MADD Donation
<bt>Loudoun MADD will present the Loudoun County Sheriff Office with 10 Passive Alcohol Sensor (PAS) flashlights valued at nearly $7,500, at a press conference, which is open to the public, Saturday, Aug. 19, 9:30 p.m., at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy, 45299 Research Place, Ashburn.
The "Sniffer" flashlights enable the police to detect alcohol in a car. This technology increases the detection of DWI by about 50 percent at checkpoints and about 10 percent on routine patrol. Proceeds from the Loudoun County MADD Car Donation Program enabled the donation. RSVP at maddloudoun@aol.com or 703-771-8127.
<sh>Work Session/Public Hearing Set
<bt>The Loudoun County Planning Commission will consider several amendments to the county's Comprehensive Plan (CPAMs) Monday, Aug. 28, when the commission will hold a work session and a public hearing at Mercer Middle School, 42149 Greenstone Drive, Aldie.
The work session will begin at 4:30 p.m. for the purpose of considering the Rural Policy Area CPAM. The commission is to return the CPAM, with a recommendation, to the Board of Supervisors by Sept. 15. More information about the proposed changes are on the county Web site at www.loudoun.gov/rural.
Beginning at 6 p.m., the commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed CPAM for the Arcola Area/Route 50 and the proposed CPAM for the Upper Broad Run and Upper Foley subareas of the county's Transition Policy Area. More information about the Route 50 CPAM, which proposes changes in land use and design policies for the Route 50 corridor, is on the county Web site at www.loudoun.gov/bos/route50. More information about the Transition Area CPAM is available at www.loudoun.gov/compplan/transition.htm.
<sh>Design Meeting
<bt>The Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS), Library Services and architects, Peck, Peck & Associates of Woodbridge, Va., will hold a public presentation of the design concept for the renovation of the North Street building in Leesburg. The facility, formerly known as the School Board Annex, is located at 102 North St., N.W., in downtown Leesburg and housed the offices of the Loudoun County School Board.
Representatives of the county and the design team will conduct the presentation Wednesday, Aug. 30, at 6 p.m., in the North Street building. The renovation of the facility is expected to be included in a bond referendum on the November ballot. For more information, e-mail prcs@loudoun.gov or call 703-77-0343.
<sh>Teen Found
<bt>A Sterling teenager who had been missing since Aug. 1 was located safe and sound Tuesday, Aug. 8, according to the Sheriff's Office. Sabra Kaitlyn Mcnally left her home in the Ashcroft Terrace area of Sterling on her own volition. She was located at a friend's house. She has been returned home safe and sound.
<sh>Searching for Suspects
<bt>One man is in custody and the Sheriff's Office is searching for two other suspects in a burglary and assault that occurred in Sterling Thursday, Aug. 10.
According to the Sheriff's Office, Antonio Aguirre-Guevara, 20, and two other men allegedly burglarized a home in the 200 block of Penny Lane. Around 2:15 p.m., as the suspects were leaving the house a resident returned home. At one point the resident began to chase Aguirre-Guevara; he allegedly brandished a machete and then fled on foot, according to the Sheriff's Office. A number of items were taken from the home including jewelry, cash and a machete.
The residents who were victimized in the burglary later learned the possible location of the suspects and decided to confront them instead of contacting authorities, according to the Sheriff's Office. Around 6:40 p.m., a deputy on routine patrol was waived down by one of the residents in the 46830 block of Harry Byrd Highway. The residents were in a field and had chased two of the suspects into the woods.
The Sheriff's Office began a search of the area and a canine unit apprehended Aguirre-Guevara. He has been charged with burglary, grand larceny, assault and destruction of property. He was being held without bond. The second suspect was not located.
The Sheriff's Office is searching for two other suspects and their possible identities. They are described as Hispanic males in their late teens or early 20s. Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator J. Russ of the Criminal Investigations Division at 703-777-0475. If you would like to remain anonymous, contact Loudoun Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919. If the information leads to an arrest and indictment the caller could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
<sh>Bear Struck
<bt>At approximately 7 a.m., Aug. 9, Loudoun County Animal Control Officers responded to a report that a black bear had been struck by a pickup truck on Route 9 close to the West Virginia border. After being hit, the bear was seen entering the nearby woods and appeared to be suffering from injuries sustained in the accident.
The bear was located in a creek bed approximately 50 yards from the accident scene. Due to the severity of his injuries, the bear was humanely euthanized by a Loudoun County Sheriff deputy.
The bear was removed from the scene and transported to the Loudoun County Animal Shelter. Officials from Banshee Reeks Nature Reserve in Leesburg picked up the bear for testing and educational purposes. The male black bear was estimated to be approximately 15 years old and to weigh around 450 pounds.
<sh>Juror Online Registration
<bt>The Circuit Court Jury Office is offering an online registration process to respond to the juror questionnaires that are mailed out to Loudoun citizens. A new computer program allows citizens who receive a questionnaire in the mail to respond to the questionnaire through the jury office's Web site. Responses are maintained in the jury office database, which is used to determine the qualification of prospective jurors to serve on a jury in a circuit court trial.
Questionnaires will be mailed to 35,000 citizens in Loudoun County within the next few weeks. Before completing the paper questionnaire, citizens should read the instructions for completing the questionnaires for the Web site to respond electronically. The Web site address is provided on the paper questionnaire form. Citizens who complete the online questionnaire registration process are not required to complete and return the paper questionnaire form. Citizens who receive the questionnaires may complete the paper questionnaire that they received in the mail and return the completed form to the address provided in the questionnaire.
Any citizen who has a question about completing the juror questionnaires once they are received in the mail should contact the Circuit Court jury office at 703-777-0677.
<sh>Leesburg House Fire
<bt>On Tuesday, Aug. 8, at 9:23 p.m., Loudoun County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management received a 911 call reporting a house fire at 18685 Woodburn Road in Leesburg. Upon arrival, firefighters found a three-story, single-family dwelling with fire and heavy smoke conditions in the basement.
The first and second floors received moderate smoke damage. There were no reported injuries to any Fire and Rescue Personnel or civilians.
All five occupants in the residence at the time of the fire were able to evacuate without injury. The Loudoun County After the Fire personnel and the American Red Cross responded to the scene to provide assistance to the occupants.
The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental by the Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office. Total damage was approximately $80,000.