Schools warn parents about the ‘Chromebook Challenge’
Luther Jackson Middle School Principal Raven Jones is warning parents about the “Chromebook Challenge,” a recent TikTok trend that encourages students to physically damage their school-issued Chromebooks. The Chromebook Challenge has popped up across the country. The TikTok prank challenges students to jam metal objects, such as paper clips, into the charging or USB port, … Continued
More meetings scheduled on school boundary study
Fairfax County Public Schools scheduled eight community meetings this spring on the district-wide school boundary study. There will be a meeting at Annandale High School on May 28, 7-8:30 p.m., and another one at Glasgow Middle School on June 6, 6:30-8 p.m. Phase 1 has been completed, and the study is moving into Phase 2, … Continued
Man arrested for Black Rose shooting
Fairfax County Police have arrested a Maryland man for a shooting on May 1 outside the Black Rose Lounge in Bailey’s Crossroads. Through their investigation, detectives determined Evangel McNeill, 35, was arguing with another man outside the nightclub on Seminary Road. He discharged a firearm shortly before 1 a.m., striking the victim multiple times, the … Continued
Annual Korean festival postponed
Update: The KORUS Festival has been postponed to Oct. 4-5 due to a prediction of stormy weather next weekend. The 2025 Korus Festival had been scheduled to bring live entertainment, food, and games to Annandale on May 17-18. The annual event was planned for the K Market parking lot, 4251 John Marr Drive, 11 a.m.-9 … Continued
Yard art: Splendor in the grass
The arts are truly alive and active throughout Mason District and throughout the eastern end of Fairfax County, says James Albright, chair of the Mason Arts Advisory Council (MAAC). In collaboration with artists and local arts organizations, MAAC is inaugurating a new, creator-focused series in Annandale Today, with information on show openings, artist opportunities, and … Continued
State Sen. Pekarsky announces run for Congress
Stella Pekarsky, a Democratic state senator, has joined the race to succeed Rep. Gerry Connolly in Virginia’s 11th congressional district. Connolly, a member of Congress since 2008, announced earlier this year that he won’t run for re-election, citing health reasons. James Walkinshaw, a member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (Braddock) and a former … Continued
Jimenez’ chief of staff returns to McKay’s office
Amir Abu-El-Hawa is leaving his job as chief of staff for Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez to return to his previous position as Board Chair Jeffrey McKay’s chief of staff, McKay announced May 6. Amir grew up in Annandale and graduated from Annandale High School. He previously held multiple roles in the chairman’s office, gaining invaluable … Continued
What makes Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners special?
Fairfax County’s surveys on gateway signage for Seven Corners and Bailey’s Crossroads are now live. The surveys are the first step in the community engagement process for designing gateway signs and banners that promote the unique character of each revitalization area. “This is a prime opportunity for the community to guide the aesthetic identity and … Continued
Board approves meals tax, cuts tax rate
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed to reduce the tax rate, impose a meals tax, and fully fund middle school afterschool programs. Those are the key takeaways from the FY 2026 budget markup approved by the board on May 6. The advertised budget presented to the board in February proposed increasing the property tax rate by … Continued
Supervisor Walkinshaw is running for Congress
James Walkinshaw, the Braddock representative on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is running for Congress, for the seat currently held by Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11th District). Connolly is not running for re-election due to health reasons. He announced April 28 that his esophageal cancer has returned, stating, “The sun is setting on my time … Continued
A guide to the Democratic Primary
Early voting is underway for the Democratic Primary. The Primary is June 17. Voters will select candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general. The Democratic candidate for governor, Abigail Spanberger, doesn’t have a primary opponent. She will face Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor, in the General Election on Nov. 4. Early voting is … Continued
Help plan the 2025 Taste of Annandale
Members of the community are invited to the next meeting of the Taste of Annandale Planning Committee. We want to make the 2025 Taste of Annandale the best one ever, so your feedback and ideas will be much appreciated. The meeting is Wednesday, May 7, 6 p.m., at the Mason Government Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, … Continued
Planning staff recommends rejection of apartment building on Little River Turnpike
Fairfax County planning staff are recommending that an apartment building proposed for Little River Turnpike in Annandale between Randolph Drive and Columbia Road not be added to the Comprehensive Plan Work Program. Planning staff also recommend that another Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) not go forward. That proposal called for converting an office building at 5300 … Continued
REAL ID requirement takes effect May 7
Beginning Wednesday, May 7, you’re going to need a REAL ID to board a domestic flight or enter federal facilities or military bases. A REAL ID is an optional, upgraded version of your driver’s license that has a star in the upper right corner. You can get one at any Department of Motor Vehicles customer … Continued
VDOT announces repaving plans
During its annual road paving program for Fairfax County, the Virginia Department of Transportation plans to repave several roads in the Annandale/Mason District area, including the following: The paving will begin this spring and conclude in November 2025. Exact work dates will be available approximately 10 days before the work starts. In subdivisions, “no parking” … Continued