<sh>Correction
<bt>An article in the Oct. 31-Nov. 6, 2007, Cascades Connection regarding the Broad Run Farms' contaminated wells, incorrectly stated how long the EPA expects the cleanup to take. In fact, EPA officials said it would take 18 months or longer to conduct a "remedial investigation" of the source of the Trichloroethylene (TCE) found in Broad Run Farms wells should the adjacent Hidden Lane Landfill be added to the Superfund National Priorities list.
<sh>New Crossing Locations
<bt>Two crossing guard posts at Seneca Ridge Middle School will be closed and redirected due to the low number of students crossing at these intersections.
The post located at the driveway of the middle school and at the intersection of Sugarland Run Drive near Cottage Road were closed effective Nov. 11.
All students using the driveway crossing of the middle school are expected to cross at the intersection of Augusta Drive and Seneca Ridge Drive. The post times are 8-9:05 a.m. and 3:15-4:20 p.m. each school day.
Students who formerly used the Sugarland Run Drive and Cottage Road crossing will now cross at Sugarland Run Drive near the path of South Fox Road. The post times for this crossing are 8-8:35 a.m. and 3:15-3:50 p.m.
<sh>Public Input Sought
<bt>Loudoun County residents and organizations are invited to provide their comments on local housing and community development needs on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at 6:30 p.m., at the Department of Family Services, on the second floor of the Shenandoah Building, 102 Heritage Way, N.E., Leesburg.
Comments received at the public hearing will be considered in preparing Loudoun County's annual action plan as required under the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The action plan, once approved by the Board of Supervisors, will be submitted to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in May 2008.
Residents and representatives of organizations attending the public hearing are encouraged to address housing and community development needs, including priority nonhousing community development needs, fair housing issues, development of proposed activities and previous CDBG program performance.
Anyone who requires a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability in order to participate in the public hearing should contact the Department of Family Services at 703-777-0353 (V/TTY).
<sh>Four Arrests
<bt>The inclement weather and heavy traffic caused a scheduled sobriety checkpoint Friday, Nov. 9, to be changed to saturation patrols.
Four motorists were charged with DUI after Loudoun deputies patrolled the area of Route 7 between Ashburn and Sterling. The checkpoint was initially scheduled for the area of Route 7 and Presidential Drive in eastern Loudoun.
Visibility issues from the weather combined with heavy traffic caused authorities to move to saturation patrol enforcement. Deputies conducting a saturation patrol concentrate DUI enforcement in one geographic area and stop any driver suspected of driving under the influence or for any motor vehicle violation
<sh>Recycling Center Reopens
<bt>The Recycling Dropoff Center and the free mulch area located at the Loudoun County Solid Waste Management Facility on Evergreen Mills Road in Leesburg have reopened after being temporarily closed for construction work since Nov. 1.
Residents can once again recycle waste motor oil, antifreeze and auto batteries as well as bottles, cans, paper and cardboard. The recycling center at the landfill is home to the only public collection center in the county for waste motor oil, antifreeze and auto battery recycling.
<sh>Rescued Puppies Available
<Bt>Loudoun County Animal Care & Control has assisted the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) in efforts to rescue nearly 1,000 dogs from an alleged "puppy mill" in Hillsville, Va.
Animal Care & Control staff traveled to Hillsville Thursday, Nov. 8, to assist with housing and care for some of the dogs and puppies that were seized. A number of dogs were brought to the Loudoun County Animal Shelter, where they will undergo medical and behavioral evaluations before being placed for adoption.
The dogs from Hillsville will be posted on the Department’s Web site, www.loudoun.gov/animals, along with other animals up for adoption, as they are made available. The Loudoun County Animal Shelter is located at 39820 Charles Town Pike, Waterford.
<sh>Fairfax Man in Crash
<bt>A Fairfax man died after his vehicle left a Loudoun roadway Thursday, Nov. 8, and struck a utility pole.
According to the Sheriff's Office, Robert A. Morris, 48, was traveling south on Evergreen Mills Road shortly after 11:30 a.m. when his 2004 Ford pickup veered off the road and struck a utility pole. The truck bounced back into the roadway and struck the side of a dump truck. The dump truck was not directly involved in the crash and there was minimal damage from the impact between the two vehicles.
The crash occurred just north of Belmont Ridge Road. Traffic was diverted from the area for over two hours as the crash scene was cleared and the utility pole was fixed.
The cause of the crash was still under investigation, although alcohol and speed are not believed to be factors in the crash. Morris was wearing his seatbelt. He died at the scene.
<sh>Seeking a Commissioner
<bt>Dulles District Supervisor-elect to the Loudoun County
Board of Supervisors, Stevens Miller, is seeking qualified persons to apply for his nomination to the post of Planning Commissioner. Anyone interested should send a short e-mail, at stevens@miller4dulles.com, stating who they are, why they want the post and what qualifications they have. Miller plans to make a decision before the end of November.
<sh>Receives Award
<Bt>The Loudoun County Procurement Division has received the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award for 2007 from the National Purchasing Institute (NPI).
The NPI Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award is presented to organizations that demonstrate excellence in procurement by obtaining a high score on a rating of standardized criteria designed to measure innovation, professionalism, productivity, and leadership attributes of the procurement organization.
This is the ninth year in a row that Loudoun's Procurement Division has received the prestigious award.
More information about the Loudoun County Procurement Division is available on the county government Web site at www.loudoun.gov/procurement.