Community Corner

Middle School Renamed, Fox Vs. Cat: Top Fairfax City News Of 2021

Patch readers from Fairfax City celebrated the renaming of the local middle school and Here's the top news of 2021.

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In June, students, teachers, administrators and guests cut the ribbon on the newly renamed Katherine Johnson Middle School in honor of the pioneering mathematician and NASA scientist.
In June, students, teachers, administrators and guests cut the ribbon on the newly renamed Katherine Johnson Middle School in honor of the pioneering mathematician and NASA scientist. (Michael O'Connell/Patch)

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — As it was in 2020, COVID-19 and the local response to it was what Patch readers in Fairfax City as well as those across the region, were most interested in during 2021.

The availability of the COVID-19 vaccine was one of the top stories in Fairfax for the year. People also wanted to know where they could obtain the vaccine and, more recently, where they could get tested.

But Fairfax City residents, like much of the rest of the country, were also concerned about the aftermath of the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Find out what's happening in Fairfax Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Related: COVID-19, Cicadas, Capitol Riot: Top VA News Stories Of 2021

Over the last year, local officials have been re-examining the county and the city's historic link to the Civil War and whether it was appropriate to continue having public buildings and properties bearing names honored the Confederacy.

Find out what's happening in Fairfax Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

In February, the Fairfax County School Board voted to change the name of Mosby Woods Elementary, which is located just north of the city, to Mosaic Elementary. In June, Lanier Middle School in the city was officially renamed to honor pioneering mathematician and NASA scientist Katherine Johnson.

2021 also saw three local eateries closed due to fire: Arties, the 29 Diner and the Bangkok St. Thai Restaurant in the PanAm Shopping Center.

Perhaps not surprisingly, a series of stories featuring videos of wildlife visiting a Patch reporter's home just outside the city proved popular. The videos included a feral cat protecting his food from a fox, the fox nibbling on snacks in broad daylight and a rare flying squirrel dropping.

To stay up to date on Fairfax City and Fairfax County news in 2022, subscribe to our free news alerts and morning newsletter. If you would like to share story ideas, send me an email at michael.oconnell@patch.com.

Here are Fairfax City's top stories of 2021:

Community

Public Safety

Health & Fitness

Business

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