Crime Solvers Needs Help
<bt>Fairfax County Crime Solvers is asking for the public's help in identifying the person responsible for at least 20 incidents of ATM fraud in Fair Oaks. Between Nov. 30 and Dec. 18, all 20 victims used the same ATM in Fair Oaks Mall.
Then, between Dec. 23 and Jan. 16, the accounts of those 20 victims were accessed from various other ATMs in Northern Virginia. To date, more than $80,000 has been fraudulently removed from those accounts.
Also noteworthy, say police, is the fact that all the victims are still in possession of their ATM cards. It appears that the suspect has made duplicate cards and has knowledge of their PINs to access the accounts.
Anyone with information about any of these incidents or the person involved is asked to call Crime Solvers at 1-800-673-2777 or 703-691-8888. Callers may remain anonymous, and a $1,000 cash reward will be paid for information leading to an arrest.
<sh>Drug Charge is Dropped
<bt>In November, Fairfax County police charged Justin Kimmel, 21, of Oak Hill with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
On Feb. 5 in General District Court, this charge was dropped.
<sh>Clifton Town Council Mtg.
<bt>The next meeting of the Clifton Town Council will be Tuesday, March 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road in Clifton. There'll be a public hearing to receive information about the HUD properties on which the town has bid since last month. To date, Clifton has already completed settlements on three houses.
The council members will also begin discussing the FY 2004 town budget. It will have a public hearing in May and will be adopted in June. Clifton will also consider adopting a resolution from the Hemlock Overlook Task Force, supporting the concept of keeping Hemlock Overlook Park from becoming a huge, commercial entity.
In addition, the town council will discuss possibly revising the rental rates of town property, especially the Clifton Town Meeting Hall.
<sh>Springfield/Fairfax Center Mtg.
<bt>The Springfield District/Fairfax Center Land-Use Committee will meet Tuesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. in conference rooms 4 and 5 of the Fairfax County Government Center.
The members will learn about plans to construct a nursery school/child-care center — plus a by-right, retail use — just west of the intersection of Route 29 and Waples Mill Road.
In a separate case, they'll also hear about a proposal to convert an office mixed-use site to a multi-family, residential use. It's at the northeast quadrant of the intersection of Monument Drive and Fair Lakes Parkway.
<sh>Westfield Community Coalition
<bt>The Westfield Community Coalition (for safe and drug-free youth) will meet Monday, March 10 at 7 p.m., at Stone Middle School. The coalition aims to strengthen family, community and school partnerships and help make a positive difference for youth.
It's currently working on a major community presentation called "When Push Comes to Shove — What You Should Know about Bullying and Harassment." It's tentatively scheduled for May 12. For more information about the coalition or to be on its e-mail list, contact Ron Furgerson, coordinator, at 703-754-0107.
<sh>Sully GOP Seeks School Board Rep
<bt>The Sully District Republican Committee is seeking volunteers interested in running for the Sully District seat on the Fairfax County School Board. Contact Virginia Olander at 703-266-9531, no later than March 10. The Sully District Republican Committee will meet March 20 to decide on whom to endorse for the nomination.
<sh>Blood is Still Needed
<bt>The Inova Blood Donor Center in the Centremed I Building on Route 29 in Centreville (across from the Centreville Multiplex Cinemas) is still in urgent need of blood donations — especially O positive or negative, as well as A and B. They are accepted Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, noon-8 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
To make an appointment to give blood, call 703-322-1970, or just drop in at your own convenience. According to the Inova Health System, it only takes an hour to donate blood, and each donation can save the lives of three people.