FCPS considers boundary adjustment for Parklawn ES
The Parklawn Elementary School community came together Dec. 11 to hear Fairfax County Public School’s plans for a boundary study to relieve overcrowding. Parklawn has 936 students. It’s at 96 percent of program capacity and has 19 temporary classrooms and 10 modular classrooms. If the modulars aren’t counted, it would be at 134 percent of … Continued
Pedestrian crashes continue to rise
The number of pedestrian and bike fatalities in Northern Virginia as of Dec. 4 is double the number for all of 2023, according to a report by Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets. An analysis of VDOT’s Traffic Records Electronic Data System shows there were 11 pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities from crashes in Northern Virginia … Continued
Massive energy use by data centers could lead to higher electric bills
Energy demand is soaring in Virginia due to the boom in data centers, and that could result in higher utility bills for residential customers, according to a report released Dec. 9 by the General Assembly’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC). An independent forecast commissioned by JLARC found that “unconstrained demand for power in … Continued
Supervisors approve judicial annex
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 3 approved a major redevelopment of the county’s Judicial Complex. Phase 1 includes a new four-story 150,000-square-foot office building with underground parking, sustainable features, and integrated open spaces. The Judicial Annex will house 11 programs, including evidence storage for the police and fire departments, the commonwealth attorney’s … Continued
Call for artists – Show your work in Annandale
Local artists are invited to participate in the second round of Art in Daily Spaces, a project that transforms Annandale businesses into temporary art galleries. Art in Daily Spaces is organized by Community Art For Everyone (CAFE) with support from ArtsFairfax. Fifteen artists will be selected to display their works in 15 different businesses and … Continued
Immigrant rights groups respond to mass deportation threat
Facing the threat of mass deportations, local immigrant rights groups are stepping up their rapid response activities to protect vulnerable community members. President-Elect Trump’s threat to deport millions of people, including those with legal status, is causing fear among Northern Virginia’s immigrant communities. People are afraid to enroll their children in school or go the … Continued
Annandale man arrested for child pornography
Fairfax County Police charged an Annandale man with multiple counts relating to the possession and production of child sexual abuse materials. On Nov. 28, detectives from FCPD’s Child Exploitation Unit in the Major Crimes Bureau received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children involving a suspect uploading sexual material involving children. … Continued
Kids create baskets for babies
Sixty children and parents came together for a Baskets for Babies event Dec. 7 hosted by Kids Give Back. At the event, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Little River Turnpike, volunteers assembled 75 boxes full of baby supplies for low-income, expectant parents. The kids wrapped cardboard boxes in festive paper and filled them with items … Continued
Annandale resident lost everything in a fire
Kitty Dragonera wouldn’t be alive today if she hadn’t gotten up at 3 a.m. to go to the bathroom on Nov. 23. When she opened the bedroom door, she found the carpet and couch in the living room were on fire. By the time the smoke detector went off, flames were shooting up the walls. … Continued
Park Board hosts New Year’s Day photo contest
The Fairfax County Park Foundation invites the public to start 2025 on the right foot: Join the nationwide tradition of taking a hike on New Year’s Day and enter the 2025 First Hike Photo Contest. The contest is open to photographers of all levels. To participate, hike or stroll through any Fairfax County park or … Continued
Amazon Fresh opens Dec. 12
Amazon Fresh is opening Dec. 12 at 8 a.m. at the Crossroads Center in Bailey’s Crossroads. The grocery store will offer special deals, free samples, and giveaways all day. The first person in line will receive a $100 Amazon.com gift card. The next 99 people in line will receive a random gift card worth $5, … Continued
New gateway signage in the works for Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners
New gateway signage will be developed for the Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners Commercial Revitalization District. The idea is to create a sense of place and branding for the area and encourage redevelopment, says Mike Van Atta, president of the Crossroads + Corners Coalition (C3). Bailey’s Crossroads already has gateway signs featuring a circus … Continued
Weekly crime report
The following recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area are reported by the Fairfax County Police Department on CityProtect:
Planning Commission approves substation expansion
The Fairfax County Planning Commission approved the expansion and modernization of the Westcott Substation along the Holmes Run trail in Annandale.
BoS considers banning vape shops near schools
The Board of Supervisors approved a motion on Dec. 3 to explore options for prohibiting new vape and tobacco shops near schools.