Morning Notes

Retired Priest Found Not Guilty of Sexual Abuse — “Terry Wayne Specht, 69, of Pennsylvania was found not guilty by a jury in Fairfax County of one felony count of aggravated sexual battery of a child younger than 13, court records show. Investigators claimed the assault took place in 2000, according to an indictment, when Specht was chaplain and assistant principal at St. Paul VI Catholic High School.” [The Washington Post]

Vehicle Hits Pedestrian in Groveton — Fairfax County police officers were dispatched to the 7200 block of Fordson Road yesterday morning (Thursday) after a driver hit an adult, male pedestrian. The crash closed the street between Richmond Highway and Lockheed Blvd for more than an hour. Initially considered life-threatening, the man’s injury condition was later upgraded. [FCPD/Twitter]

Victim in Annandale Hit-and-Run ID’d — Dalchoon Park, 74, of Annandale died Sunday (Oct. 2) after a driver hit her while she was crossing Annandale Road in the 4200 block, Fairfax County police say. The driver left the scene without providing aid and remains unidentified, though a witness said a “small white SUV or sedan” stopped in the area before driving away. [FCPD]

Local LGBTQ Students Targeted After Transgender Policy Protests — “In the days after the walkout and the tremendous media coverage it generated, [the Pride Liberation Project’s] internal communications — including a private Zoom meeting and a message board created for students — were accessed by conservative activists who subsequently began sharing screenshots and other information from the group online and with right-wing media.” [Salon]

Inova Buys More Land Around Fairfax Hospital — “Inova Health System is pleased to announce the purchase of approximately 35 acres of land adjacent to the north of Inova Fairfax Medical Campus. The land is currently developed and used under a long-term ground lease to RBDW Amberleigh LLC as the Amberleigh apartment community. Inova has no immediate plans for the land and will have no role in operation of the housing units for the duration of the term of the ground lease.” [Inova]

County Farmers Markets Offer Hot Food — “The Fairfax County Park Authority farmers markets are pleased to announce the 2022 hot foods pilot program for the remainder of this year’s market season. Customers will now be able to purchase a hot breakfast or dinner at the McLean, Annandale, Kingstowne and Oak Marr farmers markets from select vendors.” [FCPA]

Rep. Wexton and Challenger Hung Cao Face Off — “Inflation and abortion kicked off the 90-minute forum Wednesday night, capturing the divides on two issues that have largely defined the campaign narratives in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District and beyond as the nation reels from inflation at a 40-year high and wrestles with the fallout of the overturning of Roe v. Wade.” [The Washington Post]

Fairfax County NAACP Praises New Park Signs — “The Fairfax County branch of the NAACP has awarded NOVA Parks executive director Paul Gilbert a Freedom Fund Community Advocate Award, which celebrates community members who fight for equality and a better future…Under Gilbert’s leadership, NOVA Parks has unveiled nine new interpretive signs in the past year that showcase a more diverse history.” [Sun Gazette]

It’s Friday — Clear throughout the day. High of 73 and low of 55. Sunrise at 7:11 am and sunset at 6:43 pm. [Weather.gov]