<sh>Robbery Suspect Arrested at Motel
<bt>A 28-year-old man was arrested in a City of Fairfax motel in connection with two robberies in Clifton and Centreville.
The first robbery occurred on Monday, Aug. 11. at the First Virginia Bank on Saint Germain Drive in Centreville. At 12:10 p.m., a man approached a teller who was behind the counter and implied that he had a knife and demanded money. The teller handed over an undisclosed amount of cash and the man fled the scene.
On Friday, Aug. 15, a man robbed a teller at a Chevy Chase Bank in the Clifton area at about 1:45 p.m. The man demanded money from a 21-year-old Centreville area woman, who was employed as a teller at the Chevy Chase Bank in the Giant Food Store on Union Mill Road. The teller gave the cash to the man, who then ran from the store.
Warrants were obtained for Kevin Blakeney, of no fixed address, for the robbery at the First Virginia Bank. Officers from the City of Fairfax Police Department found Blakeney in an area hotel and took him into custody. He was later charged with the robbery at the Chevy Chase Bank and held at the Adult Detention Center without bond.
<sh>Firefighters Raise Money for Muscular Dystrophy
<bt>The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will kick-off their 'Fill the Boot' Campaign for the Muscular Dystrophy Association this Friday, Aug. 22. During Labor Day weekend, county firefighters and paramedics will ask local residents and visitors to donate funds to 'Jerry's Kids,' which is part of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Last year, the community gave $275,000 to 'Jerry's Kids' over holiday weekend. Firefighters hope to exceed last year's total this Labor Day weekend.
<sh>County Seeks Trash Solutions
<bt>Fairfax County wants to know how people feel about their trash. Community input will influence the way the county deals with trash for the next 20 years. Do residents want to recycle additional materials curbside? Should small business recycling requirements change? How should the county fund community benefit programs? What should the county's role be in managing trash collection and recycling services?
Fairfax County residents can visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes to offer opinions via an online survey about solid waste management in the county. The survey has 24 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Questions range from curbside recycling to the cost of trash collection. The planning process also includes a series of public meetings that will take place throughout November at locations throughout Fairfax County. General information about the Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program and the community meetings is available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes. A public hearing will take place in the spring of 2004 to review and approve the final plan.
<sh>Silver Diner to Host Classic Car Rally
<bt>Classic cars and a good cause will take center stage as Silver Diner restaurants host a special "Taste of Summer" celebration on Aug. 24, with proceeds to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
Classic "dream machines" will compete for special honors and coveted trophies. Classic Car Clubs can register their cars by contacting their local Silver Diner. The program, running from 3-7 p.m., will include entertainment for the whole family, such as raffles, music, children's games, summer refreshments and special activities such as face painting, culminating with the Silver Diner's "Taste of Summer Giveaway," occurring simultaneously at each participating restaurant at 5 p.m. Prizes include a two-year lease on a 2003 Ford Thunderbird, weekend getaways to the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa in the Laurel Highlands of western Pennsylvania, Baltimore Orioles tickets, Silver Diner meals for four, and T-shirts. Participating Silver Diner restaurants hosting the "Classic Car Show and Taste of Summer Giveaway" to benefit MDA include Merrifield, Fairfax and Springfield.