FXCO police shoot child porn suspect
A Fairfax County police officer shot and killed a suspect involved in child pornography May 19 at the Chelsea Square apartment complex on Backlick Road in North Springfield. The following information is from the Fairfax County Police Department: The suspect had seven outstanding warrants: Three felony counts of producing child pornography, three felony counts of … Continued
Public comments sought on beltway landscaping
The beltway exit at Gallows Road The public is invited to submit comments on the Virginia Department of Transportation’s landscaping plan for the “express lanes corridor,” which extends for 14 miles from the Springfield interchange to the Dulles Toll Road. The $1.4 billion beltway project is expected to be completed by the end of 2012. … Continued
Annandale real estate market still hot
By Vivianne Couts The real estate market in Annandale continued to be hot this past April, with the average sales price rising to $391,000 from $379,000 in April 2011. This is an increase of approximately 3 percent. Fifty-nine properties were sold in April, a 40 percent increase over the number sold in April of last … Continued
Dogs XL needs volunteers to help foster large dogs
These Great Dane puppies were rescued by Dogs XL When an extreme animal hoarding situation was discovered in Kentucky in April, many of the larger dogs were saved by a group called Dogs XL Rescue. There were more than 200 animals of all sorts, including many large dogs, such as St. Bernards and Mastiffs, living … Continued
Public urged to take part in clean-up effort planned for Seven Corners
Leesburg Pike at Seven Corners A lot of people complain about Seven Corners—the traffic congestion, the lack of good design, and the trash all over the place—but Nancy Vorona and Kay Cooper are actually taking steps to improve it. They are organizing efforts to get rid of the litter and illegal signs. The two Lake … Continued
FXCO moving forward with new office complex in Bailey’s Crossroads
This property on Moncure Avenue in Bailey’s Crossroads, could become the site of a new county office and housing development. Fairfax County’s plan to build a new East County Government Center in Bailey’s Crossroads as part of a mixed-used project developed by a public-private partnership has been in the works for some five years. The … Continued
Columbia Pike streecar project still on track, despite delays
The view from the Skyline Center The Columbia Pike Transit Initiative is running a bit behind schedule, but Len Wolfenstein, Fairfax County’s chief transportation planner, still believes it can be operational by 2017. Federal approval of the environmental analysis is taking longer than anticipated, Wolfenstein told participants at a Bailey’s Business Breakfast at the Skyline … Continued
Antique coins, bank notes stolen from Annandale couple’s car
An elderly couple who live on the 3800 block of Stuart Court in Annandale’s Broyhill Crest neighborhood are devastated by the theft of their collection of antique coins and bank notes valued at $300,000 to $500,000. They had just returned home after attending a coin show in Charlottesville Saturday, April 14, at around 7:20 p.m., and … Continued
Cop school: the K9 corps
MPO Harford and Scout The K9 corps plays a key unit of the Fairfax County Police Department, tracking suspects, victims, evidence, and lost children, Master Police Officer Rob Harford told participants at a recent session of the Fairfax County Citizens’ Police Academy. Harford works with Scout, a black German Shepherd, who can track human odors … Continued
Cop school: the bomb unit
MPO Tom Eggers with the EOD unit’s robots. When a bomb threat was called in to Annandale High School and a suspicious package was left there March 30, the Fairfax County Police Department’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) unit brought its robots to investigate. X-rays conducted by the robots found the contents “completely innocuous,” says Master … Continued
Annandale carnival brings family fun to bowling alley parking lot
Annandale’s annual spring carnival may be just a little harder to find this year, but it’s still got all the rides, games, and junk food as in past years. The carnival has been moved from the Kmart parking lot to the lot in front of the AMF Annandale Lanes bowling alley on Markham Street. Among … Continued
Name sought for Annandale stream that feeds into Accotink Creek
The “unnamed tributary” runs close to the Cross County Trail. Everyone who uses, enjoys, or lives near Wakefield Park is invited to suggest a name for one of the park’s small streams currently known as “Unnamed Tributary to Accotink Creek.” The stream begins east of the beltway, runs through a culvert at the entrance to … Continued
Cop school: The SWAT team
Sgt. Reiff describes the SWAT team uniform If your neighborhood is swarming with police officers running around in heavy jumpsuits and helmets, chances are there’s a SWAT team operation in progress. They could be dealing with a barricade situation, home invasion, or some other type of tactical mission. The officers won’t have time to chat … Continued
Nancy Pelosi draws record crowd at fundraiser
Del. David Bulova and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi share a moment at the FDR Dinner By Judith Fogel It was a packed ballroom Sunday night as local Democrats turned out for an elegant evening at the McLean Hilton in Tysons Corner. The main attraction was congressional Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, who headlined the first … Continued
Parking lot expansion proposed for Yechon restaurant
The house (on the left) could be torn down to make room for a bigger parking lot for Yechon (right) The owner of Yechon, the Korean barbecue/sushi restaurant at 4121 Hummer Road, Annandale, is seeking a zoning special exception for a parking lot expansion. The request is expected to come before the Fairfax County Planning … Continued