Free gun locks, locking medicine boxes available for suicide prevention
The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board is giving away free gun locks and locking medication boxes as part of an effort to help families make their homes safer. Limiting access to firearms and toxic medications for a person in crisis is an essential strategy for preventing suicide. Studies show individuals are three times more likely … Continued
McKay, Descano, Kory, and Saslaw win in the Democratic primary
Jeff McKay speaks to supporters after winning the Democratic Primary. He was introduced to the crowd by Rep. Gerry Connolly (left). Jeff McKay easily won the Democratic primary for chair of the Board of Supervisors June 11, with 42.5 percent of the vote, beating three challengers. Voters said “experience matters,” McKay, the Lee supervisor for … Continued
New interpretive signs installed at Mason District Park
Mason District Park in Annandale has a dozen brand-new interpretive signs, thanks to the efforts of local residents. David Siegel, who lives next door to the park, got the ball rolling about three years ago. He noticed the signs had gotten “ratty” and needed to be replaced. He offered to contribute $500 to the cost of … Continued
Denny’s will open next month
A new Denny’s restaurant is expected to open at 5501 Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads on July 15. It will be just the third Denny’s in Fairfax County. The others are on Lee Highway in Fairfax and Richmond Highway in Alexandria. Denny’s features standard American fare, such as “Signature Slam” hearty breakfasts, burgers, sandwiches, steaks, … Continued
Recent crimes: Drugs, weapons, larceny
Smith [FCPD] Police arrested two men for drug possession in the 6300 block of Little River Turnpike in Lincolnia at about 8:45 p.m. on June 8, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. When officers made a traffic stop, they smelled marijuana. A search of the car revealed drugs and a shotgun. The driver, Craig Knight, … Continued
Wood chips cause house fire in Lake Barcroft area
Fairfax County firefighters attack a fire on Queen Anne Terrace. [FCFRD] Improperly discarded wood chips from a grill started a fire at a home in Lake Barcroft that caused approximately $128,000 in damages. When units from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department arrived, shortly after 1 a.m., they found a car on fire inside … Continued
Construction well under way on live/work building in Bailey’s Crossroads
The main entrance to Mission Lofts is on S. Carlin Springs Road. The first units at Mission Lofts, the office building conversion project with the innovative live/work concept at 5600 Columbia Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads, could be ready for the first tenants as early as November. The entire project should be completed in January, says … Continued
Model homes open at new Heritage development
Construction is well under way on the first phase of the Heritage townhouse community on Commons Avenue in Annandale. When completed, the community will consist of 67 homes on what had been a parking lot, 7-Eleven, and gas station between the Heritage shopping center and the Vistas of Annandale. The Board of Supervisors approved the … Continued
Renovation of Falls Church High School to start in 2021
An illustration of the facade of the renovated Falls Church High School. [Perkins Eastman] Falls Church High School will be totally upgraded and expanded, with the work scheduled to begin in 2021. “Everything is going to be new. Every space will be totally renovated,” says Godson Nwosu, of the facilities department at Fairfax County Public … Continued
Crossroads Safeway closes June 22
The Safeway at Crossroads Center in Bailey’s Crossroads is closing on June 22, and it appears no new tenants for that space – or the long-empty HH Gregg store – have been lined up. Here’s what we heard from Alex Shiel, director of leading and brokerage with the Rappaport Co.: “We are just as excited … Continued
A candidate’s negative campaign strategy backfires with this voter
The following opinion piece was submitted by a reader, Dan McKinnon of Annandale, and reflects his personal opinion. The Annandale Blog does not endorse candidates. … Continued
Annandale cannon lovingly restored and back in place
It was a huge project that took nearly a year, but the Annandale cannon is completely restored and back in place at the intersection of Columbia Pike and Backlick Road. Boy Scout Mark Witkowski worked on the cannon for a project to earn an Eagle Scout badge under the supervision of American Legion Post 1976 … Continued
New principal named for Jackson Middle School
Michael Magliola has been appointed principal of Luther Jackson Middle School in Falls Church, succeeding Acting Principal Rohini Tohan. Magliola’s official start date is July 10. Parents and staff are invited to a meet-and-greet with Magliola in the cafeteria today at 2:30 p.m. Magliola has been an assistant principal at the Winston Churchill International Baccalaureate Middle … Continued
Communities of Trust Committee promotes positive interactions with law enforcement
The Communities of Trust Committee invites the public to explore a police helicopter at the 2018 Taste of Annandale. If the community’s relationship with the police has improved, it’s because the Fairfax County Communities of Trust Committee (COT) has been working hard to make it happen. The COT works on ways to improve community policing, … Continued
Construction starts on interim park in Bailey’s Crossroads
Illustrations of the interim park are from the Park Authority. Work has started on Crossroads Interim Park, the temporary park on the site of the former Landmark office building in Bailey’s Crossroads. The nearly 3-acre park on county-owned land at 5827 Columbia Pike will be in place for at least five years, as plans for … Continued