No Exotic Pets, Police Shooting Review, First Buc-ee's: Top VA News

VIRGINIA — From zoning debates to a warning about a disease outbreak, we're taking a look back at the top stories in Northern Virginia in the last week.

Top news stories in Northern Virginia included the Missing Middle Plan advancing in Arlington County, a meningococcal disease killing three people in Virginia, a judge ruling frozen embryos are property based on a slave law, Loudoun County's exotic animals ban, Fairfax County's board considers raising members' pay, and a Buc-ee's Travel Center is planned in Virginia.

Pay Raise Measure For Fairfax County Board Considered By Supervisors

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday morning to consider a pay raise increase for board members. The motion called for the advertisement of a new pay range for supervisors between $125,000 to $130,000 and $140,000 to $145,000 for the chairman.

Meningococcal Disease Outbreak In VA Kills 3, Prompting Public Warning

An outbreak of meningococcal disease in eastern Virginia has killed three people and sickened several others, prompting public health officials to issue a warning to the rest of the state.

Missing Middle Plan Wins Unanimous Approval From Planning Commission

The Arlington County Planning Commission voted 8-0 Wednesday night to recommend approval of the county's Missing Middle Housing plan, increasing the likelihood that the county board will approve the proposal after holding a final public hearing on March 18.

Slave Law Prompts VA Judge To Rule Frozen Embryos Are Property

A Virginia judge has ruled that frozen embryos can legally be considered property, a decision he based on a 19th century law governing the treatment of enslaved people. The decision has drawn criticism, according to multiple reports.

DC Walmart To Close, Failing To Meet Financial Expectations

The Walmart store at 99 H Street NW in Washington, D.C., is shuttering its doors later this year, officials announced.

Alligator, Venomous Snake Ownership Outlawed In Loudoun County

It is no longer legal for Loudoun County residents to own or breed exotic animals like alligators, kangaroos, wolf hybrids, scorpions, and venomous snakes, after an ordinance passed this week by the Board of County Supervisors outlawed keeping these and other animals.

Buc-ee's Travel Center Planning First Virginia Location

Buc-ee's, a Texas-based convenience store chain known for its beaver mascot and the "world's cleanest bathrooms," wants to build its first Virginia location in New Kent County.

Speed Limit To Drop To 20 Miles Per Hour In Downtown Leesburg

The speed limit in downtown Leesburg is dropping from 25 to 20 miles per hour. Town officials said the change would go into effect in the next 60 to 90 days.

Consultant To Review Officer-Involved Shootings In Fairfax County

The Fairfax County Police Department has asked a consulting firm that focuses on policing issues to examine all officer-involved shooting incidents in the county over the past two years. The request came just over a week after Fairfax County police officers fatally shot an unarmed man who was accused of shoplifting at Tysons Corner Center.

Student With Gun Incident Resolved At Alexandria City High School

After a teacher reported a student with a gun at Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus, the incident was resolved Monday morning.

See Where VA, DC Hospitals Rank New List Of Nation’s Best

Fifteen of the best hospitals in the United States are in DC and Virginia, with four ranked among the top 100, Newsweek said in its 2023 list of the World’s Best Hospitals.

Ashburn Woman Convicted In $2.5M Pandemic Fraud Scheme

An Ashburn woman was convicted this week in connection with a $2.5 million scheme involving fraudulent paycheck protection program loans during the pandemic.

Jan. 6 Capitol Breach Charges Lead To Conviction For Vienna Man

A Vienna man was found guilty Tuesday in DC federal court on felony and misdemeanor charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Leaders Break Ground For New Government Center, Library In Kingstowne

Fairfax County officials held a groundbreaking ceremony in Kingstowne Thursday afternoon for a new combined facility that will house the new Franconia District government center, police station and the Kingstowne Regional Library.

New Dulles Chamber CEO Discusses Vision For Area's Business Community

When the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce first announced in January that Melissa McKenna had been named the organization's new president and chief executive officer, many people in western Fairfax County may have wondered why that name sounded so familiar.

Man Crashes Car While Trying To Drive On Arlington Pedestrian Bridge

A man drove his car into an abutment of the Jackson Street Pedestrian Bridge across Route 50 near the Thomas Jefferson Community and Fitness Center early Thursday morning and then crashed into a bollard along a jogging path near the bridge, according to the Arlington County Police Department.