
Community leaders urge supervisors to not make decisions on land use during virtual meetings
A virtual Board of Supervisors meeting in April. Representatives of 18 community associations and 74 individuals signed on to a letter to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors urging them to hold off on making decisions about land use during the pandemic when residents don’t have a chance for meaningful engagement. The May 7 letter … Continued

Swim team league cancels summer season
Swim meets, like this one at the Annandale Swim & Tennis Club, won’t be happening this summer. The Northern Virginia Swimming League has canceled the 2020 season, the NVSL Executive Board announced May 7. “Despite our best efforts to gather as much information about the implications of COVID-19 to confidently hold a potential season, we … Continued

Northern Virginia not ready to ease COVID restrictions
Northern Virginia is still seeing a rise in COVID hospitalizations. [Inova Health System] Northern Virginia is not ready to begin reopening, as it hasn’t met the health metrics outlined in Gov. Ralph Northam’s plan for Phase I. Under Northam’s guidelines, Phase I will begin May 15 and will allow non-essential businesses, barber shops, hair salons, … Continued

Annandale zip code 22003 has the second-highest number of COVID cases in Virginia
COVID cases by zip code [Virginia Department of Health] The Annandale zip code, 22003, has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in the state as of May 9, according to a breakdown of cases by zip code reported by the Virginia Health Department. There were 510 cases and 1,419 “testing encounters” in zip code 22003, … Continued

Concerns raised about dropping public hearing requirement for accessory dwelling units
An accessory dwelling unit over a garage in Kentlands, Md. [Montgomery County Planning Department] Members of the Fairfax County Planning Commission raised some serious objections to a zoning proposal that would make it easier for homeowners to have “accessory dwelling units” (ADUs) in residential neighborhoods. The issue was presented by zoning staff at a meeting … Continued

Most COVID patients at Inova have recovered
Inova staff have enough PPE to serve COVID patients. [Inova] Inova Health System has treated more than 1,000 COVID-19 patients in the last two months, and nearly 700 of them have been discharged, reports Inova president and CEO Dr. J. Stephen Jones. Many more people recovered from COVID at home without needing hospital care. Jones … Continued

Northam offers more details on easing COVID restrictions
Northam explains what happens in Phase I. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam offered more details on Phase I of the state’s plan to ease restrictions under the coronavirus pandemic. Phase I will start on Friday, May 15, and should last at least two weeks, Northam said at a May 8 briefing. Here’s what happens in Phase … Continued

Car crashes in to Vietnamese market in Falls Church area
A car crashed into the Bien Hoa Oriental Supermarket at 7240 Arlington Blvd. in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County this morning, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports. One person has been transported to the hospital for a checkup. No one was trapped inside.

Bailey’s Crossroads Rotary Club supports ACCA food pantry
Carts packed with non-perishable food are ready for delivery to ACCA. The food pantry operated by the Annandale Christian Community for Action has a replenished supply of nonperishable food items, thanks to the generosity of the Bailey’s Crossroads Rotary Club. The Rotary Club donated $1,000 worth of food – in four full shopping carts – … Continued

Pinecrest Golf Center to reopen May 15
The geese will soon have to make room for people on the Pinecrest Golf Course. The Pinecrest Golf Center in Mason District will reopen May 15, the Fairfax County Park Authority announced. Allowing golfers at Pinecrest is part of a phased-in reopening of county golf courses beginning on May 8 with the Burke Lake, Greendale, … Continued

Virginia ramps up coronavirus testing
Test samples are analyzed at a GENETWORx, a private lab in the Richmond area. [Richmond Times-Dispatch] While Virginia ranked close the bottom of states in terms of how many COVID-19 tests are being done, state health officials say they have greatly ramped up testing capacity in the past few weeks. While only 2,000 to 3,000 … Continued

Fairfax County will reinstall the glass recycling bins on Monday
The glass recycling bin in the parking lot at the Mason District Government Center was removed in March. Fairfax County’s glass recycling program will resume on May 11, the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services announced. Related story: Fairfax County cuts back on solid waste services The purple glass-only recycling bins will be reinstalled at … Continued

Skyline resident organizes help for elderly neighbors
Kanber-agha The Fairfax County Emergency Information Blog on May 6 highlights Skyline Plaza resident Waleed Kanber-agha, who recruited volunteers to help her elderly neighbors quarantined during the coronavirus pandemic. Waleed Kanber-agha knew the high-rise building in Bailey’s Crossroads had many elderly residents – like her late grandfather and grandmother who lived there for 30 years … Continued

Annandale property owner wins huge case against tenant
This building used to house the Palace restaurant. Steve Lee, the owner of 7131 Little River Turnpike in Annandale, has won a major lawsuit against Korean restaurant chain Ebadom, which had broken a contract to lease space in the building that formerly housed the Palace restaurant. After finding for the landlord in the case in … Continued

Fairfax County superintendent considers plan for reopening schools in the fall
Glasgow Middle School teachers reach out to students. Fairfax County Public Schools is looking at what to do about the fall semester – whether schools reopen but maintain social distancing, what to do if the coronavirus pandemic continues or there is a second wave, and how to provide options for families not ready to have … Continued