New quarantine guidance for students
Fairfax County Public Schools has issued new Covid guidance on quarantine and isolation. The new rules take effect Monday, Jan. 10. FCPS has adopted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation that reduces isolation and quarantine to five days. FCPS also adopted the CDC’s recommendation for a five-day period of isolation for staff. FCPS … Continued
Welcome to Annandale Today
Annandale Today replaces and improves upon the Annandale Blog, which was founded in 2009. We’re still covering local news in Bailey’s Crossroads, Seven Corners, and the rest of Mason District, as well as Annandale. Annandale Today is independent and free. There are no paywalls or subscriptions. It’s more mobile and tablet friendly and it loads … Continued
Police identify serial killer victims
Fairfax County police have identified the second victim of the “shopping cart killer” found near the Moon Inn on Richmond Highway as Stephanie Harrison, age 48, of Redding, Calif. DNA tests also confirmed that the other victim is Cheyenne Brown, age 29, of Washington, D.C. Both victims were found Dec. 15 in a container in … Continued
Seven Corners salon replaced by vape shop
The future occupant of the Touch of Class space. A Tobacco, Vape & More shop is moving into 6315B Leesburg Pike in Seven Corners, the space formerly occupied by the Touch of Class Salon & Spa. It’s been a tough couple of years for salon owner Kimmie Orita – and not just because of the … Continued
Public comment sought on Braddock Road
Braddock Road at Wakefield Chapel Road in Annandale. The Virginia Department of Transportation invites the public to a virtual meeting Thursday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m. on the Braddock Road Multimodal Improvements Project. VDOT will present alternative concepts and seek feedback on proposals for three intersections: Rolling Road, Wakefield Chapel Road/Danbury Forest Drive, and Burke … Continued
New traffic signals on Columbia Pike
The new signals are covered up. Two traffic signals on Columbia Pike are being upgraded. One is at John Marr Drive/Chatelain Road in central Annandale. The other is at Lacy Boulevard/Maple Court in Bailey’s Crossroads. The Virginia Department of Transportation is expected to complete both signals in late winter 2022, Mason Supervisor Penny Gross reports.
Duck Chang’s faces an uncertain future
Duck Chang’s told to “fully renovate” or move out. Peter Chang, the owner of Duck Chang’s Restaurant, an Annandale mainstay for the past 46 years, is facing a difficult decision. The new owner of the property is planning to upgrade the small retail strip and has told Chang the restaurant has to either renovate its interior … Continued
Former Annandale priest charged with sexual abuse
Former priest Terry Specht [Complicit Clergy] A former Annandale priest, Terry Specht, has been charged with sexual abuse of a minor. An indictment handed down by a grand jury on Dec. 20 charges Specht with indecent liberties and aggravated sexual battery.
Annandale/Mason residents affected by redistricting
The Virginia Supreme Court [Roanoke Times] Under a redistricting plan approved by the Virginia Supreme Court, some residents of the Annandale/Mason area will be shifted to a different congressional, Virginia House of Delegates, and/or Virginia Senate district. Here are some of the key changes: Several communities currently in the 11th U.S. Congressional District (represented by … Continued
Rice yogurt/mochi shop opens in Annandale
Yomie’s Rice X Yogurt and Mochinut Annandale, two separate franchise shops, are now open in the same space at 4367 John Marr Drive in Annandale. Yomie’s specializes in freshly made yogurt drinks. The mostpopular varieties are purple rice, mango, oat, and “haw,” made from hawthorn berries, says Lin Zheng, the manager of both operations.
Fairfax County taxes plastic bags
A new 5-cent tax on plastic bags in Fairfax County took effect Jan. 1. The Board of Supervisors approved the tax in September. The tax applies to disposable plastic bags from grocery stores, convenience stores, and drug stores.
We’re taking a break
The Annandale Blog is taking a short break while we implement some technical upgrades. We’ll be back in early 2022. This will be our first hiatus in over two years. You can still comment on Annandale Blog stories, but we’re not posting new articles during the break. Meanwhile, we wish all our readers a happy … Continued
2021: The year in review
Fun with cicadas. [Oxana Ware] This year has been dominated by Covid ups and downs. In the spring, it seemed like the pandemic was ending; then cases began to increase as the Covid variants took hold. Here’s a look back at the major stories from the Annandale Blog in 2021, along with lists of some … Continued
Aging storm channel restored in Annandale
More work has been done on the channel since these photos were taken two weeks ago. A major stream restoration project in Annandale’s Broyhill Crest neighborhood is virtually complete, with just a few minor loose ends to tie up. The Murray Lane Outfall Restoration Project is aimed at shoring up an existing storm channel to … Continued
New Year’s Eve – Celebrations for all ages
[UPDATE, Dec. 23 – First Night Alexandria is canceled due to soaring Covid cases.] Got New Year’s Eve plans yet? Here are some events in the Annandale/Mason District area or close by: NYE Pajama Party – The Block, 4221 John Marr Drive, Annandale, 10 p.m.-2 p.m. DJ, Champaign flutes, raffle. $20.22, supports nonprofit organizations. Wear … Continued