Motorcyclist Dies In Clifton Crash
Thomas V. Bowers, 25, of Burke, died Tuesday, July 2, from injuries he sustained in a June 16 crash. The accident occurred at Clifton Road and Maple Branch Road.
Fairfax County police officers were called to the scene that day around 2 p.m. A subsequent investigation determined that Bowers was driving his 2002 Suzuki motorcycle south on Clifton Road, just before Maple Branch Road. Meanwhile, a 28-year-old woman was driving a 2008 Scion north on Clifton Road.
According to police, the Scion turned left onto Maple Branch and into the motorcycle’s path, and the motorcycle crashed into the vehicle. Police charged the Scion’s driver, Randi Christine Thompson, of Avalon Court in Alexandria, with failing to yield the right of way.
Clement Case Goes To Grand Jury
The case against a local man charged with sexually molesting a child is heading to the grand jury. He is former Bull Run Elementary Principal Thom Clement, 62, of Little Rocky Run.
On May 23, Virginia State Police charged him with two counts of felony aggravated sexual battery of a minor. Police say a boy told them that Clement reportedly sexually assaulted him in October 2009 while they were on an overnight camping trip at Burke Lake Park. The boy was 9 at the time of the alleged incident, and Clement led a Scout group at his church.
Wearing a dark sport coat and khaki slacks, Clement appeared last Thursday, July 25, in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court before Judge Kimberly Daniel. He was scheduled to have a preliminary hearing on that date but, instead, waived his right to the proceeding. Daniel then certified his case to the next grand jury for possible indictment.
Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Aug. 1, 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.
CLRC Open House Set for Aug. 2-3
The Centreville Labor Resource Center is holding an open house, this Friday-Saturday, Aug. 2-3, from 6 a.m.-12:30 p.m. It’s at 5956 Centreville Crest Lane, beside Brick’s Pizza, on the lower level of the Centreville Square Shopping Center.
The community is invited to visit and see the center’s operation, including the employment process and regular, morning ESL classes. Refreshments will be offered and visitors can see the center’s new, raised-bed gardening project.
The workers have built garden boxes for homeowners, churches and schools wanting to begin a gardening project. They’re of solid natural cedar and the workers can install them. For more information, plus photos, go to
www.centrevilleimmigrationforum.org or
www.centrevillelrc.org.
Residents may also meet center Director Roberto Fernandez and summer interns Nathan Watts and Tori Jameson. Watts attends Vanderbilt Seminary in Nashville and Jameson is a student at Andover-Newton Seminary in Boston.
Crime Solvers 5K Fundraiser
In partnership with Capital Area Runners, Fairfax County Crime Solvers is hosting its first 5K run fundraiser and needs the community’s support. Residents are encouraged to sign up now to participate in this family-friendly event; everyone is welcome.
It’s slated for Sunday, Aug. 4, at 8 a.m., on Grand Commons Avenue at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center, off Monument Drive in Fair Oaks. Register at www.capitalarearunners.com/crimesolvers5k.
A nonprofit, Fairfax County Crime Solvers provides an anonymous phone tip line, plus texting and e-mail capabilities to the public, to report criminal information. It pays cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 for tips leading to an arrest and indictment, and the reward money comes through fundraisers such as this 5K.
Help Plan Centreville Day
The public is invited to join the fun and help plan the annual Centreville Day celebration. The event is slated for Oct. 19 in Centreville’s Historic District and includes music, food, crafts vendors, children’s games and activities for all ages. The Centreville Day Planning Committee will meet Monday, Aug. 5, at 7:30 p.m., at the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., in Chantilly, and all community members are welcome to attend and participate.
National Night Out: Aug. 6
This year’s National Night Out — celebrating partnerships between the community and public-safety personnel — marks the event’s 30th anniversary. Locally, it’ll be held Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 6-8:30 p.m., at the Sully Station II Community Center, 5501 Sully Park Drive, in Centreville.
The fun will include burritos, chips and salsa from Chipotle’s, an ice-cream social, Sno Cones, cotton candy, a moonbounce, a deejay, and wine and beer for those 21 and over.
Participating will be Fairfax County police, firefighters from the West Centreville Station 38, representatives from Target, plus residents of Sully Station II. For more information or to volunteer, call 703-815-2006.
Backpack Donations Are Needed
From now through Aug. 16, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) is collecting 1,682 backpacks to donate to local students receiving free or reduced-cost lunches. The greatest need is for larger sizes with multiple compartments; they should be new and without wheels.
Middle-school students need 17-inch or larger backpacks with two or more compartments. High-school students need larger 18-inch backpacks, also with compartments. Elementary students in grades K through three need midsize backpacks; students in grades four, five and six need standard 17-inch backpacks.
Go to www.wfcmva.org for further details and purchasing information. All backpack donations are tax-deductible, and WFCM will furnish receipts. Backpacks may be dropped off Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at the WFCM Thrift Store, 13939 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly.