Six people overdose at Bailey’s Crossroads apartment, as police warn about a fatal batch of fentanyl-laced cocaine
Police Chief Kevin Davis (left) and 1st Lt. Patrick Brusch speak at a briefing on overdoses. After six people overdosed Tuesday morning in Bailey’s Crossroads, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis warned “there is likely a fatal batch of cocaine laced with fentanyl in our community right now.” Officers responded just after 3 a.m. to … Continued
Annandale United Methodist Church restores Little White Church for its 175th anniversary
Annandale United Methodist Church is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year by restoring and rejuvenating the Little White Church, an Annandale landmark established in 1846. The old church is on Columbia Pike at Gallows Road, adjacent to the much larger and newer AUMC building.
Tenants speak out against rat and bug-infested apartments
Residents of the Lynbrook and Brookdale garden apartments on N. Beauregard Street in Alexandria’s West End are fighting a landlord they say is failing to properly maintain the property – leading to rat and bug infestations. “It’s outrageous,” says community organizer Elsa Riveros of Tenants and Workers United, which is educating tenants about their rights and … Continued
Fairfax County forced Black families to vacate land for Justice Park
Edwin Henderson (right) at Justice Park. On the left is Spanish translator Fernando Ferrufino. Long before Justice High School and Justice Park were built on Peace Valley Lane in Seven Corners, the land was owned by a handful of Black families. The community learned about that “hidden history” at an event at Justice Park Sept. … Continued
Art show at Mason Government Center features Annandale scenes by local painter
A painting in the Annandale series by James Albright. The art exhibits at the Mason Government Center are back after an 18-month hiatus due to COVID. The first exhibit of 2021, on view now, features paintings by James Albright of Lincolnia. An open house with the artist will be held on Friday, Sept. 24, in … Continued
Park Foundation honors Valis family for contribution to Pinecrest Golf Center
Angela and Wayne Valis (on the right) with other family members at the unveiling of the TrackMan 4 Golf Simulator at the Pinecrest Golf Center. The Fairfax County Park Foundation has named the Valis family of Bailey’s Crossroads as one of three winners of this year’s Eakin Philanthropy Awards. Wayne and Angela Valis are being … Continued
School news roundup: excellence, fitness, and quarantine
Parklawn Elementary School [Parklawn PTA] The following news items about schools in the Annandale/Mason District area are from Fairfax County Public Schools and school emails to the community. Excellence at Parklawn – The National PTA has recognized Parklawn Elementary School and its PTA as a National School of Excellence.
Early in-person voting begins today
Voters are encouraged to use an ExpressVote machine. Early in-person voting begins on Friday, Sept. 17, at three locations for the Nov. 2 election. Voters will select a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and member of the House of Delegates. There is also a $360 million public school bond on the ballot.
Fire damages furniture store in Springfield area
Damaged goods from a furniture store in the Springfield area. [Fairfax County Fire Department] A fire damaged a furniture store in the 5500 block of General Washington Way in the Springfield area of Mason District, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports. The fire was caused by the combustion of accumulated sawdust from a … Continued
Afghan refugees face big challenges; volunteers help them adjust to life in the U.S.
Newly arrived refugees from Afghanistan often have to build a new life starting from scratch. “We left everything behind,” says N, who fled Kabul with hisfamily last month as the Taliban took over the country. [We’re using initials rather than names to protect refugees’ identities.] N and his family were among several refugees at the … Continued
Annandale Greenway Alliance seeks community support for a path connecting seven parks
The Greenway would go along a pedestrian path between two sections of Alpine Drive. A group of Annandale residents is committed to the Annandale Greenway project and encourages other community members to join the effort to make it happen. The proposed Greenway is a four-and-a-half-mile-long path along existing park trails and streets through Annandale between … Continued
Public invited to visit Oak Hill virtually
Before the pandemic, people got to explore Oak Hill in person. Oak Hill Day will again be virtual this year. Oak Hill is the oldest house in Annandale. Under an agreement ensuring its preservation, the owners are required to host an open house for the public every fall. The event also typically includes presentations and … Continued
Board of Supervisors approves eminent domain for Sleepy Hollow sidewalk project
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved measures Sept. 14 allowing the county to use eminent domain to acquire land rights for two projects in Mason District. One measure calls for the county to use eminent domain to facilitate the construction of a pedestrian walkway along Sleepy Hollow Road between Columbia Pike and Leesburg Pike.
Help keep music alive at Justice High School
The Justice High School select chorus practices the National Anthem. By Tara Rethore This Saturday, Sept. 18, is Tag Day – the annual fundraising event for all music programs at Justice High School. Traditionally, students and parents from the school’s band, chorus, and orchestra programs visit every home within the Justice High School (JHS) boundary … Continued
Fairfax County board approves plastic bag tax
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed a 5-cent tax on disposable plastic bags Sept. 14. The new tax takes effect Jan. 1, 2022, and applies to bags provided to customers at grocery stores, convenience stores, and drug stores.