FCPD: Officers acted properly in pointing guns at IHOP brandishing suspect
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis says the police acted properly when they pointed guns at a juvenile filming them on a cell phone on July 9. The young man was not an innocent bystander as previously reported. He was involved in a brandishing incident at the IHOP at 6655 Arlington Blvd. in Mason District. … Continued
N. Springfield fire displaces two
A fire in the 7300 block of Chatham Street in North Springfield July 14 was caused by an electrical event in a bedroom outlet, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports. Two occupants were home when the fire broke out at about 2 p.m. One of them heard two pops and felt the house … Continued
Lake Barcroft artists featured at Green Spring Gardens
The Lake Barcroft Art League invites the community to an exhibit at Green Spring Gardens’ Horticulture Center July 26-Aug. 21. There will be a reception on July 31, 1-3 p.m. The Summer Time Art show features 12 artists: Jan Barrett, Chica Brunsvold, David Goldstein, Larry Golfer, Noreene Janus, Alan Ladwig, Debbie Ladwig, Mark Malecki, George … Continued
Explore a Park: Glasgow Park
This article is part of our series on parks in the Annandale/Mason District area. The last piece in the series explored Backlick Park. Glasgow Park, at 4028 Fairfax Parkway in the Parklawn neighborhood in Lincolnia, is a nice place to walk a dog, play frisbee, have a picnic, or push a child on a swing. … Continued
Police divers practice at Lake Barcroft
Fairfax County police officers in the underwater search and recovery unit were at Lake Barcroft yesterday – but no one drowned. The Lake Barcroft Association had asked the unit to conduct a training class for junior lifeguards. Since the dive team was bringing their marine patrol boat and other equipment to the lake, they also … Continued
Duck Chang’s will stay in Annandale
After months of uncertainty, Duck Chang’s restaurant has secured a new five-year lease with an option for a five-year extension. In late 2021, owner Peter Chang learned that the new owner of the retail center – identified only as 4415 John Marr LLC – was requiring him to totally renovate his restaurant or leave when … Continued
Library room dedicated to community activist Carmen Fernandez
Community activist Carmen Fernandez was posthumously recognized July 9 at a ceremony to name the meeting room at Woodrow Wilson Library in her honor. Fernandez founded the nonprofit Hispanics Against Child Abuse and Neglect (HACAN), an educational and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening families through parent education and out-of-school activities for youths. Fernandez spent many … Continued
Police draw guns on unarmed teen
The Fairfax County Police Department vows to investigate an incident where police pointed a gun at an unarmed juvenile who was recording a police incident on his phone. At the time, police were detaining another group of juveniles outside the IHOP on Arlington Boulevard by Annandale Road. The actions of the two offers will be … Continued
Donations sought for school supplies
It’s still the middle of the summer, but it’s not too early to plan ahead for the start of school. Britepaths is asking for donations of backpacks and funds for school supplies for students in the Justice and Fairfax high school pyramids. The nonprofit’s Collect for Kids Back to School Program will benefit 2,500 students … Continued
Registration opens for Senior Olympics
Older folks don’t need to give up competitive sports – the Senior Olympics offers a great opportunity to get in shape and outperform your peers. The 40th anniversary edition of the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics takes place Sept. 10-24 at 25 venues throughout the region. Participation is open to anyone age 50 by Dec. 31 … Continued
Mason District has some of the neediest areas in Fairfax County
The 2022 Needs Assessment recently published by Fairfax County confirms that some of the neediest areas are in Bailey’s Crossroads and Annandale. The current Needs Assessment report documents economic conditions and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The data helps county officials and others respond quickly to emerging community needs. It also suggests strategies for … Continued
Balian Springs set to open this summer
Balian Springs, a 100,000-square-foot “social wellness club,” is expected to open this summer in the Alexandria area of Mason District full of furniture stores, warehouses, and other commercial development. “As of now, we are set to open by the end of August as long as our construction schedule runs on time,” says Balian Springs spokesperson … Continued
Annandale cold case solved
Detectives from the Fairfax County Police Department’s Cold Case Squad have identified a woman who committed suicide in Annandale 25 years ago. The woman, formerly known as “the Christmas Tree Lady,” is Joyce Meyer Sommers, the FCPD announced. She was identified by Othram Inc. using advanced DNA testing and forensic-grade genome sequencing. The Christmas Tree … Continued
Board to consider changes in comp plan amendment process
Fairfax County is proposing some big changes to the site-specific plan amendment (SSPA) process. The changes include shortening the timeline and expanding community engagement. The SSPA process is used to consider development proposals that involve amending the county’s Comprehensive Plan. The proposed changes were recommended by a working group consisting of members of the Planning … Continued
Gang members convicted of murder
A federal jury in Alexandria on July 5 convicted five members of the La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang for their roles in the kidnapping and murder of two adolescent boys in 2016, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia reports. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, the five gang … Continued