Community Corner

Top 7 of August: Andrea Crew, La Madeleine and Springfield Mall

Here are the most popular Patch stories from the month of August.

A few stories caught the attention of Kingstowne-Rose Hill Patch readers this month. Here are the top seven stories on the site from August.

Once you're done reviewing the list, let us know if you're surprised by this month's top stories. Which story had you talking to neighbors or co-workers at the water cooler the next day?

7. Police: Springfield Teenagers Charged with Illegal Possession of Alcohol

An officer attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation near Heming Avenue and Elgar Street. The driver allegedly sped away. The vehicle crashed and the driver and passenger were detained. The driver, a 16-year-old Springfield boy, was charged with disregarding a stop sign and illegal possession of alcohol. Additional charges are pending. The passenger, a 15-year-old Springfield boy, was charged with illegal possession of alcohol.

6. UPDATE: Police Say Woman Found; Disappearance 'Voluntary'

Fairfax County police, along with friends and family, were searching for Laura McIntyre, 42, in lat July after she went missing under suspicious circumstances from Herndon. The woman was found unharmed, according to the following statement released by FCPD on Aug. 1.

From Fairfax County Police: "The missing adult has been found alive and well. Her disappearance was voluntary. The Fairfax County Police Department would like to thank the media and the public for their assistance in this investigation."

5. Update: Body Found on Occoquan Identified, Husband Charged With Murder

Fairfax County Police have identified the body of Andrea Crew of Alexandria as the woman found floating on the Occoquan River on Sunday, Aug. 10, and have charged her husband, 25-year-old Caleb Crew, with her murder.

Andrea Crew, 31, a mother of two living in the 8000 block of Gila Court in Alexandria, was found by a boater at around 9 a.m. on Saturday.

4. Gallery: Springfield Mall Renovations

Because we're all so anxious to see the finished product, the renovations at Springfield Mall seem to be lasting forever. Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay recently reassured us that the project is on scheduled for completion next year.

Since construction began, Patch readers have had plenty to say about the new Springfield Town Center — including comments on possible traffic, potential stores and restaurants.

3. Springfield Mall Reopening Now Scheduled for late 2014

The reopening of Springfield Mall as Springfield Town Center has been pushed to late 2014, but leasing for the new center is going well, reported Washington Business Journal after a Vornado second quarter earnings call last week.

On the call, Stephen Theriot, Vornado's chief financial officer said they have almost completed the restaurant leasing and has some very important lead tenants lined up, including Dick's Sporting Goods.

2. Andrea Crew Wanted to Take Daughters to Colombia, Says Husband to Police

Court documents show that Caleb Crew told Fairfax County Police that he and his wife Andrea Crew, 31, argued over finances last week before she disappeared Aug. 7. The Washington Post reports that Caleb Crew explained to the police that his wife also told him that she wanted to take their two daughters back to Colombia where she was born and raised.

During the argument on Aug. 7, Andrea left the car in anger and never returned. Andrea Crew's body was found by a boater on the Occoquan River Saturday morning.

1. La Madeleine to Take Place of Old Blockbuster

Earlier reports this summer revealed that french bakery La Madeleine has plans to expand to the Kingstowne area, but at the time a location was unknown. From comments on previous Patch coverage, some residents thought the new bakery would go into Hilltop Village Center being constructed at Beulah Street and Telegraph Road.

Adlers Art & Frame next door to the empty Blockbuster space said Thursday that management has informed them that La Madeleine has leased the space. From the looks of things, not much renovation has taken place just yet, as you can still see signs on the walls that say "New Releases."

More top news in August:

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