Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

Annandale townhouse fire caused by candle mishap

A fire at an Annandale townhouse went to two alarms. [FCFRD] A fire at an Annandale townhouse sent a resident to the hospital for a checkup, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports. The two-alarm fire struck the three-story home, in the 5000 block of American Drive, shortly before 11 p.m. on March 16. … Continued

Board of Supervisors approves declaration of emergency

McKay speaks at an emergency Board of Supervisors meeting March 17. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a “declaration of emergency” March 17 aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19. The resolution, effective March 17, facilitates applications for federal and state disaster assistance.  “It gives us more flexibility” said Board of Supervisors Chair Jeffrey … Continued

Lake Accotink pipeline could threaten park’s habitat

County officials and community residents take a “pipeline walk” in Lake Accotink Park, accompanied by the sounds of spring peepers, wood frogs, and birds. When Fairfax County officials announced a plan in September to install a pipeline to haul dredged sediment away from Lake Accotink, many community members were happy that the lake would be … Continued

FCPS closes schools until further notice, expands meal distribution to 18 locations

Brabrand In order to curb the spread of coronavirus, all Fairfax County Public Schools are closed until further notice, FCPS announced March 15. That includes all administrative offices, as well as all school buildings. The laptop distribution that had been scheduled for March 16 has been cancelled, states a notice from Superintendent Scott Brabrand. Only … Continued

Minding the gap: Scholarships help Justice seniors take the last step toward college

Justice High School Scholarship recipients from the Class of 2019. By Jean King and Tara Rethore  Hop on any Underground (subway) train in London and an announcer will tell you to “mind the gap” between the train and the platform. Here at home, the Justice High School Scholarship Fund (JHSSF) has been minding a different … Continued

Health Department announces four new coronavirus cases, including a teacher

The Fairfax County Health Department is reported four additional presumptive positive cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) today. That brings the total number of positive cases to 10 in Fairfax County and 41 in Virginia. The coronavirus cases in Fairfax County include three individuals from the same household who were close contacts to a presumptive positive … Continued

Northam closes schools statewide for two weeks in response to coronavirus

Stores are having trouble keeping supplies like toilet paper and hand sanitizer in stock, like this Giant in Mason District. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has ordered all public schools in Virginia to close for at least two weeks “in response to the continued spread of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.” The governor’s March 13 announcement states, … Continued

Virginia governor declares state of emergency as coronavirus spreads

Gov. Northam speaks at a coronavirus briefing.  Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency March 12, as the number of people who test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to grow. That declaration allows the governor to ease regulatory rules and more easily coordinate with federal officials. In addition, Northam said, large state-run conferences and events … Continued