Missing teen could be in danger
[Story updated, see below] Fairfax County Police detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in locating 17-year-old, Venus Lorena Romero Iraheta, 17, of Beauregard Street in Alexandria. Venus left her home voluntarily on Jan. 15, with a black and red backpack full of clothes. Her mother reported her missing that day and Venus was entered … Continued
When someone goes missing, police search and rescue unit steps in
2nd Lt. Richard Theal demonstrates equipment used in search and rescue operations. When someone with dementia or autism goes missing, like the time a young man with special needs ran away while his mother was shopping at an Annandale grocery store, the Fairfax County Police Department’s search and rescue team is called in. The head … Continued
Man assaulted in Annandale
The latest crime reports from the Fairfax County Police Department include three incidents in the Annandale/Mason District area. Three men assaulted a 45-year-old man when he was taking out his trash at about 11:23 on Feb. 12 on the 7700 block of Suraci Court in Annandale. The suspects demanded the victim’s phone, pushed him to … Continued
ICE raids bring fear to local immigrant communities
ICE picked up residents from the top floor of this building in Fairmont Gardens. Residents of the Fairmont Gardens apartments in Annandale are living in fear after two raids last week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. According to a witness, at least five people were taken away by ICE agents from two buildings, … Continued
Students are building a house in Annandale
The construction site on Holyoke Drive, Annandale. Students with special needs have started construction on a new house in Annandale. The students are in the Building Futures program at schools run by Phillips Program for Children and Families. The students, along with Phillips administrators, teachers, parents, and business and civic leaders, gathered at the house, at … Continued
Café/hookah bar coming to Annandale
A Lebanese restaurant and hookah bar called Fumée Café is set to open at 7250 Columbia Pike in central Annandale. The co-owners, Khali Dib and Hussein Zein, hope the place could open by April 1, although it looks like there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done inside. Hussein Zein (left) and Kali … Continued
New apartment building on Route 50 in Seven Corners could open this spring
The Loren as seen from Arlington Boulevard. [Photos: Weinberg & Harris] “The Loren,” the apartment building under construction on Arlington Boulevard in Seven Corners next to the new Hampton Inn & Suites, is scheduled to open in late spring 2017, reports marketing consultant Roger Mecca of Weinberg Harris & Associates. The townhouses along South Street. … Continued
Friendly phone calls help older adults avoid depression
A CareRing volunteer makes a friendly phone call to a senior. [PRS Inc.] Older adults still capable of living independently can feel socially isolated and depressed. A new program launched by PRS Inc. in January called CareRing aims to help by arranging for volunteers to call older residents living alone regularly just to chat –and … Continued
Edgy, unconventional dark comedy — ‘Trevor’ at 1st Stage theater in Tysons
Doug Wilder in “Trevor.” [Teresa Castracane] By David Siegel A rewarding tale about miscommunication in a family that generates plenty of laughs before a heart-wrenching turn of events makes “Trevor” a moving exploration of one family’s unusual bonds. The play can be seen at 1st Stage in Tysons Corner through Feb. 26. Inspired by true events, “Trevor” … Continued
New Community Council on Land Use Engagement starts work next week
The Community Council on Land Use Engagement convened by Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova will hold its first meeting Feb. 13. The council has been charged with producing “a set of recommendations on ways to improve Fairfax County’s public outreach and community engagement in the land use and development process.” Bulova announced … Continued
Intersection improvements proposed to relieve congestion on Braddock Road
A rendering of the proposed bicycle/pedestrian improvements proposed for Braddock Road, including a pedestrian overpass. A community task force and Fairfax County staff working on the Braddock Road Multimodal Study are proposing to fix traffic congestion on the corridor through a series of intersection improvements. More than 200 people packed the cafeteria at Lake … Continued
State legislative action presented at Town Hall
Del. Kaye Kory and Sen. Dave Marsden speak at a Town Hall meeting on state legislation. Actions at the federal level are grabbing the headlines but the Virginia General Assembly has been making important decisions with widespread implications for state residents. State lawmakers representing the Annandale/Mason District area—Sen. Dave Marsden, Del. Kaye Kory, and Sen. … Continued
School news
Second-graders at Annandale Terrace Elementary School check a rain gauge and make notes about the weather as part of a unit on meteorology. [FCPS] An occasional series highlighting information about Fairfax County Public Schools and programs and activities at schools in the Annandale/Mason District area. The information here is from FCPS and individual schools. Bailey’s … Continued
Low-cost dental clinic opens in Annandale
A new dental clinic is housed in the Annandale Doctors Building. A new clinic opened in Annandale in January offering low-cost dental care to lower-income children and adults. The clinic, at 7501 Little River Turnpike at Medford Drive, offers basic dental services, including teeth cleaning, fillings, x-rays, and extractions – but not more complicated procedures … Continued
Fatal pedestrian accident at Braddock Road and Little River Turnpike
A pedestrian was struck and killed by truck in the intersection of Little River Turnpike and Braddock Road shortly before 8 p.m. on Feb. 2, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. The victim was subsequently identified as Waneta M. Achaj, 58, of Alexandria, the FCPD announced Feb. 3. She was crossing Little River Turnpike from … Continued