Loudoun News Briefs

by Loudoun Extra Staff

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Quality-of-Life Survey

Ninety-two percent of Loudoun County residents think highly of the county’s quality of life, according to survey results released last week.

The random telephone survey of about 1,000 households was conducted in November by the county to update demographic data and determine residents’ satisfaction level with county services, County Administrator Kirby M. Bowers said.

Nearly half of the respondents said the biggest issue facing Loudoun is transportation, and 40 percent cited growth and development. Twenty-two percent said the best thing about Loudoun is its location and proximity to amenities, while 20 percent cited the amount of open space. The survey results are available at www.loudoun.gov/survey.

Other highlights:

• Proximity to work and affordable housing were the most cited reasons for moving to Loudoun.

• Sixty percent of respondents said Loudoun has a sufficient number of nighttime activities.

• Eighteen percent of respondents have lived in Loudoun for three years or less, and 44 percent have lived in Loudoun for more than 10 years.

• Children 18 and younger make up 33 percent of the population.

• Thirty-five percent of respondents said they plan to retire in Loudoun.

Car Crash Injures Two

Two people were injured in a head-on car crash on Route 15 on Wednesday afternoon, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office said.

About 4:45 p.m., Tan Lai, 29, of Leesburg was driving a Toyota 4Runner in a northbound lane of Route 15 near Tail Race Road when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle went into the southbound lanes of Route 15 and struck a Buick Rendezvous, authorities said.

The Buick was being driven by Lenore West, 51, of Leesburg, whose daughter was in the passenger seat. The impact sent the Buick down an embankment, where it crashed into a fence and caught on fire, authorities said. The Toyota rolled onto its side and was struck by a Buick LeSabre driven by Michael Anthony, 34, of Leesburg.

West was airlifted to Inova Fairfax Hospital for life-threatening injuries. Her daughter was treated and released for minor injuries at the Cornwall Campus of Inova Loudoun Hospital, authorities said.

Lai was transported to Inova Loudoun Hospital for serious injuries and later released. Anthony was treated and released at the scene.

Lai was charged with reckless driving. Authorities said that speed and alcohol did not appear to be factors in the crash.

Man Is Charged With Rape

An Ashburn man has been charged with raping a 19-year-old woman in Pennsylvania, authorities said.

Eddy J. Barahona, 21, of Unison Knoll Circle, was charged with rape, sexual assault, criminal conspiracy and indecent assault, according to Pennsylvania state police.

Authorities said Barahona and Lambert L. Foinchas, 19, of Dumfries had sex with the woman without her consent. The alleged incident occurred between Nov. 15 and Nov. 18 in Mont Alto, Pa., police said. The town has a campus of Penn State University.

Barahona graduated from Broad Run High School in 2004, Loudoun County schools spokesman Wayde Byard said.

Wolf to Address Chamber

Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R) will be the keynote speaker at a procurement forum hosted by the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the National Conference Center in Lansdowne.

Small businesses will have the chance to learn how to work with corporations and government agencies. There will also be a presentation on procurement best practices with representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

The cost is $40 for members and $60 for nonmembers. Register at www.loudounchamber.org or by calling 571-209-9036.

— Compiled by

ARIANNE ARYANPUR

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