Plans emerge for Kmart site
Dozens of former Kmart buildings around the country have been converted to self-storage facilities. A Kmart in Illinois has been transformed into a private school. and one in New Jersey is expected to be used for government offices and a clinic. That’s not going to happen at the 125,000 square foot Kmart building at 4251 … Continued
School board candidate Jessica Swanson focuses on equity, early childhood education
Jessica Swanson (left) speaks at a candidate forum hosted by the Bailey’s Crossroads/Seven Corners Revitalization Corporation March 18. Jessica Swanson, who is seeking the Democratic endorsement for the Mason seat on the Fairfax County School Board, says her top priorities are early childhood education, supporting teachers, and ensuring schools with the neediest students get extra … Continued
School news roundup: Winners, walkouts, and a princess
Annandale High School students took a field trip to Northern Virginia Community College to learn about college programs. New STEM graduation seal – The Virginia Board of Education has announced a new graduation seal, available to students in the graduating class of 2019 and beyond. The Diploma Seal for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) … Continued
Glen Forest ES community seeks help with school bus traffic on Glen Forest Drive
The photos of Glen Forest Drive with this story were taken by a Glen Forest ES parent. The Fairfax County School Board is fast-tracking a boundary change to relieve overcrowding at Glen Forest Elementary School in Bailey’s Crossroads. While moving some students to another school isn’t likely to take effect until the 2020-21 school year, there’s … Continued
Endorsement vote is critical for school board candidates
There are two highly qualified candidates – Ricardy Anderson and Jessica Swanson – vying for the Mason District seat on the Fairfax County School Board and seeking an endorsement from the Mason District Democratic Committee (MDDC). Whichever candidate gets the most votes at the committee’s April 24 endorsement meeting is likely to become the next … Continued
Mama Mei’s opens at The Block
The Block, Annandale’s food hall on John Marr Drive, has a new vendor – Mama Mei’s – in the spot formerly occupied by Roots. Mama Mei’s features “feel good food,” such as a hot chicken sandwich, wings, tempura veggie bites, and waffle fries. More items will be added, including chicken and waffle sandwiches, fried rice, … Continued
County to invest more in revitalization districts
John Marr Drive in Annandale. Fairfax County has increased its investment in maintaining publicly owned properties in five Commercial Revitalization Districts (CRDs): Annandale, Bailey’s Crossroads/Seven Corners, McLean, the Richmond Highway Corridor, and Springfield. Two new full-time positions were created in the Department of Public Works and Environmental Service’s CRD maintenance program to focus on the … Continued
Mosaic District is losing its farmers market
The market at Mosaic. Update, 3/29/19: FreshFarm will operate a farmers market at Mosaic. The Mosaic Central Farm Market, after six years at the Mosaic District in Merrifield, is moving to George Marshall High School, 7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, in two weeks. The new market, to be known as NOVA Central Farm Market, will … Continued
Oil spill affects Holmes Run
Ranck Updated, 5:35 p.m.: An oil spill on the Inova property on the 3200 block of Gallows Road on March 21 has contaminated Holmes Run. The Fairfax County Fire Department found approximately 3,700 gallons of diesel fuel had spilled out of some tanks, Battalion Chief Marty Ranck, with the department’s Hazardous Materials Response Team, reported … Continued
Community offers input on Halifax proposal
The Halifax office buildings. Lincolnia residents who came to a community meeting March 20 about a project to transform the aging Halifax office buildings into apartments came away with a clearer understanding of what the project is all about – and the lengthy process ahead before it can be approved. Like all suburban office buildings … Continued
Annandale man charged with scamming the elderly
Johnson {FCPD] Fairfax County Police arrested Michael Johnson, 49, of Annandale in a home improvement scam that targeted the elderly. An investigation by detectives from the Criminal Intelligence Division found Johnson offered to perform driveway paving services and other household repairs for mentally incapacitated persons. He then took payments that far exceeded the scope of … Continued
County may need to use eminent domain for Annandale sidewalk project
The dotted lines show where the sidewalks will be constructed. The affected properties are outlined in blue. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on March 19 agreed to hold a public hearing April 9 on the acquisition of land rights necessary for the construction of a sidewalk along Little River Turnpike between Columbia Road and … Continued
Stranger tries to lure child into his car
There is increased police presence in the Pinecrest neighborhood after a stranger tried to get a boy into his car on March 19 at Pinecrest Vista Drive and Sand Wedge Court. The Columbia Elementary School student was walking home from his bus stop at about 4:20 p.m. on March 19 when he noticed a red … Continued
Baby squirrels who fall from their nests can be saved
Melissa the squirrel baby. When a Fairfax resident had a tree cut down, and a baby squirrel was found in a nest that had fallen to the ground, she contacted the Wildlife Rescue League to find out how to keep it alive. As the area was experiencing freezing temperatures at the time, she kept it … Continued
Gross, Aiken clash on redevelopment issues at candidate forum
From the left: Del. Kaye Kory, Sen. Dick Saslaw, Gary Aiken, Jessica Swanson, Supervisor Penny Gross, Andres Jimenez, and Ricardy Anderson. Mason Supervisor Penny Gross and her Republican challenger, Gary Aiken, clashed over how to revitalize aging commercial centers, the East County Office Building, and Bailey’s Upper Elementary School at a candidate forum March 18 … Continued