<sh>Gas Leak Closes Belmont Ridge
<bt>Belmont Ridge Road at Stubble Road in Ashburn was closed on Saturday, May 15 for about four hours due to a gas leak. Around 2:20 p.m., Loudoun County Fire-Rescue Services received a 911 call for a gas leak. Fire and rescue personnel for Ashburn and Leesburg were dispatched to the scene. Washington Gas arrived on the scene and repaired the gas line while fire-rescue personnel stood by, ensuring that the scene was safe. Due to safety concerns for motorists, Loudoun County Sheriff's Deputies shutdown Belmont Ridge Road between Route 7 and Stubble Road for four hours until the gas leak was repaired. The road was reopened around 6:30 p.m. once the repairs were completed.
<sh>Neersville Fire Ruled Accidental
<bt>Around 8:34 a.m., on Friday, May 14, Loudoun County Fire-Rescue Services received a 911 call for a structure fire at the 35065 Charles Town Pike near Neersville. First-arriving units discovered the attic area of the two-story building well involved. This multi-use building included a shop, barn and residential quarters. Fire and rescue personnel remained on the scene for several hours performing salvage and overhaul. Fire and rescue personnel from Round Hill, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Philomont, Leesburg, Loudoun County, Clark County, Va., Frederick County, Md., and Jefferson County, W.Va. responded to the scene. One firefighter was treated at the scene for a laceration and a second firefighter was transported to Loudoun Hospital for treatment of possible heat exhaustion. The Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office stated that the Friday morning fire, which resulted in an estimated $250,000 damage to the property, was accidental. The fire was due to the spontaneous combustion of a large round wet hay bale that was stored outside the building. Once the bale of hay ignited, the fire spread quickly from the ground floor and up into the attic of the building. The four people who resided at this location have been displaced. The owner of the property has found them alternative housing.
<sh> Recycle Electronics on Saturday
<bt>Loudoun County will offer a one-day collection event to recycle unwanted consumer electronic items on Saturday, May 22 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the Telos Corporation parking lot at 19886 Ashburn Rd., Ashburn. Only 15 items per vehicle will be accepted, with all personal computer components counted as one item. Those with more than 15 items to bring should contact the Loudoun County Recycling Hotline at 703-771-5318 for recycling alternatives. All electronics accepted at the event except computer monitors and TVs will be taken free of charge. The cost for monitors and TVs will depend on the size of each screen, and only cash will be accepted.
The fees are:
* Computer Monitors (fees based on screen size): Up to 19," pay $7; Monitors 20" and over, pay $10.
* TVs (fees based on screen size): Up to 19," pay $10; 20" to 30," pay $25; Televisions over 30, pay $.80 per diagonal inch.
Kitchen, laundry, and bath appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers/dryers, curling irons and electric razors will not be accepted. Also, television consoles and wooden-encased televisions will not be accepted. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, many types of electronic equipment contain metals such as mercury and lead that can present health hazards if they are not disposed of properly. Mercury from electronics has been cited as a leading source of mercury in municipal solid waste. Contact the Loudoun County Recycling Hotline at 703-771-5318 for more information.
<sh>Sterling Man Assaulted, Robbed
<bt>A Sterling man says he was assaulted at knife and gunpoint and robbed of his shoes Thursday, May 13. The 23-year-old victim told authorities he was walking from his car along Greenthorn Avenue near Sherwood Court in Sterling around midnight when two black males approached him. One of the suspects brandished a knife while a second suspect brandished a firearm and asked him to empty his pockets. The victim was then assaulted by one of the suspects and fell to the ground, where the suspects continued to attack him. One of the suspects then removed the victim's shoes. The shoes were later located in a nearby wooded area by deputies who were canvassing the scene. The victim was taken to Loudoun Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. The suspects are both described as black males and believed to be in their teens. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Investigator Fognano of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 703-777-0475.
<sh>Democrats Nominate Socas in 10th
<bt>James Socas received the Democratic nomination for the 10th congressional district at the 10th district Democratic convention last Saturday at Westfields High School in Chantilly. Socas was unopposed for the nomination and will face incumbent Frank Wolf (R) in November.
"We are looking forward to putting out an alternative to the citizens of the 10th district and we think this is the year when people are looking for a change," said Soccas, a former investment banker from McLean. "We saw that in Richmond and we're seeing that at the national level as well. We're going to be trying to put out a very positive agenda of change."
<sh>Community Block Grants Available
<bt>Applications are being accepted for the Loudoun County Community Development Block Grant program. Proposed projects should meet the goals of the program which include: providing affordable housing, revitalizing neighborhoods, renovating substandard housing, and expanding economic opportunities, especially for persons of low and moderate income. Eligible applicants for the program, which is administered locally by Loudoun County's Office of Housing Services, include governmental entities, for profit organizations and nonprofit groups. Through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Community Development Block Grant program provides annual grants on a formula basis to different types of recipients. HUD has notified Loudoun County that about $886,000 in program funds will be received in Fiscal Year 2005. An application form and related documents are available online on the Loudoun County Government Website at www.loudoun.gov/housing, or by calling Housing Services at 703-777-0389. Applications will be accepted through June 4, 2004. The Board of Supervisors will consider recommendations for the grant awards and is expected to issue final approvals by July 1, 2004.
<sh>Fire-Rescue Marks Emergency Week
<bt>Fire-Rescue members throughout Loudoun County will celebrate of National Emergency Services (EMS) Week, May 16-22. The 2004 EMS Week theme, "There When You Need Us" focuses on the commitment and dedication of the EMS providers.
The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue system has a variety of volunteer opportunities available. Prospective volunteers should contact Frankie Rust, Loudoun County Fire-Rescue Services' volunteer coordinator at 703-777-0333.