Maryland ‘Clown’ Who Scammed 80-Year-Old Virginia Woman Out Of $26K Busted In Sting: Sheriff
An 80-year-old Virginia woman was conned out of more than $26,000 by crooks posing as US Treasury agents — until detectives set a trap that ended with a Maryland man in cuffs, officials said.
The suspect, James Smith, 30, of Gaithersburg, was arrested after showing up to grab another $10,000 in cash from the victim, the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies were waiting.
Smith had already squeezed $26,000 from the woman over several days, investigators said.
He and others pretended to be Treasury agents, threatening the woman with “criminal charges” unless she handed…
MA Named Best State For Research, Development In New Ranking: Here's Why
Many Northeast states are among the most innovative in the US, according to a new study.
SmileHub released its 2025 list of Best States for Research and Development on Tuesday, Sept. 16. All 50 states were ranked across 17 metrics, including researchers per capita, research and development (R&D) spending, patents, research facilities, and STEM education.
R&D funding in the US more than doubled over the past 15 years, climbing from $407 billion in 2010 to almost $940 billion in 2023, according to data from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. That inv…
‘The Center Of Attention In Any Crowd’: Chance Burrell Celebrated After Fatal Virginia Crash
Loved ones in Virginia say Chance Burrell had a gift for lifting spirits, whether with a laugh, a hug, or his unforgettable smile before his unexpected death at 27.
Burrell was struck and killed by a driver shortly after midnight on Saturday, Sept. 13, when a Toyota Camry was heading south on Dorset Road, according to Virginia State Police.
Burrell, a Powhatan County native, was standing along the roadway when he was fatally struck by the driver, who cooperated with investigators following the crash, police said.
"Chance Burrell lit up any room that he entered with his thousand-watt …
Virginia Named Best State For Teachers In New Study: Here's Why
Many states in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic are among the best in the country for teachers, according to a new study.
WalletHub released its 2025 list of Best & Worst States for Teachers on Monday, Sept. 15. The rankings compared all 50 states and Washington, DC, across 24 key measures, including salaries, tenure policies, school spending, and turnover rates.
The best states for teachers have strong pay, quality school systems, and job protections.
"Despite having one of the most crucial jobs in America – educating the next generation – teachers are often underpaid and…
Gone In 60 Seconds: Masked Crew Rams Stolen Car Into Spotsy Pawn Shop, Steals Guns: Sheriff
A burglary crew with a vehicle stolen out of Maryland were gone in 60 seconds after smashing into a Virginia pawn shop and stealing several guns, authorities announced.
The chaos unfolded around 3:07 a.m. Monday, Sept. 15, when deputies were called to Pawn King in the 4400 block of Plank Road, where an alarm went off, according to the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office.
When deputies got to the scene, they found the front of the store had been rammed by a 2013 Hyundai with Maryland tags.
The car had been stolen out of Maryland, investigators said.
Suspects were gone, officials said, but …
