JUVENILE ARRESTED FOR ABDUCTION
On Monday, Arlington police arrested a 17-year-old Arlington boy for the abduction and attempted sexual assault of a 32-year-old woman.
While on patrol in the 4900 block of Columbia Pike, a police officer heard a woman screaming for help. The officer then observed the woman being dragged by a male subject into a wooded area near the Four Mile Run bike trail. The officer immediately confronted the teenager, but the boy was able to flee the scene on foot after the officer fell and sustained minor injuries. A canine officer responded to the scene. After a search of the area, the canine unit located the subject in the 800 block of S. Buchanan St.
The boy was positively identified as the victim's attacker. After being interviewed by detectives in the Special Victims Unit, he was charged as a juvenile with abduction with intent to defile and attempted sexual assault. Both crimes are felonies. The subject's name is being withheld because he is a juvenile.
MARTINEZ JOINS 49th RACE
Teresa Martinez has announced her candidacy for the 49th District delegate seat left vacant by the retirement of 13-year Assembly veteran Karen Darner.
Martinez, a lawyer and activist in the local Latino community, announced Monday, April 14, that she would join the list of candidates running for the Democratic nomination to run in the November election for the seat representing South Arlington, North Alexandria and Falls Church.
She joins four other candidates for the seat, Alexandrian Adam Ebbin, Arlington planning commissioner Michael Graham, Nathan Monell and local activist and businessman Andres Tobar. Darner has said she will endorse Tobar in his run for the June 11 Democratic primary.
Darner announced her retirement last month. That was followed shortly thereafter by state Del. James Almand (D-47) announcing that he too would not seek reelection in November. Both came on the heels of a retirement announcement from County Revenue Commissioner Geraldine Whiting (D).
With the death of County Board Chair Charles Monroe in January, it means four slots on the November ballot will come without any real incumbent, which could make things easier for Republican candidates.
TASTE SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
Taste of Arlington is signing up volunteers to help with the largest one-day event in Arlington. On Sunday, May 18, the 16th annual Taste of Arlington will open on Wilson Boulevard, in front of Ballston Common, with food, music and activities.
Among other activities, volunteers set up tables before the event; clean the streets, sell tickets and keep things cool during the festival; and help clean up and tear down after the event. In return, Taste of Arlington offers a free t-shirt and four free tastes of food available.
Taste of Arlington benefits Community Residences, Inc., a 26-year-old non-profit organization that provides programs and services for children, adolescents and adults with mental retardation, mental illness, and physical disabilities as well as the homeless, throughout Virginia and Maryland and serves over 1,200 individuals a year.
Admission to Taste is free, but Ticket books, good for 8 tastes including food, beer and nonalcoholic beverages, are $20 beforehand and $25 at the gate. Books are available in advance, up to May 10, by calling 703-841-7768, ext. 333.
Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Jacob Morgan, public affairs associate for Community Residences at 703-841-7768, ext. 240, or get a volunteer application online at www.tasteofarlington.com.