Firefighters train at homes to be demolished
Before Fairfax County tears down nine houses on Barrett Road in the Falls Church area, the Fire Department is using the vacant houses for training exercises. The houses frequently flood when Tripps Run overflows. The county bought the properties in the Bel Air neighborhood and will demolish them for a stormwater project to prevent future … Continued
BoS will consider alternatives to a USD
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 26 approved a resolution to weigh alternatives before considering the establishment of a Unified Sanitation District. A public hearing on a USD, which had been scheduled for October, has been canceled. The USD concept calls for the county to take control of trash and recycling for single-family … Continued
Viewpoint: The ACCA Child Development Center offers high-quality learning
By Andrea Sobel, chair of the ACCA Child Development Center Board of Directors Looking for an exceptional early childhood environment with caring educators for your child? Fortunately, we have that right here in Annandale. The ACCA Child Development Center is proud to provide high-quality, affordable early education and developmentally appropriate care for children from 3 months … Continued
Viewpoint: In defense of natural resource conservation at Green Spring Gardens
By Kathryn Cooper I and many others in the community are opposed to the planned “education pavilion” at Green Spring Gardens. The nonprofit Friends of Green Spring Gardens (FROGS) has donated $250,000 for the project. We raised the following concerns at community meetings in February and July and on the Park Authority’s website: I … Continued
Three Annandale HS graduates selected for the FCPS Alumni Hall of Fame
Three Annandale High School graduates are among the 11 Fairfax County Public School’s Alumni Hall of Fame, Educate Fairfax announced on Aug. 22. The Hall of Fame honors graduates of Fairfax County high schools who went on to successful careers in education, business, government, the military, the media, community service, and other fields. The 2025 … Continued
Virginia National Guard to assist ICE
Members of the Virginia National Guard are expected to be deployed across the state, including Northern Virginia, in September to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Gov. Glenn Youngkin called up the National Guard earlier this month to mobilize approximately 60 soldiers and airmen to provide administrative and logistics support to ICE. Immigrant rights groups … Continued
Annandale restaurants are closing
Chicken Pelicana and Kimen Ramen & Izakaya, the two restaurants at the end of the EastGate Shopping Center on John Marr Drive in Annandale, are closing for good on Sunday, Aug. 24. Neither one has plans to reopen in another location. The vendors at The Block are closing on Aug. 31, and B-Thrifty is closing … Continued
Deer bow-hunting season starts Sept. 6
Fairfax County’s deer hunting season starts on Saturday, Sept. 6, and runs through Feb. 14, 2026. The program is aimed at curbing deer overpopulation. The program allows authorized archery groups to shoot deer in certain parks from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset Monday-Saturday. Parks will remain open to the public. According … Continued
State agency approves transmission line in Bren Mar Park
The State Corporation Commission has approved Dominion Energy’s request for an overhead transmission line to serve a proposed substation for a data center planned on Edsall Road adjacent to several residential communities. The transmission line would be nearly one mile long, connecting the proposed 5-acre Edsall Substation to the Van Dorn Substation. The transmission line … Continued
School news: back to school edition
Schools closed Sept. 9 – Fairfax County Public Schools is closing all schools on Sept. 9, the day of a special election for the 11th congressional district. More than half the schools will serve as polling locations. Keeping the schools open would create building and parking challenges, FCPS explains. Voting would take place in cafeterias … Continued
Annandale locations showcase powerful creative expression
By James Albright Two noteworthy art experiences will hit Annandale in the next couple of weeks. A new Artopolis show at Beanetics highlights stunning mixed-media and collage works by Theresa Martin, while renowned DC Comics artist Matt Johnston applies his mural skills to Flavor Hive, our new hot dining spot. These two events highlight the … Continued
U.S. Education Department puts FCPS on ‘high risk’ status
The U.S. Department of Education announced Aug. 19 that it is placing Fairfax County Public Schools and five Northern Virginia school districts on “high-risk status” for violating Title IX. That means “all federal funding flowing to these districts is done by reimbursement only,” the department states. The funds are being withheld because the districts are … Continued
Whitson and Walkinshaw disagree on everything
Congressional candidates James Walkinshaw (D) and Stewart Whitson (R) clashed on Medicaid cuts, immigration, tariffs, crime, and much more in an online forum hosted by the League of Women Voters on Aug. 18. The candidates are vying in a special election on Sept. 9 to represent Virginia’s 11th district in the U.S. House of Representatives. … Continued
Metro seeks input on new railcar design
Metro is asking the public to pick their favorite design for the exterior of the new 8000-series rail fleet. Vote online for one of three design options. Voting will close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22. The winning concept will be announced the following week. “The designs are part of a broader branding refresh … Continued
Artisans United offers craft classes
Artisans United, a nonprofit in Annandale dedicated to promoting local crafters and artists, is offering a series of craft classes this fall, on baskets, bows, jewelry, and more. The classes will be held at the organization’s Craft Gallery and gift shop in the Packard Center at 4022 Hummer Road. The gallery and shop feature works … Continued