Winterport Townhouse Fire Injures Firefighters, Caused by Improperly Discarded Fireplace Ashes

A Thursday morning fire in Winterport cluster in South Reston injured a firefighter and caused $180,000 in damages.

A fire in a Reston-area townhouse caused $180,000 damage after someone improperly discarded fireplace ashes Thursday.
And, a firefighter was hurt when ceiling drywall fell on him as he battled the blaze in the 1900 block of Winterport Cluster. His injuries are not life-threatening.

The two people who lived in the home managed to get out safely and are being assisted by the Red Cross.

When firefighters got on the scene, they found the rear of the two-story townhouse and deck on fire. The fire quickly spread to the attic and roof, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue says.

The fire was extinguished within 30 minutes.

Herndon-Monroe Metro Station: A Toll Road Runs Through It

With all the excitement about the proposed sunless canyon Wiehle Metro development, we keep forgetting that Metro's Silver Line will eventually extend to the site of the current Herndon-Monroe park-and-ride, currently home to a crumbly garage, some bird-intensive wetlands, and Targetville's sister city.

Fortunately, the Reston Master Plan Task Force With a Ridiculously Long Name (RMPTFWARLN) hadn't forgotten, and during its meeting last weekend, brought Herndon and Reston residents together to discuss the area's future. Just check out this West Side Story-like introduction to a fancy "news paper" article about the meeting:

Ian McDonald of Herndon wondered whether more pedestrian and bicycle routes over the Dulles Toll Road were planned for the area where the Herndon-Monroe Metro station will one day be situated. Regarding the existing Monroe Street bridge, he said, "The pedestrian facilities on there are not great."

Meanwhile, Anthony Balducci of the Polo Fields neighborhood in Reston worried that in the future, drivers would park in his community and walk to the Metro station, as some already did in order to access the existing park-and-ride facility.

Both men live less than a half-mile from the planned Herndon-Monroe Metro station, but the community workshop at Langston Hughes Middle School Saturday morning, Feb. 27 represented a rare occasion when they might meet in a public forum, as residents and leaders of Reston and Herndon came together to discuss the future of the area around the Metro station they expect to share by 2016.

KNIFE FIGHT! KNIFE FIGHT! No, wait. That's not what happened:

County planner Heidi Merkel told the nearly 200 people in attendance that the areas of prime concern to the county, in accordance with Fairfax’s transit-oriented development (TOD) policies, were those within a half-mile of the stations, but she noted that some low-density, single-family-home neighborhoods crossed into those circles. "We are not proposing or planning any changes for those areas," she said.

Most of the areas around stations, though, will see increases in density, as planners attempt to mitigate future traffic congestion caused by the rapid population and job growth the area is expecting.

THE HERNDON-MONROE STATION will sit in the median of the Dulles Toll Road, near the current park-and-ride facility, with Fairfax County to the south and the town of Herndon to the north. For the county’s part, Merkel said, this station is the most problematic for transit-oriented development. According to policy, the greatest density is to be situated closest to the station, but to the immediate south of the planned Metro stop is a 1,700-space parking structure that is to double in size. And the low-density Polo Fields neighborhood is within throwing distance of the parking garage and will have to be buffered from any new development. Meanwhile, the nearby property of the Reston Arboretum office development contains a natural wetland. "Staff does not anticipate any proposals to change the wetland area," Merkel said to applause.

To the north, however, the land in Herndon closest to the station is already planned for urban development, said town planner Kay Robertson. The town has not yet established transit-oriented development goals but is seeking a consultant to develop a policy, she said.

So wetlands and single-family homes will remain on one side of the Toll Road, with giant high-rise complexes that will serve as shining monuments to tolerance on the other. Or maybe not:

Herndon Town Council member Charlie Waddell said the first reaction he usually heard from residents was that they didn’t want the area overdeveloped. But he said the council had also received suggestions that nightspots and hotels be built there, and he noted that a trolley system to serve the area and possibly even connect it to Reston Town Center could be desirable.

A booze boat-like trolley linking H-M with Reston Town Center so tipsy consultants can safely hit both Pizzeria Unos and some new Macaroni Grill-caliber good-time eatery at Herndon Monroe during the very same happy hour? Well, why didn't they say so in the first place?

This Week in Crime: Purse Snatching Near Southgate, and a Toothless Bit of White-Collar Crime

It's been a slow week or so in Reston crime, with the only incident report approaching even vague menace being this purse snatching near Southgate in South Reston:

Two men robbed a 44-year-old woman of her purse in the 2200 block of Stone Wheel Drive on Tuesday, February 16 around 10:40 p.m. The suspects were described as black, about 25 years old. They were between 5 feet 7 and 5 feet 8 inches tall and 190 pounds, with short, black hair and brown eyes. One suspect wore a black jacket and black pants; the other wore a khaki jacket with black pants. The victim did not require medical attention.

Also, a "bag of toothbrushes" was stolen from a business in the 11100 block of Sunrise Valley Drive. Wouldn't that be a dentist's office? And don't they give those away for free, generally speaking?

More questions than answers this first Monday in March.

Next Round of Reston Master Plan Meetings Begin Tonight

The Reston Master Plan Task Force with a ridiculously long name we won't try to spell out (RMPTFWRLNWWTTSO) now turns its attention to the area south of the future Herndon-Monroe metro station, currently home to a crumbling parking garage and Targetville's sister city. The study area also includes "the areas around the future Wiehle Avenue" -- what, are we in a time warp or something? -- as well as Reston Parkway and the Fake Downtown.

"It is envisioned that future development in this area should take advantage of its proximity to Metro while preserving nearby neighborhoods" is how the RMPTFW task force is characterizing its work.

An informational meeting will be held tonight at 7pm at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, where "county and possibly other speakers will provide background on planning, policies, and practices as they apply to this area." Sounds like a party! Then on Saturday, a community forum will be held at 9am at Langston Hughes Middle School.

Photo Pfun: That's Why They Call Hole 14 at Reston National Golf Course the -- Wait for It! -- the DRIVING RANGE

Secret Restonian operative "Mary Anne" sent us these exciting photos from hole 14 at Reston National Golf Course, which was the source of a bit of fun over the weekend... and not the usual, bourgeois, skip-out-of-work-a-bit-early, plaid-pants-wearing kind of fun, either. Behold!

Yes, that's a car on the golf course. A 4x4, even. Also, South Reston appears to have been the victim of some sort of sinister terrorist biochemical attack that left everything vaguely lavender in its wake. Oh, the humanity!

Somehow, the unknown driver managed to get the 4x4 stuck. On the golf course. How is that even possible?

A CLUE! Also, as Restonian operative "Mary Anne" notes, "nice guitar case."

We'll leave this scene of sad with one final, tragic footnote -- this crumpled can of Red Bull, left by the side of the car, a vertiable metaphor for shattered dreams and unfulfilled ambitions as the driver staggered away in search of -- what? a ball hit into the rough? Another 24 from the Soapstone 7-11? His caddy? We may never know.

Breaking: Partial Roof Collapse at Reston Apartment Complex

A "partial" roof collapse sounds a bit like being "a little bit pregnant," but that's what happened this morning at an apartment complex off South Lakes Drive in South Reston. Fortunately, it was just the crappy breezeway between several units that collapsed, so it could have been a lot worse:

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue units are on the scene of a partial roof collapse in a Reston apartment building this Tuesday morning.

Officials say they received the report of a possible cave-in at an apartment complex in the 2200 block of Lovedale Lane around 4:09 a.m. Dan Schmidt, spokesperson for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue says units arriving on scene found a partial roof collapse of a breezeway that connects apartment buildings, which also brought down a heating unit.

Schmidt says no one in the 3-story garden-style apartment building is in immediate danger. Nine apartments have been evacuated, however, due to lack of heat. Only one resident needed assistance from the Red Cross.

Update: Some exciting video from one of the local TV stations, if you consider dark and grainy shots of a roof that you can't tell has collapsed "exciting."

This Week in Crime: Finger-Pointing in Fox Mill Shooting, Plus Burglaries and Middle School Gangs

The Fox Mill man shot by Fairfax County police last week in his home was mentally ill and holding a plastic replica of a pistol, according to family members.

The Herndon man who was shot by a Fairfax County police officer last week was known by police to be severely mentally ill, and he was wielding a plastic replica of a pistol when he was shot at close range in the chest and stomach, police and family members said.

Ian C. Smith, 25, remains in critical condition at Inova Fairfax Hospital, where he has undergone four operations to repair the damage from two .45-caliber bullets. He was shot Friday morning in the basement of the home he shares with his parents and younger sister on Fallon Drive after a three-hour standoff with Fairfax tactical officers overseen by a police major with extensive experience dealing with the mentally ill.

But Smith's family said the officers reacted rashly by even entering the basement.

"The cop had no reason to do what he did," said Brenda Smith, Ian Smith's mother. "He isn't a murderer out on the street. He was a kid down in his basement having a psychotic attack."

Police said Smith emerged from behind a bathroom door, lunged at two officers and began pulling the trigger of his plastic BB gun. The officer did not know it wasn't a real gun, police said. "It's tragic. My heart goes out to them," said Maj. Shawn Barrett, head of the Fairfax criminal investigations bureau, who did not oversee the situation that day but is the lead investigator.

Barrett said Smith "pulled that weapon out and pointed it point blank at the officers and was pulling the trigger. At that point, the officer just responds when it's him or the other person. The [tactical] officer reverts to his training. They did everything they could."

Meanwhile, a 14-year-old at Langston Hughes Middle School has been charged with assault and gang participation:

Police charged a 14-year-old boy with assaulting a 15- year-old boy at Hughes Middle School, 11401 Ridge Heights Road, around 9:50 a.m. on Tuesday, January 26. The victim did not require medical attention. Petitions were obtained for assault and gang participation.

And after a long respite from last year's string of burglaries, a home on Moss Point Lane in North Reston was burglarized, police said.

A home in the 11900 block of Moss Point Lane was burglarized some time between noon on Friday, January 22 and 6:25 p.m. on Monday, January 25. Jewelry and watches were stolen.

Police Shoot Fox Mill Man During Domestic Dispute

Fairfax County Police shot a Fox Mill man following a standoff that culminated a domestic dispute call:

A man was shot during a stand-off with police in the early morning hours of Friday, February 5. Police were initially called to a home in the 2500 block of Fallon Drive around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 4 for a domestic situation. Officers determined a man inside the residence was threatening to harm family members. Those family members were able to exit the home, leaving the man alone inside.

Tactical officers and negotiators were called to the scene and attempted to make contact with the man for several hours. An emergency custody order was issued by a magistrate; around 3 a.m. the tactical officers made entry and located the suspect inside. He failed to comply with their demands and brandished a handgun at the officers. The suspect was subsequently shot in the upper body. Medical personnel onscene rendered immediate aid to the suspect. He was then medevaced to Inova Fairfax Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Detectives responded to the scene and the investigation is ongoing.

Some Politics are Local: A Full Slate of RA Board Candidates (We Think)

In a Restonian World Exclusive (tm), an operative has shared an unofficial list of candidates for the upcoming RA Board elections. (The slate will be officially unveiled later this week, so we'll know soon enough if this list is actually correct.)

At-Large Candidates:

1. Rod Koozmin
11571 Embers Court, Reston, VA. 20191

2. Joe Leighton
2033 Approach Lane, Reston, VA 20191

3. David Robinson
1622 Bennington Hollow Lane, Reston, VA 20194

4. Patrick Shipp
11408 Running Cedar Road, Reston, VA. 20191

Lake Anne/Tall Oaks District Candidates:

1. Kevin Danaher
1795 Ivy Oaks Square, Reston, VA. 20190

2. Ken Knueven
11432 Waterview Cluster, Virginia, VA 20190

3. Guy L. Rando
1512 Inlet Court, Reston, VA 20190

North Point District Candidates:

1. Michael E. Collins
11408 Gate Hill Place, Unit Q, Reston, VA 20194

2. Peter Greenberg
1451 Waterfront Road, Reston, VA. 20194

3. Rengin Morro
1652 Sierra Woods Drive, Reston, VA 20194

Considering the full plate the RA has ahead of it, we're pleased to see so many people interested in serving on the board.

This Week in Crime: More Peeps Than an Easter Candy Factory

Usually we have to wait until warmer weather for the perverts to come out! First, we have the usual tomfoolery in one of the pedestrian tunnels on South Lakes Drive:

On Wednesday, January 27 around 12:55 a.m., a 39-year-old woman was walking in the 11100 block of South Lakes Drive when a man confronted her as she exited a pedestrian tunnel. The suspect exposed himself and then grabbed her before fleeing on foot. The victim was not injured.

The suspect was described as white, in his 20s, with brown eyes, around 6 feet tall, 200 pounds and wore dark clothing.

Don't feel like taking an ill-advised midnight stroll? The former Freetown Court peepers will bring the action to you!

Police are investigating a peeping that occurred in the 2000 block of Royal Fern Court on Saturday, January 23. A 49-year-old man inside the home observed a man peering through the blinds around 1:50 a.m.; the suspect fled when he saw the man.

And that's not all! We've heard from a Restonian operative that the perversion isn't just limited to south of the Toll Road.

When I read on your blog that a peeper had been caught at Freetown Court I assumed it was the same one harassing St. John's Wood apartment complex and I could relax. BUT today I had a note on my door from management that there have been two "possible peeping incidents" along with some safety tips. Just thought I'd pass it on....apparently the perverts like St. John's as much as Freetown court.

Amazingly, the criminal element somehow still managed to find the time to do some non-perverted wrongdoing:

ATTEMPTED BURGLARY OF AN OCCUPIED DWELLING: A man attempted to break into a home in the 2200 block of Castle Rock Square around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19. The suspect did not gain entry and fled on foot toward Soapstone Drive. He was described as Hispanic, in his 20s, about 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, with long, black hair. He wore a black T- shirt and blue jeans.

UNLAWFUL ENTRY/DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY: Police responded to a home in the 12000 block of Trumball Way on Saturday, January 23 and charged a man with unlawful entry and destruction of property. Around 6:12 a.m., a 41-year-old woman discovered the man sleeping on her couch. An investigation determined Jason Jeffries-Glasgow, 33, of 12915 Alton Square #405 in Herndon, entered the home through a window.

Also, someone stole some "game cards" from a Fireside Place home. There are no words.

Flashback Monday: South Lakes Village Center

Set the wayback machine for 1982, when this artist's rendering of the fancy South Lakes Shopping Center, scheduled to open the following year, delighted Restonians.

The Village Center (Reston's second largest with over 108,000 square feet) will have an earth-tone brick and rustic wood exterior that captures and augments the lakefront setting. "It is designed to fit into the Reston image," declares Herbert S. Miller, president of Western. "Every aspect of its appearance is a perfect complement to what already exists at the other villages and at the other existing structures in Reston."

They spent a lot of time talking about a fancy "specialty shop concept," but the initial tenants were pretty much what you'd expect: Safeway, Peoples Drug, Hair Cuttery, Hallmark Cards, and something called "Fantastic Family Restaurant." And lest we forget!

An unusual and attractive feature of the Center is the boardwalk and dock that permits residents to "park" their boats while shopping.

Not to mention other, less legal activities.

This Week in Crime: Fox Mill Man Charged in Graffiti Incident at SLHS, Other County Schools

An 18-year-old Fox Mill man and a handful of juveniles have been charged with destruction of property following incidents involving graffiti at South Lakes High School and two other county schools last year.

On Thursday, January 14, police placed charges on one adult and several juveniles for destruction of property involving three Fairfax County public schools. On October 10, 2009, the graffiti was spray painted on property at Westfield High School, located at 4700 Stonecroft Boulevard. On December 4, 2009, graffiti was spray painted at Westfield High School, South Lakes High School, located at 11400 South Lakes Drive, and Fox Mill Elementary School, located at 2601 Viking Drive. The damage for all three schools was totaled at least $10,000.

In late December, school officials and security staff at Westfield High School received information about these incidents that was passed onto the Westfield School Resource Officer. He was able to identify and charge suspects with the assistance of the SRO and security staff at Oakton High School.

Shane Keenan (pictured), 18, of 3052 Crosen Court, and a 16-year-old boy were both charged with two counts of felony destruction of property. A 17-year-old boy, two16-year-old boys and a 15-year-old boy were all charged with one count of felony destruction of property.

"Sample pictures of the graffiti is available upon request," the news release read. We're guessing it didn't look like a Banksy exhibit.

This Week in Crime: Low-Rent Peeping Tom Arrest Balanced Out By High-Class White Collar Conviction

What is it with Freetown Court? For the second time in less than a month, a Reston man was arrested for peeping after lurking about in the dark, as Reston criminals seem to be wont to do.

A man was arrested for peeping into a 21-year-old woman’s window on Sunday, January 17. The victim was inside her home in the 2100 block of Freetown Court around 1:30 a.m. when she noticed a man peering through her blinds. She picked up a phone to call police and the suspect fled. Officers located Jason Dixon, 27, of 2333 Freetown Court, nearby and after a brief investigation, arrested him. He was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and charged with peeping and drunk in public.

Lest we start worrying about the tawdry nature of many Reston crimes, here's some "good" news: a good 'ole white-collar conviction, much like you'd see in McLean or "Great" Falls!

Dallas S. Hale of Reston, Va., pleaded guilty today to willful failure to file a tax return, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Hale appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Theresa C. Buchanan in Alexandria, Va.

According to court documents and statements made at the change of plea hearing, Hale owns and operates Dalcorp Advisory Group, a consulting business that helps private businesses secure contracts with the government.  Although Hale received $328,440 in income during 2004 as a result of services he rendered through Dalcorp, he failed to timely file a federal income tax return for tax year 2004.  The tax loss associated with the charge to which Hale pleaded guilty is $42,770. 

Judge Buchanan scheduled Hale's sentencing for April 27, 2010.  Hale faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a maximum fine of $100,000.

This Week in Crime: Apple Store, Fox Mill Exxon and Hunters Woods Pedestrian All Robbed

"Grab-n-go" now has a different meaning at the Fox Mill Exxon, the Apple Store, and a tunnel near Hunters Woods Plaza, all sites of recent robberies, according to police.

The Apple store in Reston Town Center got hit for the third time since it opened last summer, though this time police got their man boys:

Police responded to a report of computers and electronics being stolen from the Apple store, located at 11949 Market Street on Jan. 7 at about noon. The suspects grabbed the merchandise and fled in a silver minivan. A passerby provided police the license plate number of that suspect vehicle and officers found it on the Dulles Toll Road. A felony vehicle stop was conducted and seven subjects were detained. Keith Robinson, 19, of Washington, D.C., was charged with grand larceny. In addition, juvenile petitions for grand larceny will be sought on a 16-year-old male, and five 17-year-old males.

Meanwhile, the Fox Mill Exxon was burglarized by someone cunning enough to know how to turn off the alarm system, which probably rules out this guy:

The Exxon gas station, located at 2601 Quincy Adams Drive, was burglarized between 11 p.m. on Jan. 11 and 5 a.m. on Jan. 12. An employee discovered the burglary. An investigation determined the alarm system was disabled. The cash register and safe were opened and an undisclosed amount of cash was taken. The suspect was not located.

Finally, the Reston paths are as tranquil as ever, especially around Hunters Woods Plaza:

A 30-year-old man was robbed on Jan. 8 while walking outside. At about 9:26 p.m. the man was approached from behind on a pathway just east of the Colt’s Neck Road tunnel. Three men assaulted the victim, knocking him to the ground. They took the victim’s cellular phone and money then fled on foot. The victim walked to the Hunters Woods Village Center and called police. He did not require medical attention. The suspects were described as black, 20 to 30 years old. They all wore black, hooded sweatshirts and black pants.

Don't they always, though. Don't they always.

Icecapades on Lake Audubon? Yet Another Reston Mystery to Crowdsource

Restonian operative "Ryan" sent us this eyewitness account of police and fire activity on Lake Audubon on Friday:

When I drove by this morning, there were about a half-dozen fire trucks and a few police cars parked in the parking lot at the Lake Audubon pool. Firefighters were out crawling on the ice about 30 feet from shore. I drove by again at 3 pm and they were still out there.

Training exercise? Looking for stolen bottles of Tequila? Seems weird even for Reston.

Anyone know what was going on? Sound off, in the comments.

Update: Mystery solved. Sadly, the reenactment of the most recent RA board meeting by tutu-wearing former Olympians will have to wait until the next cold snap.

This Week in Crime: Peeping Toms, Moorings Robbery and Hammer Time

The first week of the new decade in Reston crime pretty much picked up where the last one left off, with your usual arrests for peeping, theft and hitting people on the head with a hammer. Wait, what?

A 26-year-old man was struck with a hammer on Tuesday, December 29 while attending a party in the 2200 block of Cocquina Drive. Around 1:30 a.m., a woman at the party allegedly noticed money missing from her purse. Two men, who were acquaintances with the woman, walked outside and returned holding a hammer and a cutting tool. They demanded that everyone empty their pockets. The victim refused and one suspect struck him multiple times with the hammer; both suspects fled. The victim was transported to the Reston Hospital Center with non life- threatening injuries. Officers have obtained warrants for aggravated malicious wounding, abduction for pecuniary benefit, and robbery.

We'll skip the obvious "hammer time" reference and go with something a bit nerdier more obscure:


After that, we're almost embarrassed to report something as boring as a peeping tom incident, but here you go:

Police charged a man with peeping on Tuesday, December 29. A 13-year-old girl was inside an apartment in the 2300 block of Freetown Court. She passed by a window around 1:24 a.m. and noticed a man standing on the outside peering in. She told a 63-year-old woman who was in the apartment with her and the woman confronted the suspect, who turned and walked away. Officers located the suspect nearby and a brief investigation led to his arrest. Charles Forbes, 19, of 12069 Greywing Square #A4 in Reston, was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and charged with peeping.

And finally, someone was robbed in the parking area of Reston's most selfish cluster:

A woman was robbed in the 1500 block of Moorings Drive on Tuesday, January 5 as she exited her car. The 35-year-old victim parked her car around 12:30 a.m. and as she got out, someone struck her in the face and she fell to the ground. The suspect took her wallet and fled. The victim did not require medical treatment. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

Also, someone stole a 2007 Audi from Breton Court, and police are asking people countywide to be aware of an uptick in thefts of catalytic converters, these things that hang off your muffler and make your car belch slightly fewer pollutants into the sky. We'd check to see what Al Gore's been up to lately, but that's just us.

High-Low: The Reston Real Estate Game, 2010 Edition

With the white-hot 2010 Reston real estate market bouncing back like a feral cat on steroids, it's time to dust off our HUD paperwork, adjust our ARMs and get ready to play everyone's favorite game of wheeling and dealing, the High-Low Game!

Why hello, it's a fancy-pants "pent-house" in the Paramount building across from Reston Town Center! For a mere $1.1 million, you could live in the "creme de la creme," as the breathless marketing prose promises. (We're assuming this also says something about the skin tone of your would-be neighbors, but not in a way that violates fair housing laws.)

Anyhoo! We could go and on about the bamboo floors and quality countertops and whatnot, but let's just look at this front door:

Wow. That's quite a door. It says, "I have arrived. I am the creme de la creme. Tradesmen, please remove your shoes before entering to service my plasma TV."

On the other end of the price spectrum is this $150,000 home on White Cornus Lane, a perennial High-Low Game favorite. What does the Realtor (tm)(R) have to say about this gem?

SHORT SALE. SUBJECT TO THIRD PARTY APPROVAL. SHOW IT ANYTIME

When your Realtor (tm)(R) cares enough to type in ALL CAPS, a sale is right around the corner!


Let's say you don't want the hassle of townhouse living, what with having to speak with your neighbors and the draconian rules about party walls and whatnot. Just a cool $65k more will get you this single-family home on Coquina Drive. What does the Realtor (tm)(R) have to say about this diamond in the rough?

***SHORT SALE*** SUBJECT TO THIRD PARTY APPROVAL, shows well

Hmm. We're noticing a trend here. And that's all the time we have for this thrilling edition of the High-Low Game, so until next time, keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for that subprime, no-cash-down mortgage!

Wheels of Justice Move Slowly: October Shooting Death of Reston Woman Ruled Homicide

The October shooting death of Reston resident Karen Deck in South Reston's Winterthur Apartment complex has been ruled a homicide, according to Fairfax County Police.

The Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has classified this death as a homicide. The investigation continues but police do not believe there are any threats to public safety. Charges are pending.

While police didn't provide new details Tuesday about the pending charges, the person of interest in the case is 45-year-old Ronald Robertson, who was found in the Winterthur apartment with Deck's body. Police had previously charged Robertson with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon following the Oct. 24 incident.

Update: The Post has slightly more, including the fact that the man who lived in the apartment had called his parents to say "he had accidentally shot and killed his girlfriend."

Happy Holidays! Soapstone 7-11 Robbed, As Usual

With the passing of the seasons, one thing remains a constant: the Reston 7-11 on Soapstone Drive was robbed... again.

An armed man entered the 7-Eleven store located at 2303 Soapstone Drive on Monday, December 28 around 3:30 a.m. and robbed two employees. The suspect displayed a gun, demanded money and fled with an unknown amount of cash and other property. There were no injuries.

The suspect was described as black, about 6 feet tall and approximately 250 pounds, with black hair. He was wearing a black hat, black pants, and a green jacket. He had a gray cloth covering his face.

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

Same old, same old. Talk about a case of the post-holiday blahs.

Dogwood Elementary May Lose Year-Round School Calendar

Dogwood Elementary, the only Title I school in Reston, may lose its innovative year-round calendar in the same round of budget cuts that are imperiling elementary music, language immersion and full-day kindergarten throughout Fairfax County.

Seven Fairfax County elementary schools operating on a modified calendar could lose their extra instructional time as a result of budget cuts during the next two school years.

Most Fairfax schools are in session from early September to mid-June, but 10 schools have a different calendar, operating almost year-round without the traditional 2 1/2-month summer break.

This fall, officials have asked the seven elementary schools with an alternative schedule, including Dogwood in Reston, to prepare their communities for a return to the commonly used nine-month school year.

The modified elementary school calendar provides more flexibility for an extended school year. Children sometimes take part in two-week intensive classes that offer an opportunity to intensive remedial work in core subjects, accelerated learning or enrichment exercises like cooking classes.

Those schools that employ the modified calendar tend to serve students who come from low-income households or are non-native English speakers. Six of seven elementary schools on a modified calendar receive additional money, called "Title I" funds, because they are among the dozen or so schools with the neediest populations in the county.

At Dogwood, for example, approximately 62 percent of the students qualify for free or reduced-price meals at school and a little over 46 percent are not considered English proficient.

FAIRFAX SCHOOLS superintendent Jack Dale has proposed letting the elementary schools keep their modified calendar next year if they can financially support it through the extra "Title I" funding they received from the federal government. He does not want to spend the more flexible general education dollars, those supplied by the county and state, on the modified calendar in elementary schools because of the system's overall budget shortfall.

The following school year, which starts in the fall of 2011, no extra federal money is expected to be available to these schools and Dale has proposed ceasing the use of an elementary school modified calendar altogether.

While alternative scheduling has had a mixed record of success in Fairfax County, national studies suggest that year-round school schedules are helpful for struggling students. Given that Dogwood is already under double secret probation for failing to meet NCLB testing benchmarks, cutting instructional time seems like a penny-wise, pound-foolish decision.

Last week, the Fairfax County School Board voted to postpone a decision on ending the modified calendar until its Feb. 4 meeting.