FCPS honors outstanding educators
The end of the school year is award time. Fairfax County Public Schools honored outstanding employees including the following teachers and other staff in the Annandale/Mason District area. Andrew Sharrock, the band director at Glasgow Middle School, was named the 2025 FCPS Outstanding Secondary School Teacher. In his seven years at Glasgow, Andrew has expanded … Continued
Police Department discontinues child safety seat inspections
The Fairfax County Police Department is no longer conducting free child safety seat inspections. The free service had been carried out monthly at police stations across the county, including the Mason Police Station. According to the FCPD, “This program was discontinued due to recent budget cuts and is no longer available through our department.” The … Continued
Mobile shower unit will serve the homeless
Pathway Homes is launching a mobile shower unit to serve homeless people in Fairfax County. The regional nonprofit provides housing and other services to marginalized individuals, including those experiencing mental health issues. Pathway Homes received nearly $300,000 in grants from Virginia Housing, the Cafritz Foundation, the Potomac Health Foundation, and Amazon to retrofit a trailer as … Continued
Follow these tips for a safe July 4
Planning your own fireworks show tonight? Follow these safety tips from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department to avoid turning a fun holiday into a tragedy: Any firework that explodes, emits a flame or sparks higher than 12 feet, or performs as a projectile is prohibited by the Fairfax County Fire Prevention Code. Firecrackers, … Continued
Residents offer input on gateway signage
Residents of Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners had an opportunity last week to indicate how they want their communities presented on gateway signage. The Fairfax County Community Revitalization Section is undertaking a project to develop signs and banners that promote the unique character and aesthetic identity of each area. The goal is to instill community … Continued
A broken AC system causes hardships for Vista residents
By Shane Gomez A brutal heat wave swept the East Coast last week, bringing health warnings and cancellations to the D.C. area along with 100-degree temperatures. Now, imagine being without air conditioning. That’s the reality for many residents at the Vistas of Annandale, a 1,065-unit apartment community centered around Patriot Drive. According to a statement … Continued
16 men arrested for soliciting minors
The Fairfax County Police Department on July 2 announced the arrest of 16 men following a months-long operation targeting online predators who sought to commit sexual acts with minors. Detectives from our Child Exploitation Unit (CEXU) focused on identifying offenders who used online platforms to initiate inappropriate conversations with individuals they believed to be underage. … Continued
Local cultural highlights for July
By James Albright, chair of the Mason Arts Advisory Council Rather than just being the yawning, stifling chasm between the end of the school year and the beginning of fall, July provides a lot of entertainment and cultural events for our community. Here are some highlights: July 5 – West African Cultural Heritage Night: Soul in … Continued
Sears blasts Spanberger for being a ‘socialist’
Winsome Earle Sears, the Republican candidate for governor, accused her opponent, Abigail Spanberger, of being a socialist, saying, “she is radical and she is reckless.” For Sears, socialism means “government grocery stores and free groceries.” “After a while, they’re going to run out of money, because it’s our money they’re being free with,” Sears said. … Continued
Rep. Beyer calls for more regulation of AI
Rep. Don Beyer warns that AI could have significant negative consequences if not regulated and lauded the promise of fusion energy at a recent forum hosted by the Democratic Business Council of Northern Virginia. Meanwhile, he said, his primary responsibility in Congress is promoting economic growth. “The faster the economy can grow, the better off … Continued
New Virginia laws take effect today
The following laws enacted by the Virginia General Assembly and signed by the governor take effect on July 1: Student cell phones – School boards are required to implement policies restricting the use of cell phones on school property during the school day. Limited exceptions are allowed for students who need a phone for medical … Continued
Fireworks!
Fireworks shows celebrating Independence Day are scheduled this week at these locations: Fairfax High School – July 4, 3501 Lion Run, Fairfax. Band performance starts at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Food trucks, shuttle buses from Woodson High School. Bag and cooler inspections. Road closures. Presented by the City of Fairfax. Rain date: July … Continued
Spanberger vows to stand up for Virginians against the chaos in Washington
Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic candidate for governor, vows to stand up for Virginians against “the chaos coming out of the Republicans in Congress and the chaos coming out of the Trump administration.” “At this point in time, the things that are most important to us as Virginians are under attack: the healthcare of hundreds of … Continued
Walkinshaw wins Democratic Primary
Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw (Braddock) has won the Democratic nomination for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. Voters overwhelmingly elected Walkinshaw in a firehouse primary on June 28 organized by the 11th Congressional District Democratic Committee in partnership with the Democratic Party of Virginia and local committees. Walkinshaw will face the Republican nominee Stewart Whitson in … Continued
Whitson wins Republican Primary for Congress
Republican voters in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District selected Stewart Whitson to vie for the late Gerry Connolly’s seat in the House of Representatives. Whitson beat six other Republicans in a firehouse primary at Fairfax High School on June 28. Whitson will be on the ballot in a special election on Sept. 9, along with Braddock … Continued