Weekly crime report: stabbing, concealed weapon, robbery
The Fairfax County Police Department reports the following recent crimes: There was an assault incident in the 5900 block of Seminary Road at 5 p.m. on Aug. 4. A man assaulted and stabbed the victim as he attempted to walk past him on the sidewalk.
Police chief defends use of lethal weapon against woman in crisis
FCPD Chief Kevin Davis speaks at a press conference about the recent police-involved shooting. [FCPD] Body camera footage of a police-involved shooting at a group home in North Springfield appears to show that the use of less-lethal force wouldn’t have been as effective in a chaotic situation with other people in harm’s way, said Fairfax … Continued
Virginia sales tax holiday this weekend
This weekend is a good time to stock up on school supplies. [Amazon] Virginia is having its annual sales tax holiday this weekend. You can buy certain school supplies, clothing, emergency preparedness supplies, and energy-saving and water-saving products without paying state sales taxes. Purchases can be made in person, online, or by phone.
Margaret White wouldn’t have wanted a ‘resident curator’ for the park that bears her name
The flowering plants at the White Gardens are being overtaken by invasives. The Fairfax County Park Authority is seeking a “resident curator” to live in and restore the house at the Margaret White Gardens, but that’s not what Margaret would have wanted, says her son Doug White. “She didn’t care whether the house was torn … Continued
Fairfax County recommends masks indoors for all, including people fully vaccinated
Due to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, the Fairfax County Health Department recommends that everyone wear a mask in public settings, including people fully vaccinated. That recommendation is based on updated guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week.
Residents of Annandale’s ‘opportunity neighborhoods’ work on action plans
ON-Annandale community organizer Nayely Lopez surveys residents of Fairmont Gardens. [FACETS] The biggest concerns among residents of Annandale’s Opportunity Neighborhoods are security and safety; children’s issues; and apartment issues. That’s the chief finding of a survey conducted by volunteers with FACETS, the nonprofit organization coordinating the ON-Annandale initiative.
Jake’s Ice Cream schedules a soft opening for Sunday
Jake’s Ice Cream is almost ready for the public. The ice cream is in production, the staff is trained, and all the equipment is in place – and that means Jake’s Ice Cream is ready to open. The shop, in Barcroft Plaza on Columbia Pike, invites the community to a soft opening Aug. 8, 11 … Continued
Former Columbia ES student returns as principal
When Michael Astudillo started his new job as principal of Columbia Elementary School in Annandale earlier this summer, he had a sense of déjà vu, reports News4 Washington, the local NBC affiliate. That’s because Astudillo was a student at Columbia. On a tour of the school with News4’s Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Julie Carey, he … Continued
Evaluations underway on Lake Accotink dredging project options
Lake Accotink is filling up with sediment. Options under consideration for drying out the sediment dredged out of Lake Accotink have been narrowed down to Wakefield Park near the maintenance facility, the Dominion Energy right of way, the upper lake settling basin, and the lake island. Several alternative sites – Howrey Park, the Wakefield Park … Continued
This week’s crimes: concealed weapon, robbery, drunk in public
The Fairfax County Police Department reports the following recent crimes in the Annandale Mason District area: There was an incident involving a juvenile with a concealed weapon July 29 shortly before 11 p.m. on Leesburg Pike at Peace Valley Lane in Seven Corners.
Supervisors schedule public hearing on eminent domain for sewer project in Seven Corners
The new sewer is shown in red, temporary construction easements and grading agreements are in yellow, and affected properties are outlined in blue. The Board of Supervisors on July 27 agreed to hold a public hearing on the need to use quick-take eminent domain powers for a sewer project in Seven Corners. The hearing is … Continued
New grant program will aid childcare centers, community organizations hurt by COVID
The Fairfax County Government Center. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a new $10 million grant program to help certain small businesses and community-based organizations hurt by the COVID-19 public health emergency. The program will be launched in late August.
Fairfax County schools adopt universal mask mandate
Students will have to wear masks in the classroom. [FCPS] Faced with a national increase in COVID variant cases, Fairfax County Public Schools is requiring all students and staff to wear face masks indoors and on school buses, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated, the school system announced July 28. Masks are not required … Continued
Supervisors support consolidation for storage facility expansion
The existing Public Storage facility is outlined in yellow. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on July 27 agreed to allow Public Storage at 4312 Ravensworth Road, in Annandale, to replace its existing building with a new, larger storage facility to include first-floor retail uses – but only if the property can be consolidated with … Continued
Board of Supervisors sets hearing on proposed plastic bag tax
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on July 27 agreed to hold a public hearing on a proposed plastic bag tax. The tax would be 5 cents per bag provided by grocery stores, convenience stores, and drugstores.