Crime declined last year in nearly all categories
Crime in Fairfax County is down in almost all categories, Police Chief Kevin Davis reports. Homicides were down 7 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, Davis said in a presentation to the Board of Supervisors’ Safety and Security Committee on March 10. There were 13 homicides last year, which was the lowest number since 2018. … Continued
Parakeet found in Annandale
Is this your bird? A yellow parakeet was found on the corner of Carmine Street and Ravensworth Road in Annandale. The bird doesn’t have a band, but is very comfortable with people. It looks like he/she is missing a toe on the right foot, and is probably a year old or more. If this is … Continued
Dorothy McAuliffe launches congressional campaign
Dorothy McAuliffe, the wife of former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, on March 11 launched a campaign for Congress in the redrawn 7th District, under the assumption that Virginia voters will pass a constitutional amendment on redistricting. The 7th District, is currently centered around Fredericksburg. Under the redistricting proposal, it would encompass Annandale and would run … Continued
7-Eleven takes over the Annandale Speedway
The former Speedway gas station and convenience store at the corner of Little River Turnpike and John Marr Drive in Annandale is now operated by 7-Eleven. Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd., the Japan-based parent company of 7-Eleven, acquired Speedway from Marathon Petroleum Corp. in 2021 for $2 billion. The newly branded 7-Eleven at 7100 … Continued
Environmental groups protest sale of county land for a data center
Representatives of five environmental groups are urging the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to provide more information before proceeding with the sale of county land to a data center developer. The board is holding a hearing on March 17 on the sale of 41.7 acres at 3721 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly to the Starwood Capital … Continued
Free trees available to Fairfax County residents
The Fairfax County Urban and Community Forestry Division has teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation to give away native trees to county residents. The initiative is aimed at expanding the tree canopy on private property, while helping residents reduce energy costs and improve neighborhood resilience. The trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis. … Continued
School news roundup – March 2026
The following news items highlight student achievements and issues affecting Annandale/Mason District area schools. Deepfake crackdown – The Fairfax County School Board is considering updates to its Student Rights and Responsibilities document that would set clear consequences for students who create or share intimate images of their peers and staff, including digitally altered “deepfakes” and … Continued
Providence Rec Center to close for two weeks
The Providence Rec Center will be closed March 23-April 5 for maintenance, cleaning, and improvements, the Fairfax County Park Authority announced. Here’s what’s going to happen during the closure: Members who want to pause their memberships during the two-week closure can submit a request online or in person at the front desk before March 23. … Continued
Masonic lodge in Annandale for sale
The Elmer Timberman Masonic Lodge is selling its building at 6911 Columbia Pike in Annandale. The Masons only use it for monthly meetings. They own the building but they’re finding it hard to keep up with maintenance expenses. They used to rent out the space for events hosted by other organizations, but that has slowed … Continued
Stabbing victims honored at a vigil
About a hundred people paid their respects at a vigil for the two women who were stabbed to death at their Fairfax home on Feb. 23. Chhatra Thapa, 54, brutally murdered his wife, Binda, and daughter, Mamta, with a butcher knife. He was in the process of stabbing Mamta’s husband, Santosh Basnet, when police arrived. … Continued
A mural takes shape in Annandale
Mural artist Henley Bounkhong is covering a long-vacant building in Annandale with brightly colored images reflecting Asian culture. After the building, at 7219 Columbia Pike, is renovated, it will be a food hall, a contractor confirmed. The mural features a blue lion, which is a good-luck symbol in Vietnam; a red rabbit, also representing good … Continued
BoS approves loan for Coralain Gardens renovation
The Board of Supervisors has authorized the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) to loan up to $2 million to support the renovation of the Coralain Gardens Apartments in the Falls Church area of Mason District. Coralain Gardens, located at 7435 Arlington Blvd., is considered affordable to households with incomes 50-60 percent of the … Continued
Temporary music venue in the works for vacant Annandale building
Johnny P, a local entrepreneur, has big plans for the two vacant buildings on Columbia Pike that were damaged in a fire in 2023. He hopes to use the building that formerly housed the Thai Sushi Eats restaurant as a temporary live music venue called “Music Flavor” – until the building is torn down and … Continued
Federal funds will benefit Fairfax County projects
The FY 2026 appropriations bills approved by Congress include more than $13.4 million for projects in Northern Virginia, Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-11th District) announced. “From safer streets and stronger public safety infrastructure to clean drinking water, workforce development, and environmental resilience, these investments reflect what Northern Virginia needs to stay safe, competitive, and forward-looking,” he said. … Continued
Early voting starts tomorrow on redistricting
Early voting starts tomorrow, March 6, on a state constitutional amendment authorizing a redistricting plan for members of the House of Representatives. The measure is designed to level the playing field to give Virginia Democrats an edge following redistricting actions by other states that benefit Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections. Virginia’s redistricting plan only … Continued