Centreville — Dykstra Sued for $1.35 million
In July 2010, Centreville’s Craig Dykstra, then 51, was convicted in court of unlawfully filming an 18-year-old girl in the nude, the previous month, while she changed after a pool party at his home. It was a misdemeanor offense for which he eventually served five days of a 10-day jail sentence.
Now the victim, Westfield High graduate Liesl Stach, has filed a civil suit against Dykstra in Fairfax County Circuit Court. Claiming “intentional infliction of emotional distress,” the complaint details the events that occurred at his home that day and seeks a civil judgment against him for $1 million in compensatory damages and $350,000 in punitive damages. At press time, he’d not yet responded to the complaint.
Teens Charged with Felonies
After a weeklong investigation, Fairfax County police have charged two 16-year-old boys in connection with the June 15 pellet-gun shooting outside Rocky Run Middle School. Pellets struck a boy, 14, and a girl, 13, who were outside on the school grounds, around 10 a.m. They were taken to Inova Fair Oaks Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police responded and recovered the pellet gun believed to have been used in the incident. An investigation ensued and the 16-year-olds were arrested last Friday, June 22, and taken to the Juvenile Detention Center to await their hearings.
One boy was charged with two counts of malicious wounding and shooting into an occupied building. The other was charged with one count of malicious wounding and shooting into an occupied building.
Malicious wounding is a felony punishable by as much as 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. Shooting into an occupied building is a felony, as well, also punishable by prison and fines.
Juvenile Charged: Playground Fire
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department investigators have charged a juvenile with intentionally setting a fire in a Centreville playground. The fire was reported last Friday, June 15, around 3:10 p.m., at 14095 Keepers Park, a common playground area in a housing development in Centreville’s Centre Ridge community.
Fire officials say mulch in the playground had been intentionally ignited. When firefighters arrived at the scene, the flames had already spread to the playground equipment and nearby bushes and trees. Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control and no one was injured. Damage was estimated at $5,000.
On Saturday, June 23, fire investigators charged the juvenile with two felonies: destruction of property greater than $200 and setting a fire capable of spreading.
Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, June 28, and July 12, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves so technicians may properly inspect and adjust them, as needed.
However, because of time constraints, only the first 35 vehicles arriving on each date will be inspected. That way, inspectors may have enough time to properly instruct the caregiver on the correct use of the child seat. Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirm dates and times.
Parkway Gets New Number
The Fairfax County Parkway has been changed from Route 7100 to Route 286. It’s because the parkway was re-classified as a primary road, rather than a secondary road, in the state system. This way, it will be eligible for federal funding for repairs. Virginia also spends more money on primary-road maintenance than it does to maintain secondary roads.
So Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) successfully had the Fairfax County Parkway re-designated. Road signs will include both numbers for at least a year and a full repaving will begin this summer. The $19 million project will be done mainly at night and on weekends and will require lane closures and occasional detours. Work is slated to be finished in October.
Internet Security Workshop Slated
Parents concerned about what their children are exposed to on the Internet might want to attend an Internet Security Workshop on Saturday, July 14, from 10 a.m.-noon. It’ll be sponsored by and held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 14150 Upper Ridge Drive in Centreville, behind the McDonald’s on Route 28.
Frank Stone, an Internet security specialist for a Defense Department agency, will discuss practical ways of controlling the content of computer and media influence that enters the home. In addition, a Fairfax County police officer will speak about “General Safety for You and Your Children.”
WFCM Seeks Food, Volunteers
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ (WFCM) food pantry urgently needs donations of oil (48 oz. or smaller); flour (2-5 lb. bag); sugar (2-5 lb. bag); rice (2 lb. bags); canned meats; salad dressing, jelly; jam; peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, Ramen Noodles, canned fruit; canned beets, spinach, greens, and mixed vegetables; canned garbanzo, butter and northern beans; dry pasta and beans, pancake mix and syrup; hot and cold cereal and coffee. In addition, the Food Pantry would appreciate fresh produce from local gardens.
Also needed are laundry detergent, toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper and baby wipes. WFCM clients are also in great need of gasoline cards.
Bring all items to WFCM’S food pantry at 13981 Metrotech Drive (near Backyard Grill and Bar) in Chantilly. Volunteers are also needed:
Thrift store: Volunteers are needed Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., to receive donations. Contact Volunteer Manager Annette Bosley at 703-988-9656.
Food pantry: Volunteers are needed Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., to bag/stock groceries. A regular, weekly volunteer is also needed on Wednesdays to pick up donations from Food Lion, from now through August.
Furniture ministry: One person is needed to help move furniture that will be given to clients in need.
Meals on Wheels Volunteers
Fairfax County needs Meals on Wheels drivers in Chantilly and group Meals on Wheels coordinators in both Chantilly and Fairfax. Contact Volunteer Solutions at 703-324-5406, TTY 711, mail to: VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov or visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/volunteer-solutions.htm.