School board renames Lee High School for John Lewis
Lee High School [Fox5] The Fairfax County School Board voted July 23 to rename Robert E. Lee High School in Springfield after the late U.S. Congressman John R. Lewis. The new name will be effective for the 2020-21 school year. “The board heard from students, teachers and staff members, families, and the community about the … Continued
Support grows for police and criminal justice reforms
A scene from a viral video shows motorist Derrick Thompson being forcibly removed from his vehicle by a Virginia state trooper. The incident highlights the need for police reform. A group of progressive commonwealth’s attorneys from across Virginia are throwing their support behind an effort by the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus and Virginia Senate Democratic … Continued
COVID testing event targets Hispanics in Annandale
A COVID testing even at Annandale High School in May drew a huge crowd. The Fairfax County Health Department is hosting a free COVID-19 testing event targeted to the Hispanic community in Annandale on July 29, 2-8 p.m., at Annandale High School. The Annandale zip code 22003 has one of the highest rates of COVID … Continued
Fairfax County schools will stay virtual this fall
FCPS might not need these floor stickers for a while. Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand has reversed course and now recommends that the school year start in a virtual format for everyone. The previously approved plan gave families the option of sending students to school for face-to-face learning for two days a week. … Continued
Farewell, Magill’s Famous Pizza & Buffet
Mike Magill with Santa. The restaurant hosted a popular breakfast with Santa event every December. Magill’s Famous Pizza & Buffet, an Annandale institution on Little River Turnpike for 22 years, has closed for good. “COVID got us,” says owner Mike Magill. The restaurant offered takeout and delivery during the early months of the pandemic, but “by … Continued
Task force to resume work next month on redevelopment proposals in Annandale and Seven Corners
A mixed-use development is proposed for this site on Little River Turnpike in Annandale. The Mason District task force appointed by Supervisor Penny Gross to review a series of development proposals will resume its work in August. The task force met only once, in March, before its work was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. … Continued
FCPS could reconsider in-school learning
Now that parents and teachers have voted on whether they prefer in-school or distance learning, there’s a renewed effort among some Fairfax County School Board members to push for all-virtual learning, at least for the start of the 2020-21 school year. The school board will discuss the issue July 21. Superintendent Scott Brabrand says he … Continued
Collector’s World is relocating to a larger space
Collector’s World has outgrown its space. Collector’s World, the sports card and comic book store in the Annandale Shopping Center on Columbia Pike, is moving to a much bigger space in the same strip mall – between Aldi and Mathnasium. Co-owner Damon Hudson hopes the store will open in the new location in time for … Continued
Two shot at bar in Bailey’s Crossroads
The Black Rose Lounge Two people were shot at around 2:15 a.m., July 18, at the Black Rose Lounge, 5815 Seminary Road, in Bailey’s Crossroads, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. The victims were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect is described as a 20-year-old black male, 5 feet, 8-10 inches tall, … Continued
Franconia police district sets up youth engagement council
Capt. Fried The Fairfax County Police Department’s Franconia District Station is launching a Youth Engagement Council for high school students and young adults age 18-25 who live in the area served by the station. The Franconia Police District covers a large section of the Annandale area south of Little River Turnpike. The Youth Engagement Council … Continued
Recent crimes: assault, DWI, stolen car
The Fairfax County Police Department reports the following crimes in the Mason Police District: A man walking in the 3400 block of Lake Street in Bailey’s Crossroads, shortly before 1 a.m. on July 12, was approached by a group of individuals who assaulted him, stole his personal property, and ran away. There were no reported … Continued
Fire at Bailey’s Crossroads high rise
An apartment fire in the 3700 block of S. George Mason Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads on July 14 was caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports. The fire started on a couch in the living room of an apartment on the 16th floor of a 26-story building at … Continued
Summer concerts in the parks canceled
The amphitheater at Mason District Park will stay empty for the rest of the season. The Fairfax County Park Authority has canceled the summer entertainment series for the rest of the summer, due to the need to avoid large public gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic. That includes Spotlight by Starlight concerts at Mason District Park … Continued
Northam cracks down on COVID violations
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced the adoption of statewide emergency workplace safety standards July 15 in response to an increase in COVID-19 cases across the state. These rules mandate appropriate personal protective equipment, sanitation, social distancing, infectious disease preparedness and response plans, record keeping, training, and hazard communications in workplaces across Virginia. Face coverings are … Continued
Police seek suspect in Annandale shooting
Detectives from the Fairfax County Police Department are seeking information from the public about a shooting on July 11 in the 3300 block of Gallows Road in Annandale. According to a nearby resident, it happened at the Yummy Kabob restaurant. A man was found in a parking lot at about 7:20 p.m. with gunshot wounds. … Continued