Correction
<bt>2nd Lt. John Patton in the Sheriff's Department said he didn't support Chris Harmison or any other candidate during the November election as reported in last week's article on former Deputy Vernon Beamer [Loudoun Conenction, March 17-23, 2004].
<sh>Pellet Gun Used in Robbery Attempt
<bt>A Sterling teenager was assaulted Wednesday night after he refused to give a thief his wallet. Shortly after 10 p.m., the 18-year-old victim was walking along the sidewalk in the area of East Holly and Circle Drive when he was confronted by a white male suspect who demanded the victim's wallet. The suspect then brandished a firearm, which the victim believed to be a pellet gun. The victim, still refusing to turn over his wallet, was struck by the suspect who then turned and began to walk away. The suspect then turned back towards the teenager and fired one shot from his pellet gun.
The victim received minor injuries in the attempted robbery and refused medical treatment at the scene. The suspect is described as being in his late teens and has dirty blonde hair. He was said to be of average build and was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt. Sheriff's deputies are also searching for a dark blue or black Honda Accord that the suspect fled in after the incident. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Investigator Brown of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 703-777-0475.
<sh>Wolf To Host Town Meeting
<bt>U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf will hold a town meeting on Saturday, April 3 at 2 p.m. at Ida Lee Park Recreation Center, 60 Ida Lee Drive, Leesburg. Constituents can access his complete voting record for the first session of the 108th Congress on his web site at http://www.house.gov/wolf.
<sh>'Outstanding Women' Wanted
<bt>The Loudoun County Commission on Women is seeking nominations for the 2004 "Outstanding Women of Loudoun" awards. The commission sponsors the yearly program to recognize the outstanding contributions of women in the community. Up to six women will be recognized for their outstanding volunteer or professional work during the commission's annual awards luncheon on May 18. To obtain a nomination form and guidelines, visit the commission's website, www.lccw.org, or stop by the Board of Supervisors office on the 5th floor of the Loudoun County Government Center. The deadline for nominations is Thursday, April 8. For more information, call Sally Keefer at 703-777-0204.
<sh>Defibrillators at Senior Centers
<bt>Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) will soon be installed, according to the county's Department of Fire-Rescue Services, in five senior centers in Loudoun County, including the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace; Leesburg Senior Center; Arcola Senior Center; Purcellville Senior Center; and The Respite Center.
<sh>'Pilot Bus' on Trial Basis
<bt>The Loudoun County Office of Transportation Services has put into operation the first of 22 new MCI D4500 motor coaches for the Loudoun County Transit commuter bus service. This bus, also called the "Pilot Bus," will be used on a trial basis to help work out any changes that need to be corrected in the remaining 21 buses before they come off the production line. County staff anticipates receiving feedback from the riders as well as the drivers that can be used to further enhance the remaining buses to be delivered. To find out what commuter route this bus will be on, call Loudoun County Office of Transportation Service staff at 703-771-5665 or visit the web at www.loudoun.gov/transportation.
<sh>Contest for Arbor Day
<bt>The 16th Annual Leesburg-Loudoun Arbor Day event is scheduled for Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve. The event will include special Arbor Day exhibits and interactive activities for children and adults. The Arbor Day celebration also includes the annual Favorite Loudoun Tree Photo Contest, which is open to the general public. All entries must be photos of a single tree in its entirety. Photos must be no larger than 8" x 10" and unframed. Photos may be black and white or color. Submit photos along with photographer's name, address and phone number, location of the tree photographed and the kind of tree, if known. Deliver or mail entries to the attention of the Arbor Day Committee, c/o The Loudoun County Office of Public Information, 1 Harrison St., SE, 5th Floor, Leesburg, VA 20175. The deadline to submit entries is April 2.
The top four photographs will receive gift certificate awards from local nurseries in denominations of $25 to $100. Winning photographs will be displayed at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve during the Arbor Day celebration. Photos become the property of the Arbor Day Committee unless otherwise requested. For more information on the 16th Annual Leesburg-Loudoun Arbor Day Celebration, access the webpage at www.loudoun.gov/general/arbor.htm or call 703-771-5839.
<sh>Landfill Offers Free Mulch
<bt>Free mulch is available at the Loudoun County Landfill, 20939 Evergreen Mills Road. The mulch is organic and has not been treated with any chemicals. Residents may visit the facility Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Bring a pitchfork to load the mulch. Free. For more information, call 703-771-5500 or visit www.loudoun.gov/oswm/recycle/mulch.htm.
<sh>Hazardous Waste Collection
<bt>The Loudoun County Office of Solid Waste Management will sponsor eight Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events in 2004. All the events are on Saturday from 9-3 p.m. There will be an event each month from April through July and September through November. A complete schedule with a list of the dates and locations is available online at www.loudoungov/oswm/hhw.htm.
<sh>WIC Program Opens
<bt>WIC, a supplemental nutrition program that serves pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children under five, has just opened an office at the Neighborhood Resource Center in Herndon. Serving eastern Loudoun, Herndon and Reston, WIC provides nutrition education, private and group sessions with a nutrition expert, free nutrition checkups, support and help with breastfeeding, referrals to other services that can help families, healthy recipes and access to healthy foods. The supplemental foods provided are milk, eggs, cheese, peanut butter, beans, juice and cereals. WIC is located at 1086 Elden Street in Herndon. For more information, call 703-435-7814.