Chantilly Man Is Arrested
City of Fairfax police have arrested and charged a Chantilly man with shoplifting. He is Moises Argueta Barahona, 20, of Novar Drive. The alleged incident occurred last Wednesday, Feb. 6, at the Best Buy store at 9652 Main St. in Fairfax.
According to police, employees reported that afternoon that a man had been observed picking up an item of merchandise there and trying to leave the store without paying, at which point he was detained.
Police say investigation revealed that he’d also allegedly stolen a laptop computer from that Best Buy on Jan. 10. Following his arrest, Barahona was taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and charged with two counts of felony larceny. His bond was set at $500.
Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Feb. 14, 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.
Food Donations for WFCM
The Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ (WFCM) thrift store will reopen this Saturday, Feb. 16, at 13939 Metrotech Drive, near the Lotte Market, in Chantilly’s Sully Place Shopping Center. Store hours will remain the same –Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. But starting Tuesday, Feb. 19, donation hours for clothing, household goods and furniture will be Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
In addition, WFCM’s food pantry urgently needs donations of spaghetti sauce, canned fruit, rice (2-lb. bags), canned pasta, peanut butter, canned tuna and meat, hot and cold cereal, fruit juice, and pancake mix and syrup. Bring all items to WFCM’S new food-pantry location at 13888 Metrotech Drive, near Papa John’s Pizza and Kumon Learning Center, also in Sully Place.
Citizens Fire and Rescue Academy
Area residents wanting to learn more about the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department may now have the chance. They may participate in a nine-week program showing them what firefighters and paramedics do every day.
Applications to the first-ever Citizens Fire and Rescue Academy will be accepted until Feb. 18 or until the class of 25 is filled. The free program is open to those at least 18 years old. The academy will begin March 28, meeting for nine consecutive weeks, from 6-9 p.m., at various locations.
Each session will cover different aspects of the organization, providing an in-depth overview of it and its uniformed and civilian workforce. Program topics include fire suppression, emergency medical services, training, recruitment and special operations. Apply at www.fairfaxcounty.gov./fr/cfa.
WFCCA Land-Use Committee
Child care and a cell tower are on tap for the next meeting of the West Fairfax County Citizens Association (WFCCA) Land-Use Committee. It’s slated for Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m., in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., in Chantilly. Agenda items are as follows:
A proposed change to the county’s home childcare policy. In January, the Board of Supervisors authorized public hearings for a zoning ordinance amendment which, if approved, would allow state-licensed, home childcare providers to care for up to 12 children with special- permit approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals. The amendment could also reduce the current special-permit application filing fee of $1,100 to as low as $435.
Milestone Communications has filed for permission to build a 115-foot cell-phone tower at Stone Middle School to accommodate multiple carriers.
School Boundary Meetings Set
Chantilly High, Fairfax High, Falls Church High, Oakton High, Robinson Secondary, Woodson High, Franklin Middle, Frost Middle, Jackson Middle, Lanier Middle and Rocky Run Middle are all schools involved in the boundary study students to relieve overcrowding at Fairfax High and Lanier Middle School.
The public is invited to participate in community dialogues regarding possible scenarios for the movement of students from one school to another. All meetings will be from 7-9 p.m. and are as follows:
Wednesday, Feb. 20 - Lanier Middle School, cafeteria, 3801 Jermantown Road, Fairfax (snow date – Feb. 27).
Tuesday, Feb. 26 - Woodson High School, cafeteria, 9525 Main St., Fairfax (snow date - March 6).
For more information, to sign up for the meetings and to submit questions and comments, go to http://www.fcps.edu/fts/planning/fairfaxlanier/index.shtml.
Recycle During Electric Sunday
Residents may recycle old TVs, computers, peripheral electronic devices – such as keyboards, speakers, printers and scanners, as well as household hazardous wastes – including fluorescent light bulbs and tubes, for free, during Fairfax County’s “Electric Sunday” events.
The next one is slated for Sunday, Feb. 24, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at the I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax. For more information, call 703-324-5052.
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, VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/volunteer-solutions.htm.
Give Caregivers a Break
Fairfax County needs Respite Care volunteers throughout the county to give family caregivers of a frail older adult a well-deserved break. Volunteers visit and oversee the safety of the older adult for a few hours each month. Volunteers are matched with families in or near their own neighborhoods. Support and training is provided. Contact Kristin Martin at 703-324-7577, TTY 711, or Kristin.Martin@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Women's Self Defense Program
The Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation is partnering with the Fairfax County Police Department to offer the Women's Self Defense Training program. It’s based on the SAFE program formerly provided by the Police Department, but now being taught by C&J Security Corp.
The program is a two-day class that will meet on consecutive Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:15-9:30 p.m. It’s currently offered free and all class materials are included. Program funding is provided through the Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation.
The course is offered to females, age 13 and older. A female guardian must accompany girls 13-18. No men other than the instructors are permitted to be present during a class. For more information, call 703-246-7806, e-mail WSD@fairfaxfoundation.org or go to www.fairfaxfoundation.org.