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

Plan now for emergencies

Kazragis Are you prepared for a major hurricane or another “snowmageddon”? How about a terrorist attack? What if Ebola or another epidemic hits Northern Virginia? It’s best to plan for a catastrophe before it happens, says Whitney Kazragis, community outreach liaison with the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management, at a meeting of the Mason … Continued

Deer hunting in local parks starts tomorrow

A notice about deer hunting. Fairfax County’s program using archery to reduce the deer population begins tomorrow, Sept. 6, and runs through Feb. 21, 2015. Under the program, approved groups of hunters are allowed to hunt deer in parks throughout the county, including several in the Annandale area: The “Annandale Cluster,” covering the White Gardens … Continued

County education campaign targets speeding

Braddock Supervisor John Cook (left) speaks at kick-off of anti-speeding campaign. Fairfax County launched an anti-speeding campaign Aug. 28 aimed at educating drivers about the dangers of speeding on neighborhood streets. Fairfax County supervisors, Fairfax County Police Department officials, and leaders of community associations and Neighborhood Watch groups gathered at the FCPD driver training facility … Continued

The Pinecrest community celebrates National Night Out

Kids check out a police car during National Night Out at The Pinecrest. [Photos by DeAnn Jelinek] Neighborhood organizations throughout the nation—including many in Mason District—celebrated National Night Out on Aug. 5 with friendly visits from police officers and firefighters. There were cookouts, ice cream socials, and block parties aimed at crime prevention and community … Continued

Neighborhood get-togethers planned for National Night Out

Firefighters talk about their work at a 2013 National Night Out event on Hirst Street in Annandale. On Tuesday, Aug. 5, neighborhoods across the Mason District – and throughout the nation – will be holding evening gatherings for National Night Out, an anticrime initiative aimed at promoting productive relationships between communities and local police departments. … Continued

Fairfax County supervisors to consider proposal to expand women’s shelter

A yard sign broadcasts the resident’s opposition to a shelter for abuse victims. A proposal to expand a shelter for victims of domestic abuse in the Barcroft Hills neighborhood has generated some opposition among the immediate neighbors, although others who live near the 1950s-era house support the project. Bethany House of Northern Virginia is requesting … Continued

Forum focuses on pedestrian safety

Pedestrians crossing Route 50 at Patrick Henry Drive in Seven Corners. By Tammy Barbee About 50 people came to a community forum April 22 at Bailey’s Elementary School to learn more about a huge safety problem in Mason District—accidents involving pedestrians. Officer Michael Greene of the Mason Police District said there have been four pedestrian-related … Continued

Warmer weather means more crime

Mason Police Commander Capt. David Smith (right) presents the “Edwin Smith Officer of the Year Award” to Pfc. Jonathan Nytes at the April 1 CAC meeting. Nytes, a 10-year veteran on the Fairfax County police force, has been a consistently high performer, mentors junior officers, and has a particularly strong record in DUI arrests. The … Continued

Woodson community comes together to focus on suicide prevention

A poster on a Woodson High School hallway has photos of Woodson alumni holding signs showing their support for the school and current students. Following the presumed suicide of two Woodson High School students in recent days, hundreds of parents, students, and educators packed the school’s auditorium last night to comfort one another and learn … Continued