Loudoun Daily-Monitor

Emergency Crews Respond to Man in Distress in Drainage Pond Near Battlefield Parkway

Charles Penifore — Sun, 20 May 2012 19:02:31 +0000

Leesburg Police Department personnel are currently investigating an incident called in to the Leesburg Police Department Communications Center for a man seen in a drainage pond who was calling for help. The pond was reported to be located west of the Leesburg Bypass and south of Battlefield Parkway in the northeast of Leesburg.

At 11:39 AM, dispatchers took a call reporting the incident. At the time the call was taken, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue personnel were being dispatched to the scene. The caller told LPD dispatchers that he saw a man in the drainage pond and the subject in the pond was calling for help. While he was on the phone, the caller told dispatchers that he could no longer hear the subject yelling. He could only describe the subject as an adult male. The caller also told LPD dispatchers that he saw rescue units arriving on scene.

Leesburg Police Department officers arrived on the scene at 11:42 AM. Upon their arrival, no one could see a man in the water. There were no witnesses that saw the man submerge or leave the pond. Officers and rescue personnel canvassed the area to look for any victims and or possible witnesses to help determine what happened. Loudoun County Fire and Rescue personnel did launch a boat to look for any victims.

At this time, the Leesburg Police Department continues to search for any victims and identify any witnesses to this event. The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office Dive Team is on the scene to assist with this investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to call 703-771-4500 immediately.

Commonwealth Council on Aging Honors Programs for Best Practices

Charles Penifore — Sun, 20 May 2012 11:31:18 +0000

A collaboration that helps older residents in a rural community in southern Virginia Beach prepare themselves to cope with disasters and emergencies won the top 2012 “Best Practices” award from the Commonwealth Council on Aging. VDA Interim Commissioner Jim Rothrock presented the awards at the Innovations in Aging 2012 conference on May 4, 2012. The year’s top award honored the Senior Resource Center’s Emergency Preparedness Plan for southern Virginia Beach.

Click to read more about this year’s winners and honorable mentions.

Senior Connections Honored with 2012 Volunteerism and Community Service Award

Charles Penifore — Sun, 20 May 2012 11:31:18 +0000

Governor Bob McDonnell has announced winners of the 2012 Volunteerism and Community Services Awards. These awards recognize individuals and organizations for their extraordinary volunteer efforts that contribute to the life and welfare of citizens throughout the Commonwealth.

“This year’s recipients reflect the tremendous difference individuals, families, businesses and non-profits can make in their communities through volunteerism,” said Governor McDonnell. “Each honoree’s contribution began with one word, ‘yes’, and as we recognize their vision and accomplishments, we encourage all Virginians to follow their examples by engaging in their communities.”

Among this year’s recipients was the Volunteer Money Management Program at Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging, winner of the Outstanding Community Organization Award.

Public Hearing on Intrastate Senior Services Funding Formula

Charles Penifore — Sun, 20 May 2012 11:31:18 +0000

On Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at approximately 12:00pm VDA will hold a public hearing on an Amendment to Virginias State Plan for Aging Services. Please see the May 15 Memo for background information and the amendment.

If you wish to hear and/or make comment at the public hearing, you may do so at the main location or one of ten remote videoconference sites around the Commonwealth. To obtain the address of the remote sites, call Cecily Slasor at (804) 662-9312. Advance registration to make comment is not required.

The central location of the public hearing will be at:
Virginia Department for the Aging
1610 Forest Avenue, Suite 100
Richmond, VA 23229

Opinion: African American Pastor’s Response to President Obama on Same Sex Marriage

Charles Penifore — Sat, 19 May 2012 16:50:00 +0000

I must admit that I was reluctant to publicly share my perspective on President Obama’s recent statement regarding same sex marriage because too often his presidency has caused separation within the ranks of African American leadership. And yet, what does an African American pastor do when his Africa American president makes a decision that eventually will destroy the foundation of not only the African American community, but the nation as a whole? Does that pastor take a risk that he will be misunderstood and labeled as an “Uncle Tom,” a Republican Party pawn, or someone “the white man has bought out?” If I do not take the risk, knowing that mentality in itself is as discriminatory as it gets, I become a co-conspirator in keeping us in bondage to our culture; suggesting that none of us is free to think or speak outside of what we are told.I am neither a Republican, an “Uncle Tom” or bought out by anyone. I am simply accepting my responsibility as a citizen and a prophetic voice crying out in the wilderness of this generation. I decided that the risk is worth it. It is my responsibility as a pastor to speak to issues both popular and unpopular which affect the moral fiber of our society. I cannot be silent whether it comes from a Bush led, or an Obama led White House. My response must be the same. Tis true, the moral fiber of every generation is always challenged. However, challenges to our moral core must not be ignored. They must be met with bold correction or their seeds will suffocate us into chaos and extinction. If we begin to grow up a society that condones sexual behavior that cannot reproduce life, what other result can we expect? Our President is proof that politicians cannot set our moral agenda. Too often they are co-opted by the polls of an ever changing culture or influenced by the latest voting bloc that could get them over the edge in an election.

Decisions that affect our moral fiber should not ever be made based upon voting blocs. While we are indeed a democracy, we are like a family that’s supposed to have trained, skilled leadership, which makes decisions based upon what the outcomes of those decisions will be in our future. Ideally, families have parents that are given to lead them to a morally, ethically, fiscally healthy or responsible end. Every choice and intention should be based upon some foundational principles or truths for those expected results to come to manifestation. An attempt to satisfy “one” child at the expense of the rest, for the purpose of popularity, is parental immaturity and has destructive implications attached. It speaks strongly to that parent’s capability or incapability to lead.

While many of us have persons in our families whom we love dearly, that practice homosexuality, it is irresponsible for us to sanction it as a “norm” for family life. To make it a norm will eventually change the thinking of every new generation to fight the principles of the bible, the core beliefs that keep us from being totally unrestrained as a people. Standards of living are important. They give us balance. President Obama set a dangerous precedent from the highest office in the land with no spiritual counsel or future insight to the full ramification of his statement. Or did he? If he did, then we must deduce several things: 1) He has little to no regard for the church and many of its leaders; 2) He denies the foundational truth or at best misinterprets scriptures on what the Word of God says how a family is structured; 3) He seeks to weaken the voice of the once only, free voice in our society (The African American pastor). Down the road, not to marry same sex couples will eventual spell the end of funding that so many depend upon to do ministry and eventually may end in jail time for violation of rights or discrimination accusations. At the very least we will be spending unnecessary and needed monies in court to fight for principles we preach.

I am saddened as I write this, knowing many of our African American leaders will not take a bold stance, because we are still clouded in political and cultural power struggles, unable to see the future of our communities losing its one SURE foundation. The one place that has always been free to fight for everything the African American people have had was the church. If the church does not speak now, that voice will lose what is left of its waning authority.

No, I will not be silent and I challenge other leaders as well to let their voices be raised without thinking this attack is a personal, political party, homophobic or color issue. By NO means is it. This is a moral issue, period. We must sound the alarm, “Mr. President, rescind your remarks, revisit your views and hear the voice of the Lord. We need you to stand for what is right, not what appears to be popular.”

Heritage Student Awarded $50,000 from Intel for Science Project on Quantum Teleportation

Charles Penifore — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:48:50 +0000

Ari Dyckovsky, a senior at Heritage High School and the Loudoun Academy of Science, received the Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award on Friday, May 18th, at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh.
Dyckovsky was one of two students nationwide to receive this award, which carries with it a $50,000 prize. This is the second-highest award presented at the International Science Fair behind the $75,000 Gordon E. Moore Award.
The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair is the world’s largest high school science research competition.
Dyckovsky was one of 17 Best in Category winners at the fair. He won in the area of Physics and Astronomy.
Dyckovsky’s project investigated the science of quantum teleportation. He found that once atoms are linked through a process called “entanglement,” information from one atom will just appear in another atom when the quantum state of the first atom is destroyed. Using this method, organizations requiring high levels of data security, such as the National Security Administration, could send an encrypted message without running the risk of interception because the information would not travel to its new location; it would simply appear there.
The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair includes some of the most promising rising student entrepreneurs, innovators and scientists from around the world. Finalists are selected annually from hundreds of affiliated fairs. Their projects are then evaluated onsite by more than 1,200 judges from nearly every scientific discipline, each with a doctorate or the equivalent of six years of related professional experience in one of the scientific disciplines.

2012 All-Dulles District Girls’ Lacrosse Team Announced

Charles Penifore — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:14:57 +0000

Woodgrove’s Ellen Fuller and Bob Fuller were named the Dulles District Girls’ Lacrosse Player of the Year and Coach of the Year, respectively, through a vote of the district’s coaches.

The All-Dulles District Girls’ Lacrosse Team includes:

First Team

Defenders

Lisa Hemphill, senior, Woodgrove High School*

Caitlin Gore, senior, Loudoun Valley High School

Payton Boyer, senior, Loudoun Valley High School

Taylor Turchan, senior, Dominion High School

Haley Knudsen, junior, Loudoun County High School

Midfield

Ellen Fuller, senior, Woodgrove High School*

Haley Knudsen, junior, Loudoun County High School

Rachel Swan, senior, Loudoun Valley High School

Shurden Garrett, senior, Briar Woods High School

Attack

Ashley Jackson, senior, Briar Woods High School

Rachel Solis, senior, Loudoun County High School

Ashlyn DiLoreto, sophomore, Loudoun Valley High School

Ashlyn Dacey, senior, Woodgrove High School

Goalie

Bailey Carver, junior, Woodgrove High School

Second Team

Defenders

Shannon Roivas, junior, Briar Woods High School

Gianna Kerestesy, senior, Heritage High School

Alex Lord, sophomore, Loudoun County High School

Emilee Kucheruk, senior, Dominion High School

Anna Munford, sophomore, Loudoun Valley High School

Molly Ryan, sophomore, Park View High School

Midfield

Laura Nibbelink, senior, Heritage High School

Abby Oster, freshman, Tuscarora High School

Allison Balik, senior, Park View High School

Keira Hornyak, junior, Woodgrove High School

Morgan Miller, junior, Woodgrove High School

Attack

Alexa Miller, senior, Potomac Falls High School

Emma Ward, senior, Heritage High School

Courtney Halterman, senior, Loudoun Valley High School

Megan Williamson, junior, Loudoun Valley High School

Olivia Becker, junior, Woodgrove High School

Goalie

Emma Juneau, sophomore, Briar Woods High School

05/15/12/wbb

Loudoun County Sheriff’s Report – May 18, 2012

Charles Penifore — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:09:41 +0000

Eastern Loudoun Station
(Sectors 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290)

05/16/12
05/17/12
2100 hrs.
0715 hrs.
47600 block
Sandbank Sq.
Sterling
Larceny: Unknown subject(s) entered a vehicle and removed a piece of jewelry.
C2012-007857

05/05/12
1122 hrs.
Sugarland Rd./Woodmint Ter.
Sterling
Auto Theft: On May 15th a resident reported a trailer parked in the area was missing. The trailer was last seen on May 5th.
C2012-007705

University Station
(Sectors 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 900)

No Significant Incidents to Report.

Dulles South Station
(Sectors 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 800)

05/17/12
1315 hrs.
42600 block
Callalily Way
Ashburn
Exposure: A 24-year-old female reported seeing an unknown male expose himself from the second floor of a home under construction.
C2012-007883

Western Loudoun Station
(Sectors 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 700)

05/12/12
05/17/12
0001 hrs.
0900 hrs.
37200 block
Mountville Rd.
Middleburg
Destruction of Property: Four tires were damaged on a horse trailer.
C2012-007892

If you are facing charges of DUI or DWI seek the assistance of an attorney. A DUI can have lasting implications for your future. Speak to a lawyer that specializes in DUI law in Loudoun .

Road Widening Project Activities North

Traffic Reporter — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:13:40 +0000

On VA-28N at Innovation Avenue in the County of Loudoun, motorists can expect potential delays in this area from 05/17/12 at 9:00 PM until 05/18/12 at 5:00 AM due to construction activities. The north left lane, left center lane, and right center lane are closed.

Other Maintenance I-66E East mile marker 49.0 to 64.0

Traffic Reporter — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:13:31 +0000

On I-66 in the County of Fairfax from mile marker 49 to mile marker 64, motorists can expect potential delays in this area from 05/17/12 at 9:00 PM until 05/18/12 at 5:00 AM due to maintenance activities. The east left shoulder is a mobile closure.