Newcomers Correction
<bt>The 2006-07 Newcomers & Community Guide, which was inserted in the July 19, 2005 edition of the Loudoun Connection contained the wrong contact information for Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation. It should have read phone 703-391-8669, Web site www.bethchaverim.org, e-mail chaverim18@aol.com, mailing address P.O. Box 1485, Ashburn, VA 20146.
<sh>Sterling Home Invasion
<bt>The Sheriff's Office is investigating a home invasion that occurred Monday, July 24, in the Sterling area. Two people inside of the home were hospitalized with injuries they sustained during the incident, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff's deputies responded to the single-family home in the 300 block of East Amhurst Street, around 4:25 a.m., for a report of a burglary in progress. Several subjects entered the home armed with various weapons including a firearm. Inside the home were six individuals; four of whom lived at the residence.
ÒThere were several subjects, not all of them were related,Ó said SheriffÕs Office spokesperson Kraig Troxell.
A Sterling man and a New York man were injured during the incident. The men were both taken to the Lansdowne Campus of Inova Loudoun Hospital. The New York man has been released after being treated for injuries he sustained during the assault. The Sterling man remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspects were wearing all black at the time of the incident and were only described as being males in their late teens to early 20s.
ÒIt appears that the home was targeted,Ó Troxell said.
In general, home invasions are targeted because people entering the homes are after something they know they will find inside, he added.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Investigator H. Craig of the Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 703-777-0475. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call Loudoun 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 $1,000.
<1b>Ñ Kim Centazzo
<sh>Toll Increase
<bt>Over the next few years, the Dulles Greenway will become more expensive for commuters.
Wednesday, July 19, the owner of the Greenway, Toll Road Investors Partnership II L.P. (TRIP II), announced it submitted a new toll schedule application to the State Corporation Commission (SCC), the organization that regulates the toll increase schedules.
The new SCC order would allow the toll for a two-axle vehicle during off-peak hours to reach $4 by Jan. 1, 2012. A premium price would apply during weekday peak-traffic periods, bringing the toll to $4.80
Under the current SCC order, the maximum toll for two-axle cars is $2.70 with a maximum ceiling of $3 effective July 1, 2007.
If the application is approved, the first increase would happen Jan. 1, 2009, with base toll of $3.40 during off-peak hours and $4 during peak hours.
The toll increase will be applied to the cost of ongoing operations and maintenance of the Greenway, capital improvements and debt service payments, TRIP II said.
<sh>Good Shepherd
Gets Grant
<bt>The Department of Labor has awarded a grant of $75,000 to The Good Shepherd Alliance Incorporated (GSA), for its ÒCareer Advancement Now!Ó (CAN) project, which seeks to improve the earning potential of Loudoun CountyÕs homeless population.
The GSA manages homeless shelters throughout Loudoun County. The project guides clients from the moment of intake all the way through self-sufficiency in a maximum of 89 days, and expects to enroll at least 50 new clients in the CAN program within the next 18 months. GSA estimates the average wage will be up to $9.85 an hour for the work performed within the program. Fifty percent of the new enrollees will be encouraged to obtain a GED and 100 percent of the new enrollees will be encouraged and assisted to enter skills training, apprenticeships or higher education as a part of the program. Services include post-job placement mentoring and educational/skills advancement.
<sh>Community Concert
<bt>The Sterling Community Center is sponsoring a concert made up of five local bands, Elixir of Jade, Condemned To Destruction, Mercutio In Arms, The Last Car In Alaska and Jefferson Third, Friday, July 28. Doors open at 7 p.m., at the Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St. Admission is $4.
<sh>Beware of False Solicitations
<bt>The Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department does not conduct telephone solicitations. Any organization including a firefighting organization calling residents, does not raise money for the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.
Donations may be made directly to/at Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, 20688 Ashburn Road, Ashburn or y calling 703-729-0006.
<sh>County Receives Awards
<bt>Loudoun County received achievement awards from the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) for its Companion Animal Resource Effort (CARE) and its Athletic Space Allocation programs.
CARE, developed by the Department of Animal Care and Control, helps residents keep pets in their homes and reduces the number of animals taken into the Animal Shelter. Athlete Space Allocation program, developed by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, created new policies and procedures to solve the problem of allocating public athletic space for residents who participate in organized sports programs.
Loudoun County is one of 11 counties to receive a VACo Achievement Award, and one of only three to receive multiple awards.
<sh>Accidental Fire
<bt>The Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office has determined that a fire, which resulted in approximately $30,000 damage to a single-family home on Lightridge Farm Road near Aldie July 12 was accidental. The fire started when combustibles that were stored near an electric light ignited.
On Wednesday, July 12, around 7:18 a.m., Loudoun County Fire-Rescue Services received a 911 call for a structure fire in the 25900 block of Lightridge Farm Road in Aldie. Fire and rescue personnel from Aldie, South Riding, Arcola, Fairfax County and Prince William County responded to the scene. Units discovered heavy fire coming from the second floor of the house. As a result of the fire and water damage, the family of six was displaced. There were no injuries to occupants or fire-rescue personnel.
The family was assisted by the Department's After the Fire Program and resources from the Red Cross.
<sh>County Recognized
<bt>Loudoun County has again been recognized as one of most technologically advanced county governments in the United States.
The Center for Digital Government and National Association of Counties (NACo) conducted a national survey of how county governments are evolving in their use of information technology to deliver services to their citizens. The 2006 Digital Counties Survey placed Loudoun among
the top-10 counties in its population category. Loudoun also ranked in the top 10 in the 2004 and 2005 surveys.
More information about the survey and the Center for Digital Government is available online at www.centerdigitalgov.com.