Article Text

A woman serving life in prison plus 20 years for her role in the 2002 killings of a Fairfax couple has been denied parole.

Erika Sifrit appeared at her first parole hearing since being sentenced for the murders of Joshua Ford and Martha Crutchley in Ocean City, Maryland.

Meanwhile, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors is scheduled to discuss Tuesday whether to advance plans to widen Route 28 between Liberia Avenue in Manassas and the Fairfax County line. The board canceled a Route 28 bypass project last year after planning had been underway since 2019, a decision that frustrated some Fairfax County leaders.

Virginia’s supply of local journalism is also shrinking. The number of news deserts in the state more than doubled from 2023 to 2025, according to Northwestern University’s State of Local News project. As of 2025, 16 Virginia counties had no local news source, while eight others were considered at high risk of losing theirs.

Artificial intelligence could reshape an estimated 1.5 million jobs across Virginia. A Virginia Chamber Foundation report released in 2025 described the state as an emerging national center for both AI adoption and employment disruption.

Virginia is also preparing to return to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative this summer. The move could add a monthly charge to customers’ electric bills as utilities resume purchasing carbon credits. Legislation passed by the General Assembly directs the Department of Environmental Quality and Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources David Bulova to complete participation regulations by May 21.

In Springfield, Richard Byrd Library reopened at 10 a.m. Monday, April 6, and resumed normal operating hours. The branch had been closed since December while its heating system was replaced.

Fairfax County transportation officials are seeking feedback on whether to hold a public hearing about Lincoln Street, a proposed Tysons connection between Old Meadow Road and Magarity Road. Written hearing requests must reach project manager Sonia Shahnaj by Friday, April 10.

The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton is developing a public glass-blowing studio known as the Hot Shop. The project would convert Building W-7A on the former prison campus into a specialized glass-working facility. A pizzeria developed in partnership with Bunnyman Brewing is among the other additions planned for the site.

Tuesday’s forecast calls for sunshine and a high near 53 degrees, with northwest winds of 10 to 14 mph and gusts reaching 26 mph. Skies should remain clear overnight as temperatures fall to around 33 degrees, accompanied by north winds of 6 to 8 mph.