Correction
<bt>A cutline from the South Riding farmers market opening day in the May 11-17 issue incorrectly identified the name of a bakery that creates homemade dog treats. The correct name is Chase Your Tail Bakery.
<sh>Memorial Day Observance
<bt>Leesburg Mayor Kristen Umstattd, the Leesburg
Town Council and the Host Committee will present a Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 30, with special guest Brig. Gen. John E. Sayers Jr., Assistant Adjutant General of the Virginia Army National Guard; U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jay R. Greeley and representatives from other area organizations will conduct the laying of the Memorial Wreaths. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. outside the Loudoun County Courthouse at Market and King streets in Leesburg. During this year's ceremony, special recognition will be given to Sgts.
Beasley and Cherry, two fallen soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, who recently lost their lives while serving overseas in the fight against terrorism. Portraits of the soldiers will be displayed in a place of honor throughout the memorial service. The Loudoun County Courthouse is located at the intersections of East Market
and North King streets in Leesburg. The ceremony will take place in front of the courthouse steps. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held at Ida Lee Park Recreation Center. Signs to this effect will be posted at the Courthouse. Call 703-777-1368 or visit www.idalee.org.
<sh>School Fire
<bt>The Loudoun County Fire MarshalÕs Office stated that the fire which occurred Sunday, May 22, at Sanders Corner Elementary School in Ashburn was accidental. According to the report, around 11:03 a.m., Loudoun County Fire-Rescue received a call for a structure fire at 43100 Ashburn Farms Parkway in Ashburn. Crews found a small fire involving a cardboard box in an end-unit classroom, which was being used to keep chicks warm with a heat lamp. The fire was extinguished quickly by the sprinkler system, confining the fire to the box. Personnel controlled the sprinkler and assisted with clean up. Heat from the lamp had ignited the cardboard box, resulting in approximately $5,000 damage.
There were no injuries as a result of this fire.
<sh>Adopt a Cat
<bt>In honor of National Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat month, Loudoun County Animal Shelter will be offering free spay or neuter surgery for every cat adopted from the Shelter in the month of June.
All cats adopted from the Loudoun County Animal Shelter in the month of June will have an adoption fee of $10. The shelter will pay for the cost of spay or neuter surgery for any cats in need of this service. This represents a $40 savings for male cats and a $50 savings for female cats.
The shelter is also looking at further incentives to encourage spay/neuter services during the month of June.
Additionally, the shelter will be offering expanded summer adoption hours beginning May 31-Sept. 4. Hours will be as follows: Monday, 1-6 p.m.; Tuesday, 1-6 p.m.; Wednesday, 12-8 p.m.; Thursday, 12-8 p.m.; Friday, 12-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, closed. Contact Laura Danis at 703-737-8045 or via e-mail at ldanis@loudoun.gov.
The Loudoun County Animal Shelter is located at 39820 Charles Town Pike, Waterford. Shelter information and directions can be found at www.loudoun.gov/animals.
<sh>House Fire
<bt>The Loudoun County Fire MarshalÕs Office is investigating a fire that damaged a home in Sterling.
According to the report, around 11:48 p.m., Thursday, May 19, Loudoun County Fire-Rescue received a call for a structure fire in the 100 Block of Fox Road in Sterling. Upon arrival the units found a working fire on the second floor of the house involving several rooms.
One patient, who was found outside the residence by rescue crews, was transported to Reston Hospital Center.
The incident is under investigation by the Loudoun County Fire Marshal and Sheriffs Office.
<sh>Woman Robbed
<bt>A Purcellville woman says she was robbed of
her casino winnings Saturday, May 21, the second such incident this month, according to the county Sheriff's Office.
The 34-year-old victim told authorities she was returning from the casino in Charles Town, W.Va., when around 9:45 p.m. her car began to overheat on Route 287 near Campbell Clan Lane. The woman says she pulled over and that a yellow pickup truck with a lowered suspension pulled over in
front of her. She says a man exited the truck and when she rolled down the window he allegedly struck her and brandished a firearm demanding money. The suspect fled the scene with more than $3,000.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 5 feet 5 inches in height with a heavier build. He was last seen wearing a red baseball cap, a gray T-shirt and blue jeans.
The incident is similar to a robbery that occurred on May 2, when a 56-year-old Herndon man says he was returning from the casino. The victim was eastbound on Route 7 at Ashburn Road when shortly after 5 a.m. a blue Cadillac rear ended his car. According to the victim both cars pulled onto the shoulder of the roadway. At that time the victim says he
and the driver of the suspect vehicle were inspecting the damage when the man assaulted him. The suspect then removed nearly $2,000 cash and a wallet from the victim's pockets. The suspect in that case is described as a black male, 6 feet 3 inches tall and was wearing a light blue jacket with a white and blue-stripped shirt underneath. He was also wearing blue jeans at the time of the incident.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Investigator K. Fognano of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 703-777-0475.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous can contact Loudoun County Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919. If the information leads to an arrest and indictment the caller could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.