Update 2:30 p.m.
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Author: Potomac Local News
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Quantico, Va. –– On the same day that Americans awoke to the news that this August was the bloodiest month ever in our almost 10-year-long war in Afghanistan, the Marine Corps University at Quantico hosted a symposium on the coming transition in that war-torn land. A total of 66 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines have made the ultimate sacrifice so far this month, surpassing the previous high of 65 in July 2010.
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As a mother, I’ve watched with disgust as the number of local teachers accused of child molestation has risen over the last year. Everyone deserves to be innocent until proven guilty, even if we’re reporting on them, though, which is why it’s even more disguising how badly one of those accused teachers is being treated, even after being acquitted in only 45 minutes.
When I read an update on the Sean Lanigan case in the Washington Post this week and I felt terrible for the man. Having accusations of sexual abuse thrown at you is no small matter, and for a teacher it’s even more intense. Fired, reinstated, put on leave, Lanigan has suffered professionally. Google his name and your top hit is a “bad teacher” website. His personal reputation is ruined. Financially he spent $125,000 defending himself in a case that never should have come to trial. The idea that he was found innocent in 45 minutes and one of the jurors cried in sympathy while delivering the verdict clinches it for me.
Woodbridge, Va. –– Those who have driven Prince William Parkway outside the McCoart Building during the past year knows road construction has lead to a few headaches. But now, orange cones are being removed from the $13.5 million project to widen the highway from four to six lanes between Old Bridge and Hoadly roads and new lanes opening up.
Drivers will also note a signal light that doesn’t quite match up with others in the area, at the parkway and Black Forest Lane. Where customers of the nearby Queen’s Gambit restaurant and bar enter and exit the road to get to their favorite watering hole, flashing signal lights have been erected there.
Two weeks ago, my family and I vacationed on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and we feel very lucky not to be there last week as Hurricane Irene came barreling up the coast.
While we were there, we enjoyed seeing the wild horses that inhabit the islands come by to graze, but when two stallions decided to put on a free show it was icing on the cake.
Triangle, Va. –– The intersection of U.S. 1 and Triangle Street is no more.
The street which carries traffic from U.S. 1 into a residential neighborhood closed Monday as part of the U.S. 1 widening project there.
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Dumfries, Va. –– A house on Va. 234 near at the south entrance to Montclair went up in flames Monday night.
Dumfries-Triangle Volunteer Fire Department crews were called to 14208 Dumfries Road about 8 p.m. The house was fully involved in flames when crews arrived.
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Metro has announced track work that will close the Franconia-Springfield Metro station this weekend.
The work is being done beginning at 8 p.m. Friday and will continue until the evening of Sept. 5.
Stafford, Va. — Volunteers on Friday worked to fill more than 500 backpacks full of school supplies for children, marking the end of the annual Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive.
Business owners from the area and Marines from Quantico helped the children who gathered at the Alvin York Bandy school administration building in Stafford to fill the backpacks.