Cop school: Gangs still pose a threat in FXCO
The following report about gangs in Fairfax County is based on a presentation by a police detective in the gang unit at the April 5 session of the Citizens Police Academy. The detective often works undercover so he prefers to remain anonymous. Gang graffiti in Fairfax County “The gang problem is not as bad as … Continued
A mad scramble for eggs
Crowds of children brought creatively decorated baskets to Mason District Park in Annandale Saturday morning for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. An incorrect listing on the Parks Authority website sent dozens of people to Hidden Oaks Nature Center by mistake but park staff directed them to the right spot, where they found the Easter Bunny … Continued
Think spring: Flower and plant sale benefits Annandale PTSA
The annual Annandale High School PTSA Flower Madness Plant Sale is now underway. Orders must be placed by April 16. Visit the Flower Madness section on the Annandale PTSA website to submit orders. Plants can be picked up at the school on May 4. The PTSA Plant Sale Committee works with a reputable wholesale nursery to … Continued
Two Annandale churches agree to merge
Immanuel United Methodist Church on Heritage Drive Membership at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Annandale has been slowly declining for a number of a years so, after exploring several options, the church agreed to merge with the much larger Annandale United Methodist Church (UMC). Only about 30 to 50 people come to services regularly at … Continued
Cop school: Probable cause, reasonable suspicion, and the use of force
The following report covers one of the presentations during the fifth week of the Spring 2012 session of the Fairfax County Citizens Police Academy, which took place at the West Springfield Police Station. Day Imagine a local resident sees a youth with a backpack and flashlight looking into cars in the middle of the night … Continued
Golf tournament is Annandale HS PTSA’s biggest fundraiser
Time to loosen up those drivers, sharpen the wedges, and warm up the putters. Spring is in the air and that means the Annandale High School PTSA’s major fundraiser, the Red and White Golf Classic, is right around the corner, reports Rich Fruchterman, who is co-chairing the event with his wife, Sallie Williams. The tournament … Continued
Police address community concerns on assaults
Hill About 120 people came to a community meeting Monday evening at Robinson Secondary School to learn more about how the police are responding to two recent sexual assaults in Fairfax and how to avoid being a victim of a similar attack. Sgt. R.M. Thiel of the West Springfield Police Station outlined the basic facts … Continued
Uptick in burglaries reported in Mason
There has been an increase in residential burglaries throughout the Mason District in recent weeks, reports Brendan T. Murphy, crime prevention officer in the Mason District Police Station. “Most of them have been during the day, and items like electronics and jewelry seem to be the goodies of choice,” he says. The Police Department provides free … Continued
Community leaders seek solutions to litter problem
Neighborhood leaders and local residents urged lawmakers to crack down on litter at a recent environmental forum sponsored by the Mason District Council of Community Associations. They also networked among themselves and shared ideas for combating the unsightly mess along roadways and parks that is hurting Annandale’s image and bringing down property values. One member of … Continued
Despite complaints, ‘extreme yard sales’ continue on Braddock Road
Cars for sale at 4508 Braddock Road Mason District resident Richard C. Zambito is so fed up with his neighbors on Braddock Road trying to sell cars and appliances on their front yard, he has made it his mission to get the county to shut down these illegal commercial operations. Zambito, vice president of the … Continued
Summer camps at the Clark House
For the first time, the Fairfax County Park Authority will be having summer camps at the historic Clark House. There will be five science and technology-focused sessions for school-age children. The Victorian-era farmhouse, at 6332 Barcroft Mews Drive and Columbia Pike, is used for occasional meetings and can be rented for weddings or other private … Continued
Police exonerated in dog shooting
The Fairfax County police officer who shot a dog in the Parklawn community in the Mason District Sept. 2, 2011, has been totally exonerated, says Capt. Ed O’Carroll, commander of the investigations division at the Fairfax County Police Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau. Many local residents expressed sympathy for Tommy Tomlo, and his dog, Crash, and … Continued
Bomb threat at Annandale HS
A police robot checks out the suspicious backpack at AHS [photo from WTTG Morning News] Update: Officers from the West Springfield Police Station arrested Marco Antonio Verduo Toledo, 19, of 5451 Tilalary Court in Burke this afternoon in connection with the bomb threat at Annandale High School. Toledo, a former student at Annandale, was charged … Continued
Beauregard development plan revised
The proposed town center The City of Alexandria released a revised draft of the Beauregard Small Area Plan March 27, a framework to guide development along the city’s West End for the next 20 to 30 years. Residents, businesses, community groups, civic organizations, property owners, and developers have worked on the plan for more than … Continued
Culmore Cleanup celebrates its 10th anniversary
Children pitch in at a previous Culmore Cleanup Day Hundreds of local volunteers will fan out across Bailey’s Crossroads April 28 to rid the area of litter and raise awareness about the value of keeping our communities and roadways trash-free. Come join them in the 10th Annual Culmore Cleanup. The event takes place 9 a.m.-noon … Continued