Police find beltway shooter’s car
The Virginia State Police released a photo of the vehicle driven by the suspect in the shooting incident on the beltway in Annandale at 4:50 a.m. on Aug. 25. It’s a blue, two-door 2010 Honda Civic with Virginia license plate TWW 9398. On Sept. 4 it was found in the woods in Prince William County, … Continued
Firefighters seek donations for the Fill the Boot campaign
Fairfax County firefighters are at intersections during the Labor Day weekend soliciting donations for the Fill the Boot campaign, which raises money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Fill the Boot is a partnership between the Fairfax County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics- IAFF Local 2068 and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. It’s part of … Continued
Recent crimes: robbery at Target, assaults
The Fairfax County Police Department reports the following recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area: The Target at 5115 Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads was robbed on Aug. 27. A man and woman exited the store with merchandise without paying shortly after 6:30 p.m. When confronted by a store employee and a community member, they … Continued
Hidden Oaks gets a new gate
A major expansion and renovation project was just completed at Hidden Oaks in July, and now the nature center has something else new. Chainsaw artist Andrew Mallon created a new gate for the outdoor Nature Playce play area featuring local animals – an owl, snake, frog, dragonfly, skink, butterfly, and more. Related story: Community celebrates … Continued
Youngkin attacks public schools
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and other Republican state leaders came down hard against public education at a back-to-school rally for GOP congressional candidates Aug. 31 at Mason District Park in Annandale. The key message at the event is that parents, not school administrators, teacher unions, or “radical politicians,” should have control over their children’s education. … Continued
Driver charged in pedestrian crash
The Fairfax County Police Department has arrested the driver responsible for a fatal pedestrian crash in Seven Corners on Aug. 18. The crash killed Albert Sweat, 62, of Maryland, as he was walking through a parking lot in the 6200 block of Arlington Boulevard. Yansi Martinez Gonzalez was charged Aug. 30 with reckless driving and … Continued
Animals like bedtime stories, too
Kids can practice their reading skills while providing a comforting voice for animals, thanks to the Reading Tails program at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter in Fairfax. Participants first take a tour of the Animal Shelter, then children can choose which animal they want to read to – a dog, cat, guinea pig, snake, or … Continued
Mixed-use project coming to West End
Construction is expected to start by the end of the year on the Upland Park mixed-use development in the West End of Alexandria. The project, at Seminary Road and N. Beauregard Street, will include 401 multifamily units, 92 townhouses, 8,470 square feet of ground-level retail, and a hotel with 171 rooms. Related story: Major redevelopment … Continued
Lake Accotink celebrates 60th anniversary
The Fairfax County Park Authority hosted a 60th-anniversary celebration of Lake Accotink Park Aug. 27. There were remarks by public officials, informational tables hosted by county agencies and nonprofit organizations, free activities, food trucks, and a cake. In 1960, the Park Authority leased 242 acres from the federal government to create the park. There were … Continued
Rec centers offer membership discounts
The Fairfax County Park Authority is having a sale on recreation center memberships, with savings of up to 15 percent off the annual fee. The sale is effective Sept. 1-Oct. 15. The annual membership pass provides access to indoor tracks, drop-in and virtual group fitness classes, pools, saunas, basketball courts, racquetball courts, fitness centers, drop-in … Continued
Chesterfield police chief addresses Glasgow counselor fail
Chesterfield County Police Chief Col. Jeffrey Katz clarified some of the issues surrounding the counselor who got a job at Glasgow Middle School despite being previously convicted of a sex offense. Fairfax County Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid told the Glasgow community Aug. 25 that an in-depth investigation will be conducted. The report, due Sept. 9, … Continued
Child abuser gets life sentence
A man who raped children at a home-based daycare center in Annandale was sentenced to four life sentences plus 36 years, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced Aug. 4. Elwood Lewis Thomas, 38, of Alexandria, abused three children between 2006 and 2012 at the Happy Land daycare center in the 6400 block of Holyoke … Continued
Recent crimes: robbery, assault
The following crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area were reported by the Fairfax County Police Department. Someone robbed the Chipotle at 6299 Seven Corners Center shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 22. A security employee witnessed a man on surveillance cameras enter the business and take merchandise. Officers found the 22-year-old Falls Church man nearby … Continued
FCPS to investigate how a convicted sex offender was hired at Glasgow
Fairfax County Public Schools has hired a consultant to prepare an in-depth report analyzing how a convicted sex offender was able to work at Glasgow Middle School, Superintendent Michelle Reid told Glasgow families at an Aug. 25 meeting. Darren Thornton was hired as a counselor at Glasgow in 2020 – after he had been arrested … Continued
Police arrest man for assaulting a child
Fairfax County Police arrested a 22-year-old man from Centreville for grabbing a girl at the Crystal Woods apartments in Lincolnia on Aug. 24. Kevin Moran-Perez was taken to the Adult Detention Center and charged with assault and possession of a schedule I or II drug. He is being held on no bond. Related story: Man … Continued