Katy Johnson

Voters across Virginia will get their only chance to see the two major candidates for governor share a stage this week when Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears meet for a live, televised debate on Wednesday, October 9, at Norfolk State University. The hour-long debate, hosted by WAVY-TV 10 in partnership with WRIC-TV 8 and other Nexstar Media Group stations, is expected to reach more than four million viewers statewide. Moderators Tom Schaad of WAVY and Deanna Allbrittin of WRIC will lead the discussion, focusing on issues facing Virginia families, education, the economy, and public safety.

A vote to build the George Snyder Trail (GST) was pushed through last June despite significant community and Council opposition.  Whatever your position on the project, you may be interested to learn that the June vote was based on misinformation. Council had been told by the acting city manager and his staff, in no uncertain terms, that the City would have to pay back $3.7 million if the project was canceled. This is simply not true. 

Public Hearing on Willard Sherwood Sept 30th.   City of Fairfax needs to live within its means.  The Willard Sherwood will cause 20 years of big debt! This single project will add at least $8.1M to our operating budget over the next two decades. Each penny on the tax rate generates about $835,000 – this is a 9.7-cent increase for the Willard Sherwood.  Our portion for the base building alone is right around $52M, plus an additional $3M for underground parking for a grand total of: $54,930,000.  There is also an additional $4M Performing Arts Option.

Let’s set the scene: it’s July 1619 in Jamestown, Virginia. The summer is brutally hot, the mosquitoes are relentless, and the food situation…well, let’s just say no one is writing rave reviews on Yelp. The colony has been stumbling along for twelve years, ruled mostly by officials sent from England who think they know what’s best, but don’t actually live in the swampy mess of Jamestown.

Magnolia Creations, LLC, led by Linette Beckham-Gaskins, brings 30 years of experience to the art of event planning. Specializing in corporate meetings and nonprofit events, the company offers comprehensive services—from venue selection and vendor coordination to budgeting and contingency planning. Their expertise ensures seamless execution, allowing clients to focus on their core missions.

Empowering voters. Defending democracy. Chartered in 1948, the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area encourages informed and active participation in government through education and advocacy.

Autumn in our community means cooler mornings, bright leaves, and harvest festivals. But for many residents, it also brings a wave of sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion. Seasonal allergies aren’t just a springtime problem—fall has its own set of triggers.

Fairfax City’s popular Restaurant Week returns later this month, offering residents and visitors a chance to explore the city’s diverse dining scene at special prices. The event runs from Friday, August 22 through Sunday, August 31, with more than two dozen local restaurants participating. Now in its eighth...

Vienna residents have a new reason to indulge their sweet tooth: Shilla Bakery officially opened on July 30 at 340 Maple Avenue West, celebrated with a lively ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local officials, neighbors, and friends. This family-owned bakery is a special addition to Vienna’s vibrant Maple Avenue...

On August 10, 2025, NOVA Rugby proved that the only thing scarier than facing the Chicago Lions is being down 14 points at halftime… and still somehow thinking, “Yeah, we’ve got this.” And they did. With three tries in the second half, NOVA flipped a 0–14 hole into a 15–14 victory, leaving Chicago looking like they’d just been tackled by a freight train disguised as a rugby club. Somewhere in the chaos, fans in the stands aged approximately 20 years.

Back in 2017, Fairfax County gave a collective nod to the pickleball boom—either that or they were just jealous of the fun everyone was having—and decided to add more courts. Fast-forward to 2024, and the county was slapping down 84 total courts, of which 16 were hardcore, dedicated pickleball-only zones. Think of them as the VIP suites of the pickleball world—exclusive, no tennis allowed.

James Walkinshaw is a public servant and lifelong Northern Virginian who is currently serving as the Braddock District Supervisor on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Elected in 2019, he has spearheaded a variety of community-based initiatives during his tenure, including advocating for gun safety, protecting the...