Sewer-System Construction
<bt>Restoration of the town's sewer system began Jan. 6 at the following locations:
* Elden Street between Alabama Drive and Herndon Parkway;
* Elden Street between Sterling Road and Alabama Drive;
* Florida Avenue between Alabama Drive and Jefferson Mews;
* Third Street between Monroe Street and Cavalier Drive;
* Elden Street in front of Elden Street Market Place and Palmer Drive;
* McDaniel Court;
* Charlton Place;
* Sterling Road easement between houses 1030 and 1032;
* Old Dominion Avenue easement between houses 313 and 315.
Construction will take place weekdays between 9 a.m.-3 p.m., with some exceptions in business areas. For more information, contact the Department of Public Works, 703-435-6860 from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
<sh>Information Sought on Death
<bt>The Loudoun County Crime Solvers is asking for information regarding the apparent homicide of Herndon resident Margarita Gonzalez, which is being investigated by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.
Gonzalez' body was found by a landscaper shortly before noon Dec. 26 in a privately owned gravel parking lot along Shaw Road in Sterling. A family member reported her missing to the Herndon Police Department later that same day. She was said to have left her residence around 7 p.m., Dec. 25, and was not seen or heard from again. Her death is being investigated as a homicide although the cause of death has not been released by police.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Loudoun County Crime Solvers at 1-877-777-1931. Callers can remain anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest and indictment, a cash reward of up to $1,000 will be awarded.
<sh>Shooting at Worldgate
<bt>The Herndon Police are investigating a shooting that occurred in the 13000 block of Worldgate Drive Dec. 20, at about 2:15 a.m. According to police, a fight occurred outside of a restaurant involving numerous people. One person fired a handgun multiple times. A 26-year-old male from Herndon was struck in the right leg. He was transported to a local hospital for non life-threatening injuries. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Herndon Police at 703-435-6846.
<sh>Anniversary Celebration
<bt>The Town of Herndon will be holding a celebration Saturday, Jan. 17, from 1:30-6 p.m., at the Herndon Municipal Center complex downtown, in honor of the town's 125th anniversary. Herndon was incorporated January 1879.
There will be a dedication ceremony, beginning at 1:30 p.m., in front of the W & OD caboose in honor of the late George Moore, the resident who obtained the caboose.
The Sully Plantation and Frying Pan Park will have living history displays; the Herndon Historical Society will present highlight's of the town's history; and actors portraying some of the town's historical figures — including the first mayor, Isaiah Bready, and Commander Herndon, will be walking the grounds.
There will also be musical entertainment, face painting, a puppet show at the Fortnightly Library and children's crafts. A pyrotechnic birthday display will cap off the evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. on the Town Green.
Admission is free, the complex is located at 777 Lynn St. For more information, call 703-435-6800.
<sh>Special Meeting
<bt>A special joint meeting of the Herndon Town Council and Planning Commission has been scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 20, beginning at 7 p.m., in the Herndon Council Chambers, 765 Lynn St.
The meeting will be to conduct a six-month review of the project status for the fiscal year 2004-09 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and to discuss the FY '05-10 CIP project priorities.
The previously scheduled Town Council work session will immediately follow in the Council Chambers conference room.
<sh>CERT Classes Offered
<bt>The next class for the Herndon Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) begins Jan. 21.
The CERT program, under the supervision of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Citizen Corps, assists in the response to hazards within the community. The team also distributes and installs smoke alarms for the elderly or disabled; helps with evacuations and traffic control; promotes awareness of potential hazards and preparedness measures; supplements staff at special events; and acts as victims in training exercises. They are additionally trained to locate and turn off utilities; extinguish small fires; triage and treat injures; conduct light searches and rescue; and help relieve survivor stress.
Interested potential CERT members should be able to attend eight three-to-four-hour classes every Wednesday for eight weeks and one eight-hour practical class on a Saturday at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy, 4600 West Ox Road in Fairfax. For more information, contact the Herndon CERT Team at 703-862-3766 or e-mail herndoncert@yahoo.com.
<sh>Chamber Awards
<bt>The Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce annual awards gala, "Beyond the Limits," is slated for Saturday, Feb. 7, from 6 p.m.-midnight, at the Westfield's Marriott.
The cost for the black-tie event is $125, which includes a cocktail reception, awards presentation, dinner and dancing. Tickets can be purchased at the chamber until Jan. 26. For sponsorship opportunities and tickets, call the chamber at 703-437-5556. For more details, visit www.herndondulleschmaber.org.
<sh>Party Ends in Gunfire
<bt>A private party at the Sterling Cinema Draft House & The Hollywood Café in the Town Center Plaza ended in gunfire.
Sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene shortly before 1 a.m. on Dec. 21 and confirmed that one shot had been fired inside the business, which opened in Sterling one and a half years ago. No injuries or property damage occured during the incident.
Dale Rinehart, 42, owner of the business, told the Sheriff's Office he overheard some patrons fighting in the party room, which had been rented out by a 63-year-old Reston woman. As the patrons began to flee the area towards the main exit, Rinehart heard members of the crowd shouting someone had a gun, he said, according to a press release from the Sheriff's Office.
"It's not a client we cater to," said a manager, who would not give her name. "This is a localized event. It's not something that is typical here."
Members of the Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division are investigating the incident. Anyone who has information regarding the incident is asked to contact Investigator Fognano at 703-777-0475.
<sh>Town Calendar
<bt>Tuesday, Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Town Council regular session. Herndon Council Chambers, 765 Lynn St.
Wednesday, Jan. 14
Town of Herndon's 125th anniversary.
Saturday, Jan. 17, 1:30-6 p.m.
Town of Herndon's 125th anniversary celebration. Herndon Municipal Center complex.
Monday, Jan. 19
Town offices closed; Community Center open 6 a.m.-10 p.m.