Local Ukrainian Americans worried about folks back home
Three Ukrainian Americans contacted by Annandale Today are stressed out, barely able to sleep, and worried about their relatives back home, as the brutal invasion by Russia continues. Marina Bayduk a resident of Springfield, is extremely concerned about her family in Ukraine. After watching the news, she woke up family members in Kyiv in the … Continued
School news roundup
School board seeks stay in TJ ruling – The Fairfax County School Board filed “a motion for stay pending appeal” on March 5 in response to the decision by a federal judge invalidating the admissions process for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Judge Claude Hilton of the U.S. District Court ruled that … Continued
Landscaping planned for Bailey’s Xroads and Annandale
Landscaping improvements are set to start this spring, in the Commercial Revitalization Districts in Bailey’s Crossroads and Annandale. The landscaping contractor hired by the county will replace dead and diseased plants and fill in bare spots along the brick sidewalk on Columbia Pike between Lacy Boulevard and Carlin Springs Road in Bailey’s Crossroads. Some of … Continued
Man shoots occupied car
A man shot an occupied car on Leesburg Pike and Row Street in Seven Corners on Feb. 26, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. The victim was stopped at a traffic light shortly after 4 a.m. when a Toyota pulled up next to him. The driver displayed a handgun and began shooting, damaging the victim’s … Continued
Americana Park to get new baseball backstop
Updated March 5: The Fairfax County Park Authority Board‘s Park Operations Committee approved a $17,189 Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant to the Annandale-North Springfield Little League (ANSLL) for a new backstop at the baseball field at Americana Park in Annandale. The proposal goes to the full board on March 9. The existing backstop needs to … Continued
Shake Shack coming to Mosaic District
Shake Shack is expected to open this spring in the Mosaic District in Merrifield, FFXnow reports. Shake Shack specializes in burgers, milkshakes, and crinkle-cut fries. The fast-casual restaurant would go into the space formerly occupied by Choolah at 2911 District Ave. Fairfax County records confirm the burger chain is in the permitting process for the … Continued
Free tax help available in Mason District
Need some help with your taxes? The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program is in full swing at the Mason Government Center. This year, Tax-Aide volunteers are providing free tax help by appointment only. Walk-ins won’t be served. The service is free. Taxpayers must obtain an information packet before calling for their appointment. The information packet can … Continued
Assaults and auto thefts rose last year
Assaults and vehicle thefts have increased in 2021 in the Mason Police District, while drug/narcotic offenses and fraud have decreased, compared to the previous year. That’s the key takeaway from a crime update by Mason Police Commander Capt. Sean Adcock at a meeting of the Community Advisory Committee March 1. The assaults, including domestic violence, … Continued
Ally Dalsimer goes up against Connolly
Ally Dalsimer never wanted to be a politician. But when she learned about Rep. Gerry Connolly’s support for corporations, she decided to run against him in the upcoming Democratic Primary on June 21. Dalsimer’s career focused on conservation and natural resources. She worked at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for years, cofounded several national … Continued
TJ admissions process discriminates against Asians, judge rules
A federal judge ruled that the admissions process adopted for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in 2020 illegally discriminates against Asian students. Judge Claude Hilton of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Alexandria found the new system for selecting students to the elite, highly competitive school amounted … Continued
Fairfax County makes masks optional
Face masks are now optional for employees and visitors at most Fairfax County government locations. The new policy is based on guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Feb. 25. According to the new metrics underlying the CDC’s updated guidance, the Covid-19 transmission rate in Fairfax County is “low,” meaning most … Continued
Public invited to learn about the resident curator applicant for White gardens
The public is invited to a virtual session March 2 to learn about the application submitted by a potential “resident curator” for the Margaret White Gardens property. Under the resident curator program, the Fairfax County Park Authority selects a resident to live in the house rent free while they carry out and pay for renovations … Continued
‘Tree rescuers’ sought for Roundtree Park
Friends of Holmes Run encourages local residents to become “tree rescuers” by removing non-native vines that are damaging the health of mature trees. FOHR invites the community to a “free the trees” event at Roundtree Park on Tuesday, March 1. The organization has teamed up with Plant NOVA Natives and the Fairfax County Park Authority … Continued
Many voting precincts will change
Due to the Virginia redistricting plan approved by the state Supreme Court, Fairfax County needs to change nearly 50 election precincts. The redistricting plan affects congressional, House of Delegates, and state Senate districts. The Board of Supervisors authorized a public hearing, to take place March 8, to consider a proposal to adjust certain election precinct … Continued
McKay vows to reduce property tax rate
Acknowledging the burden of skyrocketing real estate assessments, Jeffrey McKay, chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, told the community Feb. 25, “I will be strongly supporting reducing the tax rate to offset some of this impact.” Assessments for 2022 are up an average of 9.57 percent across the county compared to last year, … Continued