<sh>Awareness Vigil
<bt>In honor of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October a vigil will be held Oct. 27, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Leesburg United Methodist Church, 107 West Market St. The program will include speakers discussing the impact of family violence, how people can get involved in combating family violence, a pledge ribbon ceremony and a symbolic candle lighting.
Last year in Loudoun County, two women died from domestic violence, and 330 women received legal services from LAWS to assist them in leaving a violent partner.
Community organizations, faith communities, local businesses and other groups are invited to collect pledge ribbons and tie them to a rope. Even if a person can't attend, a ribbon can be tied on the rope for that person by sending an e-mail to ami@steppingstoneLLC.com to request a ribbon.
The event is being organized by the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coordinating Council of Loudoun County. More information is available at www.notinourhomes.org.
<sh>Suspect Sought
<bt>The Sheriff's Office is investigating the reported robbery of a stranded motorist that occurred Monday, Oct. 16, in Sterling.
According to the Sheriff's Office, a 23-year-old Herndon man says around 2:45 p.m. his car overheated in the area of Woodland Drive and Stonetree Court. The victim was working on his car when an unknown subject walked up behind him and placed an unknown object on his back and demanded money.
The suspect removed an undisclosed amount of cash from the victim's wallet and left the scene on foot. The victim left the scene and drove to a nearby business where he contacted authorities.
The suspect is described as a black male, wearing a black sweatshirt and black plants.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact Investigator H. Craig of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 703-777-0475. If the caller wishes to remain anonymous, 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 up to $1,000.
<sh>Strong-Arm Robbery
<bt>The Sheriff's Office is investigating the Friday, Oct. 13, strong-arm robbery of a convenience store employee who was making a business deposit at a Sterling bank.
The victim, a 62-year-old male, was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. The victim was attempting to make the deposit at the BB & T bank around 1:15 p.m. when an unknown male assaulted him. The suspect fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, in his mid-20s, with a thin build. He was wearing a red "Phillies" baseball cap, a black jacket and blue jeans.
Anyone who has information about this crime is asked to contact Investigator J. Russ of the Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 703-777-0475. To remain anonymous, contact 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 up to $1,000.
<sh>Robinson Sentenced
<bt>James Ross Robinson, III, of Sterling, was sentenced Oct. 13, to 60 months in prison for distribution of child pornography. Robinson had pleaded guilty to a charge of distribution of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct July 17. Robinson was also ordered to register as a sex offender.
According to court documents, Robinson, who was the program executive for the In Space Propulsion, Mission, and Systems Management Division at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) headquarters in Washington, D.C., distributed child pornography over the Internet to several different undercover U.S. Postal Inspectors in March 2005. Robinson distributed the child pornography from his home in Sterling, as well as from NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the NASA Office of the Inspector General.
<sh>County Receive Budget Award
<bt>Loudoun County has received a distinguished budget presentation award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).
The association cites Loudoun County government and staff for a "commitment to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting." In order to receive the budget award, the county had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation of the fiscal year 2007 budget. These guidelines are designed to assess how well a government's budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device.
In addition to the distinguished budget presentation award, a certificate of recognition for budget presentation has been presented to budget manager, Ari Sky, the person designated as being primarily responsible for the county receiving the award.