A plan to consolidate the duties of Fairfax County’s Department of Animal Sheltering (DAS) and Animal Protection Police (APP) is drawing some pushback from the local police union.

Last month, county staff proposed to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors that DAS take charge of both animal care services and enforcement of animal protection laws, which would be carried out by animal control officers (ACOs). The recommendation came from both DAS and Fairfax County Police Department leaders.


Columbia Pike has been closed for more than 12 hours near Bailey’s Crossroads after a vehicle crashed into a house and utility pole last night (Sunday), taking out the pole and, with it, the area’s electricity.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue investigators were dispatched to Columbia Pike at Powell Lane around 7:16 p.m. for the single-vehicle crash, according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.


Updated at 6:55 p.m. — All lanes on Elden and Monroe streets have reopened after this morning’s crash, Herndon police said shortly after 11 a.m.

Earlier: Local police are investigating a crash at Elden and Monroe Street in Herndon involving a school bus and delivery truck this morning (Monday).


Pastor Dies After Fire at Newington Home — “The Northern Virginia pastor who was sent to the ICU with severe burns after an explosion in his Fairfax County home last month has died, according to his daughter. Kevin Corey was burning documents in a firepit in the backyard of his townhome on Powderbrook Lane…when neighbors heard the explosion about 8:30 p.m.” [NBC4]

FCPD Targets Crime at Annandale Apartments — “The Mason Police District reports ‘significant and positive outcomes’ from a crime suppression effort at Fairmont Gardens in Annandale. Between Jan. 3 and Feb. 3, patrol officers and detectives charged 85 people with 137 crimes in the area around Wadsworth Court.” [Annandale Today]


Depth played a big role in Highlanders’ victory

Their team score was lower than a week before when they won a district title, but the mark was still high enough for the McLean Highlanders to add this season’s 6D North Region girls gymnastics championship to the high-school squad’s litany of accomplishments.


Another town council member has thrown his name in the mix in the race for Herndon mayor.

Councilmember Pradip Dhakal, who has served on the council for three consecutive terms, is running for the position. His colleague, Councilmember Keven LeBlanc, announced his intention to run earlier this week.


A new look could come with a new name for Patrick Henry Library.

With a major renovation on the horizon, the Fairfax County Public Library’s board of trustees is set to vote next Wednesday (Feb. 14) on whether to rename the Vienna facility after William and Lillian Carter, who co-founded the nonprofit friends’ group that has supported the library for over half a century.


Public art and social spaces will be key to transforming southern Richmond Highway into a community, a panel of local land use experts says.

Last week, the consulting nonprofit Urban Land Institute (ULI) presented recommendations at the Hybla Valley Community Center for how to foster economic growth in the corridor, while preserving its cultural identity through “placemaking.”


Another bundle of houses is on the path to development in McNair near Herndon.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a plan on Wednesday (Feb. 7) to build 48 stacked townhouses at the northwest intersection of Coppermine and Centreville Road — potentially revitalizing a swath of land near Dulles International Airport that has sat mostly vacant for around 20 years.


Compass Coffee is still weeks, if not months, away from opening its first Fairfax County cafe, but it’s already being warmly welcomed — at least by local planning commissioners.

After a public hearing on Wednesday (Feb. 7), the Fairfax County Planning Commission voted in support of the D.C.-based coffee company’s application to convert a vacated BB&T bank at 7393 Lee Highway (Route 29) in West Falls Church into its second drive-thru restaurant.


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