Fairfax Water proposes a rate hike
Fairfax Water is proposing a rate increase, which it says should add about $1.93 per month for most customers. According to Fairfax Water, the increased rates are necessary to cover rising costs for electricity, water treatment supplies, pipes, and project materials. Inflation is increasing capital and operational costs for water utilities nationwide, the company states. … Continued
Fairfax County gets back 50 cents for every dollar it sends to Richmond
For every dollar of revenue Fairfax County produces for the state, it receives just 50 cents in return. That’s the key finding in a report by the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. Matt Scheffel, an economist at the Cooper Center, presented the report to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ Economic … Continued
Anti-vape law is a buzz kill for retailers
A new law enacted by the Virginia General Assembly that restricts the sale of vape products is already claiming at least one casualty; the House of Vape in the Eastgate Shopping Center in Annandale is expected to close by the end of the year. The Virginia Code prohibits the sale, distribution, or resale of any … Continued
Subsidized housing application opens in Lincolnia
The HUD Project-Based Section 8 waiting list for Strawbridge Square Apartments in Lincolnia will open for new applications on Dec. 1 at 9 a.m. and will close on Dec. 5 at 4 p.m., Wesley Property Management announced. Strawbridge Square, at 5128 Lincoln Ave., has 128 stacked townhouses and garden apartments with one, two, three, and … Continued
Happy Thanksgiving!
We’re taking the day off today to focus on our family. There’s so much to be thankful for in our little corner of the world – most of us have a roof over our heads, clean drinking water, educational opportunities, and a safety net. Enjoy your family and friends and have a chill holiday. … Continued
New utility rate class approved for data centers
Virginia’s State Corporation Commission has approved the creation of a new rate class for the biggest users of electricity, including data centers. The SCC also approved an increase in Dominion’s basic rate, but not as much as the utility requested. A final order issued by the SCC on Nov. 25 in Dominion Energy’s biennial review says … Continued
Fairfax County supports LGBTQ+ residents
Fairfax County has earned the highest score possible on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, a measure of support for LGBTQ+ residents. The county received the top score of 100 on the index, which rates cities and counties on how inclusive their policies and services are for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. … Continued
Viewpoint: Green Spring Gardens should focus on conservation
By Kathryn Cooper As a long-time resident of Mason District and dedicated volunteer at Green Spring Gardens, I urge the Fairfax County Park Authority to hire someone with conservation expertise as the new site manager at GSG. Mason District has fewer green spaces than almost any other district in the county, so GSG is a rare and … Continued
Help a family get through the holidays
With Thanksgiving and the December holidays around the corner, this is the season to turn one’s attention toward helping others. Here are just a few of the many ways to help families in need ensure a happy holiday for their children: Community members are invited to donate new, unwrapped toys, pajamas, and slippers for babies, … Continued
It just got easier to report a streetlight outage
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has created a new Streetlight Reporting Map to make it easier for residents to identify pole numbers and report streetlight outages. The map shows streetlight service areas and the location and pole numbers for individual streetlights. All you have to do is zoom in on the map to find the … Continued
Metrobus riders can now pay with credit cards
Metrobus customers can now pay for a ride with a credit card or debit card. Metrobus also accepts Apple Pay and Google Pay on bus farebox readers. Metro launched Tap. Ride. Go. for Metrobuses on Nov. 18. Since that contactless payment system was implemented for Metrorail in May, customers have used it for more than 6 … Continued
Annandale man gets 15 years on drug charges
An Annandale man was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Nov. 20 for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the Department of Justice reports. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, police observed … Continued
Del. Watts outlines legislative priorities
The huge electoral win by Virginia Democrats earlier this year offers a big opportunity to get their legislative priorities enacted by the General Assembly. However, the continuing cuts in federal funding will pose a huge challenge to the state budget. A Democratic agenda The Democratic victory “gives us the flexibility to really have a dialogue … Continued
Frozen yogurt shop opens in Annandale
A frozen yogurt shop called Yomo opened Nov. 15 at 7406 Little River Turnpike in Annandale in the former Casa d’Mama Pizzaria spot. In addition to self-serve frozen yogurt, Yomo offers smoothies and Nutella crepes. Additional crepe varieties will be added later. Yomo stands for “you only melt once,” says owner George Hayek, who immigrated … Continued
Driver critically injured in crash
An adult male is in the hospital in a life-threatening condition following a crash in the 3400 block of Carlin Springs Road in Bailey’s Crossroads shortly before 4 p.m. on Nov. 19. According to Fairfax County Police, the driver of a 2016 BMW was traveling at a high rate of speed toward Leesburg Pike when … Continued