New Annandale grocery store to open in May

K Market, the huge international supermarket under construction in the former Kmart on John Marr Drive in Annandale, is expected to open in May. The store will have a food court, a seafood section with live fish, a butcher shop, and much more.

Giant Pharmacy offering COVID vaccines, along with CVS and Safeway

The CVS at 7205 Little River Turnpike in Annandale.

Giant Pharmacy is now administering COVID-19 vaccinations to people who registered with the Fairfax County Health Department. 

Supervisors ban plastic bags for yard waste

The correct way to put yard waste on the curb.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 9-1 Feb. 23 to ban the use of plastic bags for curbside yard waste pickup.

Instead of plastic bags, county residents now must use paper bags or reusable bins. Another alternative, suggested Eric Forbes of the Fairfax County solid waste division, is to practice “grass cycling” by leaving grass clippings on the lawn.

Gov. Northam eases some COVID restrictions

Northam speaks at a press briefing in January.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has eased some COVID-19 restrictions, as the health metrics are improving. 

Beginning March 1, certain outdoor sports and entertainment venues can operate at increased capacity, Northam announced Feb. 24. 

VDOT to improve Little River Turnpike/Guinea Road intersection

Improvements are in the works for the Guinea Road intersection on Little River Turnpike just west of Annandale. 

Representatives from the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation will describe the changes at a virtual community meeting March 1 at 7 p.m.

Draft county budget would cut real estate tax rate

The Fairfax County Government Center

Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill is proposing a 1-cent decrease in the residential real estate tax for fiscal year 2021. 

That would help offset a big increase in real estate value over the past year, Hill told the Board of Supervisors in his presentation on an advertised budget Feb. 23. 

Virginia to become the first Southern state to abolish the death penalty

The execution chamber at the Greenville Correctional Center in 1994. [Bob Brown/Richmond Times-Dispatch

Virginia is poised to ban the death penalty. Gov. Ralph Norman said Feb. 22 that he plans to sign legislation banning capital punishment approved by both houses of the General Assembly.