The Night Note: 6/25/10

News you need to know.

The following stories are brought to you by the fine folks on the News4 assignment desk.

US MARINE CHARGED IN BALLSTON RAPE
A 21-year-old U.S. Marine who was linked to an attempted abduction on North Quincy Street in Arlington in early February was charged this week with a separate attack two weeks later on two young women in their Ballston home.

Jorge "George" Torrez, who was stationed at Henderson Hall on Fort Myer, was arrested on Feb. 27, about two weeks after he allegedly tried to shove a woman into his car late at night near Washington-Lee High School.

Torrez. (Arlington Police)His arrest came the same day that police believe he followed two women home from a late-night Ballston meal and held them in their own home on North Wakefield Street before abducting one of them, raping her, and leaving her for dead in Prince William County. (Washington Post)

STRASBURG ROOKIE CARD ALREADY A HOT COMMODITY
Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg has really made an impression, and it's driving up interest in his rookie season baseball card.

House of Cards on Silver Spring Avenue in Silver Spring is one place to find the cards.

"The regular Bowman card right now sells for about $30, and the Bowman Chrome about twice that -- about $60," says owner Bill Huggins. "For a guy who's only been out six weeks, that's pretty high." (WTOP)

MISSED CONNECTIONS: COPS-AND-CREEPINESS EDITION
Two people exchange shy glances on Metro everyday but never say a word. A short conversation leaves them wondering what could have happened if they had exchanged phone numbers. These are reasons to post on Craigslist’s missed connections, a Web site for the lovelorn to reach out after that transient moment and see if the other felt the same way. But the officer from Washington’s finest who writes love notes instead of police reports? And the woman who just wanted a good conversation about the weather? Those aren’t missed connections—they’re missing the point. (Washingtonian)

SCOTUS DECISION MAY AFFECT CHANGE-OF-GOVERNMENT PETITION
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that people who sign referendum petitions generally can’t claim a First Amendment privilege for keeping their names secret. The ruling may affect the change-of-government petition currently circulating around Arlington.

Change-of-government critics have suggested that the names of petition signers should be made public.

In a statement, the Coalition for Arlington Good Government, which opposes the petition, lauded the Supreme Court decision. (ARLNow)

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