Planning Commission endorses expanding substance abuse treatments at Seven Corners mental hospital
Dominion Hospital The Fairfax County Planning Commission approved a zoning special exception Oct. 27 to allow Dominion Hospital in Seven Corners to treat patients whose only medical condition is substance abuse. Under current development conditions, the facility can only treat people for drug and alcohol dependency if they also have a psychiatric diagnosis.
Metro delays will continue through at least Nov. 15
A 7000-series railcar. [Elvert Barnes/Creative Commons] Metrorail service will remain at the current reduced levels through at least Nov. 15, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced Oct. 28. That will give WMATA more time to work with the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission on a plan to get 7000-series railcars safely back into service.
Have a fun and Covid-safe Halloween
This display and all the others on this post are in the Annandale area. As our neighborhoods fill up with witches and ghouls this weekend, here’s what you need to know about Halloween 2021. Kids will be going trick-or-treating when it starts to get dark on Sunday, Oct. 31. Some homeowner associations and apartment complexes … Continued
Rabid raccoon found at Luria Park
A rabid raccoon who has been chasing people and pets in Luria Park has been confirmed to have rabies, the Fairfax County Health Department reported Oct. 27. Anyone who has been in contact with the animal – or whose pet might have been exposed to rabies – should contact the Health Department Rabies Program at 703-246-6004.
Fairfax County removes flood-prone Annandale properties from land auction
The properties are all wooded and mostly in a floodplain. The seven tax-delinquent properties next to Accotink Creek in Annandale are no longer up for auction. The owner of the properties, the Al Root Memorial Foundation, hadn’t paid taxes in years, so the county had planned to sell them by auction in November.
Police collect expired, unneeded prescription drugs
Unneeded and expired medications can be dropped off any time at the Mason Government Center. Community members turned in 174 pounds of expired or unneeded medications at the Mason District Police Station on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 23. Altogether, 1,406 pounds of prescription and over-the-counter drugs were collected in Fairfax County, … Continued
‘Traffic garden’ offers safety lessons to kids
A new “traffic garden” on Graham Road is aimed at teaching children and families about pedestrian safety. Painted markings on a blacktop next to the Graham Road Community Center mimic real-life street conditions, such as crosswalks and traffic flow. Signs posted on the fence explain the rules of the road and how to engage with … Continued
Community members explore the future Annandale Greenway
Loki leads the way as participants in the Annandale Greenway Inaugural Walk leave Green Spring Gardens and head toward Braddock Road. About 30 people went on the Annandale Greenway Inaugural Walk Oct. 24, a four-mile trek along existing trails and sidewalks between Green Spring Gardens and Annandale Community Park. The Annandale Greenway Alliance, an informal … Continued
Man shot during ATM robbery dies
Police chief Kevin Davis speaks to the media in front of the ATM where Nelson Alexander was shot during a robbery. Major Ed O’Carroll is on the left. [FCPD] Nelson D. Alexander Sr., the 73-year-old man who was shot at the Wells Fargo ATM at 2928 Annandale Road in Falls Church Oct. 20, has died … Continued
To meet local climate goals, we need a national price on carbon
The authors (left and third from left) and other Citizens’ Climate Lobby volunteers meet with Rep. Gerry Connolly (right) in 2018. By Sarah Karush and George Kralovec Fairfax County recently developed a blueprint to cut local greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Now there are signs that Congress is … Continued
Suspect at large following shooting near Annandale High School
A shooting Friday evening in the 7700 block of Suraci Court in the Wedgewood Apartments disrupted a football game at Annandale High School. The Fairfax County Police Department reported the shooting on Twitter at about 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 22, noting one man was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The FCPD later downgraded … Continued
Early voting underway at more locations
People line up to vote at the Mason Government Center Oct. 21. Early voting in Fairfax County is now available at an additional 13 locations as of Oct. 21, including the Mason District Government Center and Thomas Jefferson Library. Those locations are open for voting noon-7 p.m. on weekdays; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays, Oct. … Continued
Supervisors set Nov. 9 hearing to consider redistricting plans
The current Mason District map, showing voting precincts. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 19 authorized a public hearing on redistricting to take place on Nov. 9. The hearing will consider 64 plans submitted by an advisory committee and the public for adjusting the borders of the county’s supervisory districts – and possibly … Continued
Police seek gunman who shot a 73-year-old man at an ATM
Surveillance video of the shooter and victim released by the police. [FCPD] Update: The victim has died of his injuries, the police department announced Oct. 23. More information to come. Fairfax County Police are seeking witnesses to what Chief Kevin Davis calls an “outrageous crime”: A 73-year-old man on the way to work … Continued
FCPS to offer in-school Covid testing and vaccinations
Woodson High School students, like all students in Fairfax County, spend the day wearing masks. [FCPS] Fairfax County Public Schools plans to roll out a major Covid testing program next month and will begin offering in-school vaccinations after winter break. Superintendent Scott Brabrand outlined those plans at a school board work session on Nov. 19.