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.
Man accidentally runs over, kills his wife
A man backing into his driveway struck and killed his 73-year-old wife in the 6300 block of Lakewood Drive in Mason District at about 5:45 p.m. on Feb. 22, the Fairfax County Police Department reports.
COVID vaccination program to expand to include more pharmacies
Addo-Ayensu Virginia health officials hope the COVID-19 vaccination process will speed up when the federal retail pharmacy partnership expands. So far, CVS is getting 52,000 doses a week statewide, said Dr. Danny Avula, Virginia’s vaccine coordinator, at a COVID vaccine town hall hosted by state Sen. Dave Marsden, whose district covers the Annandale area; Del. … Continued
Farewell Mr. Finch, former Annandale HS principal
Jim Finch speaks at the Annandale Athletic Boosters Hall of Fame banquet in 2018. Jim Finch, the much-admired principal of Annandale High School from 1966 to 1986, died Feb. 18 at an assisted living facility in Hendersonville, N.C. He was 92 and suffered from a variety of ailments. He “passed away peacefully in the presence … Continued
Man fatally shot at Fairmont Gardens in Annandale
Lots of police activity at Fairmont Gardens seen from the other side of Little River Turnpike. [Oscar Martinez] [Updated Feb. 20, 3:20 p.m.] One man is dead and a juvenile male has been injured following a shooting in Annandale Feb. 19, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. The incident happened at the Fairmont Gardens Apartments … Continued
Seven corners mental hospital seeks permission to expand services to substance abusers
Dominion Hospital Dominion Hospital, a mental health facility at 2960 Sleepy Hollow Road in Seven Corners, is seeking a special use permit allowing it to treat people whose only need is recovery from alcoholism or substance abuse. Dominion CEO Lee Higginbotham told the Bailey’s Crossroads/Seven Corners Revitalization Corporation Feb. 18 that its current permit from … Continued
Police believe series of recent commercial burglaries are linked
Kogiya was burglarized on Jan. 28. Fairfax County Police Department detectives believe 15 commercial burglaries across the county since Jan. 28 might be linked. Three of the burglaries were Annandale: Naz Food, Kogiya Korean BBQ, and the Han Gang Restaurant were hit on Jan. 28.
Fairfax County addresses confusion on vaccine registration
Now that the Virginia Department of Health has put out a statewide COVID-19 vaccination registration system, there have been a lot of questions about why Fairfax County isn’t participating in it. The Fairfax County Department of Health launched its own Vaccine Registration and Data Dashboard and Registration Status Checker last week.
School board adopts FY22 advertised budget focusing on pandemic recovery
Staff at Weyanoke Elementary School in Mason District welcome students back to class. [FCPS] The Fairfax County School Board has unanimously adopted a $3.2 billion advertised budget for fiscal year 2022 that calls for a 3 percent increase in employee pay. The proposed budget would increase funding by $75.5 million – 2.41 percent – over … Continued
Arlington man arrested for armed robberies in Annandale
Tevago Bell and the bb gun he had when arrested. [FCPD] An Arlington man is facing charges in connection with a series of recent armed robberies in Annandale, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. In three of the four robberies, the suspect approached the victim, displayed a firearm, and took their personal property. In the … Continued
Gopchang Story open on limited basis
Gopchang Story, the Korean restaurant specializing in intestines, is expected to have a grand opening within the next week or so. Meanwhile, the restaurant, at 7356-B Little River Turnpike in Annandale, is open for indoor dining 5-10 p.m. and offers carryout beginning at 11 a.m. When the restaurant is fully open, it will offer lunch … Continued
Carbon monoxide leak shuts down Poe Middle School
About 30 students were evacuated from Poe Middle School in Annandale this morning due to a carbon monoxide leak, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reported on Twitter. Students were sheltered in a warm location on the school’s property while they waited for their parents to pick them up. There were no injuries.