Transgender Student State Guidelines, Black Bear Sighting: Top VA News

Patch has 32 sites in communities in northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. Here are some of the top posts from the past week.

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Youngkin's New School Guidelines Restrict Transgender Student Rights

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration released state education guidelines that would roll back the rights of transgender students, a move by the state's Republican governor that is expected to be challenged in court.

• Youngkin Transgender Student Policies Draws Pushback From ACPS
• Youngkin Transgender Student Policies Draws Response From FCCPS

Tolls On Western I-66 Express Lane Segment Begin This Weekend

After the I-66 Express Lanes western segment opened to traffic without tolling earlier in September, tolling and high occupancy vehicle rules will begin Saturday. Virginia Department of Transportation and private toll road operator I-66 Express Mobility Partners announced the upcoming change.

Shelter-In-Place Lifted After Gun Damage Found In Bailey's Crossroads

After police called for a shelter-in-place due to gunshots damaging vehicles Friday, police determined it was not from a "high-caliber weapon" or an elevated location. The shelter-in-place was lifted as of 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Mother Cited For Abuse After Leaving Children With Stranger: Police

Herndon Police arrested 24-year-old Paola Alejandra Salinas Padilla of Reston for child abuse after she left her two children at a stranger's home on Thursday, according to a post on the department's official Twitter account.

Banned Books Week: What Titles Have Been Removed From VA Schools

School officials at nine school districts in Virginia, including Fairfax County Public Schools and Loudoun County Public Schools, were among those challenging and banning books in what a Banned Books Week 2022 report called an “unprecedented fashion.”

• Banned Books In Little Library Is Del Ray Resident's Latest Effort

Black Bear Sighting Reported In Vienna, What To Do

Black bear sightings in Vienna have prompted multiple calls to the Vienna Police Department, the town government said Sunday night.

Sterling Man Wins $3M Lottery Prize 3 Years After His Brother Won $1M

A man from Sterling is $3 million richer after he won a grand prize from a Virginia Lottery scratcher. Good luck must run in the family, as the man's brother previously won $1 million from the Virginia Lottery in 2019.

Police Investigate 'False' Shooter Call At Washington-Liberty HS

A false report of an active shooter at Washington-Liberty High School in Arlington was made Monday afternoon, according to the Arlington County Police Department.

'Prevent Gun Tragedies' Aim Of New Signs On Fairfax Connector Buses

Fairfax County officials gathered outside of the government center Tuesday morning as part of the county's campaign to raise awareness of the Virginia's red flag law.

Multiple Fentanyl Overdoses In Fairfax County Lead To Man's Conviction

On Wednesday, a Dumfries man was convicted by a federal jury for six overdoses, including one death in Bailey's Crossroads.

Spotted Lanternflies Laying Egg Masses In VA: What You Can Do

They have survived the heat and rains of summer, along with traps some residents have laid for the pests, and now they're laying eggs in parts of Virginia.

Free Metrobus Program Expanded To More Fairfax County High Schools

A student bus pass program for free Metrobus use has expanded to additional Fairfax County high schools.

Smash-And-Grab Thieves Target Jewelry Store In Springfield

Fairfax County Police detectives are trying to determine if an armed robbery at a jewelry store in Springfield on Tuesday is related to two robberies earlier this month at jewelry stores at Tyson’s Corner Center and Fair Oaks Mall.

National Voter Registration Day Held Ahead Of VA Midterms, Local Races

The drive to get people to the polls for the Nov. 8 midterm elections in Virginia started in earnest Tuesday with National Voter Registration Day, a nonpartisan civic holiday observed for the past decade to reach tens of thousands of Americans who might not otherwise register.

'Shopping Cart Killer' Suspect Indicted On 5 Felonies In VA Court: Report

A Virginia grand jury on Monday indicted a suspected serial predator dubbed by police as the Shopping Cart Killer on five counts, including two counts of first-degree murder, according to news reports.

Fall Arrives In Virginia: When To Expect Fall Foliage, Where To Visit

Fall arrives Thursday, but we may have to wait more weeks to see more evident changes in the leaves. There are several fall foliage predictions out so Virginia residents know when to expect the vibrant fall colors on the trees.

• When Does The 1st Frost Usually Occur In VA: Fall Arrives 2022

Democratic Candidate For House District 35 To Be Chosen Through Caucus

With the special election to fill Del. Mark Keam's House of Delegates District 35 seat set for Jan. 10, the Democratic Party will nominate its candidate through a caucus.