McLean Ledger
Hyperlocal news for McLean and Great Falls, Virginia
McLean Ledger
Hyperlocal news for McLean and Great Falls, Virginia
Local Government
Former state Sen. Janet Howell, who represented McLean for 32 years, dies at 82
Former Virginia State Sen. Janet Howell, who represented portions of McLean in the 32nd Senate District for 32 years and became the first woman to chair the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, died Monday, August 3, at age 82, drawing tributes from Gov. Spanberger, her successor Sen. Jennifer Boysko, and legislative leaders across the Commonwealth.
Local Government
Former state Sen. Janet Howell, who represented McLean for 32 years, dies at 82
Former Virginia State Sen. Janet Howell, who represented portions of McLean in the 32nd Senate District for 32 years and became the first woman to chair the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, died Monday, August 3, at age 82, drawing tributes from Gov. Spanberger, her successor Sen. Jennifer Boysko, and legislative leaders across the Commonwealth.
Local Government
Former state Sen. Janet Howell, who represented McLean for 32 years, dies at 82
Former Virginia State Sen. Janet Howell, who represented portions of McLean in the 32nd Senate District for 32 years and became the first woman to chair the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, died Monday, August 3, at age 82, drawing tributes from Gov. Spanberger, her successor Sen. Jennifer Boysko, and legislative leaders across the Commonwealth.
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Editor's Picks
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Editor's Picks
Local Government
State groundwater study warns data centers can't tap eastern Virginia aquifer
A long-delayed Virginia DEQ groundwater study released July 24 found that the state's eastern aquifer cannot support new large industrial water users, including data centers, and urges the General Assembly to tighten permitting rules — a statewide policy shift relevant to McLean-area residents watching data center growth along the Dulles corridor.
Local Government
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Former state Sen. Janet Howell, who represented McLean for 32 years, dies at 82
Former Virginia State Sen. Janet Howell, who represented portions of McLean in the 32nd Senate District for 32 years and became the first woman to chair the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, died Monday, August 3, at age 82, drawing tributes from Gov. Spanberger, her successor Sen. Jennifer Boysko, and legislative leaders across the Commonwealth.
Local Government
State groundwater study warns data centers can't tap eastern Virginia aquifer
A long-delayed Virginia DEQ groundwater study released July 24 found that the state's eastern aquifer cannot support new large industrial water users, including data centers, and urges the General Assembly to tighten permitting rules — a statewide policy shift relevant to McLean-area residents watching data center growth along the Dulles corridor.
Education
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FCPS summer programs offer credit recovery, math enrichment at Oakton High School
Fairfax County Public Schools is running summer credit recovery, algebra enrichment, and early-reading programs at Oakton High School and Dogwood Elementary, drawing students from eight high schools and seven middle schools; Langley High School's Norah Jacques was named VHSL Class 6 Softball Player of the Year.
Public Safety
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Search for missing swimmer near Great Falls enters second day on Potomac
Fairfax and Montgomery county fire crews resumed searching the Potomac River on Wednesday for a 25-year-old man missing since Tuesday near Sandy Landing, the third such incident near Great Falls this summer.
Public Safety
Cooper Middle School teacher charged with assaulting student; school notifies families
Cooper Middle School special education teacher Eliseo Perez, 35, was charged with two counts of simple assault on July 22 after Fairfax County police say he had unlawful contact with a student twice in May 2026; the school has suspended him without pay and is directing families to Crime Solvers with any additional information.
Community
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73 adults with disabilities showcase handmade fashion at McLean Old Firehouse
Seventy-three adults with severe disabilities contributed garments to a SPARC fashion show at the McLean Old Firehouse on Aug. 1, capping a six-month adaptive sewing program led by art therapist Nicky Sullivan.
Community
Planning Commission backs plan to nearly quadruple apartments near Dunn Loring Metro
The Fairfax County Planning Commission voted unanimously on July 22 to recommend a plan amendment that would allow Malkin Properties to replace 706 garden apartments near Dunn Loring Metro with up to 2,975 units; the Board of Supervisors holds a public hearing September 15.
Business
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Fairfax County jobless count climbs 10% in a year, adding pressure to McLean's contractor corridor
Fairfax County's unemployed population grew 10% year-over-year to 22,888 in June 2026, with the county's jobless rate rising from 3.2% to 3.6%, intensifying pressure on McLean's contractor-dependent economy already hit hard by federal workforce reductions.
Business
Lidl to open Aug. 12 at Idylwood Plaza, filling long-vacant Whole Foods space
German discount grocer Lidl will open a 23,485-square-foot store at Idylwood Plaza on Aug. 12, filling the anchor space Whole Foods vacated in February 2025 and arriving ahead of the late-2026 timeline originally projected by the shopping center's owner.
About the Editor
About the Editor
About the Editor
Maryam Khanum
Maryam Khanum is a journalist based in Winston-Salem, NC. She graduated from Wake Forest University in 2024 with majors in Political Science and Communications. Maryam was heavily involved in journalism throughout her college career, serving as Multimedia Managing Editor for the student-run newspaper, the Old Gold & Black. She previously worked for the International Business Times.
Maryam Khanum
Maryam Khanum is a journalist based in Winston-Salem, NC. She graduated from Wake Forest University in 2024 with majors in Political Science and Communications. Maryam was heavily involved in journalism throughout her college career, serving as Multimedia Managing Editor for the student-run newspaper, the Old Gold & Black. She previously worked for the International Business Times.
Maryam Khanum
Maryam Khanum is a journalist based in Winston-Salem, NC. She graduated from Wake Forest University in 2024 with majors in Political Science and Communications. Maryam was heavily involved in journalism throughout her college career, serving as Multimedia Managing Editor for the student-run newspaper, the Old Gold & Black. She previously worked for the International Business Times.
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