<sh>Driver Charged with Manslaughter
<bt>The 17-year-old driver who crashed into a parked car in Oakton on Saturday, Oct. 28, resulting in the death of his 16-year-old passenger, Christopher Kearns, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. The driver was arrested on the charge on Sunday, Nov. 12 at the Juvenile Detention Center. He had already been charged with driving while intoxicated.
The Saturn Ion had been traveling south on Miller Heights Road at almost 8 p.m. when the driver, who has not been identified due to his age, lost control of the vehicle, ran off the road and struck a parked Toyota Land Cruiser. Police said speed and alcohol were factors in the crash. Kearns was a junior at Oakton High School.
<sh>Police Seek Burglary Witnesses
<bt>On Saturday, Nov. 11 at approximately 4 p.m., Vienna police were dispatched to the 800 block of Desale Street, S.W., in response to a report of a burglary. Additionally, police responded to reports of gunshots heard in the neighborhood at the same time. It was determined that a homeowner fired at least one shot at an individual during this event, according to a police report. Police said they do not believed anyone was struck by the gunfire. However, detectives are seeking to identify and determine the welfare of a Hispanic male, 20-25 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, of a medium build, wearing a white, collared, long-sleeve shirt and dark pants, who was seen fleeing the area.
Anyone who witnessed this event and has not already been interviewed by a detective is encouraged to contact the Vienna police. Questions or concerns may be directed to Lt. Russ Marsh at 703-255-6398.
<sh>Shannon's Fall Town Hall
<bt>Del. Steve Shannon (D-35) will hold his fall town hall meeting Saturday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m.-noon. The meeting will be at Vienna's Town Hall, 127 Center St., S.
The meeting will highlight next year's legislative session, which starts in January. Steven Gould, senior special assistant to the governor for policy, and Doug Koelemay, Northern Virginia representative to the Commonwealth Transportation Board, will join Shannon to discuss the governor's agenda for 2007 and transportation initiatives.
<sh>Temporary Metro Lot To Close
<bt>A 680-space temporary overflow parking lot at the Vienna Metro station will close Friday, due to the expiration of its zoning permit. The station currently offers a total of 5,849 parking spaces. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has advised that alternative parking will be available at nine Fairfax County park-and-ride lots and that commuters can also take Fairfax Connector or Metro buses to the station.
Metro built the lot several years ago to alleviate parking shortages during the 2000-01 construction of a park-and-ride garage, said WMATA. The lot closed when the garage opened, but the county allowed Metro to temporarily reopen it in November of 2001 to accommodate high transit following the Sept. 11 attacks. The agreement expires Sunday, Nov. 19, and the land on which the lot sits has been sold and incorporated into a private development.
Fairfax County has proposed the construction of a 2,100-space parking garage on an existing lot near the station, WMATA said. If approved, construction could begin in summer of 2007 and be complete in early 2009.
Brochures listing alternative parking sites with connecting bus information will be available in the rail station. Customers can also find the information on-line at www.metroopensdoors.com or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/parkride.htm, or they can call Metro at 202-637-7000.
<sh>Vienna Receives Budget Award
<bt>For the 13th consecutive year, the Town of Vienna has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The award, for the fiscal year 2006-07 budget, is the highest form of recognition for governmental budgeting. Vienna's administrative services director, Nancy E. McMahon, received a Certificate of Recognition for Budget Presentation as the individual primarily responsible for achieving the award.
Copies of the town budget are available for public review at Town Hall, 127 Center St., S.