Virginia National Guard to assist ICE
Members of the Virginia National Guard are expected to be deployed across the state, including Northern Virginia, in September to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Gov. Glenn Youngkin called up the National Guard earlier this month to mobilize approximately 60 soldiers and airmen to provide administrative and logistics support to ICE. Immigrant rights groups … Continued
Annandale restaurants are closing
Chicken Pelicana and Kimen Ramen & Izakaya, the two restaurants at the end of the EastGate Shopping Center on John Marr Drive in Annandale, are closing for good on Sunday, Aug. 24. Neither one has plans to reopen in another location. The vendors at The Block are closing on Aug. 31, and B-Thrifty is closing … Continued
Deer bow-hunting season starts Sept. 6
Fairfax County’s deer hunting season starts on Saturday, Sept. 6, and runs through Feb. 14, 2026. The program is aimed at curbing deer overpopulation. The program allows authorized archery groups to shoot deer in certain parks from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset Monday-Saturday. Parks will remain open to the public. According … Continued
State agency approves transmission line in Bren Mar Park
The State Corporation Commission has approved Dominion Energy’s request for an overhead transmission line to serve a proposed substation for a data center planned on Edsall Road adjacent to several residential communities. The transmission line would be nearly one mile long, connecting the proposed 5-acre Edsall Substation to the Van Dorn Substation. The transmission line … Continued
School news: back to school edition
Schools closed Sept. 9 – Fairfax County Public Schools is closing all schools on Sept. 9, the day of a special election for the 11th congressional district. More than half the schools will serve as polling locations. Keeping the schools open would create building and parking challenges, FCPS explains. Voting would take place in cafeterias … Continued
Annandale locations showcase powerful creative expression
By James Albright Two noteworthy art experiences will hit Annandale in the next couple of weeks. A new Artopolis show at Beanetics highlights stunning mixed-media and collage works by Theresa Martin, while renowned DC Comics artist Matt Johnston applies his mural skills to Flavor Hive, our new hot dining spot. These two events highlight the … Continued
U.S. Education Department puts FCPS on ‘high risk’ status
The U.S. Department of Education announced Aug. 19 that it is placing Fairfax County Public Schools and five Northern Virginia school districts on “high-risk status” for violating Title IX. That means “all federal funding flowing to these districts is done by reimbursement only,” the department states. The funds are being withheld because the districts are … Continued
Whitson and Walkinshaw disagree on everything
Congressional candidates James Walkinshaw (D) and Stewart Whitson (R) clashed on Medicaid cuts, immigration, tariffs, crime, and much more in an online forum hosted by the League of Women Voters on Aug. 18. The candidates are vying in a special election on Sept. 9 to represent Virginia’s 11th district in the U.S. House of Representatives. … Continued
Metro seeks input on new railcar design
Metro is asking the public to pick their favorite design for the exterior of the new 8000-series rail fleet. Vote online for one of three design options. Voting will close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22. The winning concept will be announced the following week. “The designs are part of a broader branding refresh … Continued
Artisans United offers craft classes
Artisans United, a nonprofit in Annandale dedicated to promoting local crafters and artists, is offering a series of craft classes this fall, on baskets, bows, jewelry, and more. The classes will be held at the organization’s Craft Gallery and gift shop in the Packard Center at 4022 Hummer Road. The gallery and shop feature works … Continued
Clerk of the court focuses on improved access
Fairfax County court records are now more accessible than ever, due to innovations implemented by Clerk of the Court Chris Falcon. “All people deserve the right to access their case information,” Falcon said at a community barbecue he hosted at Mason District Park on Aug. 16. Until recently, people had to physically go to the … Continued
Second Story makes sure Culmore kids are ready for school
Culmore children are ready for the start of school tomorrow, thanks to a school supply giveaway event hosted by Second Story on Aug. 15. Second Story and officers from the Mason Police District handed out 250 backpacks filled with paper, pencils, pens, and other school supplies. The back-to-school event, at the Culmore Family Resource Center … Continued
FCPS won’t comply with federal order to rescind bathroom policy for trans students
Fairfax County Public Schools will not comply with a U.S. Department of Education order to change its policies on bathrooms for transgender students. On July 25, the U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights notified FCPS and four other Northern Virginia school systems that their policies and regulations violate Title IX, a civil rights law … Continued
Prepare for higher electric bills
Dominion Energy is asking the Virginia State Corporation Commission to approve a 15 percent increase in the base rates for electricity over the next two years. That would result in an increase of over $20 per month for a typical residential homeowner. A homeowner using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month could see their … Continued
Patient First offers sports physicals
If you’re child plans to play a sport in school or in a youth league, they’re going to need a sports physical. Patient First, a healthcare facility at 7042A Little River Turnpike in Annandale and a Taste of Annandale sponsor, is offering sports physicals on a walk-in basis. An appointment is not necessary. Patient First … Continued