<sh>City Hosts Open-Mike Meetings
<bt>Fairfax City will host two more open-mike outreach meetings, where Fairfax citizens can address city leadership on the Comprehensive Plan or any other issue. The two meeting dates are Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Providence Elementary School, and Wednesday, Nov. 20, at City Hall. Both meetings start at 7:30 p.m. For more information, go to the city's Web site, www.ci.fairfax.va.us.
<sh>City Police Seek Public Comment
<bt>The City of Fairfax Police Department is applying in December 2002 for reaccreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Public comment is needed for the process, to ensure that the police department meets professional standards in four areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations and support services. The public is invited to offer comments at a public hearing on Monday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m., in Room 306, City Hall. There will also be a phone-in session to call in comments, and that session will occur on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 1-5 p.m. Callers may phone 703-385-7999.
<sh>Woodson Student Charged with Sexual Battery
<bt>A 16-year-old male from the Fairfax area was charged with two counts of sexual battery, after Fairfax County Police responded to an incident that occurred in October 2002 at W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax. A 15-year-old female Woodson student said a fellow student had touched her on two occasions in a sexual manner during the school day. Police charged the teen, who was released to his parents pending a court hearing.
<sh>BB Gun Incidents at Woodson
<bt>A 15-year-old Annandale male was charged with two counts of possession of a firearm on school property, one count of malicious wounding and one count of attempted malicious wounding. On Oct. 29, the male allegedly pointed a gun at a fellow Woodson student, a 14-year-old Annandale male, as he was leaving school at the end of the day. The male also reportedly fired his gun while showing it to another 14-year-old student in the school's gymnasium. The bullet ricocheted off the floor and hit the 14-year-old in the head.
<sh>Woodson Renovations Discussed
<bt>Over 200 people attended the recent community meeting about renovation plans for W.T. Woodson High School. Tom Brady, Fairfax County Public Schools chief operating officer, revealed what the renovation would entail as well as the preliminary schedule. He also discussed the possibility of building a new Woodson but cautioned that initial study indicates that the needed cost savings threshold may not be met in order to justify the construction.
The final study is expected to be completed by Jan. 1, 2003.