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Loudoun County, VA

News
Parents Of Missing Virginia Student Request Death Declaration From Dominican Authorities Parents Of Missing Virginia Student Request Death Declaration From Dominican Authorities
Parents Of Missing Virginia Student Request Death Declaration From Dominican Authorities The parents of missing Virginia college student Sudiksha Konanki are asking Dominican authorities to formally declare their daughter dead after an extensive international search yielded no signs of her, officials announced. Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student from Loudoun County, vanished while on vacation in Punta Cana earlier this month. Despite an aggressive search effort involving the Dominican Republic National Police, FBI, and other agencies, she has not been found. The search for Sudiksha Konanki is ongoing in the Dominican Republic. Policía Nacional Repúb…

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by Zak Failla
News
FBI, Homeland Security Join 'High-Level' Probe Into Missing Student From DMV In DR FBI, Homeland Security Join 'High-Level' Probe Into Missing Student From DMV In DR
FBI, Homeland Security Join 'High-Level' Probe Into Missing Student From DMV In DR The search for missing Virginia college student Sudiksha Konanki has escalated into a major international investigation, with the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) now assisting Dominican authorities, officials announced. The Dominican Republic Attorney General’s Office confirmed that it has assembled a high-level joint task force to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student from Chantilly who vanished in Punta Cana last week. Authorities say they are exploring all possibilities. "The prosecuting authority is conducting extens…

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by Zak Failla
News
International Search Intensifies For Missing DMV College Student In Dominican Republic International Search Intensifies For Missing DMV College Student In Dominican Republic
International Search Intensifies For Missing DMV College Student In Dominican Republic The search for a missing Virginia college student who vanished while on vacation in the Dominican Republic is intensifying as officials establish a high-level commission to oversee the case, authorities announced. The Dominican Republic National Police, in coordination with the Attorney General’s Office, FBI, and the US Embassy Liaison, has expanded their investigation into the disappearance of 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student from Chantilly who went missing on Thursday, March 6 while on a trip with friends in Punta Cana. Officials confirmed that Konanki, a c…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
$980K Fire Destroys Virginia Home, Family Dog Still Missing (UPDATED) $980K Fire Destroys Virginia Home, Family Dog Still Missing (UPDATED)
$980K Fire Destroys Virginia Home, Family Dog Still Missing (Updated) A Loudoun County family’s home was completely destroyed in a massive fire that left one cat clinging to life in the rubble and a dog missing. Firefighters rushed to the Jonella Farm property early on Thursday, March 6, where they found heavy flames ripping through both floors of the home in the Catoctin District, according to Loudoun County Fire and Rescue. The two adults and two children who lived in the house were not home at the time, and no injuries were reported. Initially, officials said one of the family’s pets—a cat—was found alive in the rubble, while a second dog remained unaccou…

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by Zak Failla
News
Rideshare Driver Beaten In Dulles Airport Carjacking Attempt—Attacker Learns His Fate Rideshare Driver Beaten In Dulles Airport Carjacking Attempt—Attacker Learns His Fate
Rideshare Driver Beaten In Dulles Airport Carjacking Attempt—Attacker Learns His Fate A DC man will spend more time behind bars after attacking a rideshare driver at Washington Dulles International Airport in a violent attempted carjacking, officials announced. Lindsey Robinson, 36, was sentenced to six years in prison this week after being convicted of attempted carjacking in Loudoun County Circuit Court, prosecutors said. The charges stem from an attack on Jan. 14, 2023, when Robinson was picked up by a rideshare driver at the airport's arrivals area.  As they began to drive away, Robinson demanded the driver’s phone and vehicle before punching him multiple times in …

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Schools Schedule Closures, Delays In Maryland Amid Latest Snow Storm Schools Schedule Closures, Delays In Maryland Amid Latest Snow Storm
Schools Schedule Closures, Delays In Maryland Amid Latest Snow Storm Many schools in Maryland and Virginia will be closed on Wednesday as the region continues to contend with the latest batch of winter weather that brought inches of snow and ice. Some schools were disrupted on Tuesday and dismissed students early, and even more are planning to close for the day on Wednesday, Feb. 12 with as many as six inches accumulating in some areas, leaving conditions on roadways tricky. Among the schools reported to be altering their dismissal times as of 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday:  Alexandria City Public Schools: All virtual; Arlington County Public Schools: Closed W…

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
Maryland Figure Skating Prodigy, Mother Killed In DC Plane Crash Maryland Figure Skating Prodigy, Mother Killed In DC Plane Crash
Maryland Figure Skating Prodigy, Mother Killed In DC Plane Crash The world lost a rising star in the Maryland figure skating community and a devoted mother far too soon, as 12-year-old Olivia Eve Ter and her mother, Olesya, were among those tragically killed in the DC, plane crash. Ter, who trained out of the Tucker Road Ice Rink in Prince George's County, was a young skater with big dreams, a joyful spirit, and an infectious energy that touched everyone she met, her loved ones said. A proud Loudoun County, VA native, she had already made a name for herself in the figure skating world, earning a spot at the prestigious developmental camp after placi…

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by Zak Failla
News
World-Renowned Virginia Skating Coach Confirmed Among 67 Killed In DC Mid-Air Crash World-Renowned Virginia Skating Coach Confirmed Among 67 Killed In DC Mid-Air Crash
World-Renowned Virginia Skating Coach Confirmed Among 67 Killed In DC Mid-Air Crash World-renowned ice skating coach Inna Volanskaya of Loudoun County has been confirmed as one of the 67 people who died in the mid-air crash over Washington DC this week. Volanskaya was a coach at the Ashburn Ice House and has connections to the Washington Figure Skating Club. "We are devastated to hear the news of American Eagle flight 5342," Washington Figure Skating Club officials said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with our skating family during this difficult time. More information will be posted when appropriate."  According to her biography there, Volanskaya has b…

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by Zak Failla
Weather
Winter Storm Alert: Maryland, Virginia Brace For Snow, Arctic Freeze Winter Storm Alert: Maryland, Virginia Brace For Snow, Arctic Freeze
Winter Storm Alert: Maryland, Virginia Brace For Snow, Arctic Freeze Maryland and Virginia residents are preparing for a possibly significant winter storm that is expected to deliver heavy snowfall and dangerously low temperatures starting Sunday afternoon according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Forecasters warn that snow accumulation in the region could range from four to eight inches, with the heaviest snowfall expected during the afternoon and evening hours.  The NWS Baltimore-Washington office tweeted, "A winter storm will impact the region Sunday with accumulating snow likely. Travel could become hazardous, so plan accordingly." Officials…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Maryland Investigators Release Report On Deadly Virginia Home Explosion That Killed Firefighter Maryland Investigators Release Report On Deadly Virginia Home Explosion That Killed Firefighter
Maryland Investigators Release Report On Deadly Virginia Home Explosion That Killed Firefighter The Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System (LC-CFRS) has released its comprehensive report on the February 2024 house explosion in Sterling that tragically claimed the life of Firefighter Trevor Brown and injured 13 others. The blast occurred on Feb. 16, 2024, after first responders were called to a gas leak at 347 Silver Ridge Drive.  Investigators discovered a leaking underground propane tank behind the home and quickly evacuated the residents, but before the Hazardous Materials Team could secure the scene, the home exploded, trapping firefighters in the fiery wreckage. …

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by Zak Failla
News
Suspect In Trump's Virginia Campaign Office Burglary Caught Squatting In California: Sheriff Suspect In Trump's Virginia Campaign Office Burglary Caught Squatting In California: Sheriff
Suspect In Trump's Virginia Campaign Office Burglary Caught Squatting In California: Sheriff cA man accused of burglarizing the Trump for President 2024 campaign office in Virginia has been apprehended in California, authorities announced. Toby Shane Kessler, 39, who has no fixed address, was arrested on Friday, Nov. 30, by the University of California San Francisco Police Department for squatting in an unoccupied dormitory, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. Kessler is wanted in connection with the Aug. 11 burglary at the campaign office located in the 20000 block of Ashbrook Place in Ashburn, which also serves as the headquarters for the Virginia 10th District Repu…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Loudoun County Sheriff's Deputy Accused Of Inappropriate Contact With Inmate Arrested Loudoun County Sheriff's Deputy Accused Of Inappropriate Contact With Inmate Arrested
Loudoun County Sheriff's Deputy Accused Of Inappropriate Contact With Inmate Arrested A member of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office has been arrested and fired following an investigation into an incident involving a female inmate at the Adult Detention Center, authorities announced. Deputy Mason Zimmerman, 30, a Maryland resident, is behind bars following an investigation into misconduct with a woman being housed at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. According to investigators, Zimmer violated a Virginia mandate regarding "carnal knowledge of a person detained or arrested by a law-enforcement officer, or an inmate."  Zimmerman was arrested on Sunday and taken…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Firefighters In Maryland Help Battle Blaze In Virginia Caused By Improperly Disposed Oily Rags Firefighters In Maryland Help Battle Blaze In Virginia Caused By Improperly Disposed Oily Rags
Firefighters In Maryland Help Battle Blaze In Virginia Caused By Improperly Disposed Oily Rags Improperly disposed rags in a Loudoun County garage led to a large fire that caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage when they spontaneously combusted, officials confirmed. On Sunday night, multiple agencies in Virginia and Maryland were called to a reported garage fire in the 13300 block of Downey Mill Road in Lovettsville, where there was a reported blaze that broke out.  First responders were met by an active fire on the exterior of the garage, though firefighters were able to contain the flames before they spreading to the inside of the structure. It then took fire and rescu…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Warrants Issued For Man Wanted After Breaking Into Trump Campaign HQ In Virginia, Police Say Warrants Issued For Man Wanted After Breaking Into Trump Campaign HQ In Virginia, Police Say
Warrants Issued For Man Wanted After Breaking Into Trump Campaign HQ In Virginia, Police Say The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office has identified a 39-year-old man with a criminal history who is wanted in connection to the burglary of a campaign headquarters for former President Donald Trump over the weekend. Warrants have been issued for Toby Shane Kessler, who has no fixed address, for burglary and other offenses after breaking into the presidential hopeful's Virginia headquarters. Shortly before 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11, a burglary that was caught on camera found that Kessler forced his way into the building and "spent a brief period of time before leaving."   The o…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Trump Campaign Headquarters In Virginia Burglarized, Sheriff Says Trump Campaign Headquarters In Virginia Burglarized, Sheriff Says
Trump Campaign Headquarters In Virginia Burglarized, Sheriff Says Recognize him?  A suspect is wanted in Virginia after burglarizing a campaign headquarters for former President Donald Trump in Loudoun County, authorities announced. An alert was issued by the sheriff's office following an incident reported at the Trump For President 2024 campaign office in Ashburn at around 9 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11.  The office, which is in the 20000 block of Ashbrook Place, is currently being leased by the Trump campaign, officials said, and also serves as the HQ for the Virginia 10th District Republican Committee. According to the Loudoun County Sherif…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Family, Visiting Relatives Displaced By Loudoun County House Fire Sparked By Lightning Family, Visiting Relatives Displaced By Loudoun County House Fire Sparked By Lightning
Family, Visiting Relatives Displaced By Loudoun County House Fire Sparked By Lightning The thunderstorms that rolled through Loudoun County and the rest of the DMV region left a family and relatives visiting Virginia displaced after a lightning strike in the area, officials say. Shortly before 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3, first responders from multiple agencies in Virginia and Maryland responded to a home in the 15000 block of Shannondale Road in Hillsboro to investigate a reported structure fire. Upon arrival, crews were met by smoke and fire coming from the garage, which rapidly spread to the second story of the residence. Firefighters made their way into the home and were …

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by Zak Failla