Virginia Senate passed bill to raise gas tax
More state transportation funds are needed for projects to relieve traffic congestion, including roads like Little River Turnpike as shown here. The Virginia Senate passed a transportation package this week that would generate $900 million in new revenue for annually and enable localities to put in place additional funding to meet their transportation needs. The … Continued
East County office building coming to Bailey’s Crossroads
The temporary Bailey’s Crossroads fire station is on the future site of the East County office building. Once the East County office building project is completed, it will spur further revitalization in Bailey’s Crossroads, said Carey Needham, director of the building design and construction division in the Fairfax County Department of Public Works Environmental Services. … Continued
Seven Corners task forced urged to support new school for Willston site
The Willston Center (on the left) viewed from the pedestrian bridge on Route 50. Parents and students from Bailey’s and Glen Forest elementary schools and their supporters filled the room as the Seven Corners Land Use and Transportation Task Force held one of its few meetings open for statements from the public. The school advocates … Continued
Annandale loses another longtime family-owned business
Alan Shaffer in front of American Rental years ago. When American Rental moved from Annandale to Springfield in January, Annandale not only lost its only equipment rental business; it also lost a store that’s been owned and operated by the same family for three generations. American Rental had been at 7245 Columbia Pike for nearly … Continued
Transportation, school issues dominate Legislative Town Hall
Facing the audience, from the left: Sen. Marsden, Del. Kory, and Sen. Saslaw More than 100 people came to a Legislative Town Hall at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School Feb. 10 to hear from Annandale-area lawmakers on what’s been going on in the state capital. With the Virginia legislative term nearing its end, lawmakers still haven’t … Continued
Annandale bowling alley: a modernistic gem as well as social gathering spot
. The picture on top is the original plan for the AMF Annandale Lanes bowling alley based on the design of the architect, Anthony Musolino. The actual structure, built in 1960, however, did not look exactly like the painting, as the photo, taken yesterday, shows some differences in the design. The bowling alley, a … Continued
Come to ‘Sleep Night’ at Annandale HS and learn why school should start later
Parents, students, and community members are invited to Sleep Night, Feb. 26, at Annandale High School to learn why later school start times are beneficial for adolescents’ health and learning and why the Fairfax County School Board set a goal to start high school after 8 a.m. A grassroots organization called SLEEP (Start Later for … Continued
Scene around A-Town: Farewell, Fuddruckers
Demolition crews began taking down the old Fuddruckers building this week. All that‘s left of the popular hamburger restaurant on Little River Turnpike between Columbia Pike and Backlick Road is a pile of rubble —and a huge sign. A Walgreens drug store is going in that spot.
Landmark area residents asked to vote on sound walls along Interstate 95
Trees have already been cut down to make way for the ramp. People who live along Interstate 95 between the Edsall Road and Duke Street exits are being asked to vote on whether they want sound walls constructed between their homes and the highway as part of a project to build a ramp along that … Continued
Annandale is not a haven for gangsters, says police Capt. Lee
Mason CAC Chair Beth Lynch presents the 2012 Officer of the Year Award to MPO Joseph Millirons. Left to right: Lynch, Sgt. Archie Pollard, Millirons, and Capt. Gun Lee. Recent news reports about gangsters and other crime in Annandale paint an unfair and overly sensationalist picture of the community, says Capt. Gun Lee, commander of … Continued
Annandale Blockbuster closing, and Advance Auto Parts moving in
Everything is on sale. The Annandale Blockbuster is closing March 24, and Advance Auto Parts will move into that location, at 7448 Little River Turnpike in the Little River Plaza Shopping Center. The Advance Auto Parts store isn’t scheduled to open until 2014, said a spokesperson for the Roanoke, Va.-based company. There are 10 Advance … Continued
Gang leader sentenced to 17 years for extorting Annandale businesses
The popular Honey Pig was one of the restaurants targeted by the Korean Night Breeders gang. Han Sa Yu, 44, the leader of a criminal gang known as the Korean Night Breeders, was sentenced to 17 and a-half years in prison for using fear, violence, and threats of violence to extort money from Korean businesses … Continued
Fairfax County, VDOT agree on sign removal program
Signs along Route 7. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Virginia Department of Transportation have approved an agreement to allow the county to remove commercial and political signs in the VDOT public right of way. This is good news for the Annandale/Mason area, as thousands of signs advertising mattresses, furniture, cash for gold, … Continued
Mason Crest principal’s night on the roof inspires students to read
Principal Butler prepares for his rooftop camping adventure. Mason Crest Elementary School Principal Brian Butler spent the night of Jan. 31 on the roof of the school—just as had promised if students met their goal of logging 1,000 hours in reading during December and January. Students not only met the goal but surpassed it by … Continued
Home Instead to recognize senior volunteers
Home Instead Senior Care is sponsoring a competition to recognize older volunteers through its 2013 Salute to Senior Service award program, and requests the public’s help in identifying deserving seniors. “We all know seniors who do so much for our community,” said Jason Sager, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office in Annandale. “These … Continued