County approves massive sports center in Springfield
A rendering of the St. James sports center The Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a massive sports and wellness complex in an industrial area of Springfield March 16. The 435,000-square-foot St. James Sport and Wellness Center will have a multipurpose turf field for full-length competitive soccer, lacrosse, football, field hockey, and softball; two … Continued
School funds, meals tax among issues raised at Budget Town Hall
Long The Mason District Budget Town Hall March 26 offered a clash of opinions over spending on schools. The proposed 4-cent property tax increase in the advertised budget for FY 2017 approved by the Board of Supervisors last month would go a long way toward helping the county meet the needs of Fairfax County Public … Continued
‘Mulch madness’ supports graduating seniors
The PTSAs at all three high schools in the Annandale/Mason area are selling mulch to support all-night graduation celebrations for the Class of 2016. These parties provide a fun, safe, alcohol-free environment for seniors on graduation night. The Stuart High School PTSA is selling mulch for $5.50 per bag. Orders must be placed by midnight … Continued
Bad move, Exxon
The Pinecrest Exxon station at Pinecrest Plaza. This is what it used to look like. At a time when there’s an effort to create murals in central Annandale, one long-time mural in the area – at the Pinecrest Service Center – has been painted over. “I honestly don’t know why it’s gone. I thought it … Continued
Park Authority urged to protect the natural resources at Lake Accotink
The marina area at Lake Accotink. People who enjoy Lake Accotink Park want the natural resources preserved and don’t want more paved surfaces. At least that was the theme of a community meeting March 14 hosted by the Fairfax County Park Authority. More than 130 people crammed into the cafeteria of Cardinal Forest Elementary School … Continued
Autistic teen missing in Lincolnia area
Update: Tobias was found in the 5500 block of Franconia Road shortly before 10 p.m., the FCPD reports. He is fine. The Fairfax County Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in finding a missing, autistic youth, Tobias B. Ovalle, age 16. He was last seen in the 6300 block of Lachine Lane in the … Continued
New housing, retail, and restaurants coming to Mosaic
The new buildings are going up on the site of a former parking lot, on the right. Big changes are happening at the Mosaic District in Merrifield, the West of Falls Church blog reports. Construction has started on the final two buildings on the site, which will eventually house 50,000 square feet of retail, restaurants, … Continued
Dominion pays customers $50 for removing old refrigerators
Got an old refrigerator or freezer you want to get rid of? Dominion Virginia Power will pick it up at no cost and give you a $50 rebate. The company’s Appliance Recycling Program saves energy by taking inefficient appliances out of service, helps customers cut their utility bills, and reduces the environmental impact of appliance … Continued
The Fairfax County budget: 10 things you need to know
The slogan for school funding advocates. (1) The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board are engaged in a contentious conflict about how much of a funding increase should go to the public school system. The budget proposed by Deputy County Executive Ed Long proposes transferring $1.88 billion to FCPS for operating expenses, an … Continued
Planning Commission defers decision on Monticello Mews
Monticello Mews would be built in the area within the black border. [DPZ] The Fairfax County Planning Commission deferred until March 16 a decision on Monticello Mews, a proposal for 99 townhouses to be built on a 10.7-acre vacant field on Edsall Road adjacent to the Jefferson Green townhouses and the Isabella high-rise condominium. That’s … Continued
Free movie, silent auction at Belvedere PTA fundraiser
Bring the kids to free screening of “The Peanuts Movie” at Belvedere Elementary School Friday, March 11, while you bid for great items at a silent auction. The PTA fundraising event is 6:30-8:30 p.m., 6540 Columbia Pike. The movie starts at 6:45 p.m. in the school gym. Dinner is available for purchase in the cafeteria. … Continued
Urban planners to study Annandale revitalization strategies
Columbia Pike in Annandale. The Mini-Technical Assistance Panel of the Washington area chapter of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) has selected Annandale as one of its study sites. The group will recommend strategies for revitalization, including such issues as how to improve the streetscape and business vitality. The panelists consists of working professionals in urban … Continued
Annandale Rotary Club sells lottery tickets
The Rotary Club of Annandale is conducting a lottery to raise money for worthy projects funded by the club’s foundation. Tickets are $100. The top prize is $5,000. There will also be one $1,500 prize, and four people will win $250. A maximum of 350 tickets will be sold. The drawing will be April 20, … Continued
Robbers spray employee with chemical and grab money bag
There was a robbery at the Rent-A-Center at the Plaza at Landmark, 6244 Little River Turnpike, March 7, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. A female employee, 23, walked out of the building to make a deposit carrying a bank deposit bag shortly before 10:30 a.m.. A man confronted her and sprayed her in the … Continued
Two tenants approved for Bailey’s Crossroads retail center
The future site of a retail center, on Route 7, between Charles Street and Washington Drive. Two companies – Sleepy’s and T-Mobile – have signed up for the newly approved shopping center to be built at 5885 Leesburg Pike. That’s in addition to the standalone CVS drugstore that will serve as the anchor. Spectrum Development … Continued