Fairfax County considers projects to relieve Braddock Road congestion
Heading east on Braddock Road, approaching the beltway. Fairfax County is moving ahead with long-longstanding plans to widen Braddock Road, reports Fairfax County Supervisor John Cook (Braddock). Funding would come from the landmark transportation bill approved by the Virginia General Assembly last year. One proposed project calls for adding a lane in each direction … Continued
Fairfax County schools budget calls for cutting 731 staff positions
Glasgow Middle School Fairfax County Schools Superintendent Karen Garza has proposed a budget for FY 2015 that calls for reductions in staff, larger class sizes, and increased fees—plus a pay raise for employees. The cutbacks are needed because the school system is “facing a number of increased expenditures that are beyond our control,” Garza said. … Continued
Fee changes proposed for Pinecrest Golf Course, other Fairfax County parks
The only ones on the Pinecrest Golf Course on a recent cold weekday afternoon were geese. The Fairfax County Park Authority is proposing fee changes for some park facilities. Some fees will increase, while others will actually be reduced. According to a report by the Park Authority, the changes are based on several trends: On … Continued
Education campaign aimed at keeping teens away from sex trafficking
Teen sex trafficking is on the rise in Northern Virginia, so Fairfax County Police, public schools, and the Office for Women and Domestic and Sexual Violence Services announced a new “Just Ask” prevention campaign Jan. 10. The campaign, launched to coincide with Human Trafficking Awareness Day Jan. 11, is aimed at educating teens about the … Continued
Vehicle fire caused by Molotov cocktail
A vehicle fire at the western edge of Annandale in the early morning of Jan. 10 was caused by a Molotov cocktail, an improvised bottle-based incendiary device, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports. When firefighters responded, at about 1:35 a.m., a Honda Odyssey van in the driveway of 9202 Ashmeade Drive was in … Continued
Luxury apartments in the works for Markham Street in Annandale
Markham Street viewed from the AMF Annandale Lanes parking lot, with the Little River Plaza shopping center and The Parliaments in the background. A few more details have emerged on the redevelopment project planned for the site of the bowling alley on Markham Street in central Annandale. Nothing has been finalized, though, and the plans … Continued
Bike/pedestrian accessibility improved at beltway in Annandale
New crosswalks on Gallows Road at the beltway. The Virginia Department of Transportation’s recently completed $550,000 project to improve bicycle and pedestrian accessibility at the beltway overpasses on Gallows Road and Little River Turnpike are helpful but could have been better. That’s the assessment of avid bicyclist Pete Beers, who lives in the Falls Church … Continued
Loehmann’s is closing; big sales on designer fashions start today
Loehmann’s in Falls Church [photo by Renee S. from Yelp.] Loehmann’s, the discounted clothing store in Loehmann’s Plaza on Arlington Boulevard, Falls Church, is going out of business. The store, one of the best spots in the Annandale area to snap up Michael Kors, Tahari, Calvin Klein, and other brands at deep discounts, will begin … Continued
Mason District Council surveys residents on code compliance issues
This house, in the Alexandria section of Mason District, was declared blighted in 2012. The Mason District Council of Community Associations is urging residents to respond to a survey on code compliance issues. The survey seeks feedback on public perceptions about the county’s enforcement of property code violations, the impact on the quality of life … Continued
Will residential studio units contribute to decline of decaying neighborhoods?
RSU Committee Chair Tim Sargeant (left) with members of the zoning staff. Are most of the residential studio units (RSUs) going to be channeled to Annandale and other areas in need of revitalization instead of being spread out evenly throughout Fairfax County? That is one of the key issues discussed last night by the Planning … Continued
Meet former Redskin ‘BMitch’ at Collector’s World Saturday
Attention sports fans: Come to Collector’s World, the comics/sports memorabilia store at 7030 Columbia Pike, Annandale, Jan. 11, 12-1 p.m., and get an autograph from former Redskin and Superbowl XXVI champion Brian Mitchell. “BMitch” is the NFL’s second all-time leader in total yardage and the NFL’s second all-time punt return touchdown leader. He played for … Continued
Prepare for deep freeze tonight
Looks like we’re in for some severe weather: The National Weather Service is predicting high winds tonight with a low temperature of about 7 degrees and a wind chill values as low as 11 degrees below zero. There will be more of the same tomorrow, with a high near 15 degrees, wind gusts as high … Continued
Free concert in Annandale next Sunday
Kirsten Warfield (right) and Present Company. The public is invited to a free concert with Kirsten Warfield and Present Company next Sunday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 6800 Columbia Pike, Annandale. Present Company takes the classical brass quintet and adds the beat of drums and digital effects to create a contemporary … Continued
Mason Police District gets a new commander
The Mason District Police Station is getting a new commander. Capt. David Smith, assistant director of the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Training Academy, is scheduled to take command of the Mason Police District on Jan. 11. Smith replaces Capt. Carol Wilhite, who’s only been Mason Police commander since April 2013. According to a police department … Continued
Fire damages nail supply shop at Route 50 and Graham Road
More than 60 firefighter from Falls Church and Arlington, as well as Fairfax County, battled a two-alarm fire at Skyline Nail Supply at 7234 Arlington Blvd. Jan. 3 at about 4 p.m. The arctic weather conditions (about 20 degrees with a wind chill of about 5 degrees) made their job that much more challenging. … Continued