Casino bill off the table – at least for this year
The Virginia Senate Finance Committee voted on Feb. 6 to carry over for the next year a bill that would have allowed the development of a casino in Tysons. That means the General Assembly won’t act on the legislation at least until 2025. That will provide more time for research on the impact of a … Continued
FCPD officers arrest man wanted for murder in Maryland
Fairfax County police arrested a suspect in Annandale Feb. 6 who was wanted for a 2022 murder in Frederick, Md. The suspect, Hakeem Earnest Sampson, age 27, was wanted for the first-degree murder of Michael Isaih Olaniyi, the Frederick Police Department reported. Two suspects were identified; Benjamin Michael Johnson was arrested for the fatal … Continued
House passes assault weapons ban
The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill banning the purchase, sale, and transfer of assault firearms and certain ammunition-feeding devices. The legislation, HB 2, was introduced by Del. Dan Helmer (D-Clifton). Violation would be a Class 1 misdemeanor. Among other legislation related to firearms, the House passed a bill (HB 22) that bans … Continued
Police identify victim of fatal crash
Fairfax County Police identified the victim of a fatal crash in Annandale Feb. 4. Annandale resident Yun Hu, a 72-year-old woman, was pronounced deceased at the hospital. She was a passenger in a 2006 Lexus RX 3301 that was involved in a crash with a 2024 BMW X6. Detectives from the FCPD Crash Reconstruction Unit … Continued
Convenience store proposed for gas station
The owner of a Shell station in the Springfield area of Mason District is proposing to add a convenience store and double the number of fuel pumps. Petroleum Marketing Group Inc. is seeking a zoning special exception amendment for a major makeover of the gas station and repair shop at 5533 Backlick Road at the … Continued
Woman dies following a crash in Annandale
One person is dead following a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Braddock Road and Bradfield Road in Annandale on Feb. 4, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. Seven adult occupants were taken to the hospital. One passenger, an adult male, was pronounced deceased on the way to the hospital. Two others are in life-threatening … Continued
Free tax help at Mason Government Center
The AARP Foundation is providing free tax preparation at the Mason Government Center. The Tax-Aide program is available on a walk-in basis at 6507 Columbia Pike in Annandale or by appointment. Call 703-249-9961 to reserve a spot. Operating hours are 1-8 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; and 9 … Continued
Supervisor Jimenez to highlight Mason District’s diversity
“We need to have a vision for Mason District,” and that vision is all about highlighting Mason District as the “cultural hub of Fairfax County,” Supervisor Andres Jimenez told a large crowd at an open house at the Mason Government Center on Feb. 2. “We’re going to put a spotlight on all the amazing … Continued
Bill to allow casino in Tysons on hold
Legislation under consideration in the General Assembly to allow a casino in Tysons is likely to be put on hold until next year. The Resources Subcommittee of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee on Feb. 1 recommended that Senate Bill 675 be continued to 2025. “However, the bill is not finished,” said Sen. Jennifer … Continued
Jimenez forms an arts advisory committee
Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez established a Mason Arts Advisory Committee to review Fairfax County’s Master Arts Plan and propose art-related activities in Mason District that align with that plan. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the Master Arts Plan for Facilities in 2023 to expand community access to and engagement in arts and culture. The … Continued
Weekly crime report
The following recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area are from the Fairfax County Police Department as reported on CityProtect: Jan. 31 Jan. 30 Jan. 29 Jan. 28 Jan. 27 Jan. 26 Jan. 25
Annandale teacher Annie Ray wins a Grammy
Annandale orchestra director Annie Ray won the 2024 Grammy Music Educator Award. The announcement was made to the nation Feb. 1 on CBS Mornings with Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson. Ray will travel to the Grammy ceremony in Los Angeles on Feb. 4 to officially receive the honor. Many of Ray’s students and … Continued
Stream restoration underway in Lincolnia
The restoration of a section of Turkeycock Run in Lincolnia is expected to be completed in May. The project consists of stabilizing the stream banks using natural channel design beginning at the culvert under Little River Turnpike and extending approximately 300 feet downstream, says Sharon North of the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and … Continued
Board expands landscaping requirements
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 23 adopted changes to the Zoning Ordinance on landscaping. The amendment increases the requirement for landscaping in parking lots, adds provisions on street frontage landscaping, establishes shade structure requirements for parking lots, and makes other changes. Currently, landscaping in a parking lot must cover at least 5 … Continued
Marijuana bill advances in the General Assembly
Legislation to allow retail sales of marijuana is advancing in the Virginia General Assembly. The Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services voted Jan. 26 to approve a bill to establish a framework for creating a retail marijuana market. The bill (SB 448), proposed by Sen. Aaron Rouse (D) of Virginia Beach, would allow the … Continued