
Recent crimes: assault, drugs, auto theft
The following crimes in the Mason District area were reported by the Fairfax County Police Department: A 21-year-old man from Falls Church was charged with two counts of malicious wounding after a stabbing incident at Arlington Boulevard and Patrick Henry Drive in Seven Corners at about 3 p.m. on March, 24. When officers arrived in … Continued

Former AHS principal led an exemplary life
Former Annandale High School Principal Donald Clausen died March 21 from a brain tumor. He was 78. Clausen served as principal from 1994 to 2004. The school’s Clausen Hall is named for him. The following information is from his family, by way of Annandale High School’s A-Blast. Clausen was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, … Continued

Here’s how to help Ukrainian refugees
The Northern Virginia Regional Commission has organized a coat and blanket drive for Ukrainian refugees. More than 3 million people have fled Ukraine in the wake of the Russian invasion. More than 2 million have crossed the border into Poland. Drop-off boxes for donations have been set up at 41 locations in Northern Virginia, including … Continued

Annandale massage therapist arrested
A 55-year-old man has been arrested and charged with four felony offenses committed while performing a massage at the Annandale Gerontology Clinic, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. The victim had gone to the clinic, at 4216 Evergreen Lane, Suite 121, for treatment. During the massage, the man, who is an unlicensed masseuse, unlawfully fondled … Continued

Culmore youths feel unsafe
Life can be tough for teens, but for those living in high-crime areas, just walking home at night can be especially challenging, as they have to deal with scary adults, broken glass, bullies, and harassment. Middle and high school students from Culmore and other lower-income areas in Bailey’s Crossroads shared their concerns about safety at … Continued

School advocates rally for librarians
Nearly 70 people participated in a rally to support school librarians March 24 before a school board meeting at Luther Jackson Middle School. At the meeting, several people attacked librarians for supporting LGBTQ students’ rights. The rally was co-hosted by 4 Public Education, the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT), and FCPS Pride. “The librarians … Continued

Farewell, AnnSandra
AnnSandra, an Annandale institution for 42 years, is relocating to Bethesda, Md. The last day at its current location, 4417 John Marr Drive, is Saturday, March 26. Most of the merchandise has already been sold or been moved to the new store, at 7920 Woodmont Ave., Suite 305. Everything that’s left is 50 to 90 … Continued

Planning Commission endorses affordable housing in Seven Corners
The Fairfax County Planning Commission approved a Comprehensive Plan amendment March 23 that would allow First Christian Church on Leesburg Pike in Seven Corners to develop 113 affordable, age-restricted, multifamily housing units. At a Planning Commission hearing last week, several residents of the Ravenwood Park neighborhood spoke about severe flooding during storms and expressed fears … Continued

West Annandale Fire Station will be replaced
Fairfax County is tearing down and rebuilding the West Annandale Fire Station on Little River Turnpike. During construction, the fire station will be temporarily housed in a former PNC Bank building nearby. There was a presentation on the project at the March 22 meeting of the Mason District Land Use Committee. The existing 7,390-square-foot fire … Continued

Supervisors set fines for invasive bamboo
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance March 22 by a 10-0 vote prohibiting property owners from allowing running bamboo to spread to adjacent yards. The supervisors approved one major change from the draft ordinance: They reduced the maximum yearly penalty from $3,000 to $2,000. Some members of the board, however, questioned whether … Continued

Fairfax Water is opening hydrants to flush water mains
Fairfax Water will be flushing its water mains by opening fire hydrants and allowing them to flow freely for a short period of time, starting May 21. This is done every spring to maintain the high quality of water in the system, Fairfax Water says. The work should be finished in May or June. At … Continued

ON – Crossroads helps meet the needs of Culmore residents
Thanks to the Opportunities Neighborhood – Crossroads program, residents of Culmore in Bailey’s Crossroads have fewer food insecurities, have gotten a Covid vaccine, and have access to resources for more help. Opportunity Neighborhoods (ON) is a Fairfax County program that brings together community-based partners and residents to provide resources to vulnerable youths and families. The … Continued

The Joint Chiropractic offers free exams
More than 150 people signed up for free exams at The Joint Chiropractic before and during the shop’s Grand Opening on March 19. The free visit offer has been extended through the end of the month, says Justin Vélez-Hagan, who owns The Joint with his wife Laura Berrocal. Sign up here. At the opening, customers … Continued

Construction underway on Annandale townhomes
Farewell trees and little single-family houses. Land-clearing is underway at McWhorter Place and Markham Street in Annandale to make way for the Townes at Little River Crossing. Sales are expected to open in April for the 43-unit townhouse community being developed by Christopher Land Cos. The homes will have three to five bedrooms and … Continued

Laundromat to open in Annandale
A laundromat is going into the space formerly occupied by Hair Cuttery at 7404 Little River Turnpike in Annandale. Hair Cuttery closed in 2020. The laundromat is expected to open in July. The owner also operates laundromats in Herndon; Columbia, Md.; and Baltimore.