Church members oppose solitary confinement
About 20 people gathered in the parking lot of Annandale United Methodist Church Sunday afternoon to advocate for an end to solitary confinement in Virginia prisons and offer prayers for prisoners held in isolation. Similar events were held at faith institutions across the state, including Peace Lutheran Church in Lincolnia and Temple Rodef Shalom in … Continued
Statewide conflict brews over masks
When students go back to class this week, some parents will be telling their kids to disregard Fairfax County Public Schools’ requirement that masks be worn indoors. Parents opposed to masks feel empowered by Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Jan. 15 executive order giving parents the authority to defy the statewide school mask mandate. A group of … Continued
Police Dept. reports recent crimes
Here are the recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District, as reported by the Fairfax County Police Department. Police recovered a stolen auto shortly after 8:30 p.m. in the 6000 block of Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads. The car, a 2010 Toyota Corolla, had been stolen from a nearby jurisdiction. As the officer was coordinating a … Continued
New store features cowboy boots
There’s a new boot store at the Mosaic District. Tecovas offers handmade leather cowboy boots and other Western gear, such as belts, hats, bags, and jeans. The boots are made of calfskin, suede, lizard, ostrich, alligator, or crocodile. The store is located at 2905 District Ave. It’s open Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday and Saturday … Continued
FCPS proposes a $3.3 billion budget
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand has proposed a $3.3 billion budget for FY 2022-23 that includes a 4 percent cost-of-living increase for employees. That would add $100 million to the budget. Brabrand also proposes adding $55.3 million for step increases for eligible employees. Keeping pace with the cost of living “has been our … Continued
Youngkin selects former school board member Elizabeth Schultz for state office
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has selected former Fairfax County School Board member Elizabeth Schultz as assistant superintendent of public instruction. As a school board member, Schultz opposed including gender identity and sexual orientation in non-discrimination policies and was an outspoken advocate against efforts to support transgender students. Her Twitter account ThinkSchultz – which has been … Continued
Volunteers assemble 25,000 meals
Volunteers with the Bailey’s Crossroads Rotary Club and Bailey’s Crossroads Host Lions Club are donating 25,000 meals to local students and food pantries., reports Rotary spokesperson Polly Rosenstein. In the past, the two organizations assembled meals in person at the Moose Lodge in Bailey’s Crossroads. This year, club members are packaging the meals at home. … Continued
High schools compete in Trash Off
Here’s one way to get volunteers to clean up litter around Lake Accotink – make it a fun competition for high school teams. Friends of Lake Accotink Park is sponsoring quarterly Trash Off events for high school teams in cooperation with the Young FLAPers. The next Trash Off, originally scheduled for last Saturday, has been … Continued
FCPS defies Youngkin’s mask policy
Fairfax County Public Schools is continuing to require students and staff to wear masks in school in defiance of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s executive order ending universal mask mandates. Executive Order 2, issued by Youngkin Jan. 15, states “The parents of any child enrolled in an elementary or secondary school or a school-based early childcare and … Continued
Collector’s World opens in a bigger space
Collector’s World reopened Jan. 15 in its new, larger space a few feet from its old spot at the Annandale Shopping Center. The shop specializes in vintage and new comic books and sports memorabilia. “The new space offers more of a selection. It’s better organized, and it’s bigger and better in everything,” says co-owner Steve … Continued
Leesburg Pike unsafe for pedestrians
The recent death of another pedestrian – Nguyet Ly was struck and killed Dec. 13 on Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads – has prompted safe street advocates to urge state transportation officials to make improvements to that corridor. Ly, 68, was walking along a section of Leesburg by Magnolia Avenue at about 11 a.m. when … Continued
Prepare for more snow
With another winter storm expected on Sunday, local residents are urged to prepare now. The National Weather Service predicts 1 to 3 inches of snow accumulation from 1 p.m. on Sunday to 1 a.m. Monday. Temperatures in the 20s could mean sleet and freezing rain, resulting in more hazardous road conditions and icy sidewalks. VDOT … Continued
VDOT outlines Braddock Road improvement alternatives
Planning is underway on improvements at three intersections on Braddock Road. Officials from the state and county transportation departments outlined several alternatives at a community meeting Jan. 13 for three critical intersections: Ravensworth Road, Wakefield Chapel Road/Danbury Drive, and Burke Lake Road. The Virginia Department of Transportation encourages the public to submit feedback on which … Continued
Covid testing site opens in Fairfax
The Virginia Department of Health is opening a community Covid testing center at the Fairfax County Government Center on Saturday, Jan. 15. The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests are free and are available by appointment only. The testing center will be in a large tent in parking lot B at the southwest corner of the … Continued
Join a virtual service project on MLK Day
Martin Luther King Day is traditionally a time for community service projects. Volunteer Fairfax lists several virtual activities the public can join on MLK Day, Monday, Jan. 17, or this weekend. Visit the Volunteer Fairfax website for more information on these projects: The Valentine’s Challenge project calls for volunteers to handcraft Valentine cards from home … Continued