Fire strikes businesses on Columbia Pike
There was a fire this morning at a building in the 7200 block of Columbia Pike in Annandale occupied by the To Sok Jip restaurant, Bonchon restaurant, JJ Hair Salon, and the Hanmi Post International Ship Center. The bulk of the fire was under control by 10:30 a.m., the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department … Continued
Viewpoint: Pinecrest prepares students well for middle school
By Ragan Sawyer Transitioning to middle school can be filled with anxiety and feel like a mysterious next step for students and parents alike. Pinecrest School, an independent, private school in Annandale serving preschoolers through sixth graders, offers a special event every year called Life After Pinecrest to prepare students for middle school. At the … Continued
Fairfax County School Board passes a resolution to allow collective bargaining
The Fairfax County School Board passed a resolution on March 9 giving employees collective bargaining rights. The Fairfax County Federation of Teachers lauded passage of the resolution, stating teachers will now have “a seat at the table and be able to negotiate for better wages, benefits, and working conditions.” Employee associations can demonstrate sufficient support … Continued
Planning Commission rejects development proposal for Little River Turnpike
The Fairfax County Planning Commission rejected a site-specific plan amendment nomination for a mixed-use development on Little River Turnpike, but agreed to proceed with four others. The Planning Commission reviewed five redevelopment proposals at a workshop on March 9 to determine whether they should be added to the planning staff’s Comprehensive Plan work program for … Continued
Mason District residents complain about rising assessments at budget town hall
Mason District residents complained about soaring real estate assessments at Mason Supervisor Penny Gross’ Budget Town Hall on March 9. While the county’s budget proposal for FY 2024 says the average property tax bill would increase by about $520 from last year, some Mason residents are seeing an increase of $1,000 or more. Real estate … 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: March 8 March 7 March 6 March 5 March 4 March 3 March 2
Students trained as public health ambassadors
Graduates of the Fairfax County Health Department’s Public Health Youth Ambassador Program – most of them from Justice High School – were honored at a ceremony hosted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health. The Youth Ambassador program trains high school students from communities of color as public health … Continued
Fairfax County supervisors consider giving themselves a big pay raise
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 8-2 on March 7 to consider giving themselves a big raise. Under the resolution, board member salaries would go from $95,000 a year to between $125,000 and $130,000, an increase of as much as 37 percent. The chairman’s salary could increase as much as 45 percent to $140,000-$145,00 … Continued
Jewelry artist Lambros Goldsmith joins the Taste of Annandale as the Title Sponsor
The Taste of Annandale’s Planning Commission appreciates Lambros Goldsmith’s decision to support the festival as the Title Sponsor. The Taste of Annandale is a free community festival on April 29 on Tom Davis Drive. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Lambros Magiafas, known professionally as Lambros Goldsmith, is an award-winning fine jewelry designer born in Crete, … Continued
Church parking lot will handle overflow during construction at Justice High School
While Fairfax County Public School officials assured the Justice High School community that there will be enough parking spaces during construction and beyond, members of the community do not agree. Members of the Justice High School staff expressed strong concerns about the lack of parking during the construction of a new addition and beyond. Construction … Continued
Planning underway for the Taste of Annandale 5K Race on April 29
Save the date – Registration will open soon for the Taste of Annandale 5K Race on April 29. The race will start at 9:30 a.m., just before the start of the Taste of Annandale community festival at 10 a.m. Runners should meet at the Eastgate shopping center parking lot on John Marr Drive. The course … Continued
Post office lobby closed at night
The lobby at the Annandale Post Office at 4270 John Marr Drive is no longer open 24/7. A sign on the front door says: “We apologize for any inconvenience. This P.O. is temporarily closed during the night for safety purposes.” At least eight homeless people were camping out in the lobby urinating and pooping … Continued
Sleepy Hollow Road projects underway
Sleepy Hollow Road has become a construction zone as five big public works projects are underway. Work has started on the $6 million Sleepy Hollow Walkways Project, which entails constructing 4,500 linear feet of concrete sidewalks, 690 square yards of curb ramps, and 206 linear feet of retaining wall. The new sidewalks will fill in … Continued
Annandale Community Center opens
The Annandale Community Center, now open, gives children a new safe place to get homework help, learn new things, and make new friends. The center, at 7861-B Heritage Drive, is at the rear of the Heritage shopping plaza. The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington formed a new branch, the Annandale Boys & Girls … Continued
Donations sought for Turkish quake survivors
The Northern Virginia Regional Commission launched a fundraising effort to provide food packages to the victims of the recent earthquakes in Türkiye. More than 30,000 people have died and millions have been displaced due to the damage caused by the earthquakes and aftershocks. The regional commission set a fundraising goal of $25,000. Donations can be … Continued