Drug Charge to Grand Jury
<bt>The drug case against a Centreville woman is moving forward in the legal system. She is Nakasha T. Warren, 28, of 14486 Four Chimney Drive in the Newgate community. She was one of three people charged by Fairfax County police, Oct. 27, with distribution of cocaine. The others were Casey Geter, 35, also of Newgate, and Marron Nowlin, 23, of Washington, D.C.
"Detectives from the Organized Crime Division arrested them after developing information that they were [allegedly] involved in distributing narcotics in the area of Lee Highway and Stone Road in Centreville," said police Lt. Rich Perez. And that's where they were arrested following a traffic stop of their vehicle.
Police charged Warren with two counts of cocaine distribution, and her case was heard last Monday, Jan. 9, in General District Court. At that time, one of her charges was dropped. Judge William Minor then certified the other one to the grand jury for possible indictment. Geter and Nowlin have Feb. 15 court dates.
<sh>Drug Distribution Case Dropped
<bt>Believing that he was dealing drugs in the local community, on Jan. 29, 2005, Fairfax County police charged Augusto N. Loyola, 50, of Chantilly's Brookside community, with one count of distribution of a controlled substance. The case was then continued several times. However, on Dec. 9 in General District Court, before Judge Donald McDonough, the charge against Loyola was dropped.
<sh>Hugo Addressing Republican Women
<bt>Del. Tim Hugo (R-40th) will address the monthly meeting of Western Fairfax Republican Women. It will be held Thursday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m. at the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m.; newcomers are always welcome. Call Betty Ann Olson at 703-263-1062.
<sh>Learn about 'The Teen Species'
<bt>The Westfield Community Coalition and the Westfield High PTSA are presenting a free, educational program for teens and parents called "The Teen Species: Up Close and Personal." It's this Saturday, Jan. 21, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sessions will include information about teens and substance abuse, depression, team building and finance. Advance registration is encouraged. Contact Edie Walker at ediefwalker@cox.net or at 703-449-0603.
<sh>Wolf to Speak to About Gangs
<bt>U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th) will speak about gangs at the general meeting of the Fairfax League of Women Voters on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will be held at the International Country Club, 13200 Lee Jackson Highway in Chantilly.
Wolf will discuss how legislation he's sponsored is addressing the problem of gangs in Northern Virginia and the effect it can have in stemming the spread of gang activity. This meeting is a follow-up to an earlier League study about the extent of the gang problem in the area and the approaches taken by local government agencies and individuals to help suppress and prevent gangs.
Fairfax League of Women Voters President Sherry Zachry said the League wants to know "how citizens can help make our neighborhoods safer for our children and ourselves.”
The meeting is free and guests are welcome. Registration is required; call 703-404-0498 by Jan. 14. Wolf’s presentation will be followed at noon by a lunch at a cost of $25. For more information about the League, call 703-658-9150 or visit www.lwv-fairfax.org.
<sh>Cuccinelli's Town Hall Mtgs.
<bt>Sen. Ken Cuccinelli (R-37th) will hold two upcoming town hall meetings to discuss legislation and hear constituent concerns. Times and locations are as follows:
* Centreville Regional Library – Saturday, Jan. 21, from 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., 14200 St. Germain Drive in Centreville.
* Chantilly Regional Library – Saturday, Feb. 4, from 10:30–11:30 a.m., 4000 Stringfellow Road in Chantilly.
Constituents are invited to bring questions and concerns to the town-hall meeting closest to them. Cuccinelli and a staff member will be available to assist them with issues dealing with state government.
<sh>Park Authority to Meet
<bt>The Fairfax County Park Authority will meet Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the Herrity Building, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 900, in Fairfax. Call Judy Pedersen at 703-324-8662.
<sh>Sully District Council Mtg.
<bt>The Sully District Council of Citizens Associations will meet Wednesday, Jan. 25, in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. Call Mark McConn at 703-818-9124.
<sh>Free Carseat Inspections
<bt>Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections, Thursday, Jan. 26, and Tuesday, Jan. 31, from 5-9 p.m. each day, at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. They'll make sure the seats are correct for the child’s age, height and weight, the child is securely placed in the seat and the seat is properly installed in the vehicle.
No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves, so the technicians may properly inspect and make adjustments, as necessary. Call the Sully District Child Seat Information line (703-814-7000, ext. 5140) to confirm dates and time. For additional child seat inspection times throughout Fairfax County, call the Fairfax County Operations Support Bureau at 703-280-0559.
<sh>Caputo's Town Hall Meeting
<bt>Del. Chuck Caputo (D-67th) will host his first town-hall meeting on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. He will discuss his first few weeks in the General Assembly and will listen to constituents' concerns and answer questions. The public is welcome. For more information, call Lu Ann Maciulla McNabb at 703-476-6944.
<sh>WFCCA Elects New Officers
<bt>The West Fairfax County Citizens Association (WFCCA) held elections for officers Tuesday night during its quarterly meeting. Re-elected to serve another two-year term were: Ted Troscianecki, president; Kathleen Hill, executive vice president; Carol Hawn, secretary; and Mary Coyle, treasurer. Dorothy Steranka replaces Kathleen Crossan as administrative vice president; Crossan stepped down because of other commitments.
<sh>Residential Assistance Program
<bt>Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) Is accepting applicants for the Residential Assistance Program (RAP) by close of business, March 1.
Funded by a grant for the Fannie Mae Foundation, over a nine-month period it gives families or individuals financial help, counseling and referrals to services that will steer them toward self-sufficiency. It then follows up with 2 1/2 years of counseling support.
Candidates must have been in continuous residence for at least one year in one of the following ZIP codes: 20120, 20121, 20124, 20151, 22033 and 22039. They'll be required to complete an application for submission to the RAP committee and, if approved, will be required to sign a contract with WFCM. Call Dorothy Fonow at 703-988-9656.
<sh>WFCM Needs Donations to Help Local Needy Families
<bt>Each month, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) provides food, personal-hygiene and cleaning items to some 300, low-income, working families of all races and religions in western Fairfax County. Its food pantry and clothes closet are at 13981 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly, and it's in great need of donations from the community.
The 10 most-needed items are: Cooking oil (22-34-ounce bottles), flour, (2-5-pound sizes), complete pancake mixes and syrup, juices (preferably concentrate), spaghetti sauce, feminine-hygiene products, deodorant and laundry detergent. Food and personal-product donations are accepted Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at WFCM's back door.
WFCM's thrift shop is open to the public, Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Clothing, household items, miscellaneous donations are accepted Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the back door. Call 703-988-9656 with questions or to volunteer, or see www.wfcmva.org.
<sh>Blood Donations are Sought
<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.