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
Mason District forum addresses hoarding
All the photos posted with this article are from Fairfax County If you know someone whose house looks like the ones posted here, Fairfax County’s Hoarding Interoperability Committee can help. The committee investigates complaints, determines whether there are safety or housing code violations, and refers the hoarder for counseling services or other assistance. Susan Epstein of … Continued
Apparent murder suicide under investigation
3800 Forest Grove Drive UPDATED March 28: Mason District police are investigating an apparent homicide/suicide that occurred in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 27. The victims were identified as John Jackson, age 40, a former sergeant in the Fairfax County police force and, his 13-year-old daughter, Alexis Jackson, a student at Glasgow Middle … Continued
Cop school: The jail tour
The Adult Detention Center in Fairfax [No photos allowed inside.] The young women were sitting on the floor playing cards and laughing. They looked like they didn’t have a care in the world. But they weren’t at a slumber party—they were doing time at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center (ADC). The field trip to … Continued