Tax assistance programs mostly virtual this year
Before the pandemic, AARP volunteers assisted taxpayers at the Mason Government Center. The AARP Tax Aide program is underway to help people file their taxes, but there are new procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. People must have appointments this year, Mason Supervisor Penny Gross reports in her newsletter to residents. No walk-ins are allowed, … Continued
Mason police commander to address street racing complaints
The car show in Annandale on Feb. 25. Capt. Shawn Adcock, the new commander of the Mason Police Station, is working on addressing the complaints about street racing in Annandale. Many residents have complained about noise and speeding on Little River Turnpike and surrounding streets after 10 p.m. last week following an informal meetup of … Continued
Virginia legislature passes bill on legalizing recreational marijuana
Virginia lawmakers approved legislation to legalize marijuana for recreational use, beginning in 2024. Gov. Ralph Northam is expected to sign the measure, which focuses on ending inequities in the criminal justice system. Several lawmakers said they hope Northam will propose amendments to speed up legalization and strengthen the provisions to promote racial equity.
New performing arts venue to open this fall
A rendering of Capital One Hall [Capital One] By David Siegel In a unique public-private partnership, a new world-class performing arts destination is nearing completion in McLean: Capital One Hall is scheduled to open in October on the newly constructed Capital One Bank campus. The Fairfax County and Capital One Bank public-use partnership, valued at … Continued
Virginia to get allocation of single-dose COVID vaccines
The Virginia Department of Health will begin offering the single-dose COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson next week, the agency announced. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for that vaccine on Feb. 27.
Residents encouraged to take surveys on Fairfax County’s Energy and Climate Action Plan
Solar panels, like the ones on this Annandale roof, are an increasingly common sight in Mason District. Fairfax County is asking residents to take three surveys to inform county staff on how they feel about climate change issues. The surveys will provide feedback as the county develops its first-ever Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan … Continued
Fairfax County Health Department still working through COVID vaccination registrations from Jan. 18
Vaccinators at work at the Inova Center for Personalized Health in Merrifield. As the difficulties in snagging a COVID-19 vaccine appointment continue, the Fairfax County Health Department has issued some information aimed at clearing up the confusion. All COVID vaccines are free for everyone, whether they have health insurance or not. However, people are still … Continued
New pizza shop coming to Seven Corners
The new &Pizza on Arlington Boulevard. &Pizza is expected to open in the Willston II Shopping Center on Arlington Boulevard in Seven Corners in March. Pronounced “and pizza,” this casual restaurant offers oblong-shaped pizzas with a wide range of toppings. The restaurant is between Busy Bees and Tropical Smoothie Café.
New Annandale grocery store to open in May
K Market, the huge international supermarket under construction in the former Kmart on John Marr Drive in Annandale, is expected to open in May. The store will have a food court, a seafood section with live fish, a butcher shop, and much more.
Giant Pharmacy offering COVID vaccines, along with CVS and Safeway
The CVS at 7205 Little River Turnpike in Annandale. Giant Pharmacy is now administering COVID-19 vaccinations to people who registered with the Fairfax County Health Department.
Supervisors ban plastic bags for yard waste
The correct way to put yard waste on the curb. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 9-1 Feb. 23 to ban the use of plastic bags for curbside yard waste pickup. Instead of plastic bags, county residents now must use paper bags or reusable bins. Another alternative, suggested Eric Forbes of the Fairfax County … Continued
Gov. Northam eases some COVID restrictions
Northam speaks at a press briefing in January. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has eased some COVID-19 restrictions, as the health metrics are improving. Beginning March 1, certain outdoor sports and entertainment venues can operate at increased capacity, Northam announced Feb. 24.
VDOT to improve Little River Turnpike/Guinea Road intersection
Improvements are in the works for the Guinea Road intersection on Little River Turnpike just west of Annandale. Representatives from the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation will describe the changes at a virtual community meeting March 1 at 7 p.m.
Draft county budget would cut real estate tax rate
The Fairfax County Government Center Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill is proposing a 1-cent decrease in the residential real estate tax for fiscal year 2022. That would help offset a big increase in real estate value over the past year, Hill told the Board of Supervisors in his presentation on an advertised budget Feb. 23.
Virginia to become the first Southern state to abolish the death penalty
The execution chamber at the Greenville Correctional Center in 1994. [Bob Brown/Richmond Times-Dispatch Virginia is poised to ban the death penalty. Gov. Ralph Norman said Feb. 22 that he plans to sign legislation banning capital punishment approved by both houses of the General Assembly.