Former Mason police commander promoted to deputy chief
Brooke Wright, the former commander of the Mason Police District has been named deputy chief of administration, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis announced Jan. 9. Wright previously served as a director of the Criminal Justice Academy. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, she began her FCPD career as a 911 call dispatcher in … Continued
Del. Watts to focus on climate and taxes
Longtime House of Delegates member Vivian Watts (D) is reaching out to new constituents. Due to redistricting, three Annandale area precincts – St. Albans, Masonville, and Woodburn – have been transferred from Del. Kaye Kory’s district to the newly named 14th District represented by Watts. Since she was first elected to the General Assembly in … Continued
Weekly crime report
The following recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area are from the Fairfax County Police Department as reported on CityProtect: Jan. 8 Larceny – 4400 block of Commons Drive, Annandale, 2 a.m. Simple assault – 7100 block of Leesburg Pike, Seven Corners, 10 a.m. Jan. 7 Drug possession (opium/cocaine) – 6100 block of Arlington Boulevard, 12 … Continued
VA Senate candidate Heidi Drauschak focuses on campaign finance reform
Heidi Drauschak, a candidate for the Virginia Senate in the 35th District, is focusing on the need for campaign finance reform. She will be on the ballot in the Democratic Primary on June 20. The redrawn 35th District encompasses Annandale, Springfield, West Springfield, and adjacent areas. Due to redistricting, the 35th District incorporates areas currently … Continued
Heat still not fixed at Fairmont Gardens
Some tenants at Fairmont Gardens in Annandale still don’t have heat. Two entire buildings in the complex don’t have heat at all, while heating has been intermittent in other apartments, reports Nady Peralta Wentworth, an attorney at the Legal Aid Justice Center. In the only communication from the management, the Donaldson Group sent a notice … Continued
Opinion: The Braddock Road project is not really ‘multimodal’
The following commentary by Annandale resident Michael Perel is a lightly edited version of a piece originally published in the Washington Post. Concerns about Arlington’s “missing middle” zoning proposal resonate with me. The proposal, which would not result in affordable housing for families, demonstrates how misleading and unsupported some public policies can be when they … Continued
Parking Reimagined would benefit developers, not residents
Fairfax County’s Parking Reimagined plan – which reduces the number of required parking spaces for new developments – would benefit developers, not local residents and communities, critics of the plan charge. That’s the main takeaway from a virtual information session Jan. 5 hosted by county planning and land development staff. A tiered approach Parking Reimagined … Continued
Two people shot in Bailey’s Crossroads
Two people were shot in Bailey’s Crossroads in the early hours of Jan. 5, the Fairfax County Police Department reported. The incident occurred in the 6000 block of Glen Carlyn Drive. The two victims were taken to the hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening. In other police news, detectives with the Crash Reconstruction Unit are … Continued
Glasgow Park to get a new playground
The Fairfax County Park Authority is replacing the playground at Glasgow Park. The park will be closed until the installation of the new equipment is completed, which is expected to happen in February unless there are weather delays. Glasgow Park is located at 3935 Arcadia Road in Lincolnia. Related story: Explore a Park – Glasgow … Continued
The Taste of Annandale to return in 2023
After a two and a-half-year break, the Taste of Annandale will be back in 2023. The family-friendly community festival is scheduled for Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., along Tom Davis Drive in the center of Annandale. Plans call for food trucks, restaurants, a 5K race, a full line-up of live music and dance, children’s … Continued
Educator charged with assaulting a student
An educator assaulted a special-needs student at Glen Forest Elementary School in Bailey’ Crossroads, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. Another employee observed instructional assistant Meredith Capets, 36, of Alexandria, assaulting the student on Dec. 8. The employee immediately reported the assault to school administrators, who notified the police that evening. After conducting numerous interviews, … Continued
FCPS to investigate TJ controversy
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid told parents with students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology that FCPS is investigating why the notification of “commended students” was delayed. Reid spoke about the issue at an emotionally charged meeting at the school Jan. 3 that drew nearly 100 parents and a smattering … Continued
Popcorn shop to open in Seven Corners
Robin Rinearson, the owner of Jake’s Ice Cream in Barcroft Plaza, is opening Jack’s Gourmet Popcorn in the Seven Corners Shopping Center. It will be located between Michaels and The Vacuum Center. Rinearson hopes to open the shop by the end of March. The popcorn will be made on-site. In addition to regular popcorn, there … Continued
State tax on groceries eliminated
As of Jan. 1, Virginian’s grocery costs were slightly reduced, as the elimination of the 1.5 percent state sales tax on groceries took effect. Localities are still collecting a 1 percent tax on groceries, however. The grocery tax cut will reduce state revenue by some $7 million – a small portion of the roughly $4.9 … Continued
Weekly crime report
The following recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area are from the Fairfax County Police Department as reported on CityProtect: Jan. 1, 2023 Simple assault – 6000 block of Argyle Drive, Culmore, 12 a.m. Destruction of private property – 4700 block of Commons Drive, Annandale, 12 a.m. Simple assault – 4200 block of Conally Street, Annandale, … Continued