-11:30 a.m. at the John Calvin Presbyterian Church, at 6531 … Continued
Don’t flush wipes in the toilet
Fairfax County urges residents not to flush wipes in the toilet, including those labeled “flushable.” A major regional sewer line that carries wastewater from Fairfax County is currently undergoing emergency repairs. During maintenance work, wipes clogged several pumps along the line, reducing capacity and contributing to a wastewater overflow, the county states. Crews are working … Continued
Woman arrested for carjacking
Police arrested a woman for carjacking in Bailey’s Crossroads on Feb. 12. The victim reported that a woman approached his vehicle shortly before 2 a.m. in the 5900 block of Seminary Road and asked for a ride. When the victim refused, the suspect opened the door and pulled the victim out of the vehicle. The … Continued
Bill approved by Senate committee doesn’t limit a casino to Tysons
A substitute version of the casino legislation (SB756) approved by the Virginia Senate’s Finance and Appropriations Committee removes language that required a casino to be located in Tysons. The original bill pushed by Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon) included restrictions on the location of a casino in Fairfax County that meant the only place it … Continued
Pennino Building closed until further notice
Fairfax County’s Pennino Building remains closed since it was damaged by flooding caused by a water leak on Feb. 6. The building, at 12011 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax, will remain closed until further notice, according to Fairfax County’s emergency blog. Walk-in services are unavailable. The county urges people who need to drop off documents … Continued
Relax at a Sensory Zone at the library
For residents who need a place to decompress, relax, and recharge, the George Mason Regional Library and three other branches offer a Wellness and Sensory Zone twice a month. Activities could include interactive sensory elements, puzzles and brain games, loose parts and building materials, art and craft supplies, soothing music, and self-care and wellness books. … Continued
TD Bank at Pinecrest Plaza has closed
The TD Bank on Little River Turnpike and Braddock Road next to Pinecrest Plaza has closed. The bank opened in 2017 in a space previously occupied by an Exxon gas station. A sign on the building directs customers to other TD branches, on Little River Turnpike in Annandale, at the Willston Shopping Center on Arlington … Continued
Democratic agenda advances in the General Assembly
These are some of the bills moving through the General Assembly: Clean energy – SB225 (Sen. Scott Surovell – Mount Vernon) creates a Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank to provide grants and loans to greenhouse gas emission and other clean energy projects. Passed by the Senate Feb. 10. Water rates – HB770 (Del. Charniele Herring … Continued
Bennett-Parker elected to the Virginia Senate
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, a Democrat who represents Alexandria in the Virginia House of Delegates, easily won a special election on Feb. 10 for the 39th District in the state Senate. Bennett-Parker got nearly 83 percent of the vote, compared to 17 percent for her Republican opponent, Julie Robben Lineberry. Bennett-Parker will complete the term of Sen. … Continued