Tag: coronavirus
Gov. Northam imposes new rules to curb COVID spread
As the number of COVID-19 cases rises across Virginia – along with the rest of the country – Gov. Ralph Northam has announced new measures aimed at stopping the spread of the virus The following rules take effect at midnight on Sunday, Nov. 15: Public and private gatherings – indoors and outdoors – must be … Continued
COVID cases trending upwards in Fairfax County
COVID-19 cases in Fairfax County are on the upswing, while the economic challenges are mounting. There were 205 new cases on Nov. 11 and 131 new cases on Nov. 10, the Fairfax County Health Department reports. There were two deaths since yesterday, for a total of 624. As of Nov. 11, the county had a … Continued
Pet Valu is closing due to the challenges of COVID
The Pet Valu store at Graham Park Plaza. The Pet Valu store at Graham Park Plaza on Arlington Boulevard is closing. The company announced on Nov. 4 that it is beginning “a wind down of its operations due to severe impact from COVID-19.” Graham Park Plaza, formerly known as Loehmann’s Plaza, is in the Falls … Continued
Justice High School musicians and vocalists are keeping the music alive
Justice students present a concert at a senior living facility. By Tara Rethore So many things have been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for appropriate health and safety protocols. With public school buildings closed and learning conducted online, ensemble music groups are especially feeling the impact. Playing or singing together in person … Continued
Annandale Treasure Trove closes permanently
The Treasure Trove consignment shop in the Annandale Shopping Center on Columbia Pike has closed permanently, Inova announced Nov. 4. The challenge of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the temporary closing of the three Treasure Trove stores run by Inova, meant “our charitable dollars, supported by your generous purchases, donations, and consignments, … Continued
Beech Tree student tests positive for COVID-19
A student at Beech Tree Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19, Principal Karim Daugherty announced in an email to families Nov. 4. Beech Tree is in the Falls Church area of Mason District. The Fairfax County Health Department “will initiate contact tracing and work to identify close contacts of this individual and give them … Continued
Community members say Diamond Lounge should be shut down
A memorial to Samuel Njikang in the Diamond Lounge parking lot. Friends of Samuel Njikang, who was fatally shot outside the Diamond Lounge in Annandale Oct. 30, say the club should be shut down. Other community members have been complaining for years about unruly mobs and noise at the Diamond. According to the police, there … Continued
Annandale Halloween scenes 2020
Halloween in 2020 might have been a bit more subdued this year with the COVID-19 pandemic going strong. But thanks to COVID and an intense election battle underway, there’s plenty to be scared about. Skeletons dominated the Halloween decorations in Annandale, while many residents put bags of candy on tables by the curb so they wouldn’t … Continued
New Virginia laws address police reform
Gov. Northam [Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury] Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed a series of laws on police and justice reform that were approved during the General Assembly’s special session. The measures were generally driven by the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police this summer. The omnibus policing reform legislation (Senate Bill 5030) … Continued
Rep. Connolly calls for government to address deficiencies at COVID-ridden Annandale Healthcare Center
The Annandale Healthcare Center, at 6700 Columbia Pike, is run by CommuniCare. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11th District) is urging both the federal government and Virginia Department of Health to take action to improve conditions at the Annandale Healthcare Center (AHC). “It is critical that the facility successfully implements their plan of correction and that they … Continued
Fairfax County board approves townhouses at Graham Park Plaza
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 20 approved a proposal by EYA Development LLC to build 177 townhouses on the western portion of Graham Park Plaza on Arlington Boulevard. Among other actions at the BoS meeting, the supervisors approved a plan for disposal of the Confederate monuments at the judicial complex in Fairfax … Continued
FCPS offers more details on concurrent learning
The concurrent instruction approach, although total class sizes won’t be this small. [FCPS] Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand and other FCPS officials provided more details on concurrent learning and other aspects of the return-to-school plans at a town hall Oct. 19. Several school board members, however, are not happy with the concurrent learning … Continued
Under FCPS return-to-school plan, all students won’t be back until February
The Fairfax Federation of Teachers held a car rally Oct. 15 at the FCPS Gatehouse Administration Center in Merrifield. The Fairfax County School Board has deadlocked, 6-6, on whether to endorse Superintendent Scott Brabrand’s schedule for bringing students back for in-person learning. Under Brabrand’s plan, presented at a school board work session board Oct. 15, … Continued
No ABC special promotions for the holidays
The ABC store on Little River Turnpike in Annandale. Thanks to the COVID pandemic, Virginia ABC stores will not host their usual fall and holiday promotions this year. That includes Door Busters, Spirited Thursdays, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Virginia ABC CEO Travis Hill cites several reasons for the decision: The pandemic has caused distilled … Continued
Fairfax County community centers reopen Oct. 13
The James Lee Community Center [Fairfax County Government] The nine community centers operated by the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services will reopen on a limited basis on Tuesday, Oct. 13. That includes the Bailey’s Community Center on Summers Lane in Bailey’s Crossroads, the James Lee Community Center on Annandale Road in Falls … Continued