Descano announces re-election bid
Steve Descano, Fairfax County’s commonwealth’s attorney, announced Jan. 12 that he plans to seek re-election. “I’m proud of the great strides my office has taken in creating a criminal justice system where safety and justice go hand in hand and look forward to building on our success,” Descano said. He cited some of his accomplishments … Continued
Daren Shumate appointed to Planning Commission
Mason Supervisor Penny Gross has appointed Daren Shumate, a licensed professional engineer, as the Mason District representative on the Fairfax County Planning Commission. He is the CEO of Shumate Engineering PLCC, a mechanical and electrical design firm he founded in May 2022. Shumate replaces Julie Strandlie, whose second four-year term ended on Dec. 31. “As … Continued
Multifamily housing proposed for Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners
County staff and developers presented information about three major projects proposed in Mason District at a community meeting on Jan. 11. The projects were nominated as part of the Site-Specific Plan Amendment process (SSPA) for amending the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan provides guidelines for future land use and development decisions. Eight nominations … Continued
Townhomes going up in Annandale
Construction is well underway on an infill townhome development at the McWhorter Place/Markham Drive intersection in Annandale. Christopher Cos. is building 43 townhouses at the Townes at Little River Crossing development. Three homes have already been sold, reports sales agent Liz Walker. A model home will open in February. At that time the sales office … Continued
Police arrest seven online predators who preyed on children
Police arrested seven men in connection with a sting operation aimed at identifying online predators, the Fairfax County Police Department reported Jan. 10. The “traveler operation” was conducted over several days in December and continued as detectives worked to identify offenders who failed to appear as part of the initial sting. In each case, offenders … Continued
Mason supervisor candidate Reid Voss intends to be proactive
Reid Voss, a real estate agent and member of the Lake Barcroft Association Board of Directors, told members of the community at a meet-and-greet on Jan. 8 that he plans to announce his candidacy for Mason District supervisor within the next 10 days. Voss is one of four Democratic candidates vying for that position, along … Continued
Andres Jimenez launches campaign for Mason supervisor
At his official campaign launch for Mason District supervisor on Jan. 7, Andres Jimenez outlined his top priorities. “We need to look at smart transportation,” he said. “One of the biggest issues here is pedestrian safety. In the last year, we had so many unnecessary accidents, some of them fatal.” Jimenez said Fairfax County can … Continued
Jeremy Allen, an aide to Rep. Beyer, launches campaign for Mason Supervisor
Jeremy Allen, an aide to U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, announced his candidacy for Mason District representative on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 10. Allen is running to fill the seat of longtime Mason Supervisor Penny Gross who is retiring at the end of 2023. He will compete against three other candidates – … Continued
If Kory runs for re-election, she will face Simon in the Democratic Primary
Del. Marcus Simon could face Del. Kaye Kory in the June 20 Democratic Primary, although Kory hasn’t announced whether she will seek re-election. Due to redistricting measures approved in 2021, Simon and Kory are now in the same district. A new district The newly created 13th District encompasses the City of Falls Church, which Simon … Continued
Former Mason police commander promoted to deputy chief
Brooke Wright, the former commander of the Mason Police District has been named deputy chief of administration, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis announced Jan. 9. Wright previously served as a director of the Criminal Justice Academy. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, she began her FCPD career as a 911 call dispatcher in … Continued
Del. Watts to focus on climate and taxes
Longtime House of Delegates member Vivian Watts (D) is reaching out to new constituents. Due to redistricting, three Annandale area precincts – St. Albans, Masonville, and Woodburn – have been transferred from Del. Kaye Kory’s district to the newly named 14th District represented by Watts. Since she was first elected to the General Assembly in … 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: Jan. 8 Larceny – 4400 block of Commons Drive, Annandale, 2 a.m. Simple assault – 7100 block of Leesburg Pike, Seven Corners, 10 a.m. Jan. 7 Drug possession (opium/cocaine) – 6100 block of Arlington Boulevard, 12 … Continued
VA Senate candidate Heidi Drauschak focuses on campaign finance reform
Heidi Drauschak, a candidate for the Virginia Senate in the 35th District, is focusing on the need for campaign finance reform. She will be on the ballot in the Democratic Primary on June 20. The redrawn 35th District encompasses Annandale, Springfield, West Springfield, and adjacent areas. Due to redistricting, the 35th District incorporates areas currently … Continued
Heat still not fixed at Fairmont Gardens
Some tenants at Fairmont Gardens in Annandale still don’t have heat. Two entire buildings in the complex don’t have heat at all, while heating has been intermittent in other apartments, reports Nady Peralta Wentworth, an attorney at the Legal Aid Justice Center. In the only communication from the management, the Donaldson Group sent a notice … Continued
Opinion: The Braddock Road project is not really ‘multimodal’
The following commentary by Annandale resident Michael Perel is a lightly edited version of a piece originally published in the Washington Post. Concerns about Arlington’s “missing middle” zoning proposal resonate with me. The proposal, which would not result in affordable housing for families, demonstrates how misleading and unsupported some public policies can be when they … Continued