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Falls Church, VA

Business
These Party City Stores To Shut Down In Maryland, Virginia Amid Massive Closure These Party City Stores To Shut Down In Maryland, Virginia Amid Massive Closure
These Party City Stores To Shut Down In Maryland, Virginia Amid Massive Closure Dozens of Party City locations in the DMV region are among the hundreds set to be closed as the company announced it is going out of business. Both Maryland and Virginia were hit hard by the reported closure, which will impact approximately 800 stores across the country. Party City was founded in 1986 and is the largest retailer of party goods in North America. In Maryland, there are 19 stores among those set to be shut down in these locations, according to the company's website:  Annapolis; Baltimore; Bel Air; Catonsville; Cockeysville; Columbia; Forestville; Frederick; Gaithersb…

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by Zak Failla
News
Robber With Twisted Nickname Learns Fate In South Asian Virginia Jewelry Store Heist Robber With Twisted Nickname Learns Fate In South Asian Virginia Jewelry Store Heist
Robber With Twisted Nickname Learns Fate In South Asian Virginia Jewelry Store Heist A Washington DC will spend nearly 20 years behind bars for his role in a violent string of armed robberies with very specific targets in multiple states, federal authorities announced. William Hunter, 28, also known as “Ill Will,” was sentenced this week to 228 months (19 years) in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release following a crime spree that saw him and others targeting South Asian jewelry stores in multiple states up and down the East Cost. The scheme - reportedly led by DC rapper Trevor Wright AKA "Taliban Glizzy -  landed the 15-member crew millions of do…

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by Zak Failla
Business
From Safeway To Seamless: Virginia Shopping Center Gets DMV’s Newest Amazon Fresh Location From Safeway To Seamless: Virginia Shopping Center Gets DMV’s Newest Amazon Fresh Location
From Safeway To Seamless: Virginia Shopping Center Gets DMV’s Newest Amazon Fresh Location After years of anticipation, the new Amazon Fresh location planned in Fairfax County is set to open its doors to customers. Next week, Falls Church will be home to the latest Amazon Fresh store in the DMV area, replacing a former Safeway store at the Crossroads Center in Bailey's Crossroads. 5811 Crossroads Center Way, Falls Church Google Maps street view The grand opening is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12.  Posted by Amazon Fresh on Monday, December 2, 2024 According to Amazon, customers "will find a wide assortment of national brands and high-quality produ…

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by Zak Failla
News
Virginia Priest Turns ‘Jeopardy!’ Dream Into $40K, 3-Game Win Streak Virginia Priest Turns ‘Jeopardy!’ Dream Into $40K, 3-Game Win Streak
Virginia Priest Turns ‘Jeopardy!’ Dream Into $40K, 3-Game Win Streak A Virginia Episcopal priest has turned his childhood dream into reality, racking up nearly $40,000 during a winning streak on "Jeopardy!" this week. Kevin Laskowski, of Falls Church, claimed his third victory on Wednesday, Nov. 27, after a dramatic comeback in Final Jeopardy! His success has earned him a spot among this season’s top contenders and a shot at the coveted Tournament of Champions. The priest-in-charge at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Centreville entered the final round in second place, trailing Julia Schan, a stay-at-home mom from California. The Final Jeopardy! clue challenge…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
These Are Virginia's Top Public Elementary Schools: New Rankings Released These Are Virginia's Top Public Elementary Schools: New Rankings Released
These Are Virginia's Top Public Elementary Schools: New Rankings Released Several elementary schools in Virginia earned an A+ and are among the best in the state, according to a new Niche report. The Arlington Traditional Elementary School was ranked the top in the state, according to researchers, followed by Oak Street Elementary in Falls Church, Innovation Elementary and Taylor Elementary, also in Arlington. To determine the "best public schools in America," Niche's ranking was "based on rigorous analysis of academic and student life data from US Department of Education along with test scores, college data, and ratings collected from millions of Niche users." …

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by Zak Failla
Schools
These Are Virginia's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released These Are Virginia's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released
These Are Virginia's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released Several middle schools in Virginia earned top marks and are among the best in the state, according to a new Niche report. Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School in the Falls Church Public Schools System topped the list, followed by Lylburn Downing, Dorothy Hamm, and Rocky Run middle schools. Earlier this year, Niche also ranked the top public high schools in Virginia, a list that was topped by Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. To determine the "best public schools in America," Niche's ranking was "based on rigorous analysis of academic and student life data from US Depar…

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by Zak Failla
News
Killer Who Ditched Victim's Busted SUV In Fairfax County Lot Gets Life In Prison Killer Who Ditched Victim's Busted SUV In Fairfax County Lot Gets Life In Prison
Killer Who Ditched Victim's Busted SUV In Fairfax County Lot Gets Life In Prison A man described by authorities as a "violent predator" was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Monday, Sept. 9 for kidnapping, robbing, and killing a Pennsylvania co-worker, authorities announced. Michael Allen Stark, 50, of Royersford, PA was found guilty by a Bucks County jury of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, robbery, kidnapping, theft by unlawful taking, flight to avoid apprehension, and abuse of a corpse, according to District Attorney Jennifer Schorn and court records. Stark's victim was 50-year-old Matthew James Branning of Sellersville, who went missing after l…

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by Jon Craig
News
Man Arrested For Three Separate Indecent Exposure Incidents In Virginia: Police Man Arrested For Three Separate Indecent Exposure Incidents In Virginia: Police
Man Arrested For Three Separate Indecent Exposure Incidents In Virginia: Police An indecent exposure incident involving a 22-year-old man from Falls Church was linked to two others that were reported in Merrifield, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. Juan Antonio Campos was charged with two counts of indecent exposure and masturbation in public following several reported incidents, authorities announced on Friday. According to police, in late August, officers from the department were called to the area of Fairmont Street and Woodberry Lane in Merrifield, where a man was allegedly exposing himself before fleeing the area. The man was later identified as …

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by Zak Failla
News
Fentanyl Dealer Who Kept Selling After Fatal OD In Virginia Gets Prison Time: Feds Fentanyl Dealer Who Kept Selling After Fatal OD In Virginia Gets Prison Time: Feds
Fentanyl Dealer Who Kept Selling After Fatal OD In Virginia Gets Prison Time: Feds The man who sold the fentanyl pills through Instagram that led to a fatal overdose in Virginia - and then continued selling - has been sentenced to a decade in prison, federal authorities announced. Shan Mehmood, 21, was sentenced on Thursday to 10 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl and carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime, officials said. According to court documents, between May 2020 and April 2023, Mehmood was known to regularly acquire and sell fentanyl, and in March 2023, a purchaser reached out to him on social media about buying four pills. Mehmood met the p…

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by Zak Failla
News
Department Of Defense Engineer From Virginia Charged With Taking Classified Documents: Feds Department Of Defense Engineer From Virginia Charged With Taking Classified Documents: Feds
Department Of Defense Engineer From Virginia Charged With Taking Classified Documents: Feds An engineer from Istanbul living in Virginia who worked for the Department of Defense has been accused of taking classified documents without permission, federal authorities announced on Tuesday. Falls Church resident Gokhan Gun, 50, a civilian engineer for the DoD, has been charged in federal court with unauthorized removal and retention of classified material following an investigation that was launched earlier this year. According to court documents, "through his employment, Gun possesses a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) a…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Man Planning To Sell Stolen Tide Pods Outside Virginia Laundromats 'Like Drugs' Busted: Sheriff Man Planning To Sell Stolen Tide Pods Outside Virginia Laundromats 'Like Drugs' Busted: Sheriff
Man Planning To Sell Stolen Tide Pods Outside Virginia Laundromats 'Like Drugs' Busted: Sheriff A pair with a curious business plan are behind bars in Virginia after attempting to clean up by selling stolen Tide detergents "like drugs" in Stafford, according to the sheriff's office. Upper Marlboro resident Toddrick Bowens, 30, and Falls Church native Sonia Bonilla Hercules, 19, are both facing charges after being busted with drugs and more than 100 bottles of detergent they they planned to re-sell. According to a spokesperson from the Stafford County Sheriff's Office, late in the afternoon on Wednesday, Aug. 7, deputies were called to Lowe's in the 1300 block of Stafford Market Place …

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by Zak Failla
News
Biden Raises $33M Since Debate, Admits To 'Poor Performance' At Murphy's Mansion Biden Raises $33M Since Debate, Admits To 'Poor Performance' At Murphy's Mansion
Biden Raises $33M Since Debate, Admits To 'Poor Performance' At Murphy's Mansion In a fundraising blitz, President Joe Biden's campaign for re-election has raised $33 million since last Thursday's debate, the bulk of that in New Jersey and New York, a spokesman said on Monday, July 1. That total includes "grassroots" money from small donors, a campaign aide said. Biden, 81, a Democrat, is being challenged by former President Donald Trump, 78, a Republican. Biden attended two fund-raising events in East Hampton, NY, on Saturday afternoon followed by a Saturday evening fund-raiser hosted by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and his wife, Tammy, in Middletown. “I didn’t have a…

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by Jon Craig
Business
Best Locally-Owned Doughnut Shops In Northern Virginia Best Locally-Owned Doughnut Shops In Northern Virginia
Best Locally-Owned Doughnut Shops In Northern Virginia Happy National Donut Day! If you're looking to keep this holiday alive, here are some of the best doughnut shops in Northern Virginia. We tried to include locally-owned shops only, with a wide variety of options to please everyone, whether you like the classic glazed or Boston cream, or something more artisanal. Good Company Doughnuts: Local, veteran and family-owned shop with locations across Arlington and Washington D.C. We honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. In observance of Memorial Day, we have adjusted hours. Plan your doughnut runs ac…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Red Bikini-Clad Woman Drunkenly Throws Rock At Boy In Stafford: Cops Red Bikini-Clad Woman Drunkenly Throws Rock At Boy In Stafford: Cops
Red Bikini-Clad Woman Drunkenly Throws Rock At Boy In Stafford: Cops A 22-year-old Fairfax County woman was arrested for assaulting a child who she did not know in Stafford, police said. Jasmine Ortega-Flores, of Falls Church, was charged with assault and battery, and lodged at the Rappahannock Regional Jail following the Sunday, June 2 incident, the Stafford County Sheriff's Office said in a release. Deputies were called to 401 River Road in Falmouth where Ortega-Flores was found to have been intoxicated after throwing a rock at a child, the office said. She did not know the child. The child was taken to a nearby hospital for his injuries while Ortega-Flor…

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by Cecilia Levine
Schools
Multi-Millions Of Federal Funding Will Bring 116 New School Buses To These Virginia Districts Multi-Millions Of Federal Funding Will Bring 116 New School Buses To These Virginia Districts
Multi-Millions Of Federal Funding Will Bring 116 New School Buses To These Virginia Districts Hundreds of new, green school buses will be purchased for 18 Virginia school districts thanks to federal funding. The Clean School Bus Program rebate competition is funded by President Biden's Investing in America agenda, helping Virginia accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and replace older, diesel fueled school buses, which have been linked to asthma, the Environmental Protection Agency said. Here's how much funding and how many buses local districts will receive: Loudoun County Public Schools has been selected to receive $3,975,000 in rebate funding to purchase 25 clean …

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Woman Who Euthanized Dog Shocked To Discover He's Still Alive — And She Isn't Getting Him Back Woman Who Euthanized Dog Shocked To Discover He's Still Alive — And She Isn't Getting Him Back
Woman Who Euthanized Dog Shocked To Discover He's Still Alive — And She Isn't Getting Him Back A former Maryland resident who made the difficult decision to put her puppy down due to unrelenting health conditions has learned that he is healthy and still alive — and she won't be getting him back. Kristie Pereira, 32, who recently moved to San Antonio, TX from of Laurel, MD, adopted Amos Hart from Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation in Falls Church, VA in December 2022. She renamed him Beau, and Pereira says the two were "happy as can be." That is, up until February 2023, when Pereira noticed Beau was exhibiting strange behavior.  "He'd be pacing around and at times I'd lo…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Driver Charged In Hit-Run Motorcycle Crash On I-395: State Police Driver Charged In Hit-Run Motorcycle Crash On I-395: State Police
Driver Charged In Hit-Run Motorcycle Crash On I-395: State Police A Falls Church driver has been charged in a hit-and-run crash of a motorcycle on I-395, Virginia State Police said. Fullus Abebe, 45, was in a Honda van when he struck a motorcyclist on the southbound side of the highway at the Pentagon in Arlington around 12:40 p.m. Sunday, May 26, police said. The driver of the motorcycle suffered serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital, and Abebe fled the scene, according to police. Information provided by a witness to the crash enabled the trooper to identify and locate the van and its driver later that same day. Abebe was charged with fai…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Hidden Cameras Found In Bathrooms Of Popular Fairfax County Cafe Hidden Cameras Found In Bathrooms Of Popular Fairfax County Cafe
Hidden Cameras Found In Bathrooms Of Popular Fairfax County Cafe Police ere are investigating a pair of hidden cameras found in bathrooms of a Falls Church cafe earlier this month. The discoveries were made in the bathrooms of Northside Social on Park Ave., city police said. A customer was the one who noticed a pen-like device placed under the sink and facing a toilet in one of the eatery's first-floor restrooms, authorities said. The customer turned the device over to a restaurant employee. An identical device was found in a similar hiding spot inside the adjacent first floor restroom immediately after, police said. The City of Falls Church Police…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Annandale Man Claims $1M Lottery Ticket Sold At 7-Eleven Annandale Man Claims $1M Lottery Ticket Sold At 7-Eleven
Annandale Man Claims $1M Lottery Ticket Sold At 7-Eleven Monna Islam was feeling lucky.  That’s the reason the Falls Church resident bought a 20X the Money ticket from the Virginia Lottery, according to a release on the VA Lottery website. He told Lottery officials that as he scratched the ticket, it looked like he was going to win $10 or $20. Then he discovered he’d just won the game’s $1 million top prize. He had the choice of taking the full $1 million prize over 30 years or a one-time cash option of $625,000 before taxes. He chose the cash option. Islam bought his winning ticket at the 7-Eleven at 201 South Washington Street in Falls C…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
$100K Lottery Ticket Bought In Fairfax County $100K Lottery Ticket Bought In Fairfax County
$100K Lottery Ticket Bought In Fairfax County A Fairfax County man thought he'd won $800 playing the Virginia Lottery’s Ca$h Corners Crossword scratcher game. He was more than just a little surprised when Virginia Lottery officials looked at the ticket and informed him that he’d actually won $100,000. Miguel Garcia bought his winning ticket at Harris Teeter, located at 6351 Columbia Pike in Falls Church. “I like this game because it’s challenging and takes longer to play,” he said as he claimed his prize. Ca$h Corners Crossword is one of dozens of scratcher games available from the Virginia Lottery. It features prizes ranging from $5…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Stafford High School Grad Devon Davati Dies Unexpectedly, 29 Stafford High School Grad Devon Davati Dies Unexpectedly, 29
Stafford High School Grad Devon Davati Dies Unexpectedly, 29 Devon Davati, a Virginia native, died unexpectedly on Thursday, April 18, his obituary says. He was 29 years old. A King George native, Devon graduated from Stafford High School in 2012 before going on to earn his bachelors of science from the Southern New Hampshire University, his obituary says. Devon worked for CGI Federal in Falls Church, in the legal area for the Department of Justice supporting the Bureau of Immigration Appeals, according to his obit. Services are scheduled for Sunday, April 28 at the Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service. Click here for service information and …

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Neck-Tatted Falls Church Man Assaults Officer After Arlington Fight: Cops Neck-Tatted Falls Church Man Assaults Officer After Arlington Fight: Cops
Neck-Tatted Falls Church Man Assaults Officer After Arlington Fight: Cops A 27-year-old man attacked a police officer arresting him following a fight in Arlington Saturday, March 30, authorities said. Anforne Golden of Falls Church had gotten into a physical fight with another individual around 5:05 p.m. on N. Stuart Street at Wilson Boulevard, bringing police to the scene, Arlington police said. The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken to an area hospital. During the course of the investigation, Golden was identified as someone involved in the fight and arrested at Ballston Metro. While in custody, Golden became aggressive, assaulted a p…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Driver Charged For Virginia Crash That Killed 19-Year-Old Motorcyclist: Police Driver Charged For Virginia Crash That Killed 19-Year-Old Motorcyclist: Police
Driver Charged For Virginia Crash That Killed 19-Year-Old Motorcyclist: Police The driver responsible for causing a fatal crash that took the life of a beloved 19-year-old man riding his motorcycle in Fairfax County has been charged, according to police. Falls Church resident Jose Rigoberto Alvarenga Machado, 35, was arrested and charged in connection to the March crash in Bailey's Crossroads that resulted in the death of Alejandro Portillo.  Police say that at around 11:10 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, Portillo was riding his Yamaha motorcycle east on Leesburg Pike while Alvarenga Machado attempted to make a left turn in the area onto Glen Carlyn Drive, at which poi…

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by Zak Failla
News
$3M Lottery Ticket Sold In Virginia $3M Lottery Ticket Sold In Virginia
$3M Lottery Ticket Sold In Virginia A Mega Millions ticket good for $3 million and three others worth $10,000 were sold in Virginia. The ticket from the Friday, March 22 drawing matched the first five numbers but not the Mega Ball. The player spent an extra dollar for the Megaplier when buying the ticket, which tripled the prize. That ticket was purchased on the Vinton player's personal device via the VA Lottery app or website. The three $10,000 winning tickets were bought at: Meridian Deli, 1201 Braddock Place, Alexandria Loehmann Plaza Exxon, 7269 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church Route 1 BP, 2307 Emancipation High…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
District Man Facing Life In Prison For Abduction, Attempted Rape In Virginia, Police Say District Man Facing Life In Prison For Abduction, Attempted Rape In Virginia, Police Say
District Man Facing Life In Prison For Abduction, Attempted Rape In Virginia, Police Say A 25-year-old District man is facing a lifetime behind bars following an attempted sexual assault in Alexandria last month, officials say. Dykwon Perry Davis has been charged by a multi-jurisdictional grand jury from Alexandria, Falls Church, and Arlington, on felony charges following an alleged incident late on Feb. 3 in the Potomac Yard neighborhood. Specifically, Davis was charged with abduction with the intent to defile and attempted rape. If convicted of the abduction charge, Davis will face life in prison. The attempted rape charge carries a maximum term of 10 years. Davis remains i…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
'To Families Of Men About To Be Slain:' Feds Detail Letter Written By Would-Be VA Church Gunman 'To Families Of Men About To Be Slain:' Feds Detail Letter Written By Would-Be VA Church Gunman
'To Families Of Men About To Be Slain:' Feds Detail Letter Written By Would-Be VA Church Gunman A 35-year-old Virginia man is facing new federal charges months after showing up to to a church with a handgun and threatening to kill its members on social media, officials said. Falls Church resident Rui Jiang, 35, was charged with attempted aggravated murder of multiple people, after showing up to the Park Valley Church on Waverly Farm Drive in Haymarket with a handgun on Sunday, Sept. 24, Prince William County police said. Federal officials this week charged Jian by criminal complaint with posting threatening messages online against the congregants of a Haymarket church. A search of hi…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Former Commanders Cheerleader Among Dozens Of Area James Beard Awards Semifinalists Former Commanders Cheerleader Among Dozens Of Area James Beard Awards Semifinalists
Former Commanders Cheerleader Among Dozens Of Area James Beard Awards Semifinalists The DMV is well-represented on the list of James Beard Awards semifinalists. More than a dozens chefs and restaurants, including one helmed by a former Washington Commanders cheerleader, were named 2024 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists on Wednesday, Jan. 24.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Masako Morishita (@masako_morishita) The following area eateries and chefs made the list: Outstanding Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj, Knightsbridge Restaurant Group (Rasika, Annabelle, Sababa, and others), Washington, D.C.  …

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Dog Euthanized After Being Stabbed By Man In Virginia, Police Say Dog Euthanized After Being Stabbed By Man In Virginia, Police Say
Dog Euthanized After Being Stabbed By Man In Virginia, Police Say A dog had to be euthanized in Virginia after being stabbed while being taken for a walk with its owner in Falls Church, police say. Broadlands resident Reyan Hassan Ibrahim, 25, was arrested by members of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Police Department  at around 11 a.m. on Monday morning during a traffic stop near Dulles International Airport in connection to the assault of a dog. At around 9:15 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 14, police say that witnesses saw Ibrahim near the intersection of West Broad Street and South Maple Avenue when he stabbed the dog. They wer…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Predators Behind Bars For Preying On Minors During Virginia Sting Operation: Police Predators Behind Bars For Preying On Minors During Virginia Sting Operation: Police
Predators Behind Bars For Preying On Minors During Virginia Sting Operation: Police Nearly a dozen predators are off Virginia streets after police in Fairfax County executed a bittersweet operation targeting people attempting to solicit illicit encounters with minors. A total of ten men were arrested during the three-day ADC Express 2 sting conducted earlier this month using undercover officers posing as teen boys and girls seeking offenders online, authorities announced on Thursday. Despite the triumph, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said that he hoped that no one would bite and engage his undercover officers, though they all fell for it. "I'm sad to report the …

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
Evan Patchett Of Reston Dies, 31: 'Best At Being No.1 Fan' Evan Patchett Of Reston Dies, 31: 'Best At Being No.1 Fan'
Evan Patchett Of Reston Dies, 31: 'Best At Being No.1 Fan' Evan Patchett of Reston died peacefully on Dec. 3 at Inova Loudoun Hospital, according to his obituary. He was 31 years old. Evan attended the Aldrin Elementary School and Herndon Middle School, before graduating from from Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax in the Options Program, his obituary says. In 2014, he graduated from the John S. Davis Career Center in Falls Church, and "made the very most of his time at each of those schools, becoming a popular and well-known figure with huge numbers of friends among students and faculty alike," Evan's obituary continues. He has bee…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Man Killed Cat During 21-Hour Barricade That Ended On Virginia Rooftop: Police Man Killed Cat During 21-Hour Barricade That Ended On Virginia Rooftop: Police
Man Killed Cat During 21-Hour Barricade That Ended On Virginia Rooftop: Police The Fairfax County Police Department has  identified a victim in the 21-hour standoff in Culmore that ended with a man on the roof and an animal dead. Falls Church resident Brian Ramos, 21, put police through their paces after a scary scene played out inside an apartment and spilled outside to the rooftop after he killed a cat and set a fire, police say. According to police, at around 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, officers were called to the 6000 block of Bellview Drive when two people were abducted by a roommate, one of whom was assaulted with a baseball bat.  Officers are in t…

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by Zak Failla