<sh>McLean Men Arrested
<bt>Fairfax County police arrested a Hazel Lane resident in connection with a missing 14-year-old girl with whom he had a sexual relationship.
Oliver E. Smith, 22, turned himself in to police Monday night. The girl had been reported missing by her grandparents earlier in the week, according to reports.
“The girl was uninjured and turned over to Bridgewater police on Saturday,” said Officer Bud Walker of the Fairfax County Police. “They had met over the Internet but we are not releasing how long they had been communicating.”
Smith has been charged with carnal knowledge of a minor and was held without bond. The girl, who is from Bridgewater, was taken from her home by Smith, who brought her to his home in McLean.
While the Hazel Lane home was being investigated, stolen property was found and Smith’s twin brother, Clyde J. Smith, was arrested and charged with grand larceny.
An April 1 court date has been assigned to Oliver Smith.
<sh>Rotary Offers Scholarship
<bt>The McLean Rotary Club is seeking individuals who demonstrate a commitment to world peace and conflict resolution, strong leadership skills, three to five years' professional experience and foreign language proficiency as candidates for Rotary International World Peace Scholarships--a two-year master's-level degree program at one of seven Rotary Centers for International Studies. More detailed information is available at the Rotary website: www.rotary.org. Interested persons, contact McLean Rotarian Dr. Ali Al-Attar at 703-578-8888.
<sh>Blood Supply Dips Due to Winter Weather
<bt>Recent winter weather caused the cancellation of several community blood drives and countless blood donor appointments across the region. An immediate recovery from the ensuing blood shortage is critical to ensuring that the needs of patients in local hospitals will not be impacted. Consequently, the Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Region is issuing an urgent plea for an immediate response from both whole blood and platelet (apheresis) donors. Whole blood donors are asked to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE, and apheresis donors can call 1-800-272-2123. While all blood types are welcome and badly needed, the Red Cross is reporting an urgent need for type O-negative donors. The community blood drive schedule, as well as hours of operation and directions to the Donor Centers, is available by calling the American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE, or visiting www.my-redcross.org. Donors must be generally in good health, be at least 17 years of age, weigh no less than 110 pounds, have not received a tattoo within the past year, and have not donated whole blood within the past 56 days. The American Red Cross is also in search of area businesses, churches, community groups and civic organizations to come on board as blood drive sponsors. For information about holding a blood drive call 1-800-787-9282, ext. 4925.
<sh>A Conference for the Disability Community
<bt>The Accessibility Summit 2005, presented by the McLean Bible Church's Access Ministry, will be held Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9 in Tyson’s Corner. This sixth annual conference for the Washington, D.C. area disability community brings together families and caregivers of those affected by disabilities, as well as faith-based organizations, professionals, community resource organizations and government agencies. The summit will feature more than 36 new, dynamic sessions, a brand new Exhibit Hall hosting nearly a hundred industry exhibitors and sponsors, and inspirational keynote speakers like Coach Harold Jones, “Radio” Author Joel Sonnenberg and DOVE Award-winning guest artist Ginny Owens.
Organizations involved include: The National Organization on Disabilities, The National Institute on Mental Health, National Fragile X Foundation, Autism Society of Northern Virginia, Arc of Northern Virginia, Epilepsy Foundation, Fairfax Area Disability Board, Joni & Friends, Kellar Institute for Human disabilities at George Mason University, LifeWay Church Resources, PEATC, St. Coletta of Greater Washington, The Ivymount School, Virginia Association for the Deaf, We Care America, Willow Creek Association, World Vision, Special Olympics of Virginia and more.
For more information or to register, visit access.mcleanbible.org or contact Jan Sanders at 703-770-2938.