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

Any Fairfax County teen could become a sex trafficking victim

West Springfield High School students Alyssa Wenklar (left) and Kyra Beckman, are members of the Spartans Against Human Trafficking club. Any  teenager in Fairfax County could be at risk for becoming a victim of sex trafficking. It’s happened to youths from every school, ethnicity, and family income level, said Det. Bill Woolf during a program … Continued

Police station commanders talk crime and safety with neighborhood leaders

From the left: Capt. David Smith (Mason), Capt. Kathleen Sefchick (West Springfield), and Capt. Jeff Powell (Franconia). The commanders of the three police districts that cover parts of Mason District – Mason, West Springfield, and Franconia – spoke about crime and safety issues Jan. 24 at the first session of Supervisor Penny Gross’ 2015 leadershipseminar … Continued

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