Fairfax County Public Schools prepares for virtual learning
Instructional materials organized for students at Woodburn Elementary School. [FCPS] Virtual learning this fall will involve less homework and plenty of time for off-screen group and individual activities, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand said during a town hall session Aug. 12. When it’s safe to start bringing students back to school, Brabrand said, … Continued
Pupusas Express opens in Annandale
Pupusas Express, a Salvadoran fast-food eatery is now open in the Annandale Shopping Center. It’s in the former Quiznos spot, at 7042 Columbia Pike. The restaurant offers several varieties of rice and corn pupusas, including one with loroco flower, made from a plant popular in Central America. Pupusas has a pretty extensive menu. Other items … Continued
Hoverboard causes house fire in Seven Corners
The burned hoverboard. [FCFRD] A house fire in the 2900 block of Meadow Lane in Seven Corners on Aug. 9 was caused by a hoverboard that ignited while being charged, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports. One occupant of the single-family home was transported to the hospital with minor injuries sustained when he … Continued
Hookah bar to open in Bailey’s Crossroads
The Shops at Bailey’s Crossroads on Leesburg Pike. The Jerusalem Restaurant, at 3400 Washington Drive, Bailey’s Crossroads, is adding a hookah bar, called Afandina, in the same shopping center. It’s expected to open by the end of September in the spot formerly occupied by Next Day Blinds. Related story: Jerusalem restaurant to add a new … Continued
Mosaic District draws crowds despite pandemic
A closed section of Strawberry Lane serves as a gathering space. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and a heat wave, the Mosaic District in Merrifield was fairly crowded on Sunday evening. While several places have closed in recent weeks, new ones have opened or are coming soon. Leon offers chicken, burgers, pitas, and slushies, among other … Continued
Nonprofits seek public donations for school supplies
Kids need school supplies whether they’re learning in class or online. [Collect for Kids] School may be virtual this fall, but students still need school supplies. Children from lower-income households in our community need more help than ever this year, as the coronavirus pandemic is taking an economic toll on families. Two Fairfax County nonprofits … Continued
Two die in Bailey’s Crossroads crash
A man and woman have died as a result of injuries sustained in a crash that occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 9 in the 3400 block of Carlin Springs Road in Bailey’s Crossroads, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. The passenger, Maria Crowder, 29, of Maryland, died at the scene, while the driver, … Continued
First tenants move in to Mission Lofts
So far, 30 of the 156 units at Mission Lofts have been leased. Located in a former office building at 5600 Columbia Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads, Mission Lofts allows tenants to use their units as a residence, office, or both. One unit is being used solely as a business, Johnson Construction & Design, says property … Continued
Mason District task force approves one development proposal and opposes another
One of the houses on Arlington Boulevard that could be demolished for a proposal for an assisted living facility goes forward. A Mason District Task Force voted to oppose a proposal to develop an assisted living facility on Arlington Boulevard and recommended approval for a housing project for seniors on a church property in Seven … Continued
Incorrect voting information sent to local homes
Tens of thousands of Virginians received an absentee ballot application with the wrong information. The Center for Voter Information sent out applications with the voter information already filled in and an enclosed envelope with the wrong address: Fairfax County residents received an envelope addressed to the City of Fairfax Registrar rather than the registrar for Fairfax County. … Continued
FCPS superintendent offers more details about what virtual education will be like this fall
Annandale High School, like all FCPS schools will remain empty this fall. Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand sent a letter to parents Aug. 4 offering more details about the virtual return to school. In July, FCPS scrapped a hybrid plan giving parents a choice of in-school learning two days a week or an all-online … Continued
Public comment sought on revised plan for Braddock Road improvements
Fairfax County has revised its plans for the Braddock Road multimodal transportation improvement project and cut the cost from $74 million to $48 million for phase 1. The county applied for funding for the project twice and was rejected twice, Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw said at a virtual community meeting Aug. 3. “There is no … Continued
Local group provides rent relief to Annandale and Bailey’s Crossroads residents
Dozens of Annandale and Bailey’s Crossroads families were able to stay in their homes and feed their families over the past few months, thanks to the emergency assistance program run by the Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA). ACCA received $3.1 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. About half … Continued
Suspect in Annandale homicide arrested in New Mexico
Police investigate a homicide at Fairmont Gardens. Updated, Aug. 9: Abel Alexander Castro Juarez, the suspect wanted by Fairfax County Police for a homicide at the Fairmont Gardens apartments in Annandale July 24, was arrested in New Mexico Friday night, the Associated Press reports. Castro Juarez, age 20, is a suspect in the shooting death … Continued
Fairfax County seeks input on new pedestrian signal for Little River Turnpike in Annandale
A HAWK signal is planned for this crosswalk on Little River Turnpike at Conwell Drive. The Fairfax County Department of Transportation seeks feedback from the community on a HAWK signal planned for Little River Turnpike at the Conwell Drive intersection in Annandale. The HAWK (High-Intensity Activated crossWalK) is aimed at improving pedestrian safety, especially as … Continued