Schools try Test to Stay program
Seven Fairfax County schools, including Glasgow Middle School and Bailey’s Elementary School, began implementing the Test to Stay pilot program Jan. 31, Test to Stay (TTS) allows students who are close contacts to people who tested positive for Covid at school to stay in the classroom, rather than quarantine at home – if they take … Continued
More school holidays next year
The Fairfax County School Board adopted a calendar for the 2022-23 school year that adds four religious holidays. Schools will be closed next year on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Orthodox Good Friday, and Diwali. (Eid and Lunar New Year fall on a non-school day in 2022.) There will be 14 professional work days for educators. … Continued
Fire damages Woodson HS admin building
Firefighters spent about five hours on the Woodson High School campus Saturday night controlling a fire on the roof of an administrative building adjacent to the school. The fire did not spread to the main building of the high school, at 9525 Main St., Fairfax. When fire units arrived at about 3 a.m., they believed … Continued
Use QR codes to access new fitness trail
The Fairfax County Park Authority has opened two QR code fitness trails at Mason District Park in Annandale and Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly. The Trail Mix program allows visitors to use a phone to scan the QR code on a sign and select a low-impact, medium, or advanced exercise option There are eight … Continued
Board considers curbing bamboo
Bamboo might be beloved by pandas, but it’s an invasive species that spreads aggressively and creates a nuisance for homeowners. The Board of Supervisors agreed on Jan. 25 to consider an ordinance to require property owners to contain running bamboo and set civil penalties for the failure to do so. The board will consider adoption … Continued
Congressional School will help relieve traffic backups
The bottleneck on Sleepy Hollow Road in front of Congressional School during drop-off and pick-up times could eventually be resolved. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a funding agreement Jan. 25 that calls for the private school to contribute land rights for the Sleepy Hollow sidewalk project and pay up to $25,000 to widen … Continued
Recent crimes: stabbing, robbery
The Fairfax County Police Department reports the following recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area: There was an armed robbery and malicious wounding incident Jan. 26 in the 7400 block of Hamilton Street in Annandale. A man found the victim in a parking lot lying on the ground suffering from a stab wound to his … Continued
Murals planned for Graham Park Plaza
The ongoing upgrade of Graham Park Plaza on Arlington Boulevard will include several large murals. Representatives of Federal Realty Investment Trust gave a presentation on the shopping center improvements at a Jan. 25 meeting of the Mason District Land Use Committee. The makeover also includes new signage, outdoor seating by the Celebrity Delly and other … Continued
Man stabbed in Annandale
A man is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries after he was stabbed and robbed last night near Daniels Avenue and Mangalore Drive in Annandale. The Fairfax County Police Department does not yet have a suspect. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the detectives at 703-246-7800, option 5.
County seeks land rights for sidewalk
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 25 authorized a public hearing on the acquisition of land rights needed for the construction of a walkway on Little River Turnpike in Annandale. The project involves pedestrian improvements between High Place and Pinecrest Parkway along the northern side of Little River Turnpike, including an eight-foot walkway … Continued
Two arrested for homicide
Two men have been charged with the death of Ahmed Hasheem Ebrahim, 20, of Alexandria. the Fairfax County Police Department reports. A family member had reported Ebrahim missing on Jan. 17, Joel Antonio Sarabia, 20, of Fairfax, was charged with first-degree murder, robbery resulting in death, concealment of a dead body, and use of a … Continued
Landmark project rebranded as ‘West End’
The mixed-use project to be developed at the former Landmark Mall site will be rebranded “WestEnd Alexandria.” The Foulger-Pratt development company plans to formally announce the new name Jan. 31, reports Marketing Director Courtney Williams. Related story: Alexandria City Council approves Landmark project The new name reflects the project’s location in Alexandria’s West End. It … Continued
Brabrand defends mask mandate
Speaking at a virtual town hall Jan. 24, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand said he hopes FCPS will get to the point where masks are optional, but “now is not the time.” FCPS is working with health officials to develop a “roadmap” laying out the health metrics for determining when masks are no … Continued
School boards sue governor over masks
The Fairfax County School Board joined with six other school boards in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order 2. That document gives parents the right to disregard the state’s universal mask mandate. The other plaintiffs include the school boards of Alexandria City, Arlington County, City of Richmond, Falls Church City, … Continued
Youngkin pursues right-wing agenda
Virginia Gov. Glenn Younkin’s legislative priorities call for diverting funds from public schools to charter schools, banning critical race theory, restricting voting, and promoting massive tax cuts. The following bills and budget amendments introduced in the General Assembly are part of Youngkin’s “Day One Agenda.” Education The Board of Education or a local school board … Continued