Police Release Sketch of Flasher
<bt>Fairfax County police on Tuesday released a composite sketch of the man they believe exposed himself to two young girls in the Centreville Regional Library. The victims, 8 and 10, are sisters and live in Centreville. The incident occurred Feb. 19, around 5 p.m., while they were in the library with their mother.
As they were walking in an aisle, the girls' attention was drawn to the next aisle where a man was standing. Police say they saw him looking at them, several times, through the bookshelves, and he then exposed himself. However, he wasn't apprehended because the girls didn't tell their mother about him until later that evening, when they were at home.
The suspect is described as white, in his 60s, 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 10 inches and between 170-200 pounds. He had gray hair and wrinkles on his face and wore a gray sweatshirt. Anyone with information about this case or the man involved is asked to call police at 703-691-2131 or Crime Solvers at 1-800-673-2777.
<sh>Charge Goes to Grand Jury
<bt>A Centreville teen is no longer charged with stealing a computer and other items from a Sully Station home, but he is charged with breaking into that home. And now, that charge is heading for the grand jury.
The teen is Tavares Winston, 19, of 14711 Wycombe St. in London Towne. On Sept. 26, Fairfax County police charged him with the Sept. 8 theft of a $3,000 laptop computer and five T-shirts, as well as with burglary. And when he didn't show up for his scheduled, Jan. 13, court date, Judge Michael Cassidy issued a bench warrant for Winston, and failure-to-appear was added to his other charges.
But he did appear last Wednesday, March 3, in General District Court. At that time, Winston's latest charge, plus his charge of grand larceny, were both dismissed. But Judge Ian O'Flaherty certified the burglary offense to the next grand jury for possible indictment. It carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
<sh>Girl, 11, Bit by a Cat
<bt>Fairfax County Animal Control is asking for the public's help in finding a cat in the Centreville area that bit an 11-year-old Fairfax area girl last week. On Wednesday, March 3, the girl was bit by a black and brown cat in the 14500 block of Pickett Oaks Road. After an extensive check of the neighborhood by animal control officers, the cat or its owner could not be found. The cat was described as wearing a white flea collar with a pink stripe. The girl has received medical treatment for the injury to her right leg. Anyone with information about the cat or its owner is asked to call animal control at 703-266-6490.
<sh>Meeting on 2005 Budget
<bt>Supervisor Elaine McConnell (R-Springfield) will hold a community meeting Thursday, March 11, at 7 p.m. to discuss Fairfax County's FY 2005 advertised budget and real-estate tax assessments.
It will be held in rooms 4 and 5 of the Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, in Fairfax. Others speaking besides McConnell will be County Executive Anthony H. Griffin, Chief Financial Officer Edward Long and the Department of Tax Administration's Real Estate Division Director Janet Coldsmith. Call 703-451-8873, TTY 703-455-6691. Visit the Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dmb/.
<sh>Battlefield Bypass Meeting Set
<bt>A fourth public workshop for the proposed Manassas National Battlefield Park Bypass is set for Tuesday, March 16, from 5-8 p.m., in the cafeteria of Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas. It's sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration and the National Park Service, and there'll be a presentation and question-and-answer session at 6 p.m. The school is at 8820 Rixlew Lane, off Route 234 and next to the Manassas Mall.
Presented will be a preliminary summary of impacts for each of the bypass alternatives currently being studied, prior to publication of the draft Environmental Impact Statement. Citizen input on the alternatives is encouraged. Maps, displays and comment forms will be available. Those requiring special assistance to attend and participate may call 202-775-3484. For more information on the project, see www.battlefieldbypass.com.
<sh>Byways Bills Await Signatures
<bt>Del. Tim Hugo's (R-40th) House Bills 997 and 998 overwhelmingly passed the House of Delegates, and the Senate and now await the governor’s signature. These bills designate as Virginia byways a portion of Pleasant Valley Road and the entire length of Fairfax Station Road. The Virginia Department of Transportation byway program recognizes road corridors containing aesthetic or cultural value near areas of historical, natural or recreational significance.
<sh>Blood Is Urgently Needed
<bt>The Inova Blood Donor Center in the Centremed I Building on Route 29 in Centreville (across from the Centreville Multiplex Cinemas) is in urgent need of blood donations — especially O positive or negative, as well as A and B. They're accepted Tuesday-Friday, noon-8 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. For an appointment to give blood, call 703-322-1970, or drop in at your own convenience.