Grateful Family Helps Hospital | Merrifield Gunman Angry At Ex-Wife | ATM Theft Attempt At Nats Park: News Nearby

There was plenty of news across Virginia and Washington, D.C., on Friday. If you missed any of it on your local Patch, here’s a roundup of some of the top stories from the past 24 hours.

• Spirit Halloween Stores Open In Virginia: LIST
• Alexandria City Council To Honor Pat Miller
• No Threat Found At West Potomac High: Police

Church Hate Crime Suspect Arrested In Triangle

A man suspected of taping racist hate images to the front door of a predominantly black church about a month ago is being held without bond after being arrested Thursday, according to Prince William County Police.

Alexandria Family Gives Back To Hospital That Saved Their Boy

When doctors found an Alexandria newborn had holes in his heart, it was a scary moment that no parent ever wants to face. At three days old, Teddy was diagnosed with a congenital heart defects and faced open-heart surgery at two months old. The family wants to give back to the people who helped in Teddy's recovery — and other children like him — by participating in the annual Race for Every Child, which raises money for Children's National.

Merrifield Shooting: 5 Things About The Gunman Who Shot Himself

The man who fired gunshots at a Merrifield law firm was reportedly angry with the amount of alimony he had to pay his ex-wife, reports say. John Francis Wood, 52, of Vienna, killed himself after shooting at the building that houses the law firm and Falls Church Merrifield Preschool.

Thieves In Stolen U-Haul Truck Back Into ATM At Nationals Park: Police

Police are searching for four would-be thieves who drove a stolen U-Haul truck into an ATM in an attempted burglary at Nationals Park early Friday morning.

Free Things To Do This Weekend: Fall For Fairfax KidsFest

Fall for Fairfax KidsFest is a weekend full of family-friendly activities at the Fairfax County Government Center.

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» Also Worth a Look Today

• Vienna Car Vandal Strikes In Broad Daylight: Police
• Two Coins Stolen From Penny Pincher Coins In Fairfax
• Sexual Assault Reported On Fairfax Walking Trail
• Missing Teenager Sought In Ashburn: Police
• Suspects Arrested In Triple Stabbing In Northwest: Police
• Open House Dates At Colorful D.C. Row Home In Great Location
• Open House Dates At High-End Georgetown Home
• Open House Dates At Hip, Urban Arlington Home In Ideal Location
• Bomb Threat In Rosslyn Building Results In Police Investigation

» Across America

• Air Force Academy Head Says 'Get Out' To Racists
• Crash Photo Shows Why Car Seats Are So Important
• Rock's Special Message Brings Finder To Tears

Patch PM shares a few of the day’s must-read items from our Virginia and Washington, D.C., network. The Patch community platform serves more than four dozen cities and neighborhoods in the Washington region. Thank you for reading.

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Images by Danielle Hunter Photography, courtesy of the Rothstein family