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
Schedule set for Hidden Oaks camps
Registration is now open for summer camps at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale. The camp schedule wasn’t included in the printed version of the spring Parktakes due to the expansion and renovation underway at the nature center. Hidden Oaks camps will be conducted outdoors, except during bad weather. Maximum attendance has been reduced to … Continued
Annandale to get new coffee shop
Café V, a new coffee shop at 7131 Little River Turnpike in Annandale, could open as early as next week. Owner Victoria Lee hopes Café V will become a social gathering place for people of all ages. While there are plenty of bakery shops in Annandale that also serve coffee, Lee says, “our main focus … Continued
County to consider rezoning Justice HS
The Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning has accepted an application to rezone Justice High School from R-3 to R-8. Fairfax County Public Schools announced the plan to seek a rezoning and a parking waiver at a community meeting in October. FCPS and the Park Authority had previously agreed to build a parking lot … Continued
Fairfax County awards $16 million to 1,000+ businesses
Fairfax County has awarded more than $16 million to 1,016 businesses adversely affected by the Covid pandemic. The Pivot program, administered by the Department of Economic Initiatives, targets businesses in the most hard-hit sectors of the county’s economy, including hotels, food service, retail, personal services, and arts and cultural institutions. The grants are aimed at … Continued