Five Burglaries in One Night
<bt>In the early morning hours of Thursday, May 23, Loudoun County Sheriff's Deputies were on the scene of several burglaries that occurred in the Broadlands area. The first call was received around 2:30 a.m. from the 42800 block of Meander Crossing Court. The caller stated that a male subject had been in the house and had removed a purse. A second call was received at 3:36 a.m. from the 42600 block of Reamy Way. In this case, the caller advised dispatchers that someone had entered the home through the garage and had rummaged through parts of the house. Around 3:35 a.m.. a call was received from the 2400 block of Basil Court with a second call coming in shortly after 4 a.m.. from the same area. At 3:52 a.m., the Sheriff's Office received a fifth call from a residence on Glebe View Drive and Kitchen Prim Court regarding a possible larceny.
Sheriff's Deputies set up a staging area in the Broadlands area and called in the Virginia State Police helicopter for aerial support. The search for the subject was unsuccessful. The subject is only described as being male and he could be driving a maroon vehicle, possibly a Ford Taurus.
<sh>Dog Park Task Force
<bt>On Saturday, May 25, the Loudoun County Task Force, a project of the Loudoun County Humane Society, built a run-in shed for the animals at the Loudoun County Animal Shelter. "We have sacrificed our Memorial Day weekend because we love the animals," said Mary Harper, a spokesperson for the Loudoun County Humane Society. The volunteers included Dale Goodson, project manager, Joel and April Hannah, John Sugden, Ed Fleming, Tom Morissey and Pete, Dog School, Kathy Brice, Councilman Marty Martinez and Doris Martinez. Ben Prime, manager of Leesburg Papa Johns, donated the food.
"This shed will be a great addition for the shelter for many years to come and we really appreciate the efforts of all of those who helped with this project," said Robert Montgomery, director of Loudoun County Animal Care and Control.
<sh>Animal Park's Summer Hours
<bt>Starting June 17, Leesburg Animal Park's summer hours will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Prices are $5 for children two through 12 and $7 for adults. Children under two are free. Group discounts are available with pre-scheduled reservations during the week. The Leesburg Animal Park website is www.leesburganimal park.com. For more information, call 703-433-0002. The park is located one mile south of Leesburg on Route 15, at 19270 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg.
<sh>Students Are Good Shepherds
<bt>Broad Run High School's DECA students chose to serve three groups — the Good Shepherd Alliance, D.C. Coalition for the Homeless and the Spring Road Alliance — that aid the homeless. Marketing teacher Julie Kandick said these projects exposed her students to situations they don't ordinarily see.
"You look around us and there are $300,000- $500,000- plus homes in our area, but we know that not too far away, in Washington D.C., there are people who don't have a place to live."
One of the DECA member's parents pointed out that there was a homeless shelter, the Good Shepherd Alliance, in Leesburg.
She said her students can supply one of the things most needed by the children at a homeless shelter. "They just need positive role models. One thing that we've found is that when a child becomes homeless their life is so unstable that their grades start to fall."
Senior Brian Kaiser devoted Monday afternoons to working at Good Shepherd Alliance. Kaiser said he came away with one basic bit of knowledge from his service. "The people aren't different at all. It's awesome. You have to have the personality and patience (to deal with) the older kids sometimes, because the parents aren't around sometimes and they can be rowdy. You have to be an authority figure with them, teach them how you have to keep your mouth quiet under certain (circumstances) .... At the same time, you have to be friends with them."
"Usually I do a lot of counseling. Let them know that I understand what they're going through and kind of help them through the problems they're having, help them do homework," said senior DECA Civic chairman Brian Bondshu. "The big problem that they have, that they don't want to talk about, is security. They don't feel safe. They've just been thrown out of their house into a homeless shelter and the child doesn't understand what's going on. They don't know what's going to happen next."
Bondshu summed up the effect the project had on him. "It makes me feel better, because I'm helping people."
<sh>Beware of Candles
<bt>While a nice candlelight dinner may sound romantic, it can also be a danger.
"With the increasing popularity of candles it is important to educate people on the common practices of using candles," said Mary Maguire, public information officer of Loudoun County Fire-Rescue Services . "Since December in Loudoun County there have been five fires from candles. This is a real problem and people need to be informed of what they should and shouldn't do when dealing with candles."
According to the U.S. Fire Administration here are some tips when using candles:
• Burn candles inside a 1-foot circle of safety, free of anything that can ignite.
• Extinguish candles after use.
• Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
• Use a sturdy metal, glass or ceramic candleholder.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
The Loudoun County Fire Marshall's Office had these tips for safe candle use.
• Candles are not to be used in displays in commercial businesses.
• Use candles only with constant adult supervision.
• Make sure candles are placed on a secure piece of furniture, in sturdy holders that will not tip over. Make sure candle holders are non-combustible and big enough to collect dripping wax.
• Do not place lit candles in windows, where blinds or curtains can close over them.
• Keep wicks trimmed to 1/4 inch, and extinguish candles when they burn down to within two inches of the holder.
• Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids.