TikTok Car Thefts, Snow Drought, Missing Middle Housing: Top VA News

VIRGINIA — The third week of January brought a variety of major news. Top news stories in Northern Virginia from the past week included a man sentenced for the fatal shootings of his two high school classmates, thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles related to a TikTok trend, the family of a 6-year-old boy who shot a teacher makes a statement and "missing middle" housing debate heats up.

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Fairfax County Man Sentenced To 20 Years In Shooting Deaths Of Teens

A Fairfax County judge on Thursday sentenced a 20-year-old man, who was convicted in the shooting deaths of two high school classmates at a home in Springfield, to 20 years in prison, the maximum sentence, according to the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office.

Hyundai, Kia Cars Targeted In Fairfax County With Rise Of TikTok Trend

Fairfax County Police are seeing in an increase in the theft of Hyundai and Kia vehicles, a trend that could be growing due to the popularity of instructional videos on the social media platform TikTok on how to hot-wire the vehicles.

Sen. Tim Kaine Of Virginia To Seek Re-Election: Reports

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, the 2016 Democratic vice presidential nominee and a fixture in Virginia politics, will seek re-election for a third term next year, according to reports, assuaging fears among Democrats worried about losing the party's slim majority in the Senate.

Gun Used To Shoot VA Teacher Locked, Stored On Top Shelf: Attorney

An attorney for the family of a 6-year-old boy accused of shooting his first-grade teacher at a Newport News elementary school said the gun used in the shooting was kept on the top shelf of a closet and had a trigger lock, according to a report. The statement by attorney James Ellenson came shortly after the family spoke out for the first time, claiming the child suffers from an "acute disability."

NoVA 'Snow Drought' To Stretch Into Late January, With Rain Forecast

Two storms headed eastward next week are likely to produce snow in parts of the interior Northeast, but rain will fall along the Interstate 95 corridor in Virginia, continuing a weather pattern that is expected to keep the area “stuck in a snow drought,” according to meteorologists at AccuWeather.

Arlington Preps For Throng Of Missing Middle Speakers At Board Meeting

Arlington County has posted the county board agenda for the Saturday, Jan. 21 meeting, where board members are expected to vote on whether to advertise public hearings on the county’s proposed Missing Middle housing zoning code changes.

Murder Indictment Handed Down In Fatal Shooting Of Fairfax City Man

A Fairfax County grand jury indicted 33-year-old Joshua Danehower of Arlington on two counts of felony murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony on Tuesday, according to a release from Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano's office.

Record Number Of Guns Stopped By TSA At VA Checkpoints In 2022

The year-end count is official. The Transportation Security Administration said it seized a record number of 118 guns in 2022 at Virginia airports, a 20 percent increase over the 98 guns seized in 2021.

$1M VA Lottery Prize Awarded To Occoquan Man In New Year's Raffle

A man from Occoquan won $1 million in the Virginia Lottery's New Year's Millionaire Raffle. The man, Daniel Zarow, bought his winning ticket at the Safeway store in Woodbridge's Merchant Plaza.

Child Abduction In Car Leads To Charges For Alexandria Woman

An Alexandria woman is facing charges in relation to a stolen vehicle with a child inside in Lincolnia Sunday, according to Fairfax County Police.

Arlington's First Medical Cannabis Dispensary Opens In Clarendon

Arlington’s first medical cannabis dispensary opened Wednesday in the Clarendon area across from the Whole Foods grocery store.

12 Virginia Hospitals Among 250 Best In America: Healthgrades

Twelve hospitals in Virginia were ranked among the 250 best in the country in a new ranking from Healthgrades, a marketplace to help people find doctors and hospitals.

New Owners Of T.J. Oshie's House Sell Their McLean Mansion For $10.8M

The new owners of the McLean home previously owned by Washington Capitals star T.J. Oshie and his wife have found a buyer for their old home in the Langley Farms community.

The Arden, Affordable Housing Community Near Huntington Metro, Opens

A new affordable housing community is open near the Huntington Metro, an area with numerous new or upcoming developments.

Gunston Area House Fire 'Sounded Like An Explosion': Fire Department

A house fire in the Gunston area of Fairfax County on Sunday evening caused more than $123,000 in damage, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.

New Security Screenings Considered For PWC Schools: Superintendent

The Prince William County school system is exploring a new security screening technology, superintendent LaTanya McDade said on Friday. McDade said the new technology would be similar to the threat-detection technology used at sports stadiums and museums.

Fire At Sheetz leads To Arson Charge In Stafford County: Authorities

A woman intentionally set fires at a Stafford County Sheetz on Monday evening, according to fire and rescue officials.

Supreme Court Disruption Gets Probation For Alexandria, McLean Women

Women who spoke out against the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade reversal during oral arguments of another case were given probation for their protest actions, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

Lamb Center, Wesley Housing Finalize Purchase Of Hy-Way Motel

Wesley Housing and The Lamb Center finalized the purchase of the Hy-Way Motel on Tuesday, as part of their plan to redevelop the property for permanent supportive housing, according to a post on the homeless day shelter's Facebook page.

VDOT To Close I-395 Ramp At Boundary Channel Drive In Arlington

The ramp from southbound Interstate 395 to westbound Boundary Channel Drive in Arlington will be closed for several months starting Tuesday, Jan. 24 so crews can make improvements to the ramp, the Virginia Department of Transportation said Wednesday.

Retention Bonus, Pay Hike In Fairfax County Schools Budget Proposal

Staff recruitment and retention are a key part of the latest budget proposal for Fairfax County Public Schools, presented by Superintendent Michelle Reid to the School Board last week.