Sheriff’s Office Makes Six Drug-Related Arrests

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Vice/Narcotics Unit announced Tuesday six drug-related arrests-three of which occurred inside the town of Leesburg-and more than $7,000 confiscated in drug money, according to a report by Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kraig Troxell.

Jabari Rashid Oliver, 20, of Leesburg, faces charges of possession with intent to distribute 33 grams of crack cocaine, after investigators executed a search warrant Feb. 3.

Investigators conducted a felony traffic stop on Steven Jackson, 35, of Leesburg, who was charged with possession with intent to distribute 6 grams of crack cocaine. A passenger in the car, Moses Johnson, 22, of Leesburg, was also charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute 12.5 grams of crack cocaine.

In Sterling, investigators arrested three residents on Tuesday, Feb. 13, after a search of a home in the 900 block of Redwood Court. Jovaughn Johnson, 24, and Shante Simms, 20, face charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of PCP. Jessica Woodson, 19, was also charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of cocaine. Police confiscated a total of $5,423 in cash, three-quarters of a pound of marijuana and 72 grams of cocaine.

Oliver and Johnson are being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. All the other suspects were released on bond.

Deputies Seek Leads In Landscaping Lights Larceny

According to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, 96 landscaping lights valued at nearly $10,000 were removed from along Farmwell Road sometime during the past two weeks.

The lights were installed by the Ashburn Village Community Association to illuminate the trees and a few signs for aesthetic purposes.

Anyone who has information about who may have taken the lights is asked to contact Deputy Specialist Craig Schleiden of the Sheriff’s Office Community Policing Section at 703-729-0581 x123.

If the caller wishes to remain anonymous they are asked to call Loudoun County Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919.

Contribution Restriction Would Include Special Interests

The new law the Loudoun Board of Supervisors have asked the state legislature to enact would go farther than banning campaign contributions from people or groups with land use applications before the board. It would also limit contributions from special interest groups that are taking a position on those development proposals.

If enacted as requested, the law would restrict those donations from the time those applications are submitted until six months after the board makes its decision.

Supervisor Bruce E. Tulloch (R-Potomac) asked for the special interest provision as the measure was being debated Tuesday, saying otherwise he would not agree to request the law placing limits only on developer contributions. County Chairman Scott K. York (I-At Large), who proposed the restrictions on developers, agreed to that change.

Campaign contributions during the 2003 election cycle compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project break down contributions by industry, including the Real Estate/Construction industry and environmental groups, which are a part of the Single-Issue category. The Single-Issue category also includes individuals known to be members of pro-growth groups, such as Citizens for Property Rights.

In total, board members received $224,615 from people or groups involved in real estate and construction and $89,121 from Single-Issue groups or individuals. Of that latter total, $65,757 came from those involved in environmentalism.

While public rhetoric has focused on the nearly $160,000 in campaign contributions the Republican majority has received from the Real Estate/Construction industry, York also collected $64,409 from that industry. While that’s more than any other member of the current board, York’s opponents in that race-Bob Gordon (R) and Al Van Huyck (D)-raised $167,124 and $19,956, respectively, from that industry.

In addition, York received $52,228 in contributions from environmental groups or individuals as well as $7,000 from an individual listed in the Single-Issue category.

Tulloch, the board’s vice chairman, collected $37,932 from people in real estate and construction and $250 from an environmentalist as well as $750 from a single-issue individual.

Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) took in $37,975 from real estate and construction contributors, nothing from environmentalists and $4,000 from single-issue donors.

Dulles District Supervisor Stephen J. Snow’s (R) contributions included $35,979 from those in real estate and construction, nothing from environmentalists and $250 from a single-issue individual.

Contributions to Supervisor Lori Waters (R-Broad Run) included $15,424 from the Real Estate/Construction industry, $2,235 from single-issue donors and nothing from environmentalists.

Sugarland Run District Supervisor Mick Staton (R) pulled in $21,350 from real estate and construction contributors, but nothing from environmentalists or single-issue donors.

Supervisor Jim Clem (R-Leesburg) collected $10,646 from those in real estate and construction and nothing from environmentalists or single-issue donors.

Supervisor Jim Burton (I-Blue Ridge) won $7,291 in donations from environmental groups and individuals and $450 from the Real Estate Construction category.

Environmentalists gave Catoctin District Supervisor Sally R. Kurtz (D) $5,988, while she received $450 from those in real estate and construction.

The group Voters to Stop Sprawl dominated the environmental category, giving $57,151, or nearly 87 percent of those donations, all of which went to York, Burton and Kurtz.

The board voted 5-4 to make the campaign restrictions with Staton, Snow, Delgaudio and Clem voting in opposition.

State lawmakers would not be able to take up the issue until next year, but at one, Del. Robert Marshall (R-13) said he would be willing to carry the bill.

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Report For Feb. 20:

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office reported the following incidents through Feb. 20:

• A basement door was found open at a residence in the 21800 block of Ryan Park Terrace in Ashburn at about 8:30 p.m. Jan. 12. The homeowner believed someone had gained entry, but no forced entry was found and no items appeared to be missing from the home.

• Tires of six different vehicles were slashed in the 110 block of Norwood Place in Sterling between midnight and 7 a.m. Feb. 13. Total damage is estimated at $2,000.

• The front and rear windshield was damaged on a vehicle in the 21820 block of Penny Oak Terrace in Sterling between 11 p.m. Feb. 13 and 4 a.m. Feb. 14. Damage is estimated at $1,000.

• A car CD stereo was removed from a vehicle in the 230 block of Coventry Square in Sterling between 11 p.m. Feb. 13 and 11 a.m. Feb. 14. A passenger front window was damaged to gain entry.

• A deputy on patrol observed two people walking in the area of Claiborne Parkway and Ellzey Drive in Ashburn at 2:37 a.m. Feb. 16. When the deputy approached the people, they fled into a wooded area. The deputy found a bag containing a camera and other items. The property was recovered and placed into evidence.

• A Sterling woman told authorities she was driving when a dark colored vehicle pulled up behind her at a red light in front of River Bend Middle School on Algonkian Parkway in Sterling at 6 a.m. Feb. 17. Three people exited the vehicle wearing all black and brandishing knifes. After demanding she open the window, they punctured the tires of her vehicle and left the scene. They returned to their car and drove away. The woman drove home and contacted authorities about two hours later. The total damage was estimated at $50.

• A 23-year-old woman observed an unknown man exposing himself outside of her sliding glass door in the 1030 block of Margate Court in Sterling at 8:34 p.m. Feb. 17. He left the scene when the woman called authorities.

• Several tires were slashed on five vehicles parked along the curb of the roadway between Southall Court and Bentwood Road in Sterling between 10:30 p.m. Feb. 16 and 8 a.m. Feb. 17. Total damage is estimated at $1,010.

• A gold 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe, valued at $15,000, was removed from a residence in the 100 block of Willow Place in Sterling between 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 and 6:30 a.m. Feb. 19.

Teens Face Possible Hate-Crime Charges

Two teens are facing charges in an assault and possible hate crime that occurred outside of a Sterling pharmacy the night of Jan. 12. At about 7:25 p.m., sheriff’s deputies responded to the 420 block of Enterprise Street where three teenage boys reportedly assaulted a 46-year-old man. The three teens allegedly approached the man outside of a CVS store and called him a racial slur. The teens then stood around the man and pinned him against a wall. One of the teens assaulted the man and again called him a racial slur. The boys left the scene and were located a short time later near the Bottom Dollar grocery store in Sterling. Two of the teens were apprehended, but the third boy escaped. Juvenile petitions are pending for a 17-year-old Sterling boy for assault by mob, abduction, hate crime, possession of a narcotic paraphernalia and possession of alcohol. The second teen, a 16-year-old also from Sterling, has petitions pending for assault by mob, possession of alcohol and abduction.

Anyone who has information on the identity of the third suspect or knows of his whereabouts is asked to contact the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office at 703-777-1021. If callers wish to remain anonymous, they are asked to contact Loudoun Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919.

Equine Outbreak Quarantines Tech, Northern Va. Farm

Virginia Tech’s equine medical center and one farm in northern Virginia are under a state-ordered quarantine because of a suspected infection of the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus, officials said Wednesday.
(source)

Ooops!

Slight Uptick in Virginia Mortgage Demand, Home Sales

It hasn’t been a popular time for individuals to apply for a Virginia mortgage in recent months. Due to high prices, inventory has barely budged in the state. Last month, though, home sales rebounded slightly. According to the Virginia Association of Realtors, these figures fell 19 percent in October, compared to the previous year – but were at least better than September, when closings were down 27 percent. For the year, state home sales are down 18 percent. Hope may be on the way for sellers and lower-income families, however, as affordable housing in Virginia is being planned in numerous ways at the moment.
(MTG Foundation)

Verizon plans hiring expansion in Northern Virginia

Verizon is hiring 110 workers in Northern Virginia as demand for its FiOS services continues to increase. The company, which last week won FiOS television franchises in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in suburban Maryland, is looking for technicians who deploy and install fiber-optic-based Internet and TV services in Northern Virginia.

Definitely a strategic, good, move for Verizon. Meanwhile, Adelphia is migrating assets to Comcast.

Introducing the Northern Virginia (NoVA) Blog!

I’d like to start this blog to allow all residents to meet up and discuss topics in an open environment on the Internet. If you want to suggest something, feel welcome to drop a comment and let me know. Help us grow and we’ll help you get your opinions out there!