Dreamstime

Press Release

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc., is recalling hard-cooked eggs, as well as prepared foods that contain hard-cooked eggs, sold between Jan. 23 and Feb. 1 because the eggs have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.

Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Dreamstime

Police responded to a destruction of property report at the construction site of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Mosque, located at 4555 Ahmadiyya Drive in Fairfax County on Monday, Jan. 30 around 8:40 a.m.

Police found extensive damage to the mosque which is under construction but found no evidence that the building was entered. Detectives and blood hounds were utilized to collect evidence. In addition to evidence related to the destruction, several discarded containers of alcohol were discovered.

The investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

Press Release

A 37-year-old woman was grabbed by a man as she walked toward her home in the 4100 block of Elmwood Street in Fairfax County. The suspect displayed a weapon, moved the victim a short distance and attempted to sexually assault her. The suspect fled on foot. The victim did not require medical attention.

The suspect was described as being white and tall, with a medium build. He was wearing a dark colored jacket, dark colored pants, and he concealed his face from the victim.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

Press Release

Courtesy of VDOT

Press Release

The Virginia Department of Transportation has a new web tool that shows the status of plowing in Northern Virginia neighborhoods.

Once it snows at least two inches, residents can find out the status of plowing in Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William county neighborhoods at novasnowplowing.virginia.gov.

The website activates when two or more inches have accumulated.

VDOT has organized Northern Virginia streets into 600 “snow maps” which are assigned to plow drivers. These are the maps users will view and be able to find out whether crews are plowing, have plowed or have not started a particular snow map. Street-by-street progress is not shown.

Users can enter an address in Northern Virginia to see a color-coded snow map that indicates the plowing status in that area:

· Green indicates a neighborhood has been plowed

· Yellow means plows are in progress in the neighborhood

· Blue indicates plows have not yet started the neighborhood

· Gray means the area is not maintained by VDOT. (Cities, towns and some developments maintain their own roads.)

“This is a test run so we will welcome feedback from the public,” said Northern Virginia VDOT Assistant District Administrator Branco Vlacich. “We will make adjustments as needed to make it as user-friendly and helpful as possible.”

Quick Tips for Users

· Be sure to enter your complete address, e.g. 100 Maple Street, Anytown, Virginia.

· The website tracks VDOT-maintained neighborhoods only.

· The website is active only when two or more inches of snow have fallen.

Residents can view a video on how to use the new site.

How VDOT clears subdivisions in Northern Virginia

Trucks are pre-positioned in subdivisions whenever the forecast calls for two or more inches of snow. Each subdivision has at least one dedicated truck and plowing begins when two inches have accumulated. Main thoroughfares are repeatedly plowed during a storm. Once the storm has stopped and those roads are clear, crews work to make residential streets and cul-de-sacs “passable.”

A neighborhood street is considered passable when a path is drivable (with caution) for an average passenger vehicle. The road will not be cleared curb-to-curb or to bare pavement and may remain snow-packed, uneven and rutted (especially following any refreeze). Chemicals are not typically used in subdivisions, but crews sand hills, curves and intersections as needed to provide traction. For most storms, one snowplow pass, about eight to 10 feet wide, is made.

Once drivers complete a minimum of one pass on the roads in a map, they report back that the route is complete.

VDOT judges subdivisions complete through processed snow maps, resident call volume and feedback from VDOT monitors.

In the letter dated Jan. 19, the governors highlighted the region’s existing technical expertise in the defense industry, established UAS facilities and appropriate airspace for this type of testing and development.

“The Mid-Atlantic region represents a significant resource to the federal government as they develop a UAS test range,” said McDonnell. “Virginia and Maryland already host many companies that provide technical expertise, staffing and support to the federal government’s military and technology programs, and our collection of restricted airspace will provide the perfect training area for this type of testing. Furthermore, the existing DoD, NASA industry and academic institutions in our states can provide the FAA with resources to develop the cutting-edge UAS technology at no additional cost to the taxpayer. In these difficult fiscal times, this type of coordination and co-location of activities is vital to ensuring that our government lives within its means while providing our core services of government.”

O’Malley added, “Virginia and Maryland are working together across state and party lines to provide the best solutions for the needs of our nation. Already, industry, academic and federal agencies located in Maryland and Virginia design, test and operate every category of unmanned aircraft systems. We are also home to the largest collection of experience with this technology and integrating it into national airspace of any region. This region can become the UAS center for the nation, and provide the workforce, close strategic proximity to the federal government and the highest concentration of U.S. population, and the technological infrastructure to ensure the success of the national UAS program.”

Further development of the nation’s UAS program will not only serve advanced military operations, but will also provide additional resources for private industry and homeland security efforts that will use this technology.

The Mid-Atlantic region is within a day’s drive of the majority of the U.S. population, and is strategically located near the nation’s capitol and major population centers along the East Coast.

The states have not yet received a response to this letter from Secretary LaHood.

Press Release

Fairfax County Police are investigating an apparent homicide that occurred in the 5900 block of Gunther Court in the Centreville area. Fairfax County sheriff’s deputies requested that officers respond to the address around 1:27 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15, after a man walked into the Pre-Release Center and reported a woman inside the Gunther Court home was deceased.

Responding officers located the deceased woman inside the home with trauma to her upper body. Further investigation led to the arrest of the man, Benjamin Walker, 22, of 5923 Gunther Street in Centreville. He was charged with murder.

The victim has been identified as Ryah Leslie, 22, of the same address. The victim and suspect were roommates. This investigation is ongoing. This is the first homicide in Fairfax County this year.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

Press Release

An 18-year-old died at Inova Fairfax Hospital on Friday, Jan. 6 as a result of injuries he sustained in a traffic crash on Monday, Jan. 2, 2012.

Carlos Hernandez of 2915 John Marshall Drive, Falls Church, was a passenger in the back seat of a 2001 Honda Accord and was ejected during the crash.

The crash occurred around 12:40 a.m., in the 2900 block of Graham Road near Rice Street. The driver lost control of the vehicle, ran off the road and struck a tree. Police have not placed any charges but are continuing to investigate. Crash Reconstruction Unit Detectives believe that speed may be one of the causative factors of the crash.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477 or e-mail at fairfaxcrimesolvers.org.

NOVA Serves: Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Press Release

Join in for NOVA’s third annual NOVA Serves: MLK Day National Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 16. Over the past two years, NOVA Serves has offered 14 service projects and engaged over 750 students, faculty and staff in service. The projects are located throughout NOVA’s service area, and participant volunteers represent all of NOVA’s campuses.

Option 1: Operation School Supply, Alexandria Campus
3001 N Beauregard Street
Bisdorf AA Building, Room 196
Alexandria, VA 22311
Time Commitment: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Volunteers are needed to donate school supplies and help build school supplies kits for school children in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other countries where US troops are stationed. In cooperation with the Operation International Children organization, these school supply kits will help US troops bring school supplies to needy children.

Option 2: Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Chantilly
4262 Entre Court
Chantilly, VA 20151
Time Commitment: 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations reuse and recycle new and used building materials. The proceeds from the sale of these items support Habitat for Humanity building projects. Volunteers will assist with incoming donations and test donations to make sure they work and clean, assemble or repair as needed. Volunteers will price donations and place them on the sales floor. Volunteers will organize the sales floor and assist customers on the sales floor.

Option 3: Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Alexandria
7770 Richmond Highway
Alexandria, VA 22306
Time Commitment: 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations reuse and recycle new and used building materials. The proceeds from the sale of these items support Habitat for Humanity building projects. Volunteers will assist with incoming donations and test donations to make sure they work and clean, assemble, or repair as needed. Volunteers will price donations and place them on the sales floor. Volunteers will organize the sales floor and assist customers on the sales floor.

Option 4: Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Manassas
9506 Center Street
Manassas, VA 20110
Time Commitment: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations reuse and recycle new and used building materials. The proceeds from the sale of these items support Habitat for Humanity building projects. Volunteers will be receiving donations, helping customers, hanging light fixtures, etc.

Option 5: Loudoun County Animal Shelter, Sterling
39820 Charles Town Pike
Waterford, VA 20197
Time Commitment: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
The Loudoun County Animal Shelter is an open-access shelter, meaning they take in any and all animals that are surrendered by Loudoun County resident or are found stray in Loudoun County, regardless of reason or circumstance. Volunteers are needed to assist with cleaning and organizing projects for the shelter as well as animal adoption and animal care preparation activities.

To register as a volunteer, visit http://bit.ly/xgjpVI.

Press Release

Governor Bob McDonnell announced on Jan. 9 that Acentia, a premier provider of technology and management solutions to the Federal Government and commercial markets, will invest $3.1 million to move its headquarters to Fairfax County. The project will create 60 new jobs.

Speaking about the announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “With this announcement, Acentia joins the other technology and IT companies that call Fairfax County home to their corporate headquarters. The strong technology-based workforce in the region and access to federal customers and business partners made the Commonwealth the right choice for the company. I am confident in a successful partnership, and warmly welcome Acentia to Virginia.”

“Acentia provides solutions and solves challenges on programs of national significance, and we are proud to now claim the company as one of our own,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “Fairfax County boasts the headquarters of many impressive companies, and I look forward to Acentia’s success in the Commonwealth.”

Acentia is a premier employer and provider of technology and management solutions that help customers meet their mission-critical requirements on programs of national significance. Its professionals build trusted relationships with customers by tackling their most difficult challenges while consistently demonstrating value to customers across the Federal Government and commercial markets.

“Fairfax County gives us access to the highly-skilled technical staff and management consultants we need to continue to provide essential services to our customers,” said Todd Stottlemyer, CEO of Acentia. “As a company with very aggressive growth plans, we are excited about the possibilities that moving our headquarters to Virginia presents to our customers and the entire Acentia team. Our new space should be a springboard to a great 2012 for Acentia.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority to secure the project for Virginia. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the Company’s recruitment and training activities.

“We are honored to have another high-quality employer moving into Fairfax County and delighted to have a former member of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority Commission back working and creating jobs in the county and Commonwealth,” said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.

Photo by: KJ Mushung

A lit tunnel at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Photo illustration by: KJ Mushung

The Dominion GardenFest of Lights at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a spectacular and beautiful sight. But it only runs through Monday, Jan. 9. So if you want to go, make the time now.

The lights are on from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly, rain or shine. Each year there is a different theme. This year’s theme is “Nature’s DeLIGHTS.”

Admission costs $11 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under age 3 are admitted free.

The garden is located at 1800 Lakeside Avenue in Richmond.

Photo by: KJ Mushung

Photo by: KJ Mushung

Photo by: KJ Mushung

Photo by: KJ Mushung