Tide Pod Theft, Cherry Blossom Date, Best Hospitals: News Nearby

There was plenty of news across Virginia and Washington, DC, on Thursday. 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.

• DC Ranks High For Hardest Working Cities: Report
• Confederate Flag Along I-95 Opposed By Legislator
• Opening Day Set For New Falls Church Target

DC Cherry Blossoms Peak Bloom 2018: New Date Announced

The National Park Service has officially released its projected dates for the 2018 peak bloom of the cherry blossoms in D.C., and it's going to be quite early this year if they're right.

Tide Pod Bandit Sought In Belle Haven

Police are seeking a Belle Haven shoplifter that made away Wednesday with Tide Pods, which have become a dangerous social media trend among teens.
The bandit got away with $155 in Tide Pod products from the Safeway at Belle Haven Shopping Center.

Metro Refunds 17,000 Customers After Wednesday Debacle

It's been a little more than a month since the Metro Board approved the Rush Hour Promise, which grants a refund to Metro customers if their train is delayed by 15 minutes or more. On Wednesday, that promise cost WMATA big time after a huge mess on the Orange and Silver lines.

Massive Reston Town Center Deal: Report

Reston Town Center manager Boston Properties has entered into a commitment with Fannie Mae to lease 850,000 square feet out of a million square feet to be constructed on the Reston Gateway property, the developer said in a statement.

2 VA Hospitals Rank In America’s 100 Best Hospitals List For 2018

A newly released list shows two Virginia hospitals rank among the top 100 in the nation. The hospitals received Healthgrades' "America's Best Hospitals Award" for 2018, and were in the top 1 percent of hospitals in the country.

Body Found Near Missing Virginia Mom's Home: Report

The body of a Virginia mother of two who disappeared Tuesday while walking out to her car has been found, and investigators suspect she was killed. Alvin Keyser lead authorities to the body of TerriLynn St. John, of Wake, on Thursday morning.

Recent Restaurant Inspections:

• Shoddy Refrigeration Units: Fairfax City Restaurant Inspections
• Rodent-Infested Drink Mix: Loudoun County Restaurant Inspections
• 12 Violations At One Place: Prince William Restaurant Inspections

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Also Worth a Look Today

• Woman Wards Off Attacker In Sterling: Police
• Alexandria Men Attempt To Smuggle Guns Abroad: Prosecutors
• Man Sold Heroin To Overdose Victim In Alexandria Hospital: Police
• Watch: Daredevil Crosses High Wire In National Harbor
• Alexandria Murder Victim Had 'Association' With Shooters: Police
• Woodbridge Murder Victim Had 'Association' With Shooters: Police
• Massive Sinkhole, Madison Students Walk Out: February In Review
• Tallest High Rise, Park Police 911 Call: February In Review

Across America

• Suspect Took Authorities To Missing Mom's Body
• 10 Stories About Pets And Animals You Need To Read
• Weekend Movie Guide
• Man Who Sent Trump Jr. White Powder Arrested
• Lehigh Faculty Votes To Rescind Trump's Degree

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