Halloween creepy creatures fill this yard
Many people put out skeletons and graveyards for Halloween, but Cat Tallant’s decorations are so over the top, people wait in line to walk through her front yard. This year’s theme is a haunted pumpkin patch, so Tallant’s display, on Carolyn Drive by Sleepy Hollow Road, includes animatronic scarecrows, a huge pile of pumpkins, a … Continued
Pedestrian killed on Route 7
Updated 3:30 p.m., Oct. 27: A woman is dead after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in the 5600 block of Leesburg Pike at Carlin Springs Road in Bailey’s Crossroads at 10 p.m. on Oct. 26. The Fairfax County Police Department identified the victim as Elise Ballard, age 40. The driver of a 2017 Infiniti … Continued
Supervisors approve convenience store at Ravensworth Shell station
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 25 approved a zoning special exception to allow Capital Services Inc. to convert the vehicle repair shop at the Ravensworth Shell station to a convenience store. The service station is in the Ravensworth Shopping Center on Braddock Road. It was built in 1966. The project also includes … Continued
Two schools have new principals
Two schools in the Annandale/Mason District area have new principals. Raven Jones is the new principal at Luther Jackson Middle School, and Taiia Clarke will start work as principal of Beech Tree Elementary School on Nov. 14. Jones was formerly the administrator of Fairfax County Public Schools’ Montrose Alternative Learning Center in Alexandria. Before that, … Continued
Transportation officials talk safety
Improving safety on the region’s busiest roadways requires retrofitting an infrastructure built decades ago, cooperation among jurisdictions, and changing drivers’ mindsets. Those were the key points from a discussion among regional transportation leaders at a recent webinar hosted by the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. Annual traffic fatalities in Virginia … Continued
Historic Overlay District fails to gain sufficient community support
A proposal to create a Historic Overlay District in Holmes Run Acres will not go forward following a poll that found insufficient support. According to the poll results, 52.5 percent of homeowners opposed an HOD, and 45 percent supported it. Mason Supervisor Penny Gross said she will introduce a board matter before the Board of … Continued
Police report a shooting in Lincolnia
Fairfax County Police are investigating a shooting this evening in the 6300 block of Little River Turnpike in Lincolnia. That appears to be in the Landmark Plaza area. The victim has been transported to the hospital with an injury to the lower body that is not considered life-threatening, the FCPD tweeted shortly after 6 p.m. … Continued
Inova activates emergency plan due to surge of patients
In response to a significant surge in patient volume, which is straining hospital capacity, Inova Health System activated its internal emergency operations plan on Oct. 24. The surge is primarily affecting emergency departments, due to an increase in the circulation of respiratory viruses and other illnesses. Inova is standing up its Emergency Operations Center and … Continued
Crime report: theft, assault, larceny
The Fairfax County Police Department reports the following recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area on CityProtect. FCPD recently replaced its weekly crime reports with the CityProtect program, which shows crimes on a map but doesn’t provide a lot of details, such as whether any of the crimes resulted in an arrest. Vehicle theft – … Continued
Healthcare facility to open Oct. 31
A Vista Medical Center is opening Oct. 31 in the Bradlick Shopping Center in Annandale. That building was previously a Capital One bank. Vista Medical Center is replacing an existing pediatrics practice at 7501 Little River Turnpike in Annandale. That office is closing, and staff is moving to the new place on Oct. 29-30, says … Continued
School news roundup
The following news briefs and photos are from Fairfax County Public Schools. Where’s the equity? – The Fairfax County School Board passed a watered-down resolution Oct. 20 supporting educators “as they deliver FCPS-approved curriculum and classroom resources that are inclusive and meet the high aspirations of our students, families, and the Fairfax County community.” The … Continued
Hot chicken place opens in Bailey’s Xroads
Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken had a grand opening Oct. 22 at 3525 S. Jefferson St. in Bailey’s Crossroads. The fast-food restaurant focuses on Nashville Hot Chicken. It’s available in various spiciness levels, ranging from bland to mild seasoning, to “angry hot,” the spiciest level. Customers who order the hottest angry chicken have to sign a … Continued
The annual parade returns to Annandale
After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic, the Annandale Parade returned Saturday morning on Columbia Pike. Lots more photos are posted are posted on the Annandale Today Facebook page. Among the participants: Several Bolivian dance groups in extravagant costumes, the Annandale High School marching band, Scout troops, Columbia Elementary School, the Annandale Fire … Continued
Another vape shop coming to Annandale
A Tobacco Hut is expected to open at 7109 Columbia Pike. Annandale, in mid-November. The property owner, Charles Lee, preferred leasing the building to another type of business, such as a coffee shop, but couldn’t find a tenant. Negotiations with Dunkin’ Donuts fell through. Lee purchased the lot in July 2021. He is making some … Continued
Rt. 50 McDonald’s project advances
The Fairfax County Planning Commission is recommending the Board of Supervisors approve a zoning special exception to allow for a major upgrade and drive-through ordering at the McDonald’s at 6729 Arlington Blvd. in Falls Church. The project includes a modernization of the exterior, a minor expansion of the building, elimination of one of the two … Continued