Bill to allow casino in Tysons on hold
Legislation under consideration in the General Assembly to allow a casino in Tysons is likely to be put on hold until next year. The Resources Subcommittee of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee on Feb. 1 recommended that Senate Bill 675 be continued to 2025. “However, the bill is not finished,” said Sen. Jennifer … Continued
Jimenez forms an arts advisory committee
Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez established a Mason Arts Advisory Committee to review Fairfax County’s Master Arts Plan and propose art-related activities in Mason District that align with that plan. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the Master Arts Plan for Facilities in 2023 to expand community access to and engagement in arts and culture. The … Continued
Weekly crime report
The following recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area are from the Fairfax County Police Department as reported on CityProtect: Jan. 31 Jan. 30 Jan. 29 Jan. 28 Jan. 27 Jan. 26 Jan. 25
Annandale teacher Annie Ray wins a Grammy
Annandale orchestra director Annie Ray won the 2024 Grammy Music Educator Award. The announcement was made to the nation Feb. 1 on CBS Mornings with Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson. Ray will travel to the Grammy ceremony in Los Angeles on Feb. 4 to officially receive the honor. Many of Ray’s students and … Continued
Stream restoration underway in Lincolnia
The restoration of a section of Turkeycock Run in Lincolnia is expected to be completed in May. The project consists of stabilizing the stream banks using natural channel design beginning at the culvert under Little River Turnpike and extending approximately 300 feet downstream, says Sharon North of the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and … Continued
Board expands landscaping requirements
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 23 adopted changes to the Zoning Ordinance on landscaping. The amendment increases the requirement for landscaping in parking lots, adds provisions on street frontage landscaping, establishes shade structure requirements for parking lots, and makes other changes. Currently, landscaping in a parking lot must cover at least 5 … Continued
Marijuana bill advances in the General Assembly
Legislation to allow retail sales of marijuana is advancing in the Virginia General Assembly. The Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services voted Jan. 26 to approve a bill to establish a framework for creating a retail marijuana market. The bill (SB 448), proposed by Sen. Aaron Rouse (D) of Virginia Beach, would allow the … Continued
Man who murdered a co-worker over a stolen lunch gets 100 years
Bazen Berhe was sentenced to 100 years for the 2021 murder of a co-worker, Hernan Leiva, in the parking lot of the Skyline Target in Bailey’s Crossroads, the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office announced Jan. 30. At the sentencing hearing, Berhe, 25, of Alexandria, threatened to kill or hurt other people if he was not given the … Continued
Park Authority proposes new fee structure
[ A new draft study by the Fairfax County Park Authority recommends changing the fee structure to bring more equity to the park system. The report suggests several strategies to make park programs more affordable to lower-income families. Together, these changes would cost approximately $26.6 million. The draft 2024 Equity Study was presented to the … Continued
Help plan the next Taste of Annandale
Want to help plan the 2024 Taste of Annandale? You’re invited to the next meeting of the Taste of Annandale Planning Committee, Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. The meeting will be at the ACCA Child Development Center at 7200 Columbia Pike in Annandale. If you’re planning to come, RSVP to [email protected]. The 2024 Taste … Continued
School news roundup
The following news briefs are from FCPS and individual schools. GRAMMY finalist – Annie Ray, the orchestra teacher at Annandale High School, is a finalist for the 2024 Grammy Music Educator Award. The winner will be announced Feb. 1 at 8 a.m. Ray is one of 10 finalists from nine states. The winner will receive … Continued
Planning Commission approves expansion of Mason Police Station
s The Fairfax County Planning Commission on Jan. 24 approved a project to renovate and expand the Mason Police Station. The police station shares a building with the Mason Government Center at 6507 Columbia Pike. A temporary facility with a mobile office unit and a service vehicle canopy in the parking lot will be used … Continued
TJ students find deeper meanings in ‘The SpongeBob Musical’
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology invites the community to see “The SpongeBob Musical.” Performances are scheduled for Feb. 2, 3, 9, and 10 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 3 and 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at tjtheaterarts.com or at the door. By Asha Das and Sohana Bahl Get ready … Continued
Former Mason police commander to head Major Crimes Bureau
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis on Jan. 26 announced the promotion of Patrick Brusch, the former commander of the Mason Police District, to head the Major Crimes Bureau. Brusch was also promoted to the rank of major. Brush headed the Mason Police District since September 2023. Lt. Erin Weeks is serving as acting commander. … Continued
Teen arrested for murder released on bond
The 14-year-old suspect who was arrested for murder on Jan. 13 was released on bond and is back at home in Fairmont Gardens. He has been ordered to wear an ankle monitor. A story reported by NBC4 Washington says the suspect fatally stabbed Paulo Castañeda, age 17, during a knife fight at a birthday party … Continued