Rats Suffocated In City Crackdown | PatchPM

Share-worthy stories from the Virginia/DC Patch network to talk about tonight:

Reston Native Going To The Olympics

A Reston native has secured her spot on the U.S. Olympic short-track speedskating team, becoming the first black woman ever to qualify for the American Olympic speedskating team.

DC To Deploy New Weapon Fight The Rat Problem: Report

Tough problems require innovative solutions, and that's the route D.C. is going with its new plan to deal with the rat infestation in the city. The District will use dry ice to suffocate rats in their homes, according to a report.

Dozens Of Virginia Nursing Homes Fined For Violations

Citations issued by government inspectors paint a grim picture of long-term care at dozens of facilities in Virginia. Of the 290 nursing homes in Virginia, 72 nursing homes have faced penalties totaling more than $4.7 million since 2014, according to data posted online by Medicare.

Worst Day On Roads, When To Avoid Holiday 2017 Gridlock In VA

Virginia and DC families will join a record number of Americans expected to travel during the year-end holiday period by car, air and train as they head to their destinations, the American Auto Association says. If you want to avoid "getaway gridlock," there's one afternoon this week that you don't want be on the roads.

Annandale Among Best Suburbs For Food Lovers

In a new list of best food in the suburbs, Annandale represents the DC region among 10 other places across the U.S. The website Thrillist picked 11 suburbs for the list, and highlighted seven great Annandale eateries in its nationwide round-up.

Alexandria Pastor Dupes Churchgoers Of $2M: Prosecutors

A jury convicted an Alexandria pastor and his wife for duping $2 million out of investors and falsely telling them the money benefited poor people in developing countries. But the money went toward a $1.75 million house, prosecutors say.

Former DC Transit Cop Convicted Of Trying To Support ISIS

A former Metro Transit Police Department officer from Fairfax has been convicted of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham.

Also Worth a Look Today

• Reston Police Will Get Body Cameras
• Drunk Reston Man Causes Ruckus At Restaurant: Police
• South Lakes High Student Shatters School Record
• Woman Busted For Making Fraudulent Return In Springfield
• $100K Grand Prize Lottery Ticket Bought In Alexandria
• Burke Residents Lose Home In Huge Blaze
• Winter Solstice 2017: What You Need To Know In DC, Virginia
• Flooding Closes Arlington Chamber Of Commerce Office
• Sketch Of Sexual Assault Suspect Released By Police
• Peeping Tom On The Loose In Kingstowne

Across America

• Myriad Boozing Santas Urinate, Brawl Around City
• Pair Caught Selling Their Kids For Drugs: Police
• 5-Year-Old Calls 911 On The Grinch. For Real.

Patch PM shares a few of the day's must-read items from our Virginia and Washington DC network. The Patch community platform serves more than 40 communities in the region. Thank you for reading!