Proposed county budget would raise taxes
County Executive Bryan Hill presented a budget proposal for FY 2025 to the Board of Supervisors Feb. 20 that calls for a 4-cent increase in the property tax rate, partially funds an increase for public schools, and raises employee compensation. “This would be the first real estate rate increase in six years, and it is … Continued
Supreme Court upholds TJ admission policy
The U.S. Supreme Court on Feb. 20 let stand an appeals court decision upholding the admissions policy for the elite Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. That decision ends a three-year legal challenge by the Coalition for TJ, a group of parents that claimed the policy unfairly discriminates against high-achieving Asian American students. … Continued
Tax bills likely to rise
Real estate assessments for 2024 are up an average of 2.86 percent, the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration announced Feb. 20. County Executive Bryan Hill’s proposed budget for the county, presented to the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 20, calls for a 4-cent increase in the tax rate, or $1.135 per $100 of assessed … Continued
Police seek ambulance thief
Fairfax County police have been searching the area for a man who stole a medical transport vehicle from Inova Fairfax Hospital Feb 19. The vehicle was abandoned in the 4200 block of Annandale Road in Annandale. The suspect, Rickey Lowe, 32, of Prince William County, escaped wearing a hospital gown, the Fairfax County Police Department … Continued
Medical facility proposed for aging retail strip on Arlington Boulevard
The Virginia Hospital Center is proposing to tear down a retail strip on Arlington Boulevard in the Falls Church area of Mason District and replace it with a freestanding emergency department combined with an urgent care center and medical offices. The shopping center, built in 1953, is anchored by Skyline Nail Supply and the long-closed … Continued
Anderson: Mason District will need a new school
Schools in Mason District are reaching the limits of their capacity. School expansions and renovations are needed, but one long-term solution proposed by School Board member Ricardy Anderson is building a new school on the site of the Willston Multicultural Center in Seven Corners. That is just one of the issues Anderson addressed in a … Continued
Bailey’s Crossroads office building played a key role in the Cold War
A soon-to-be-demolished office building in Bailey’s Crossroads once housed a company that played an important played a role in the Cold War. The two-story cinderblock building at 5623 Leesburg Pike has a glass facade with red, yellow, and blue stripes. It is being torn down to facilitate a second drive-through lane and an expanded parking … Continued
VA Tech student project focuses on the Annandale Greenway
Prof. Shelley Mastran of Virginia Tech’s School of Public and International Affairs in Arlington, is having her urban planning students carry out a project on the Annandale Greenway. The 14 students are in a graduate-level class called Capstone Studio, which requires a project on real-world planning problems. They are working on master’s degrees in urban … Continued
Park Authority hiring summer camp leaders
The Fairfax County Park Authority is hiring people for full-time jobs in its Rec-PAC summer camp program. The program seeks “creative, high-energy, motivated” candidates to serve as site directors, camp leaders, and inclusion leaders. Pay ranges from $16.87 to $23.75 an hour depending on experience, education, and certifications. All summer employees will be offered a … Continued
Park Authority launches equity survey
The Fairfax County Park Authority is seeking input from the public on potential barriers that might be limiting people from taking full advantage of programs and amenities. The survey goes along with the draft Equity Study issued by the Park Authority last month. That study recommends revising the fee structure to ensure all residents, regardless … Continued
General Assembly clears dozens of bills before crossover
As the Virginia General Assembly reached its halfway point this week, dozens of bills – on reproductive rights, firearms, marijuana, and much more – have passed at least one house. Legislation passed by either the Senate or House of Delegates must be approved by the other house by the March 9 deadline – otherwise they … Continued
Clean up Americana Drive on Presidents’ Day
Join the cleanup crew on Americana Drive, Annandale, on Presidents’ Day, Feb. 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Volunteers will collect trash and construction debris on the side of the road bordering the beltway sound wall. The VDOT Adopt-a-Highway permit requires all participants to check in. The sign-in tent, with trash bags and other supplies, will be … Continued
Jackson Middle School postpones dance due to shooting threat
Luther Jackson Middle School postponed its Valentine’s Day dance, which was scheduled for Feb. 14, due to threats of violence, FFXnow reports. Graffiti was found in a school restroom on Feb. 12 that made a vague threat that there would be a shooting at the school on Feb. 14, Principal Raven Jones said in a … Continued
The Coach CJ Celebration: Fun for a cause
The community is invited to the annual Coach CJ Celebration, a fundraiser for college scholarships. The event is March 9 at the Annandale Volunteer Fire Department’s social hall, 7138 Columbia Pike, 7-10 p.m. There will be a DJ, dancing, a silent auction, catered food, beer and wine, and games for kids. The auction will include … Continued
Broadband network for first responders expanded
The First Responder Network Authority and AT&T are investing more than $6.3 billion over the next 10 years to expand FirstNet, the nation’s public safety broadband network. The upgrade will enhance 5G coverage for first responders. Another $2 billion is under consideration. Starting in March, AT&T announced, “FirstNet will be the first and only wireless network … Continued