Police Seek Clues in Drowning Case
<bt>The Arlington County Police Department continues to seek information about the accidental drowning death of 22-year-old Megan Criste of Burke.
Criste was found on Sunday, Sept. 18, in a backyard pool on the 1700 block of N. Adams St. in the Lyon Village neighborhood.
She was last seen alive on Sunday, Sept. 18, sometime between 1-1:30 a.m., at a party on the 800 block of N. Cleveland St. in the Lyon Park neighborhood, approximately one mile from where she was found.
According to a police release, Arlington detectives believe that someone was likely at the pool with Criste and that this person may have fled the scene when she drowned.
Anyone with information about this accident is asked to call the Arlington County Police at 703-228-4242.
<sh>Charges Against GMU Student Dropped
<bt>At a hearing for Tariq Khan Monday, Nov. 14, the Fairfax County commonwealth's attorney dropped the charges against the George Mason University student.
Police arrested Khan, 27, on Thursday, Sept. 29 for a silent protest outside a U.S. Marine Corps recruiting table in the Johnson Center. The incident provoked a reaction from faculty and students questioning the role of free speech on George Mason's campus. Students and faculty staged protests, circulated petitions and had teach-ins following the arrest, and on Thursday, Oct. 20, George Mason officials recommended the charges against Khan be dropped. Rebecca Glenberg of the American Civil Liberties Union represented Khan in the case.
According to George Mason spokesperson Dan Walsch, the school will continue to review its policies on free speech.
<sh>3 Arrests in Alcohol Sting
<bt>Polices officers from the West Springfield District Station and the Traffic Safety Services Unit conducted alcohol stings on Thursday, Nov. 10, as part of the ongoing youth alcohol and business compliance program. Fairfax County Police cadets entered several businesses in plain clothing and attempted to purchase alcohol at 13 locations in the Springfield, Burke and Fairfax areas of the county. According to a police release, officers charged clerks who sold alcoholic beverages to the cadets. Three arrests were made at the following businesses: Giant Food, 8120 Burke Lake Road, Springfield; and 7-Eleven, 7822 Rectory Lane, Annandale.
Fairfax County police officers from the West Springfield District Station also conducted a sobriety checkpoint from Saturday, Nov, 12, at 11:30 p.m. to Sunday, Nov. 13, at 2:30 a.m. All motorists were stopped, and the drivers were checked to assure their abilities to drive had not been impaired by alcohol or drugs. Approximately 884 cars passed through the checkpoint conducted in the westbound lanes of Old Keene Mill Road at Saint Bernadette Church. According to a police release, two motorists were arrested for driving while intoxicated, and one motorist was cited for driving without a valid license.
<sh>College and Career Forum
<bt>"Future Quest: A College and Career Forum for Students With Disabilities, Parents, and Professionals," is Saturday, Nov. 19, from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at the George W. Johnson Center at George Mason University in Fairfax. As a member of the Northern Virginia Transition Coalition, Fairfax County Public Schools is a co-sponsor of the event.
The conference provides special education students with an opportunity to learn about postsecondary college and career options. Temple Grandin, a best-selling author and scientist, will deliver the keynote address, providing information and encouragement to students with disabilities.
Workshop topics include options after high school, career planning, career and technical schools, employment strategies, the college application process, support and resources in college and self-advocacy. Representatives from postsecondary education, career training, technical schools, and adult service and advocacy agencies will be available to answer questions from students and parents.
Visit www.vacollegequest.org or www.fcps.edu/ss/career_transition.htm, or contact Ann Deschamps at ann.deschamps@fcps.edu.