Tolls Increase
<bt>In continuation with the July 2004 State Corporation Commission approved toll structure, the price to use the Dulles Greenway will increase effective Jan. 1, 2006. Weekday tolls at the main toll plaza will increase by $0.30 to $2.70 for a two-axle vehicle and by $0.60 to $5.40 for a three or more axles vehicle.
The new toll structure will give a discount for traveling on weekends and eliminate the discount given for travel during non-peak hours. In addition to the charge in toll amounts, the toll discounts given to those patrons using electronic toll collection will no longer be in place.
For more information regarding the toll structure, visit www.dullesgreenway.com.
<sh>Four Arrests
<bt>A DUI checkpoint Friday, Dec. 16, in Sterling saw
three people arrested for driving under the influence and one for possession of drugs, according to the Sheriff's Office.
The checkpoint was held on Algonkian Parkway at Sky Lane in Sterling and saw 710 pass through with 10 vehicles pulled to the side for further screening.
The Sheriff's Office Mobile Alcohol Testing Unit (MATU) was again present at the checkpoint. The MATU is a converted recreational vehicle outfitted with an intoxilyzer and is the only one of its kind in the state of Virginia. The MATU will continue to be on the scene of upcoming sobriety checkpoints.
The Sheriff's Office conducts one checkpoint per month
throughout the year and holds additional checkpoints during the holidays. The Sheriff's Office designed the checkpoints to raise public awareness and to discourage impaired driving. The ultimate goal is to ensure the roads are safe for all motorists by achieving voluntary compliance of the drinking and driving laws.
<sh>Juveniles Charged
<bt>Three juveniles were arrested Saturday, Dec. 10, as a result of Operation Accountability, a joint effort of unannounced probation checks conducted by the Loudoun County Court Service Unit (Juvenile Probation and Parole), the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and the Leesburg Town Police, according to the SheriffÕs Office. The combined agencies conducted unannounced probation checks on 65 juveniles and adults on probation and parole with the Juvenile Court Service Unit.
The arrests were for probation and parole violations including testing positive for alcohol and marijuana. Of the three offenders taken into custody during the operation, one was released into the Supervised Release Program, one was placed at the Youth Shelter and one was released to his/her parents.
This program continues to be an effective tool for juvenile probation officers to use, to ensure that juveniles and adults on probation and parole are following their rules of probation and parole.
This was the 31 time that Operation Accountability has been conducted in Loudoun County during the past four years.
<sh>Man Struck
<bt>A Loudoun man remains in critical condition Wednesday, Dec. 14, after a vehicle struck him as he attempted to cross a Sterling road, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Ralph R. Myers, 70, was crossing Rutherford Circle shortly after 6 p.m., Wednesday, when he was struck by a 1999 Dodge Durango driven by Edgar Little Jr., 44, of Sterling, according to the Sheriff's Office. Little was making a left-hand turn from the westbound lanes of Algonkian Parkway onto Rutherford Circle when his SUV struck the victim. According to witnesses Myers was not in the crosswalk and was wearing dark clothing.
Myers was airlifted to Inova Fairfax Hospital where he was listed in critical condition.
The accident remains under investigation by the SheriffÕs Office Traffic Safety Unit. Anyone who has not already been in contact with the SheriffÕs Office and may have witnessed the accident is asked to contact Deputy S. Allen at 703-771-5798, Ext. 8308.
<sh>Bond Upgrade
<bt>Loudoun County Sanitation Authority general manager, Dale Hammes, announced that Fitch Ratings has assigned LCSA a AAA bond rating with a long-term rating outlook of stable. Fitch has rated more than 185 water and sewer bonds since September of 2003 and LCSA is one of only 11 to earn the AAA rating.
<sh>Bank Fire
<bt>On Sunday, Dec. 11, at approximately 11:30 a.m., the Loudoun County Fire-Rescue Services responded to a commercial fire at 300 Fort Evans Road in Leesburg, at the Mercantile Potomac Bank. Responding units found a small fire at the teller-service counter. Bank surveillance video provided the Fire Marshal's Office with evidence of an accidental fire caused by a decorative candle display that was left burning. The estimated damage is $15,000-$20,000.