Loud Boom, Governor's Debate, Vandalism At School | Top 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.

Thunderous Boom Rattles Homes From Ashburn To Alexandria

A thunderous boom heard across the D.C. area around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday had residents confused about the source of the noise. The boom could be heard from Ashburn to Centreville, east to Alexandria and D.C. and in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Booster Shots, Vaccines For Children: Northam Updates Virginians

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam provided an update on COVID-19 vaccinations on Monday as Pfizer booster shots are now recommended for more groups of people and vaccine authorization for children 5 to 11 is expected later in the fall.

• Pfizer Booster Vaccine Doses Offered In Fairfax Health District
• Pfizer Vaccine Boosters Available In Arlington For At-Risk Groups
• Mass Vaccination Site To Reopen At Gander Mountain In Woodbridge

McAuliffe, Youngkin Clash Over Abortion, Vaccines In VA Debate

Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin met Tuesday evening for the second and final debate in Virginia's gubernatorial election, with McAuliffe calling Youngkin a "Donald Trump wannabe" and Youngkin emphasizing he would make sure Virginia remains a right-to-work state.

Early Morning Amtrak Train Service Launches From Richmond To DC

Amtrak on Monday officially expanded rail service from Richmond to the Northeast corridor on Monday. The new service will allow commuters in the Richmond area to get to their morning meetings in Washington, D.C., or be in New York City by lunchtime.

LGBTQ-Themed Books Removed From Fairfax County HS Libraries

Fairfax County Public Schools suspended circulation of two books in the libraries of high schools on Friday after community members complained about the sexual content of the books. Speakers told school board members the books describe pedophilia, but a review of the works shows no such content.

COVID-19 Positive Lions, Tigers At National Zoo Are 'Improving'

The lions and tigers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., that tested presumptive positive for COVID-19 more than two weeks ago are showing signs of improvement, the zoo said Friday.

Heroic Patients Get Superhero Visit At Inova Children's Hospital

A group of Fairfax County firefighters dressed as superheroes on Tuesday and rappelled down the outside of Inova L.J. Murphy Children's Hospital, according to a post on the fire and rescue department's official Twitter account.

11 Indicted In Hazing Death Of VCU Freshman Adam Oakes

Eight Virginia Commonwealth University students have been arrested and charged with hazing following the death of Adam Oakes, a Delta Chi pledge who died from alcohol poisoning after attending a fraternity party earlier this year, according to a report.

Truck Driver Who Blocked I-95 Charged With Reckless Driving

A dump truck got stuck on the Truslow Road overpass on I-95 in Stafford County on Tuesday afternoon, blocking traffic for several hours. Now, the driver of the truck has been charged with reckless driving.

Bathrooms Shut Down At Osbourn Park High School Due To Vandalism

Several boys' bathrooms were shut down at Osbourn Park High School on Monday due to "significant vandalism." Administrators believed that the vandalism was inspired by the "devious licks" TikTok trend.

Threatened Trees Saved As City Council Denies Funding Endorsement

Fairfax City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to not endorse the funding request to pay for the John Mason Trail. With this action, the project, which has faced a great deal of criticism in recent weeks from city residents, has been placed on hold.

Fallen Marine's Motorcade Passes Through Fairfax, Arlington

A motorcade carrying the body of a Marine killed in Afghanistan passed through Fairfax and Arlington counties Monday.

Latest River Farm Offer From NOVA Parks Rejected By AHS Board

On Sunday, the board of the American Horticultural Society rejected an offer from NOVA Parks to purchase River Farm.

Black VA Family Wants Neighbor's Blasting Of Racial Slurs To End

Blinking lights, racial slurs and monkey sounds coming from a neighbor's home have made a Virginia Beach family's lives miserable. But the city police department told the family there is nothing they can do to stop the neighbor's actions.

Virginia Agency's New Name Reflects Transition To Clean Energy

More than 35 years after its creation, the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy has a new name. It is now known as the Virginia Department of Energy after state lawmakers passed a law earlier this year requiring the name change. The name change took effect Friday, Oct. 1.

LGBTQ Nonprofit Raising Money To Keep DC Shelter Beds Open

The founder of LGBTQ nonprofit Casa Ruby in Washington, D.C., is seeking the public's help after receiving a sudden notice from the D.C. government that funding for key operations will not be renewed.

Injured Worker Lifted Out Of Ballston Construction Site Thursday

Arlington County Fire & Rescue personnel used a crane and a stokes basket Thursday morning to remove an injured worker from a Clarendon construction site, according to a post on the department's official Twitter account.

RiverRenew Tunnel Project Construction Kicks Off In October

Ground was broken for the RiverRenew Tunnel Project to remediate four combined sewer outfalls in Alexandria on Thursday, according to AlexRenew, the city's wastewater treatment provider.