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PAGE 8 | MAY 14 - 20, 2020

LOCAL FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Falls Church NEWS BRIEFS

F.C. Pitches for 2 Transportation Grants Tonight

Two projects in Falls Church that the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) could award grants for tonight are the subject of a push for public support in F.C., including a strong letter of support voted unanimously by the F.C. School Board at its meeting Tuesday insofar as the projects impact student safety. Both projects, the West Falls Church Connection to W&OD Trail and the Downtown Falls Church Multimodal Improvements, also support economic growth, expand the City’s transportation network, and reduce congestion, according to F.C. City officials. In addition to letters and phone calls, citizens can sign up to provide in-person testimony at tonight’s virtual meeting of the NVTA beginning at 6:55 p.m. tonight.

Arrest Made in W&OD Trail Harassment Case

Falls Church police this week arrested the man allegedly responsible for a string of incidents over the past few weeks. He allegedly either followed or chased after women on both the W&OD Trail and through residential neighborhoods. Lamar Dontae McCarthy, a 23- year-old from Stafford, was charged with assault for his latest instance on Saturday, authorities said. Police said a woman called them from the Grove Avenue crossing of the W&OD Trail that day to report that McCarthy had chased after her. According to the police, the woman stated that she saw a man in a red hooded sweatshirt suddenly stop his vehicle and begin sprinting at her. The woman changed direction several times to try and elude the man, police said, but McCarthy continued to chase her. Police said that she eventually ran to her home and called the authorities, where she gave a description of McCarthy and his vehicle. Officers said they located and pulled over McCarthy in the car described. He confirmed the incident on the trail and was arrested, per the police. The police said they confirmed that McCarthy was also involved in two previous cases in the City of Falls Church, such as the May 4 incident previously reported in the News-Press where the suspect was described as wearing a red hoodie. “I admire the bravery of this woman who did everything right,” Falls Church Chief of Police Mary Gavin said via a news release. “She was aware of her surroundings, she acted quickly to evade a dangerous assault, and she found a safe place to call the police immediately. I am also proud of the quick-acting officers who found the suspect in his vehicle and made the arrest.”

F.C. School Board Copes With Shrunken Budget

The Falls Church School Board took a final look at revisions to a once-promising budget that now has been hit by the Coved-19 global pandemic. In total, FY2021 revenues are projected to be $2.4 million lower than the Board’s original advertised budget. The City Council is scheduled to adopt its budget on May 26th, with the school board finalizing its plan in a special meeting on May 28th.

Del. Simon Wins 2 Major Appointments

The Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates Eileen Filler-Corn has appointed Falls Church Delegate Marcus Simon to the Virginia Code Commission and Virginia Housing Commission effective this week, it was announced. Simon will serve as one of two House members on the Code Commission and one of five on the Housing Commission for the remainder of his current term in the House. “I’m grateful to the speaker for her confidence in me, and look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the important legislative and policy work these commissions do throughout the year,” said Simon in a statement. “Our 60 and 45 day legislative sessions are far too short to take deep dives on important issues. Legislative commissions exist to allow us to take on some of the stickier, and wonkier, issues that don’t always make for splashy headlines. The legislative session we just finished was historic by any measure, and there is even more to come. I’m excited to be a part of the conversation.” Comprising 11 members, the Virginia Housing Commission is tasked with addressing the issue of affordable housing in Virginia.

GMHS Student Video Hails Pandemic Heroes

“The Polka Caprice” by Jaroslay Cimera is performed on a “Music of the Heart” YouTube video channel by George Mason High School students Alec Autor on trombone and Jenny Kong on piano in dedication to the Coved-19 pandemic’s essential workers. The YouTube channel was created by the Mason student musicians dedicating their performances to heroes of the pandemic in Falls Church.