Tag: coronavirus
Virginia Beach will open Friday
Virginia Beach on a typical summer weekend. (Kaitlin McKeown/Virginia Media) Virginia Beach will reopen Friday, May 22, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced during a coronavirus briefing today. Recreational activities – including sunbathing, swimming, and fishing – will be allowed, although beach goers are urged to maintain social distancing. No group sports, alcohol, tents, speakers, or … Continued
Community pools weigh options for reopening amid uncertainty about COVID restrictions
The Sleepy Hollow Recreation Association is gearing up for a late opening. Usually around this time of year, members of community pools would be sprucing up their properties, hosting open houses, and scrambling to sign up new families. Not this year. Pool boards are still trying to figure out when to open, how to comply … Continued
There have been fewer accidents, more burglaries in Annandale during pandemic
Members of the community express their appreciation for the officers at the Franconia Police District. [FCPD] Traffic accidents are down during the coronavirus lockdown in the Annandale/Mason District area, but there’s been an increase in certain crimes. According to data shared by Capt. Brooke Wright, commander of the Mason Police Station, and Lt. Jane Burns … Continued
FCPS outlines plan for summer programs
A message from Camelot Elementary School in Annandale. Schools will continue distance learning for students during the summer along with targeted intervention services, according to an update from Fairfax County Public Schools. School buildings will remain closed in July. No decisions have been made about the 2020-21 school year, although several scenarios are being considered. Special … Continued
New Fairfax County grant program aids nonprofits
The food pantry run by Annandale Christian Community for Action. [Bailey’s Crossroads Rotary Club.] The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors established a $5 million fund to assist nonprofit organizations whose primary work supports social safety net services for vulnerable populations. The application process for Nonprofit Sustainability Grants begins May 15. The deadline to apply is … Continued
Face coverings to be required on Metro, Connector buses
Beginning Monday, May 18, face coverings will be required on Metro trains, Metrobuses, Metro stations, and Fairfax Connector buses. Face coverings can include bandanas, scarves, neck gaiters, or homemade masks. Up to now, face coverings on local transit was strongly recommended. Now it is a requirement as Metro moves toward an eventual recovery with more … Continued
FCPS weighs options for fall and for graduation
Signs like these are cropping up all over. The Fairfax County School Board reviewed three possible scenarios for the 2020-21 school year at a May 11 work session. Meanwhile, a state-level COVID-19 Education Task Force plans to issue policy guidance in June on the conditions for reopening schools. The three possibilities considered for fall 2020 … Continued
Summer concerts in parks canceled for June
The amphitheater at Mason District Park usually draws a big crowd for Spotlight by Starlight shows. The Fairfax County Park Authority has canceled the summer entertainment series through the end of June, due to the need to maintain social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. That includes the Spotlight by Starlight performances at Mason District Park … Continued
Fairfax County supervisors approve new grant program for small businesses
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors created a new $25 million grant program May 12 to assist small businesses and nonprofits affected by COVID-19. The Fairfax Relief Initiative to Support Employers (Fairfax RISE) is funded by the county’s allocation from the federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act. Fairfax RISE will offer grants to … Continued
Northam delays Phase I of reopening plan for Northern Virginia
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam issued an executive order May 12 stating that localities in Northern Virginia can delay Phase I of the state’s plan to ease restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Northam had previously announced that Phase I, which allows non-essential businesses, barbershops, hair salons, and places of … Continued
Annandale Hair Cuttery closing permanently
The Hair Cuttery in the Little River Shopping Center. The Hair Cuttery at 7404 Little River Turnpike in Annandale is closing permanently. The Ratner Cos., which owns Hair Cuttery and other salons, had been struggling financially before the coronavirus pandemic. In January the company announced it would close 10 percent of its locations. … Continued
Metro plans a slow recovery
It’s going to be a long time before Metro draws big crowds like this. Metro plans to gradually ramp up service as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, with full service not totally restored until a treatment or vaccine is available. Metro’s Board of Directors plans to discuss the system’s recovery strategy on May 14. The plan … Continued
Annandale loses a beloved doctor: Farewell Steve Perez
Dr. Perez with the employees at the Medical Center of Annandale. Dr. Steven John Perez, a long-time Annandale doctor, who died on May 7 from COVID-19, is fondly remembered by his many patients. There are more than 100 comments and messages of condolence posted on Nextdoor. Patients praised his kindness, wit, listening skills, and ability … Continued
Stuff the Bus returns to Annandale and Bailey’s Crossroads
The Stuff the Bus campaign is coming back on two days this month to collect food donations to meet the needs of people struggling financially during the COVID-19 pandemic. But this time, instead of having the Fastran buses park in supermarket parking lots, the buses will be at less-frequented lots throughout Fairfax County. Stuff the … Continued
Community leaders urge supervisors to not make decisions on land use during virtual meetings
A virtual Board of Supervisors meeting in April. Representatives of 18 community associations and 74 individuals signed on to a letter to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors urging them to hold off on making decisions about land use during the pandemic when residents don’t have a chance for meaningful engagement. The May 7 letter … Continued