TJ students invent a cheaper braille reader for the blind
Two juniors at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology have invented a device that makes it easier and more affordable for blind people to read braille. Anush Devkar and Ansh Malhotra gave a presentation on their device, Braillesense, at MIT in October. They were invited to demonstrate Braillesense at a research conference at … Continued
Weekly crime report
The following recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area are reported by the Fairfax County Police Department on CityProtect: March 5 March 4 March 3 March 2 March 1 Feb. 28 Feb. 27
BoS urges Youngkin to oppose Trump’s attacks on federal workers
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on March 4 approved a letter to Gov. Youngkin urging him to step up for Virginians affected by the Trump administration’s actions to slash the size of the federal government. “We urge the governor to take action to prevent further attacks on Virginia’s federal workers and private sector contractors,” … Continued
Ethiopian shop opens in Annandale
Annandale has a new shop specializing in products imported from Ethiopia. Lidya Market & Café opened in late February at 4544-A John Marr Drive. The store offers pantry items, such as berbere, a mixture of ground chili peppers and spices; shiro, made from ground chickpeas; lentils; rice flour; coffee; dates; snacks; and incense. Among other … Continued
Stay up-to-date on the newest scams
Scammers keep coming up with new ways to bilk people out of their hard-earned money. The Fairfax County government has posted a new online resource on scams with advice on how to protect yourself. In one example currently making the rounds, people are getting text messages claiming they owe money for unpaid tolls or … Continued
You’re all invited to the next Taste of Annandale planning meeting
Join the Taste of Annandale Planning Committee at our next meeting. Bring your ideas to the meeting on Wednesday, March 5, 6-7:30 p.m., at the Mason Government Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale. The 2024 Taste of Annandale was a big success, so we’re hoping for an even bigger event this year. The 2025 festival will … Continued
Youngkin commutes sentence of police officer who fatally shot a shoplifter
Gov. Glenn Youngkin commuted the sentence of the police officer convicted of fatally shooting an unarmed Black man outside the Tyson’s Corner Center in 2023. Former sergeant Wesley Shifflett and his partner had responded to a call for a shoplifting incident at Nordstrom involving designer sunglasses. They chased the suspect, Timothy McCree Johnson, 36, and … Continued
Mulch sales support HS grad parties
Get ready for gardening season by buying mulch to support local high schools’ all-night graduation parties. The parties are safe, drug and alcohol-free events for seniors to celebrate the end of high school. Orders for the Annandale High School PTSA’s annual Mulch Madness sale are due March 15. Access the order form here. A 50-pound … Continued
Teacher charged with sexual assault
Eric Sean Williams of Annandale, a longtime substitute teacher at St. Michael’s Catholic School in Annandale, was arrested on Feb. 27 for multiple counts of sexual assault involving a minor, the Catholic Diocese of Arlington announced. No known criminal incidents took place on parish or school property, the diocese states. Williams had been a sub … Continued
More transparency needed on Lake Accotink preservation study
By Martin “Shep” Shepherd The update on the Lake Accotink Preservation Feasibility Study, provided in the February edition of Supervisor James Walkinshaw’s newsletter, “The Braddock Beacon,” highlights several ongoing efforts and key milestones. However, critical questions remain unanswered, and gaps in public transparency persist. Below is a detailed evaluation of the update, key takeaways, and … Continued
15 development proposals submitted for Mason District
Developers and property owners have submitted 53 nominations to the 2025 Countywide Site-Specific Plan Amendment process. Fifteen of the proposed developments are in Mason District, including a major project on the long-vacant Sears property in Seven Corners. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to accept or reject the nominated projects at its March 4 … Continued
Coffee shop to open in Annandale next month
Underdog Coffee & Bread is expected to open in Annandale in mid-March “if everything goes well,” reports manager June Kim. The shop, at 7109 Columbia Pike, will serve regular and specialty coffee, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, bagels, and acai bowls. Neither the menu nor the hours have been finalized, Kim says. She plans to add outdoor … Continued
Pickleball court planned for Mason District Park
The Fairfax County Park Authority is seeking community feedback on the proposed addition of a dedicated pickleball court at Mason District Park. Comments can be submitted online through 5 p.m. on March 13. The proposal includes the placement of one new pickleball court adjacent to the tennis courts at the southwestern corner of the park. … Continued
County, state list resources for fired federal workers
Both Fairfax County and the state of Virginia have posted lists of resources for people affected by President Trump’s and Elon Musk’s efforts to downsize the federal government. The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) maintains a database of open positions in Northern Virginia. The database lists over 47,000 jobs available in airspace and defense and nearly … Continued
Joann will close all stores following the company’s bankruptcy
Joann, the fabric and craft supply store at the Seven Corners Center, is expected to close in two or three months, although store employees haven’t been given a date yet. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January, for the second time in less than a year. Joann announced plans to close all 500 … Continued