Boy killed by train remembered as a standout soccer player
Eli Medrano, the Weyanoke Elementary School second-grader killed in a train crash on June 5, is remembered for his “larger than life personality, terrific sense of humor, and a smile that could light up the room.” That quote is from a GoFundMe page set up by soccer coach Ben Sprague on behalf of Jeffrey Medrano. … Continued
Changes proposed for Wakefield courts
The Fairfax County Park Authority plans to change the configuration of the tennis and pickleball courts at Wakefield Park in Annandale. The park has nine tennis courts, two dual-use courts (two tennis courts and four pickleball courts), and two dedicated pickleball courts. “Over time, the use of the dual-use courts has trended strongly toward pickleball … Continued
Chico’s pet shop closed but might resurface in a new location
After 10 years and three different locations in Barcroft Plaza, Chico’s Natural Pet Market has closed for good. But it’s not going away forever, as the owner, Danielle Areco, is searching for a new location. Areco spent the store’s last day, Sunday, June 9, hosting an ice cream party for dogs with big markdowns on … Continued
Pupusa Fest highlights Salvadoran culture
The local Salvadoran community celebrated their culture at a Pupusa Fest June 9 hosted by the General Consulate of El Salvador. The event, on the grounds of Braddock Elementary School in Annandale, featured free pupusas, a pupusa-eating contest, vendors, giveaways, raffle prizes, songs, and dances from El Salvador, Bolivia, Mexico, and Paraguay. El Salvador’s Consul … Continued
School news roundup
The following news items and photos are from Fairfax County Public Schools. Students help refugees – The Fairfax County Public Schools website features a story about two members of the Annandale High School Class of 2024 – Sosan Barakzai and Husna Basiri – who helped found a club to help refugees adjust to life at … Continued
Park Authority will remove popular pickleball courts at Kendale Woods Park
Residents of the Broyhill Crest community in Annandale who’ve been fighting to retain the pickleball courts at Kendale Woods Park have lost their battle to retain them – at least for the time being. The Park Authority announced it will begin removing pickleball from the park this coming week. Players seek an injunction The fight … Continued
100+ volunteers clean up Americana Drive
Americana Drive in Annandale is a whole lot cleaner thanks to the 102 volunteers who collected litter and large items from the roadway last Saturday. The volunteers removed an estimated 1.5 tons of debris, including 163 bags of trash, 53 tires, a stroller, a bumper, a swing set, two mattresses, a bathroom sink, eight rolls … Continued
Train crash victims identified
The Fairfax County Police Department identified the victims killed by a train on June 5. Diego Arriaza, 28, of Annandale, Yeraldin Pardo, 28, of Lincolnia, and her 8-year-old child were on the elevated train tracks at Lake Accotink Park shortly before 8:30 p.m. when they were hit by a northbound Norfolk Southern freight train. Detectives … Continued
Annandale man wins fraud case against a bank
Richard Bennett, an 81-year-old Annandale resident who was scammed out of $1.5 million, had to sue Old Dominion National Bank to get his money back. A jury at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ruled in his favor on May 31. His attorney, Blake Weiner, charged the bank had transferred money … Continued
Planning Commission recommends zoning changes for data centers
The Fairfax County Planning Commission on June 6 recommended approval of a more restrictive zoning ordinance on data centers. Commissioners approved several amendments that address some of the concerns raised by residents and environmental groups at a five-hour hearing the previous evening. About 50 people testified at the hearing, including residents of Bren Mar Park … Continued
Three people killed after being struck by a train at Lake Accotink
Three people – two adults and a child – were killed after being struck by a freight train while walking on the tracks above Accotink Park Road shortly before 8:30 p.m. on June 5, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. All three were declared deceased on the scene. The Norfolk Southern train was heading northbound … 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: June 5 June 4 June 3 June 2 June 1 May 31 May 30
Multifamily housing proposed for Seven Corners
Southern Management, the owner of the Cavalier Club apartment building in Seven Corners submitted a rezoning proposal May 31 to allow the construction of a new residential mixed-use building and a parking garage. Cavalier Club is located at 6200 Wilson Boulevard in a corner of Mason District bordering Arlington County and the City of Falls … Continued
Sorimmara brings mala spiciness to Annandale
Sorimmara, a new restaurant in Seoul Plaza on Markham Street in Annandale, offers something different: mala, a spice with a numbing taste on the tongue used in soup and stir fry dishes. Mala comes from China but is popular in Korea, which has some 200 Sorimmara restaurants, says manager Serene Lee. The Sorimmara restaurant in … Continued
Police target 7-Eleven in Culmore
The Mason Police District is cracking down on public drinking, drug abuse, and shoplifting at the 7-Eleven in Culmore, said station commander Maj. Erin Weeks. The police will be meeting with 7-Eleven officials to strengthen security and ban trespassing at the store at 3337 Glen Carlyn Drive. “I think 7-Eleven is going to take a … Continued