Youngkin commutes sentence of police officer who fatally shot a shoplifter
Gov. Glenn Youngkin commuted the sentence of the police officer convicted of fatally shooting an unarmed Black man outside the Tyson’s Corner Center in 2023. Former sergeant Wesley Shifflett and his partner had responded to a call for a shoplifting incident at Nordstrom involving designer sunglasses. They chased the suspect, Timothy McCree Johnson, 36, and … Continued
Mulch sales support HS grad parties
Get ready for gardening season by buying mulch to support local high schools’ all-night graduation parties. The parties are safe, drug and alcohol-free events for seniors to celebrate the end of high school. Orders for the Annandale High School PTSA’s annual Mulch Madness sale are due March 15. Access the order form here. A 50-pound … Continued
Teacher charged with sexual assault
Eric Sean Williams of Annandale, a longtime substitute teacher at St. Michael’s Catholic School in Annandale, was arrested on Feb. 27 for multiple counts of sexual assault involving a minor, the Catholic Diocese of Arlington announced. No known criminal incidents took place on parish or school property, the diocese states. Williams had been a sub … Continued
More transparency needed on Lake Accotink preservation study
By Martin “Shep” Shepherd The update on the Lake Accotink Preservation Feasibility Study, provided in the February edition of Supervisor James Walkinshaw’s newsletter, “The Braddock Beacon,” highlights several ongoing efforts and key milestones. However, critical questions remain unanswered, and gaps in public transparency persist. Below is a detailed evaluation of the update, key takeaways, and … Continued
15 development proposals submitted for Mason District
Developers and property owners have submitted 53 nominations to the 2025 Countywide Site-Specific Plan Amendment process. Fifteen of the proposed developments are in Mason District, including a major project on the long-vacant Sears property in Seven Corners. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to accept or reject the nominated projects at its March 4 … Continued
Coffee shop to open in Annandale next month
Underdog Coffee & Bread is expected to open in Annandale in mid-March “if everything goes well,” reports manager June Kim. The shop, at 7109 Columbia Pike, will serve regular and specialty coffee, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, bagels, and acai bowls. Neither the menu nor the hours have been finalized, Kim says. She plans to add outdoor … Continued
Pickleball court planned for Mason District Park
The Fairfax County Park Authority is seeking community feedback on the proposed addition of a dedicated pickleball court at Mason District Park. Comments can be submitted online through 5 p.m. on March 13. The proposal includes the placement of one new pickleball court adjacent to the tennis courts at the southwestern corner of the park. … Continued
County, state list resources for fired federal workers
Both Fairfax County and the state of Virginia have posted lists of resources for people affected by President Trump’s and Elon Musk’s efforts to downsize the federal government. The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) maintains a database of open positions in Northern Virginia. The database lists over 47,000 jobs available in airspace and defense and nearly … Continued
Joann will close all stores following the company’s bankruptcy
Joann, the fabric and craft supply store at the Seven Corners Center, is expected to close in two or three months, although store employees haven’t been given a date yet. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January, for the second time in less than a year. Joann announced plans to close all 500 … Continued
Fairfax County executive proposes a lean budget for FY 2026
Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill presented a proposed 2026 budget to the Board of Supervisors that would increase the real estate tax by 1.5 cents and cut spending by $60 million. The FY 2026 Advertised Budget Plan would provide a $125.3 million increase in funds for Fairfax County Public Schools – far below the $268.3 … Continued
Real estate assessments are up 6.6%
Residential real estate assessments rose an average of 6.65% from 2024 to 2025, Fairfax County reports. The average assessment for all homes countywide is $794,235. In Mason District, average assessments are up 5.63%. That’s the lowest among the county’s nine supervisory districts. Look up your home’s assessment here. After adding your home’s address, select “values” … Continued
We’re taking a break
Annandale Today is taking a break, starting Feb. 12. We hope to be back up the last week in February. In the interim, we’ll have limited internet access.
Help plan the next Taste of Annandale
The community is invited to a meeting on March 5 to help plan the next Taste of Annandale. The meeting will be at 6 p.m. at the Mason Government Center. The 2025 Taste of Annandale is scheduled for Sept. 20 at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space at 7200 Columbia Pike. Come to the meeting in … Continued
Committee suggests ways to make Mason District greener
There are dozens of ways to improve sustainability in Mason District, according to a committee of individuals knowledgeable in environmental issues. Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez appointed Ken Sandler, an expert in environmental science and policy, last April to convene a Greener Mason Advisory Committee. The committee was charged with proposing both long-term and short-term … Continued
Weekly crime report
The following recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area are reported by the Fairfax County Police Department on CityProtect: Feb. 10 Feb. 9 Feb. 8 Feb. 7 Feb. 6 Feb. 5 Feb. 4 Feb. 3