Gardner Trial Set for October

By FALLS CHURCH TIMES STAFF

July 21, 2011

Michael Gardner’s jury trial on sexual abuse charges will be held in October in Arlington Circuit Court.  However, defense attorney Peter Greenspun said during this morning’s proceedings that each of the three counts “by statute” should be tried separately, rather than jointly as the prosecution prefers.  Presiding Judge Joanne Alper did not rule on the issue.

Most of the brief hearing involved disucussion of a trial date, tentatively set for October 3.  Mr. Greenspun said that he expected the trial to last four days.

The charges involve two counts of aggravated sexual battery and one of object sexual penetration involving three girls.  Two of the girls are 10 and one is 9.

Mr. Gardner was indicted by the Arlington Grand Jury last Monday.  The offenses allegedly occured in the Gardner home on June 16 and 18.  He was arrested by Falls Church Police on June 22.

The accused’s wife sat by his side during the proceedings.

City Announces Street Sweeping Schedule

By CITY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

July 21, 2011

The City of Falls Church’s second round of summer street sweeping is schedule for early August. Street sweeping reduces the volume of pollutants entering local streams through the City’s 900 storm drain openings. The City contracts with Reilly Sweeping to provide Citywide street sweeping services.

The schedule, subject to change due to weather, is as follows:

Monday, Aug. 1 and Tuesday, Aug. 2: residential areas south of Broad Street 
Wednesday, Aug. 3 (night): commercial areas and municipal parking areas
Thursday, Aug. 4 and Friday, Aug. 5: residential areas north of Broad Street

Residents are asked to move vehicles off of residential streets scheduled for sweeping between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Parked vehicles impede the street sweeping equipment, resulting in less efficient and effective service.

For more information, contact the Department Public Works at 703-248-5176 (TTY711).