Most Recent Articles by
Heather Durkin
City
Paul VI School Facade Preservation Update
The Paul VI school building may soon get the long awaited preservation treatment that has been long awaited by city residents. In December, the IDI Group Companies, the developers of Boulevard VI, sold the property to Virginia Epic Properties. A building permit has been filed with the City by Virginia Epic to revitalize the building while still preserving the facade. The project, dubbed the St Paul Project, includes a proposal to renovate the interior structure and replace the rear and side facade which are presently draped with an industrial grade covering.
News
Real Estate Taxes are Going Up This Year
Real Estate taxes are going up. The City Manager’s proposed budget increases the real estate tax rate by $0.095 to $1.125 per $100 of assessed value. For CY 2025, the average City resident’s (assessed value of $694,503) annual real estate tax bill would raise the average annual bill by $1,126.
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Virginia General Assembly Advances Cannabis Retail Framework
The Virginia General Assembly has taken a major step toward establishing a regulated adult-use cannabis marketplace, passing companion bills that outline how legal retail sales would operate across the Commonwealth.
William T. Newman Jr.: Arlington’s Trailblazing Judge, Public Servant, and Stage Actor
Retired Judge William “Bill” T. Newman Jr., widely recognized as the first Black person elected to the Arlington County Board member and founder of the Arlington Community Foundation, died on February 10, 2026. He leaves behind a legacy defined by integrity, courage, and steadfast commitment to justice.
Willard Sherwood Health and Community Center Discussions
Willard Sherwood Health and Community Center Discussions
TJHSST Makes History in Virginia Athletics
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is kicking off the 2026 season with a groundbreaking milestone — one that will echo far beyond the scoreboard. For the first time in Virginia history, a school has appointed female head coaches to lead both its varsity football and varsity baseball programs. TJHSST isn’t just competing — it’s changing the game.
Washington Post Layoffs Hit Close to Home in Northern Virginia
Washington, D.C. — The Washington Post has begun sweeping layoffs that will eliminate roughly one-third of its workforce, a move that is reshaping one of the nation’s most influential newsrooms — and carrying direct consequences for Northern Virginia readers.
GMU Gears Up for Homecoming: Be Brave! Be Bold!
From January 30 to February 7, 2026, George Mason University will host one of the most spirited traditions of the academic year — Homecoming Week. Packed with events that bring together students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the Fairfax community, this year’s festivities promise to be bigger and bolder than ever before.
Record Number of Americans Identify as Independents, Gallup Poll Finds Independent Voters Break Another Record: Fairfax City Voters Smashed that Record in 2024!
The September 2024 edition of The Fairfax Independent published its inaugural cover story - Fairfax City Voters Support Non-Partisan Elections. A 2024 Mason-Dixon® poll found that 67% of Fairfax City voters support keeping city office elections non-partisan, with only 17% opposing and 16% undecided. This indicates City of...
Better Arguments Workshop Series
At a time when conversations too often turn into standoffs, many of us want to do better - but aren’t sure how. In response, I am hosting a free five-part Better Arguments workshop series.
How a cow burned down the Fairfax County Jail
In the early morning hours of Wednesday, December 12, 1883, Richard “Dick” Lane and John Wheeler, entered "Strawberry Vale", the 144-acre farm of James N. Walton near Peach Grove (now Tyson’s Corner) Fairfax County, Virginia. Strawberry Vale was located on the south side of Chain Bridge Road (Rt. 123) at the interchange of present-day Interstate 495.
NASA Rolls Artemis II Moon Rocket to Launch Pad Ahead of Historic Crewed Mission
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA has taken a major step toward its first crewed mission to the Moon in more than half a century, rolling the towering Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center.
The Path Forward is Clearer for the City (Op-Ed by Judy Fraser)
As the dust settles after the January 13 City Council vote that brought the long running George Snyder Trail controversy to a swift conclusion, it is hitting me what a long journey this has been. For those who are interested I thought I’d share a brief summary of its history.