Community Corner

Girl Grabbed in the Night, "No Justice, No Cabs," Slavery Museum and the Virginia City Turn Italian Village

Top news of the week from our Patches around Virginia and Washington.

By Jamie Rogers

Patch has 31 sites in Virginia and Washington. Here are some of the top stories from around the region this week.

Police: Same Man Robs Same Bank 5 Times

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Fairfax County police are currently investigating yet another robbery at TD Bank located at 6615 Richmond Hwy, according to a recent news release.

Around 11 a.m. Sept. 9, a man entered the bank and demanded money. The bank teller complied and the suspect took an undisclosed amount of money and fled. There were no injuries reported, the release stated.

Find out what's happening in Dale Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to a news release from the FBI's Washington Field Office, the suspect in the TD Bank robbery is believed to be the "Beacon Hill Bandit" who is suspected of robbing the bank four times between March 2010 and July 2013.

New Fiat Commercial Features Manassas Posing as European City

A new commercial for one of the hottest new European cars in America features Old Town Manassas posing as a charming, Italian city.

The company,The Skyhaq Agency in Reston, chose Manassas to appear in a commercial for the 2014 Fiat 500L because of the city's historic appeal—someone within the company was familiar with Old Town Manassas and thought it would be a good stand-in for an old world European city.

Trader Joe's Kicks Part Timers Off Healthcare Plan

Trader Joe's, the grocer once lauded for providing health care coverage to its part-time workers, is about to push those employees off its plan.

According to a memo obtained by the Huffington Post, the company will stop covering employees who work less than 30 hours per week.

The change is set for the start of 2014. Instead of insurance, workers instead will get a check for $500 in January.

Driver Goes to Hospital After Two-Car Accident

A two-car accident was reported Sept. 9 in front of Top Golf and Ruby Tuesday in the Kingstowne area.

Reston Metro Stop Will Have More Parking Than Original Estimate

When the Wiehle-Reston East Metro stop opens in 2014, it will have more spaces than the original 2,300 located in the seven-story Reston Station garage.

An additional 1,100 spots - which will be later turned over to tenants at the office buildings that will be constructed at a later date - will be available to the parking public for a fee yet to be determined.

The Wiehle stop will be the end of the line for at least five years. It is the only Silver Line Phase I station with parking.

'Modern Sharecropping' — Taxi Drivers Want Arlington to Investigate Working Conditions

The streets of Clarendon typically echo with the sounds you'd expect from a popular bar and restaurant district — but around lunchtime Tuesday, shouting voices carried a different message:

  • "No justice, no cabs!"

  • "Respect human rights for taxi drivers!"

  • "We have to stop fighting taxi drivers for no reason!"

  • "We want justice!"

  • WBJ: Ben's Chili Bowl Coming to Rosslyn

    Rosslyn's trading a hell burger for a half-smoke.

    Ben's Chili Bowl plans to open its first Virginia location early next year at 1725 Wilson Blvd. in Rosslyn, the spot formerly occupied by Ray's Hell Burger, according to the Washington Business Journal.

    Reports: Teen Used Drugs, Needed Medical Attention in Hours Before Death

    Fairfax County investigators believe the 16-year-old McLean High School student found dead last month used illegal narcotics not long before she died — and that she was with three adults in the hours before her death who realized she needed medical attention but did not seek it, according to news reports.

    Oak Marr RECenter Undergoing Renovations

    A $3.8 million facelift for the Oak Marr RECenter is underway. The RECenter on 3200 Jermantown Road in Oakton is receiving 12,500-square-foot addition and 5,700-square-foot of renovation to the existing facility.

    Shake Shack to Open in Tysons Corner

    Shake Shack is coming to Tysons Corner in mid-2014.

    The gourmet burger joint plans to open next to the Tysons Corner Mall, according to a press release from Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group, the restaurant’s umbrella organization.

    West Springfield Man Reportedly Attacked by Neighbor

    A 42-year-old man was changing the oil in his vehicle when, allegedly, a neighbor attacked him with a knife. The victim was transported to the hospital and later down-graded to non life-threatening injuries. Jae Kim, 39, of Springfield, was charged with malicious wounding.

    Lake Ridge Senior, 103, Wins Gold Medal in Wii Bowling Competition

    A 103-year-old Lake Ridge resident won a gold medal this week at the Wii Bowling competition as part of the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics.

    Doris Woodring participated in the event on Tuesday at the Greenspring Retirement Community in Springfield.

    Governor Helps Celebrate Launch of Mach37 Accelerator in Herndon

    Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell was in Herndon Thursday for the launch of the Mach37 Accelerator, an incubator of sorts that will help fledgling cyber security and defense companies hone their ideas and attract investors. McDonnell reportedly approved $2.5 million to fund Mach37’s first two years in operation, after which the accelerator will secure private funding. 

    Fairfax City Resident Fights Back, Fires Shot at Intruders

    City of Fairfax Police are asking for the public’s help in locating two robbers who pushed their way into a townhome Sept. 8, assaulting the home’s residents and stealing several belongings. At one point one of the residents managed to get to a handgun he or she owned and fired a single shot in the robbers’ direction, possibly hitting one of them, and prompting them to flee.

    Slavery Museum Considering Options to Stop Sale of Property

    Museum founder and former Virginia Gov. Doug Wilder met with museum attorney Joseph Morrissey last week to discuss alternatives now that a buyer has come forward for the property in Fredericksburg on which to museum was to be built.  A second bankruptcy filing is said to be in consideration

    Ron Rosner, founder of the Rosner Auto Group in Fredericksburg, offered $1.5 million for the 38-acre property. 

    Man Grabs Girl Through Open Window

    A 12-year-old girl woke up in the middle of the night Sunday to find a man grabbing her through an open window, Prince William County Police said.

    Police responded at 3:17 a.m. to the Woodbridge area. The homeowner told police that her daughter was asleep inside her bedroom when she woke up to find the unknown man grabbing her. When the victim screamed, the man fled on foot.


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