Lincolnia store robbed
Advance America [Google Maps] The Advance America payday and title lending outlet in the Plaza at Landmark shopping center in Lincolnia was hit with an armed robbery on April 6, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. Two men entered the business at 6244-J Little River Turnpike at about 6 p.m. One held a gun … Continued
Fewer people are homeless
A dorm room at the Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter. Fairfax County is making significant progress in reducing homelessness. According to the “Point in Time Count” carried out on Jan. 25, there were 964 people who were homeless in Fairfax County and the City of Falls Church. That’s a 47 percent decrease since a point in … Continued
Annandale area hit hard by severe storm
A tree fell on the Heritage Woods condo in Annandale. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department] A severe storm April 6 with strong wind and heavy rain uprooted trees across the Annandale/Mason District area, damaging buildings and closing roads. There were also reports of flooding, downed power lines, and power outages throughout the area. A … Continued
School board increases elementary class sizes
By Jeffrey Longo The Fairfax County School Board has approved a measure increasing minimum elementary school class sizes from 17 to 18 students, school board chair Sandy Evans (Mason) told the audience at a School Budget Town Hall on April 3. Increasing the elementary class size formula floor by one student would save $4.7 million. … Continued
Youths are creating a vision of community through art
Some of the students involved in the GMU art project with Officer Kathleen O’Leary (center). Local residents are invited to a community dialogue and pop-up art exhibit on the theme “Youth Re-imagining Community” May 3 at the DarAl-Hijrah Islamic Center in Seven Corners. The event, hosted by the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community … Continued
Seven Corners residents raise traffic concerns at meeting on proposed townhouse project
Federal Hill, as seen from Arlington Boulevard. Residents of the Federal Hill townhouse community in Seven Corners raised concerns about traffic congestion at a community meeting April 3 on a proposal for 40 new townhouses next door at 6060 Arlington Blvd. The property, currently occupied by a medical building, is only accessible via a narrow … Continued
Fitness center moving into larger space in Annandale
Pablo Amaya and Rachel Martin in front of the new PR Performance Fitness location. PR Performance Fitness is moving to a new larger space at 4111 John Marr Drive in Annandale, It is expected to open within the next few weeks. The fitness studio was launched by Rachel Martin and Pablo Amaya, who formerly worked at … Continued
Developer secures vacant houses overrun by squatters
The vacant house at 3408 Washington Drive has been boarded up. The vacant houses on Washington Drive and Charles Street in Bailey’s Crossroads that had been taken over by homeless squatters were boarded up on March 31. Neighbors had been complaining for weeks about the properties, but Spectrum Development finally responded after WUSA Channel 9 … Continued
County tries new approach to curbing deer population
Faced with a budget shortfall and disappointing results in its archery program, Fairfax County is trying a new approach to reducing the deer population. Under the soon-to-be-launched Predator Pilot Program, the county will embed wild coyotes, wolves, and possibly a couple of “coywolves,” into local parks to reduce the number of deer. “The deer population … Continued
Aldi set to open on May 4
The Aldi sign was installed March 29. The Aldi grocery store at 7000 Columbia Pike in Annandale is scheduled to open on May 4, unless there are problems with the permits, says store manager Matt DeBenedetto. There will be a grand opening ceremony when the store opens for business at 9 a.m., with coupon giveaways … Continued
Gas station employees detain would-be robber
Hicks A man tried to rob the Exxon station at 7336 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, on March 29, but was rebuffed by the employees, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. A man entered the business at about 7:35 a.m., displayed a knife, and demanded money. Two employees inside refused and a struggle took place. The … Continued
Public urged to report suspected gang activity
Lanham With gang activity on the increase in Fairfax County, law enforcement officials are urging residents to be vigilant, monitor their children, and report suspicious events. At a Town Hall on Gangs hosted by Mason Supervisor Penny Gross March 29, Police Chief Edwin Roessler urged the community to “get engaged.” Parents need to look over … Continued
Neighbors upset by homeless men in vacant homes
Homeless men exiting the vacant house at 3408 Washington Drive. Bailey’s Crossroads residents concerned about squatters in two vacant houses that will be torn down to make way for a new retail center on Leesburg Pike are hopeful that some action will be taken to secure the properties. The police have been called to the … Continued
Lakeside Plaza condo owners oppose expansion of townhouse community
The layout of the Ambrose Hills community. Lakeside Plaza is at the end of the cul de sac on Powell Lane. [Stanley Martin] The development of the Ambrose Hills townhouse community on Columbia Pike is causing some headaches for residents of the high-rise Lakeside Plaza Condominium. Marty Bernstein and Janice Siegel of the Lakeside Plaza … Continued
Prepare for construction delays due to work on Gallows Road bridge over Route 50
The overpass as seen from Route 50. [VDOT] Expect some intermittent delays and nighttime closures at the Route 50/Gallows Road intersection over the next year as the Virginia Department of Transportation begins phase 2 of its project to “rehabilitate” the overpass. The project will include concrete and steel beam repairs, bearing replacement, joint closures, and … Continued