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>Monopole Decision Deferred
<bt>The Fairfax County Planning Commission deferred its decision on whether or not to allow a cell tower to be built in Lee District Park. Cell phone company T-Mobile wants to build a 95-foot tall monopole in the southeast portion of the 120-acre park.
Neighbors were split on the pole, which T-Mobile says it needs to fill gaps in its service area.
“The erection of the tower in Lee District Park will be beneficial to the surrounding community,” said Dick Pro, a nearby resident.
“The tower is simply out of character for our neighborhood,” said Jacqueline Ford, another neighbor.
Attorneys from T-Mobile presented photos of their balloon test — a test in which an applicant floats a balloon up to the height of the proposed new structure to determine the visual impact it will have. The balloon was not visible in the photos taken from what the applicant said was near Ford’s house.
Commissioner Janet Hall (Mason) told Ford that such poles tend to fade into the background.
Commissioner Rodney Lusk (Lee) deferred the decision to Nov. 16, pending the meeting of the Lee District Land Use Committee.
<sh>Woman, 83, Carjacking Victim
<bt>An 83-year-old Springfield woman was uninjured after being carjacked on Nov. 3.
According to Fairfax County Police, the woman was parking her car in the 7400 block of Spring Village Drive at 6:12 p.m., when she was approached by the suspect, described as a black man. He displayed a handgun and took her car keys. The car was later found a short distance away from where it was stolen.
<sh>Three Teens Robbed
<bt>Three Springfield area teens were robbed by two men carrying a stick and metal pipe.
The three teenagers, aged 17 and 19 years old, were in the 7900 block of Connell Court on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 12:30 a.m., when they were approached by two men, one carrying a stick and the other carrying a metal pipe. According to Fairfax County Police, the two suspects assaulted the three teenagers and took money and personal property before leaving the area. The victims' injuries were not life-threatening.
One suspect was described as a Hispanic male, between 19 and 20 years old, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing about 160 pounds, police say. He was wearing a baseball cap, white t-shirt and jeans at the time. The other suspect, also described as a Hispanic male, was approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, between 19 and 20 years old and weighed 200 pounds. He was wearing a dark jacket, jeans and boots at the time.
<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.
<sh>Lee RECenter's 25th Anniversary Party
<bt>Lee District RECenter will mark its 25th anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., with ceremonies at 12 p.m. The festivities include free admission to the RECenter, plus children's activities, interactive displays and demonstrations, poolside and in-the-water fun for the entire family, as well as a magic show, door prizes and food for sale.
Groundbreaking for the RECenter took place on Aug. 15, 1979 and 14 months later the RECenter opened its doors on Nov. 15, 1980 at its official grand opening and dedication ceremony. The center originally featured nearly 60,000 square feet of recreational space with a pool, handball courts, locker rooms and sauna, classrooms and other amenities, costing $3.3 million to construct. Expansions in the 1980s added a gymnasium, spas, dance room and weight room and total square footage increased to 83,000 square feet.
For more, call 703-324-8662 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks. The RECenter can be reached directly at 703-922-9841.