School Sex Assaults, FBI HQ Lobbied, Man Dragged By Train: Top VA News

VIRGINIA — As the long Presidents Day weekend approaches, we're taking a look back at the top stories in Northern Virginia in the last week.

There was a variety of news that Northern Virginia Patch readers were paying attention to in the last week. Top news stories in Northern Virginia included Virginia officials pitching Springfield as a new headquarters location for the FBI, Washington Nationals owner and top developer Ted Lerner dies, a popular restaurant experiences a fire on Valentine's Day, the Farmers' Almanac spring forecast for Virginia, the Loudoun County School Board votes against releasing internal report on sexual assaults, and a man dies after being dragged by a Metro train.

Youngkin, VA Officials Unite Behind Springfield As FBI Headquarters

Top elected officials from Virginia gathered in Springfield Wednesday morning to urge the federal government to select a nearby site as the new headquarters for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, rather than building in Maryland.

• New FBI Headquarters In Springfield Pushed By Youngkin, VA Delegation

Washington Nationals Owner, Real Estate Tycoon Ted Lerner Dies at 97

Ted Lerner, the former principal owner of the Washington Nationals and a billionaire real estate developer in the D.C. area, has died at the age of 97, the team announced Monday.

Farmers' Almanac 2023 Spring Forecast: What VA Can Expect

With the spring equinox just over a month away — spring 2023 arrives on March 20 at 5:24 p.m. EDT — Virginians are wondering when it will truly feel like spring.

Mike's American Grill In Springfield Catches Fire On Valentine's Day

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue were called to Mike’s American Grill in Springfield Tuesday night for the report of a fire that forced the evacuation of the restaurant.

Sexual Assault Investigation Report Not Released By Loudoun Schools

An internal report into how Loudoun County Public Schools responded to two sexual assaults was not released by the school board Tuesday night.

• Loudoun School Board Selects Firm To Find New Superintendent

Old Town Business Improvement District Gets Renewed Interest

After Business Improvement Service District guidelines were updated in 2022, a district for Old Town Alexandria's commercial corridor is being sought.

$700K Approved To Fund Lamb Center's Hy-Way Motel Redevelopment

Fairfax City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve a $700,000 appropriation to help fund the redevelopment of the Hy-Way Motel property on Fairfax Boulevard for permanent, supportive, low-income housing.

5 VA Companies Ranked Among ‘America’s Best Large Employers’: Forbes

Workers in Virginia are in a position to be more selective about where they work with the historically low 3.4 percent unemployment rates, according to Forbes, which on Wednesday released its annual list of “America’s Best Large Employers.”

Man Dragged By Train, Killed At Dunn Loring Metro Station: Police

A man was killed Wednesday after his dog leash got caught in a Metro door, causing him to be dragged at the Dunn Loring station, according to Metro Transit Police.

Minority-Owned Business Grant Program Withdrawn After Lawsuit

The City of Alexandria's grant program for Black, Indigenous and people of color-owned small businesses had been withdrawn after a lawsuit filed in federal court.

Wanted Man Threw Cat Out Of Apartment Window Twice: Police

Authorities are looking for a man who threw a cat out of a window twice in Woodbridge last week. The cat died as a result of its injuries, according to the Prince William County Police Department.

Elementary School Employee Accused Of Dragging Student By Arm: FCPD

An instructional assistant at Saratoga Elementary School in Springfield has been accused of dragging a student by their arm down the hallway of the school, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

Armed Carjacking Suspects Arrested After Chase From Arlington Into DC

Arlington County Police arrested two juveniles in connection with a Saturday night carjacking in the Aurora Highlands neighborhood, police said Sunday.

Suspicious 'Bias' Flyers Found At McLean Homes Investigated By Police

The Fairfax County Police Department is investigating several reports of “suspicious flyers portraying bias material” found in McLean Thursday morning.

New Plans For Lake Accotink As County Finds Dredging Not Feasible

Fairfax County is holding two public meetings this week to discuss the future of Lake Accotink Park after a new analysis of a multiyear plan for the lake found dredging to be too costly and disruptive.

WestJet Airlines To Begin Nonstop Service From Dulles to Calgary

WestJet Airlines will begin offering nonstop flights from Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia to Calgary International Airport in Canada on June 2, according to a release from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

Metal Detectors At Alexandria Public Schools Under Consideration

A weapon detector program at Alexandria City Public Schools is under consideration by the school board.

Affordable Homeownership Program Launched In Falls Church

The Affordable Homeownership Program is being launched in the City of Falls Church to help city employees and residents purchase homes below market prices.

Arlington Schools To Include More Details About Threats In Messages

Arlington Public Schools plans to adjust how it communicates with parents and the rest of the school community by providing more details about security threats at schools in the county, according to the school division’s superintendent.

Bruce Springsteen Adds Shows At Nationals Park, Camden Yards To Tour

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band have added 18 additional dates to their current tour, including shows this summer at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., and Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore.