Affordable housing project to include space for nonprofits
An affordable housing project coming to Columbia Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads will include space for two local nonprofits, Neighborhood Health and Second Story. The five-story building will have around 160 apartments – mostly two and three-bedroom units – along with community space reserved for organizations that serve area residents. It will be located on the … Continued
The Greening the Greenway initiative is growing
By James Albright The Greening the Greenway initiative is expanding its efforts to bring native plantings to Annandale. The project started last November with plantings in front of the ACCA Child Development Center on Columbia Pike. The organizers are now identifying new locations along Columbia Pike for a spring planting project. The goal of Greening … Continued
The Walk for Peace will bypass Annandale
The Buddhist monks on a 2,300-mile Walk for Peace are in Northern Virginia and nearing the end of their journey. The group consists of 24 Buddhist monks from the Theravada tradition, representing Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Cambodia, along with their dog, Aloka. They are walking from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., to spread a message … Continued
Sizemore Heizer to focus on constituent services
Rachna Sizemore Heizer, the newly installed Braddock representative on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, told residents at an open house on Feb. 4 that her top priority is constituent services. “Braddock to me is a community made up of communities,” Sizemore Heizer said. “People look out for each other. I want to find ways … Continued
Spanberger authorizes referendum on redistricting
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed legislation passed by the General Assembly calling for referendums on four proposed constitutional amendments on reproductive freedom, marriage equality, voting rights, and mid-decade redistricting. “Virginia voters deserve the opportunity to respond to the nationwide attacks on our rights, freedoms, and elections,” Spanberger said after signing the legislation on Feb. 6. … Continued
General Assembly considers casino bill and much more
The 2026 session of the Virginia General Assembly has been busy so far, with hundreds of bills under consideration – on a casino in Tysons, housing, law enforcement, firearms, and much more. Sen. Scott Surovell (Mount Vernon) has again introduced a bill (SB756) to allow a public referendum on a casino in Tysons. The bill … Continued
HOA leaders oppose a USD
Not a single HOA representative who commented on a proposed Unified Sanitation District at a virtual meeting on Feb. 3 support the concept. The general consensus among the nearly 30 homeowner association leaders who spoke at the meeting is, “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” The USD proposal calls for the county to take … Continued
Feedback sought on Seven Corners mural project
The Community Revitalization Section of the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development is seeking community feedback on a mural proposed for Seven Corners. The mural, part of the Paint It, Fairfax! program, will be located on the former CVS building at Willston Centre I, facing Patrick Henry Drive. The mural will coincide with a … Continued
Wedgewood tenants lack heat and hot water
With outdoor temperatures in the 20s, hundreds of tenants at the Wedgewood in Annandale have been struggling to stay warm over the past two days without heat or hot water. “The heater doesn’t work, and my water is cold,” said Sheba Hashimi, who bundled up her children, ages 13, 11, and 8, in lots of … Continued
Volunteers ensure students have food for the weekend
For the past nine years, volunteers with a nonprofit organization called the 2Twenty Club have been assembling food packages for lower-income schoolchildren to take home for the weekend. The volunteers – including many children – meet on the first Sunday of every month at the Korean Community Center on Little River Turnpike in Annandale. The … Continued
Brendan Banfield convicted of aggravated murder
In a case that drew national attention, Brendan Banfield was convicted of aggravated murder on Feb. 2 for killing his wife, Christine Banfield, 37, and Joseph Ryan, 39, Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced on Feb. 2. The crime occurred at the Banfield’s home in Reston on Feb. 24, 2023. The jury convicted Banfield, a law … Continued
Farewell, Amazon Fresh
The Amazon Fresh store in Bailey’s Crossroads shut down for good on Feb. 1, as part of the company’s plan to close all Amazon Fresh stores nationwide. Vani Appukkutty, a senior manager at Amazon, notified Virginia officials about the closure in a letter on Jan. 28 as required by the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining … Continued
Virginia Senate candidates clash on key issues
Candidates for the 39th District in the Virginia Senate clashed on taxes, affordable housing, immigrants, unions, and much more during a Feb. 1 forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Arlington and Alexandria City. Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D) and Julie Robben Lineberry (R) are on the ballot for a special election on Feb. … Continued
Jewelry store coming to Bailey’s Crossroads
A shop called Masa Jewelry is coming to the Glen Forest Shopping Center in Bailey’s Crossroads, according to a building permit issued by Fairfax County. The store will be located at 5900 Leesburg Pike between Halal Hunan Village and Subway. The 2,777-square-foot retail space was formerly occupied by Max 1 Price Cleaners.
Schools closed tomorrow
Fairfax County Schools will be closed again on Monday, Feb. 2. All activities on school grounds are also canceled. School buildings and offices will open on time for 12-month staff. A message from FCPS Superintendent Reid says School Age Child Care and Beyond the Bell centers will be open tomorrow, although a notice on the … Continued