Backlick signal improvements underway
Construction is underway on improvements to enhance pedestrian and driver safety and traffic operations at the intersection of Backlick Road and Leesville Boulevard in the Springfield area of Mason District. The traffic signal upgrades include new mast arm poles, foundations, wiring, electrical equipment, high-visibility signal backplates, and signs, VDOT reports. Drivers on Backlick Road will … Continued
Tous les Jours opens in Annandale
The Tous les Jours bakery and café opened Aug. 15 in the East Gate Shopping Center in Annandale. The shop, at 4243 John Marr Drive, offers pastries, bread, fancy cakes, muffins, donuts, croissants, scones, buns, macarons, and other baked goods. Drinks include various kinds of coffee, tea, and smoothies made with fresh fruit. Bing soo … Continued
Credit union opens in Bailey’s Crossroads
Apple Federal Credit Union opened a new branch in Bailey’s Crossroads with a ribbon-cutting on Aug. 16. The new branch is located at 5701-D Columbia Pike. The public is invited to drop by this week to enter a raffle for a chance to win one of these prizes: a 50-inch Toshiba TV, Xbox Series 5 … Continued
Police Dept. copes with personnel shortage
Faced with a personnel shortage, the Fairfax County Police Department is stepping up its recruiting efforts. FCPD has 195 operational vacancies, but that doesn’t account for the 50 recruits in the Police Academy, a public information officer reports. The vacancies are across the department and not concentrated in specific areas. The police department launched an … Continued
O’my ChiQ & Bar to open next month
O’my ChiQ & Bar is expected to open in late September at 7023 Columbia Pike in Annandale. A patio is under construction. The restaurant will specialize in rotisserie, grilled, and barbecue chicken and barbecue ribs, says the future manager, who now works at Omy Hot Pot on Annandale Road. It is being developed by the … Continued
Smoke & Vapor Planet opens in Annandale
Another vape shop is now open in Annandale. Smoke & Vapor Planet is located at 4425 John Marr Drive next to Duck Chang’s. A grand opening is planned for Sept. 15. The shop sells vaporizers, disposable vapes, glass water pipes, hookah pipes and supplies, CBD products, cigarettes, cigars, smoking accessories, incense, and more. Exotic snacks … Continued
Historic Overlay District proposed for Holmes Run Acres
Holmes Run Acres residents appear to be divided on whether their community should have a Historic Overlay District (HOD). How residents stand on the issue won’t be known until October when the results of a poll will be announced. The poll opened Aug. 1 and will close Sept. 9. Supporters say an HOD will prevent … Continued
Murder victim fondly remembered by family and friends
Family and friends of Sylvia Vaca Abacay (known as Kelly Kelyta), who was brutally murdered Aug. 10, in Seven Corners, remember her as a devoted mother and loving wife. A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for funeral costs says Kelly, who is from Bolivia, “leaves behind her beloved husband, 14-year-old daughter, and 17-year … Continued
Crime report: Businesses broken into
Here are the recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District as reported by the Fairfax County Police Department: There was an attempted burglary at Unlimited Cigars & Vapes at 6531 Arlington Blvd. at 2 a.m. on Aug. 7. A witness heard two loud bangs and observed two juveniles run from the business. Property damage was found … Continued
County to reduce parking requirements
Fairfax County is undergoing a major effort to ease parking requirements for new developments. The Parking Reimagined initiative is aimed at reducing the number of parking spaces required in multifamily housing developments and businesses. The goal is to increase green space, spur development and economic growth, reduce disincentives for building affordable housing, and discourage … Continued
Man arrested for murdering a woman and setting her on fire
Fairfax County police arrested Richard Montano, 47, of Arlington, for the brutal murder of a woman yesterday at the 2900 block of Willston Place in Seven Corners, Major Ed O’Carroll, head of the Major Crimes, Cyber and Forensics Bureau announced Aug. 11. The victim, Silvia Vaca Abacay, age 40, was stabbed and set on fire. … Continued
Coming to Mosaic: chocolate and boxing
A Neuhaus luxury chocolate shop is coming to the Mosaic District in Merrifield. It will be in the space formerly occupied by Artisan Confections on Strawberry Lane. Neuhaus, a Belgian company, has more than 1,500 stores worldwide, mostly in Europe. There are Neuhaus shops in Bethesda and Union Station in D.C. A fast-casual Indian restaurant … Continued
Audrey Moore to close for two weeks
The Audrey Moore Rec Center in Annandale will be closed Aug. 27-Sept. 9 for “pressing facility maintenance needs,” the Fairfax County Park Authority announced. During the closure, crews will take care of the annual whitecoat maintenance for the swimming pool. According to the Park Authority, “The shutdown is required for the safety of patrons … Continued
Uptick in catalytic converter thefts
The Mason Police District has seen a recent uptick in the theft of car parts, including catalytic converters, airbags, rims, and tires. These thefts have been mostly around Beauregard Street in Lincolnia and Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads. Thieves are targeting Toyota Priuses for catalytic converters and Honda Accords and Civics for tires, rims, and … Continued
Homicide victim set on fire
Fairfax County Police are investigating a homicide involving a woman on fire this afternoon in the 2900 block of Willston Place in Seven Corners. Police are talking to a “person of interest” whom they believe might be responsible for the crime. At a news briefing on Willston Place, Major Ed O’Carroll, head of the FCPD … Continued