Meals tax takes effect on Jan. 1
Dining out will get a little more expensive on Jan. 1. That’s when Fairfax County’s new meals tax takes effect. The Board of Supervisors approved a 4 percent food and beverage tax in May. The tax applies to prepared meals and beverages sold at restaurants, cafes, bars, bakeries, food trucks, and other establishments that offer … Continued
Candidates selected for special election for House of Delegates District 17
Garrett McGuire, a community leader, is the winner of the Democratic firehouse primary to select a candidate for the seat in the House of Delegates vacated by Del. Mark Sickles. McGuire will face Republican candidate Christopher Cardiff, a homeschool advocate. Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger appointed Sickles Secretary of Finance. A special election for the 17th district … Continued
2025: The year in review
JANUARY Annandale residents express their views on renaming Little River TurnpikeSome residents speak out against giving Little River Turnpike an honorary name in recognition of the Korean community. Leasing underway at Alta Nova apartmentsTenants begin moving into a new apartment complex on Columbia Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads. Shop owners facing displacement seek rent reliefSmall businesses … Continued
Falls Church HS to launch mentorships with alumni authors
Dozens of former students at Falls Church High School have published books. Carolyn Wixson McBride, one of those authors, and Craig Day, a Falls Church track and field coach, are launching an author mentorship program to harness the experiences of those authors to inspire current students. Day, who graduated from Falls Church in 1977, hopes … Continued
Take a hike and a photo on New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day in Fairfax County means it’s time for the Park Authority’s annual First Hike Photo Contest. To participate, visit any FCPA trail on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, take a photo, and submit it online before Friday, Jan. 2. The photo link will be posted here by 7 a.m. on Jan. 1. Prizes, sponsored by the Fairfax … Continued
Special election to replace Del. Mark Sickles
Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger has appointed Del. Mark Sickles (D-17th District) as Virginia’s next Secretary of Finance. A special election will be conducted on Jan. 20 to fill his remaining term. The 17th District includes Franconia, Springfield, and parts of Alexandria in Fairfax County. The Fairfax County Democratic Committee will hold a firehouse primary on Dec. … Continued
Annandale HS instructor charged with assault
The Fairfax County Police Department’s Child Abuse Squad has charged an instructional assistant at Annandale High School with Simple Assault. Following an investigation, detectives learned Jamie Gerardo Gallo Pacheco, 33, of Annandale, physically assaulted a student on Dec. 19. A school resource officer heard about the incident earlier that day and called the police. On … Continued
Tysons mall to offer slimy fun for kids
An “experiential slime children’s museum” is coming to the Tysons Corner Center, the Washington Business Journal reports. The Sloomoo Institute is planning a “timed ticketed slime experience” and a retail store, according to the article (subscription required). The slime museum offers children ages 4 and up a chance to make and play with slime in … Continued
Annandale homeowner goes big for Christmas
An Annandale Christmas tradition is shining brightly for the 37th year. Tony Ruth’s front yard, at 3912 Lincolnshire St., has again covered his front yard with 60,000 Christmas lights, 68 large figures, and many more smaller figures, including 30 angels in the angel tree. Christmas music accompanies the display on speakers and can also be … Continued
Marinated raw crab stars at new Annandale seafood restaurant
A new Korean restaurant in Annandale specializes in raw blue crab marinated in soy sauce. GJ2_4U is located at 7031 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, between Kabob Corner and Iron Age, in the space formerly occupied by Thai Food. GJ2_4U stands for ganjang gejang, which means “soy sauce marinated crab” in Korean, says manager Young … Continued
Adam Wise to face Gretchen Bulova in the Jan. 13 special election
Adam Wise, a conservative who characterizes himself as a constitutional scholar, has launched a campaign for the 11th District in the Virginia House of Delegates. Wise has been endorsed by the Fairfax County Republican Committee. He will face the Democratic candidate, Gretchen Bulova, in a special election on Jan. 13. Bulova won a Democratic … Continued
New water tank proposed for Seven Corners
Fairfax Water has submitted plans to Fairfax County to replace the 200,000-gallon water tank in Seven Corners with a new 1-million-gallon tank nearby. The Fairfax Water Authority submitted an application for a zoning special exception and a request for a 2232 public facilities review to the Fairfax County Planning and Development Department in late November. … Continued
Asian community gets in the holiday spirit
Dozens of families enjoyed brunch with Santa Saturday at a holiday party organized by several Asian American organizations at the Providence Rec Center. There was cookie decorating, ornament making, raffles with prizes, song and dance performances by children, gamesl, and plenty of food. The event was hosted by the Annandale-based Asian American Community Center, the … Continued
School Board approves AAP Center at Poe
The Fairfax County School Board approved a motion on Dec. 18 to create a full-time Advanced Academic Program at Poe Middle School. The motion, put forth by Mason school board member Ricardy Anderson, calls for the following: This phasing option addresses concerns by Canterbury Woods families about a misalignment in grade-level configurations. Canterbury Woods has … Continued
A police search turns up 20 ATM skimmers
A Fairfax County Police operation to search ATMs across the county discovered 20 skimming devices used to steal personal credit card and bank information. Three skimmers were found at these locations in the Annandale/Mason District area: Detectives from the FCPD Financial Crimes Unit, with the assistance of the U.S. Secret Service, searched 287 point-of-sale terminals, … Continued