Fairfax County supports LGBTQ+ residents
Fairfax County has earned the highest score possible on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, a measure of support for LGBTQ+ residents. The county received the top score of 100 on the index, which rates cities and counties on how inclusive their policies and services are for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. … Continued
Viewpoint: Green Spring Gardens should focus on conservation
By Kathryn Cooper As a long-time resident of Mason District and dedicated volunteer at Green Spring Gardens, I urge the Fairfax County Park Authority to hire someone with conservation expertise as the new site manager at GSG. Mason District has fewer green spaces than almost any other district in the county, so GSG is a rare and … Continued
Help a family get through the holidays
With Thanksgiving and the December holidays around the corner, this is the season to turn one’s attention toward helping others. Here are just a few of the many ways to help families in need ensure a happy holiday for their children: Community members are invited to donate new, unwrapped toys, pajamas, and slippers for babies, … Continued
It just got easier to report a streetlight outage
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has created a new Streetlight Reporting Map to make it easier for residents to identify pole numbers and report streetlight outages. The map shows streetlight service areas and the location and pole numbers for individual streetlights. All you have to do is zoom in on the map to find the … Continued
Metrobus riders can now pay with credit cards
Metrobus customers can now pay for a ride with a credit card or debit card. Metrobus also accepts Apple Pay and Google Pay on bus farebox readers. Metro launched Tap. Ride. Go. for Metrobuses on Nov. 18. Since that contactless payment system was implemented for Metrorail in May, customers have used it for more than 6 … Continued
Annandale man gets 15 years on drug charges
An Annandale man was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Nov. 20 for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the Department of Justice reports. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, police observed … Continued
Del. Watts outlines legislative priorities
The huge electoral win by Virginia Democrats earlier this year offers a big opportunity to get their legislative priorities enacted by the General Assembly. However, the continuing cuts in federal funding will pose a huge challenge to the state budget. A Democratic agenda The Democratic victory “gives us the flexibility to really have a dialogue … Continued
Frozen yogurt shop opens in Annandale
A frozen yogurt shop called Yomo opened Nov. 15 at 7406 Little River Turnpike in Annandale in the former Casa d’Mama Pizzaria spot. In addition to self-serve frozen yogurt, Yomo offers smoothies and Nutella crepes. Additional crepe varieties will be added later. Yomo stands for “you only melt once,” says owner George Hayek, who immigrated … Continued
Driver critically injured in crash
An adult male is in the hospital in a life-threatening condition following a crash in the 3400 block of Carlin Springs Road in Bailey’s Crossroads shortly before 4 p.m. on Nov. 19. According to Fairfax County Police, the driver of a 2016 BMW was traveling at a high rate of speed toward Leesburg Pike when … Continued
FACETS will manage the Bailey’s Shelter
The Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH) has contracted with FACETS to manage the Bailey’s Shelter and Supportive Housing facility in Bailey’s Crossroads. That shelter was formerly operated by New Hope Housing. OPEH terminated its contract with New Hope Housing in September for mismanagement. New Hope … Continued
Culmore Library to close for a year for HVAC upgrade
The Culmore Community Library will be closed for a full year for an upgrade of its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, the Fairfax County Public Library announced Nov. 17. The library will close on Jan. 17, 2026, and isn’t expected to reopen until January 2027. During that period, the grounds and parking lot will … Continued
New exhibit at Beanetics features Afghan miniatures
By James Albright A new art exhibit opening this Friday at Beanetics Coffee Roasters in Annandale features stunning painted miniatures by local Afghan refugees and artists. The exhibit is hosted by ArtLords, a nonprofit international art collective. Many of these works were brought from Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul. This is the first time … Continued
Residents oppose sidewalk at Justice Park
Residents who live near Justice Park in Seven Corners say a sidewalk planned along Peace Valley Lane is not needed and urge the county to cancel the project. The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is proceeding with the development of an 825-foot sidewalk between Mansfield Road and the cul-de-sac at the end of Peace Valley … Continued
Trash from Americana Drive cleanup not collected
Nearly 60 volunteers spent hours on Veterans Day last Tuesday picking up trash along Americana Road in Annandale. Five days later, piles of bright orange trash bags are still there. Some of the bags have opened, with trash spilling out. Amy Gould, one of the organizers of the periodic cleanups along with Philip Latasa of … Continued
Giant helps the Annandale Mission Center feed families in need
Volunteers at the Annandale Mission Center on Heritage Drive presented a plaque to the Annandale Giant earlier this month in appreciation of the grocery store’s food donations. The store donated more than 91,600 pounds of food to the Mission Center in the past 12 months, reports Dana Goward, chair of the center’s board of directors. … Continued