Students urged to avoid the extremely hot One Chip Challenge
School leaders nationwide are urging students not to try the One Chip Challenge, a super spicy tortilla chip that has sent people to the hospital. Glasgow Middle School Principal Victor Powell called upon parents to speak with their students “about the dangers of this challenge and encourage them not to participate.” “We are not allowing … Continued
The PLUS system will supersede all other land use records
Fairfax County’s land use systems will partially shut down from Friday, Oct. 21, to Monday morning on Oct. 31, when the new Permitting and Land Use System (PLUS) becomes fully operational. PLUS is a central online platform for creating and submitting permit applications online, paying fees, tracking the status of applications, and receiving electronic notifications. … Continued
Explore a Park: Hidden Oaks Nature Center
This article is part of our series on parks in the Annandale/Mason District area. The most recent reports in the series covered Backlick Park and Ossian Hall Park. Hidden Oaks Nature Center, at 7701 Royce Street in Annandale, offers educational displays. programs for children. and live animals, including turtles, snakes, and toads. It’s adjacent to … Continued
Upgrade slated for Route 7 McDonald’s
The McDonald’s at 5603 Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads is applying for a zoning special exception to allow a modernization project. The restaurant’s façade and interior would be significantly updated. The exterior would have a white and muted gray color scheme. A 1,612-square-foot addition would allow a larger kitchen area and extra space for carryout … Continued
Supervisors to consider speed cameras
Fairfax County is considering a pilot program to install mobile speed cameras at school zones and construction sites. The pilot program would start in the first quarter of 2023 and last six months. It would assess the effectiveness of speed cameras to prevent pedestrian injuries and deaths. Capt. Alan Hanson, commander of the Fairfax County … Continued
Police arrest active shooter in Falls Church
Police arrested a man Thursday evening after a daylong crime spree culminating at Arlington Boulevard and Graham Road in Falls Church during which he fired at police officers with a semiautomatic pistol. Ricardo Singleton, age 27, was taken into custody. “It’s an absolute miracle that no one was struck and injured or killed,” said Fairfax … Continued
Public input sought on new community space in Annandale
The public is invited to a community engagement forum to provide input on the new community space at the Heritage Mall shopping center in Annandale. There are three sessions: Oct. 13, Oct. 27, and Nov. 3. All three meetings are 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 7611 Little River Turnpike in Annandale. Related story: Discussions underway on a … Continued
Major development proposed for Food Star site in Bailey’s Crossroads
A comprehensive plan amendment is in the works for a section of the Town Center District in the Bailey’s Crossroads Community Business Center. George Hong, the owner of the Food Star property at 5521 Leesburg Pike, told the Bailey’s Crossroads/7 Corners Revitalization Corporation (BC7RC) Sept. 29 about a proposal to develop four apartment buildings in … Continued
New details emerge on West End project
New details emerged on the huge West End mixed-use redevelopment at the former Landmark Mall site in Alexandria. At a recent meeting of the Eisenhower West Landmark Van Dorn Implementation Advisory Group, a representative of the developer, Foulger-Pratt, revealed the names of some of the projects within the site: the Brightly, the Aspect, and Thrive. … Continued
New data dashboard tracks opioid trends
There were 20 fatal opioid overdoses and 205 non-fatal overdoses during the first quarter of 2022 in the Fairfax Health District. That’s down from 31 fatal overdoses in the first quarter of 2021. There were 205 non-fatal overdoses to date in 2022 and 237 at the same point in 2021. Both fatal and non-fatal overdoses … Continued
Inova acquires 35 acres next to Fairfax Hospital
Inova Health System is expanding its already-large footprint in Northern Virginia. Inova has purchased approximately 35 acres of land on Gallows Road currently occupied by the Amberleigh apartments adjacent to the Inova Fairfax Medical Campus. [Correction: Inova acquired the land, not the apartment complex.] “Inova has no immediate plans for the land and will have … Continued
Pizza place to open in Bailey’s Crossroads
A new pizza shop, called Forni, is coming to Bailey’s Crossroads, at the corner of Seminary Road and Scoville Street. The owner, Amine Eddine, is planning an Oct. 15 opening. Forni will offer individual artisan pizzas, panini, and juice, all made with fresh ingredients, he says. The dough will be made in-house, and there will … Continued
GMU project engages with residents of Culmore and Bailey’s Crossroads
George Mason University is spearheading a place-based initiative to bring together residents of Culmore and Bailey’s Crossroads and the organizations that serve them. The project will develop an action plan “to solve systemic-level issues.” Project Manager Katie Wilson of GMU described the Place-Based Initiative (PBI) for Bailey’s Crossroads and Culmore, known unofficially as the Culmore … Continued
Pedestrian killed in hit-and-run crash
A pedestrian was killed by a hit-and-run driver Oct. 2 in the 4200 block of Annandale Road in Annandale, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. UPDATE: The victim has been identified as Dalchoon Park, 74, of Annandale, the FCPD announced Oct. 6. Her family has been notified of her passing. Park was struck shortly before … Continued
Balian Springs brings a touch of luxury to Mason District
There’s a brand-new luxury spa in an industrial area of Mason District. Balian Springs opens to the public tomorrow, Oct. 4, in a former office building at 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria. It’s not just a spa though; it’s a social wellness club, says Director of Operations Michael Yohman. The facility has a huge pool … Continued