Invasive spotted lanternflies are spreading all over the county
By Shane Gomez Spotted lanternflies are booming this summer throughout the D.C. region, including Fairfax County. The species is native to East Asia, but is invasive here and is growing in number and range. Since the nymphs started maturing into adults in July, residents are spotting more of them. A prolific appetite, lack of enough … Continued
Justice students encouraged to become Public Health Youth Ambassadors
Justice High School students interested in a health career are encouraged to apply for the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program’s fall 2025 cohort. The program offers instruction to students in grades 10-12 in learning about community health, teen mental health, and reducing opioid use. Students who qualify for the Youth Ambassador program take classes and … Continued
Rep Beyer gets a progressive challenger
Mohamed “Mo” Seifeldein, a former member of the Alexandria City Council, is challenging Rep. Don Beyer in the 2026 Democratic Primary for Virginia’s 8th congressional district. All seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for re-election in the 2026 midterms. Seifeldein, the son of Sudanese refugees, says he is entering the race “with … Continued
Registration underway for the Senior Olympics
Seniors are invited to show off their athletic and mental skills at the 2025 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics Sept. 13-30. There are more than 70 events, including sports, such as pickleball and power walking, and leisure activities, like Scrabble and crossword puzzles. Registration closes on Aug. 29. Register here. The fee is $20 per athlete … Continued
Rezoning proposed for Annandale office buildings
Nicholas LRT LLC has submitted a rezoning application for a 6-acre property on Little River Turnpike in Annandale. The company wants to change the zoning from C-6 (community retail commercial district) to PDC (planned development commercial district). The proposal calls for transforming the six-story office building at 7620 Little River Turnpike to residential uses. An … Continued
Brothers sent to prison for armed robberies
Three brothers have been sentenced to prison for a series of armed robberies across Virginia and Maryland, including the robbery of a tobacco shop in Bailey’s Crossroads. A news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Virginia says the brothers, from Washington, D.C., robbed a convenience store, four tobacco shops, and … Continued
Visit the animals at the Taste of Annandale
For the first time ever, the Taste of Annandale will have a petting zoo. Squeals on Wheels, a family-owned business based in Maryland, is bringing two alpacas, a miniature goat, and a variety of smaller animals. The Taste of Annandale, a community festival, is happening Sept. 20, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m., at the Eileen Garnett Civic … Continued
Bowlero will become Lucky Strike
The Bowlero bowling alley in Annandale will soon be renamed Lucky Strike. The change follows the move by the Bowlero Corp. last December to rebrand as Lucky Strike Entertainment, reflecting its expanded mission to offer more than traditional bowling. Meanwhile, the Annandale location, at 4245 Markham Street, will carry out improvements to enhance the customer … Continued
Lane closures this week on Wakefield Chapel Road at Little River Turnpike
The Little River Turnpike/Wakefield Chapel Road intersection in Annandale will have nighttime lane closures on Aug. 11-13. The closures are needed for a culvert replacement, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. These lanes will be closed from 9 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, to 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug 12: Drivers will still be … Continued
Sign up for the Taste of Annandale 5K
Registration is now open for the annual Taste of Annandale 5K. The 5K starts at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, before the opening of the Taste of Annandale at 10:30 a.m. Sign up for the 5K here. The 5K is going to be different this year. The race will start and end within Mason … Continued
Toxic algae mats appear in Lake Accotink
Don’t wade or swim in Lake Accotink and don’t let your children or dog play in the water, the Virginia Department of Health warns That’s because there’s a toxic blue-green algae bloom in the lake. “Exposure to algal toxins may cause illness,” states a notice posted by VDH at the marina. “Call your doctor or … Continued
Test your eating prowess at the Taste of Annandale
On your mark, get set, eat! The person who can scarf down a bahn mi the fastest will be declared the winner of the first-ever eating contest at the Taste of Annandale. A banh mi is a Vietnamese sandwich consisting of a baguette filled with cold cuts and vegetables, such as cucumber and carrot slices, … Continued
ArtsFairfax supports local art groups
ArtsFairfax has distributed a total of nearly $592,000 to support the operations of 56 arts organizations in Fairfax County and Falls Church. The following five arts organizations based in Mason District are among the grant recipients: The Operating Support Grants, announced by ArtsFairfax on Aug. 5, provide critical funding for the basic operation of local … Continued
Culmore teens explore nature
Teens from Culmore got a chance to experience nature this summer thanks to volunteer Jo Doumbia, who organized weekly field trips for them. The teens went kayaking at Riverbend Park, took a nature walk at Huntley Meadows, went fishing at Lake Fairfax, and took part in a “forest bathing” exercise at Wolf Trap. Forest bathing … Continued
More details emerge on Annandale fire
The fire at the Vistas garden apartments in Annandale on Aug. 3 was caused by an electrical event involving a surge protector, according to an update from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Fire and smoke were visible when the fire units arrived at about 9 p.m. at the apartment building in the 7900 … Continued