Falls Church NEWS BRIEFS

Juvenile Arrested in 2 Sexual Assault Cases

On Thursday, May 11, City of Falls Church Police arrested a juvenile in connection with two sexual assault cases. Following a two-month investigation into the report of a serious incident occurring outside school hours on the Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) Secondary Campus, charges were filed on Thursday, May 11, 2023, against a juvenile for aggravated sexual assault and rape.

The accused student was expelled upon report of the incident to school officials, and an investigation by City Police promptly commenced. The investigation gave detectives probable cause to believe that the accused had also sexually assaulted a second juvenile female off campus outside of school hours, approximately one month earlier.

No further details were provided due to the accused’s juvenile status and the ongoing law enforcement process. Identifying information on the juvenile victims is also being withheld.

In a statement, FCCPS Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan said, “This is a terrible situation and our work now is to support the girls, their families, and the community. Because this is an ongoing legal matter I cannot comment; However, safety and security of our schools top priority.”

2 Rep. Connelly Staffers Assaulted in His Office

U.S. Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-Fairfax) released a statement Monday afternoon after two staffers were sent to the hospital following an attack on his district office in the City of Fairfax.

“This morning, an individual entered my District Office armed with a baseball bat and asked for me before committing an act of violence against two members of my staff.” the release read, “The individual is in police custody and both members of my team were transferred to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.”

Fairfax City Police confirmed via Twitter that two staff members were being treated after an assault on the office on Main St.

Libertarian Candidate Announces Campaign

The race for Virginia House of Delegates District 13 just got more interesting with the entry of third-party candidate Dave Crance. Dave, a long-time resident of the Falls Church area and the district, has decided to step forward and offer himself as an alternative to the two major parties in seeking the Libertarian Parties’ nomination.

“I am running for Virginia House of

Delegates District 13 as a Libertarian to provide an option other than the two-party system and their focus on special interests” Dave said. “I want to bring a fresh perspective to the legislature and ensure that the voices of the people in this district are heard above and before National Party Politics.”

Crance is Regional Manager in the hospitality industry with oversight of a portfolio of hotels from Maryland into Florida. He has been actively involved in youth sports as both a coach and level coordinator. He has donated time to veteran causes as a member of the Falls Church VFW, GFCVC, and American legion.

Dave is passionate about veteran causes having served as a paratrooper through two separate combat actions. With the VFW he has and continues to serve as chaplain with a focus on their youth scholarships, teacher of the year awards, educational engagement, and local outreach. Dave has been a long-time member of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce

Warner, Kaine Announce Funding For 3 Virginia Airports

This week, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $6,710,000 in federal funding for three Virginia airports. The funding was awarded through the Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration’s Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Airport Improvement Program (AIP).

“Virginia’s airports serve thousands of flyers every day and we thrilled to deliver funding that will make travel through Virginia safer, more convenient, and more accessible for all,” the Senators said. “This funding will allow our Commonwealth’s airports to start important maintenance and planning projects that will help meet their communities’ needs for years to come.”

The funding is distributed as follows: $5,000,000 for Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport in Arlington, VA for the construction of a taxiway, $1,350,000 for Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport in Newport News, Va. for to fund an update to the Airport Master Plan, $360,000 for Winchester Regional Airport in Winchester, VA for the construction of a taxiway.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have championed continued investment in Virginia’s airports in order to make travel easier across the Commonwealth. Last month, the Senators announced over $1 million in funding for Luray Caverns Airport in Luray, Virginia courtesy of the AIP. Earlier this year, Sens. Warner and Kaine announced over $29 million in federal funding for improvements to three Virginia airports.