POLICE RECEIVE 9/11 DONATION
This week, Arlington became the first of four jurisdictions to receive a donated motorcycle from America’s 9/11 Ride Foundation, Inc., the annual motorcycle ride commemorating the heroes and victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Proceeds from the ride helped buy the 2003 Harley-Davidson FLHTPI Electra Glide for the Police Department’s Special Operations Section.
The 2003 America’s 9/11 Ride is set to begin August 22, when over 500 riders, including 125 police officers from 40 departments will leave Somerset, Pa. and head to the Pentagon. The ride ends in New York City the next day. See www.americas911ride.org
WARNER SIGNS BRINK'S CHILD HEALTH CARE BILL
Gov. Mark Warner (D) visited the Arlington Free Clinic Friday, Aug. 1 to sign House Bills 2135 and 2594, which will support the Commonwealth’s free clinics and restructure treatment plans for children under the FAMIS health insurance program.
Del. Bob Brink (D-48) sponsored the first bill at the request of the Virginia Association of Free Clinics. Insurance for the clinics will now be covered under the Commonwealth’s “Risk Management Plan,” which already covers cities, counties and other political subdivisions.
The second bill guarantees that children covered by FAMIS will stay in the program for 12 months at a time. Regular checkups and treatment over a full year could help stabilize children’s health.
COURT DATE POSTPONED FOR YORKTOWN COACH
Preliminary hearings scheduled for Friday, Aug. 1 were delayed until October 3, in the case against Yorktown assistant teacher and girls’ soccer coach Bernard McHale.
McHale, 41, was arrested June 30 by Fairfax County Police and charged with one count of crimes against nature and two counts of indecent liberties with a child by a custodian. The arrest came in response to reports that McHale had sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl on more than one occasion in the summer of 1997. The woman was a player on McHale’s soccer team at the time.
Arlington Public Schools officials have not yet made a decision on McHale’s future employment.
McHale, a resident of the 12000 block of Golf Ridge Court in Fairfax, was released on $15,000 bond on June 30. Arlington police were not involved in his arrest.
McHale was named All Met Coach of the Year in 2000. At the time of his arrest, he was also employed at the Potomac School, a private school in McLean.
Hearings are scheduled to begin in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court October 3, at 9 a.m.
SCHOOLS TO RELEASE SOL SCORES
Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Robert Smith will hold a press conference Thursday, Aug. 7 to announce pass rates for the 2002-2003 Virginia Standards of Learning tests. The state-mandated exams cover core curriculum areas and are designed to test students on basic standards.
Adjusted SOL pass rates determine whether schools receive accreditation from the State Board of Education.
Currently, 24 of the county’s 30 public schools have received full accreditation, and overall test scores across the county were up last year.
Abingdon, Carlin Springs and Randolph elementaries, Gunston and Kenmore middle schools and Wakefield high school have yet to receive full accreditation.
Smith has predicted that the every school will be fully accredited within the next two years.
Look for coverage of the results in The Connection next week.