Sonic Boom, Casino, Commanders Sale, Teacher Shot: Top VA News Of 2023

VIRGINIA — There was plenty of news that interested readers across Northern Virginia and DC in 2023, from support to open a casino near Metro to zoning and housing debates.

While crime and safety news is a popular topic on all Patch sites, some stories generated interest across the region. A 6-year-old's shooting of a teacher was one of the top stories, along with a sonic boom caused by a plane that was intercepted by fighter jets. A standoff that shut down Richmond Highway ended after about 36 hours, a congressman's staffers were attacked with a baseball bat, an au pair was charged in a double homicide and a YouTube prankster was shot.

In business and development news, Amazon opened its second headquarters, a new location for the Washington Capitals and Wizards has been proposed, lawmakers are pursuing a casino near the Metro Silver Line, and Maryland was chosen over Virginia for the FBI headquarters.

Readers were following major transportation milestones reached on roads, public transit and beyond. Metro opened its Potomac Yard Station on the Blue and Yellow Lines, a deal has not been reached on reopening a ferry between Virginia and Maryland, and weekend service is proposed for Virginia Railway Express.

In political news, Democrats secured a majority in the Virginia House and Senate, tax rebates were included in the state budget, roadways with Confederate references are being renamed, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin proposed a TikTok ban for minors.

In school news, former Loudoun County school officials faced trials after the school district was scrutinized for its handling of sexual assaults, a school system said its delayed notifications to families on National Merit Scholar commendations was an unintentional error, and a governor's school's new admissions policy was ruled to be not discriminatory by an appeals court.

Here are the top stories in Northern Virginia of 2023:

Crime and Safety

6-Year-Old Used Mom's Gun To Shoot Teacher: VA Police Chief

A Virginia first-grade teacher who was shot and seriously injured by a 6-year-old student Friday is in stable condition, Richneck Elementary School said in an update Monday, adding that schools will be closed all week "to give our students and families additional time to heal."

Sonic Boom In DC Area Caused By Jets Intercepting Unresponsive Plane

A loud boom shook the Washington, D.C., area, from Annapolis to Woodbridge, shortly after 3 p.m. on Sunday, leaving residents concerned about the noise.

• 'The End Of My Family': 4 Victims ID'd In Deadly VA Plane Crash

Standoff On Richmond Highway Ends, Woman In Custody: Police

An armed standoff between a woman armed with a gun and police ended early Thursday, about 36 hours after she barricaded herself in her car. Richmond Highway reopened after midnight Thursday after being closed since midday Tuesday.

• Richmond Highway Standoff Involved Abduction Suspect: Police

In Herndon Double Homicide, Family's Au Pair Charged In 1 Killing

A family's au pair has been charged in one of two homicides at a Herndon area home in February, according to Fairfax County Police.

• 2 Homicide Victims Identified; Husband, Au Pair Unhurt: Update

Baseball Bat Attacker Charged In Congressional Staffer Assault: Police

A staffer and new intern of Rep. Gerry Connolly were attacked Monday by someone wielding a baseball bat in his City of Fairfax district office. The suspect was identified and charged by police, but a motive for the assault remains unknown.

• Victim In Baseball Bat Attack On Congressional Staff Still Recovering

Jury Returns Verdict In Shooting Of YouTube Prankster In Loudoun

A Loudoun jury has returned a verdict in the April shooting of a Youtube prankster at the Dulles Town Center, authorities announced on Friday.

• Death Reported In Idylwood DUI Crash Injuring 6 Teens
• Teen Girl Killed In Burke Crash Planned To Attend George Mason In Fall
• PETA Doubles Reward In Case Of Meat Embedded With Fish Hooks
• Dumfries Man Died When Tree Fell On Home During Storm: Police
• Man Shot Dead By Cop After Attack On 2nd Officer: Fairfax Police Chief
• VA Officer Narrowly Escapes As Car Slams Into Traffic Stop: WATCH
• Attempted Dog Poisoning In Del Ray Leads To Suspended Jail Sentence
• Triple Homicide Victims In Woodbridge Identified As Son, Parents: Cops
• Shooter ID'd After Father, Son Killed Outside VA Graduation Ceremony
• Child Dies From Fall At Alexandria Apartment Building: Reports
• 'Racist, Hateful' Email Sent To Fairfax County Cheer Coach: District
• Child Overdosed On Fentanyl In Stafford; Parents Charged: Police
• Arrest Made In Burglary Of 53 Firearms From Springfield Gun Store
• Families, Friends Mourn 2 Teen Girls Killed In Fairfax Station Crash
• Infant Dies With Fentanyl In System, Family Members Charged: Police
• Teen Sentenced In Alexandria High School Student's Fatal Stabbing
• High-End Brothels In Mosaic, Tysons Apartments Lead To Arrests: Report
• US Park Police Officer 'Unintentionally' Kills Fellow Officer: Police
• Man With AK-47 Found Trespassing At Fairfax County Preschool: Police
• Fugitive Shot By Federal Marshal In Alexandria Shopping Center: Police
• 18-Month-Old Child Taped To Chair At Daycare, Woman Charged: Police
• Arlington Condemns Key Bridge Marriott, Clears Out Homeless People

Politics

• VA Democrats Win Full Control Of Statehouse In Setback For Youngkin
• Youngkin 'Optimistic' To Find Common Ground With Democratic Majority
• Salim Wins 37th District VA Senate Race; Petersen Concedes
• Biberaj Concedes Loudoun Commonwealth's Attorney Race To Anderson
• Roem Makes History Claiming VA State Senate District 30 Victory
• VA Tax Rebates, Tax Holiday In New State Budget
• Lee Highway, Lee Jackson Highway To Be Renamed In Fairfax County
• Fairfax Co. School Board Candidate Back On Ballot After Judge's Ruling
• VA, 41 States Sue Meta Over 'Addictive' Features They Say Harm Kids
• TikTok Ban For Kids Under 18 In VA Proposed By Gov. Youngkin
• Arlington Confederate Monument Could Go To Virginia Military Institute

Transportation

White's Ferry Owners Look To Sell After Deal With Landing Site Fails

The current owners of the historic White's Ferry, Chuck and Stacy Kuhn, are looking to sell the operation to Montgomery County in Maryland. The owners said they made the decision after the owners of the Virginia landing site for the boat rejected their purchase bid.

Potomac Yard Metro Station Opening Connects DMV Communities

Fifteen years ago, Mayor Justin Wilson, then a City Councilmember, joined with then-Councilmember Rob Krupicka on a memo pushing for progress on the Potomac Yard Metro station. It was only fitting that Wilson and Krupicka were there to ride the first train just after 5 a.m. Friday.

Virginia Railway Express Weekend Service, Fare Increases Proposed

Virginia Railway Express could get weekend service for the first time under a budget proposal for the commuter rail. A proposed fare increase is also proposed in the budget.

• VDOT Expects Fewer Crashes After I-395 Ramp Closure In Arlington
• Safer Travel With Autonomous Vehicles Tested On I-395 Express Lanes
• No, Fairfax City Does Not Want You To Run Over Pedestrians: Video
• Dulles Toll Road Electronic-Only Tolling Begins In March
• Speed Limit To Drop To 20 Miles Per Hour In Downtown Leesburg
• 'Quality Of Life Improvement': Falls Church Starts 20 Mph Speed Limit
• 8 School Zone Speed Cameras Activated Friday Across Fairfax County
• Camera Enforcement Begins In Manassas School Zones
• Speed Camera Enforcement To Start In Alexandria After Warning Period
• Bypass Lanes On Nutley Street At I-66 Interchange Open In Fairfax
• Relay Driverless Shuttle To Take Final Trip In Mosaic District
• VDOT Shares Initial Observations From Blake Lane Road Safety Audit

Schools

Trans Student Bathroom, Sports Policies Earn Criticism In VA

Policies that outline everything from bathroom use to the names used for LGBTQ+ students were released Tuesday by Gov. Glenn Youngkin's Virginia Department of Education and drew backlash from advocates of transgender students.

LCPS Spokesman Not Guilty Of Perjury Regarding Sexual Assaults: Jury

Loudoun County Public Schools spokesman Wayde Byard was found not guilty of perjury after a two-day jury trial, court records show. Byard had been indicted by a grand jury in December as part of an investigation into the school system's handling of two high-profile sexual assaults in 2021. A student sexually assaulted one girl in a bathroom at Stone Bridge High School in May 2021 before going on to assault another girl in a classroom at Broad Run High School in October 2021.

• Former LCPS Superintendent Found Guilty In Retaliation Case

Merit Notification Delay Not Intentional: Fairfax Superintendent

As school delays in notifying students about National Merit Scholarship Corporation commendations have taken the spotlight in at least three Northern Virginia school systems, Fairfax County Public Schools' superintendent spoke out against claims that it was an intentional district-wide policy.

• AG Seeks Fairfax Schools' National Merit Report, District Fights Back
• 6 Stafford Students Were Not Notified Of National Merit Awards
• 3 Loudoun Schools Failed To Notify Merit Scholars In Timely Fashion

TJ Admissions Policy Ruled Not Discriminatory By Appeals Court

A ruling in support of the new admissions policy at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Tuesday claims the policy does not discriminate against Asian American students. The policy will continue as the next TJ class is chosen.

• 8 Fentanyl Overdoses Reported Among High School Students In Sterling
• 2nd High School Overdose Death Prompts Call For 'Emergency Session'
• Banned Books Used For Some Fairfax School Board Members' Swearing In
• Food Show Gives Fairfax County Students Choice In School Menus
• Alexandria City High School Student Earns Perfect AP Exam Score
• Best School Districts In Virginia Ranked For 2024
• These Are The Best Schools In VA: 2023 Rankings
• 10 VA Schools Named National Blue Ribbon Schools For 2023
• TJ Students Secure First Place In Global Math Competition
• McLean's Ethan Zhou Places In Top 10 Of Regeneron Science Talent Search
• 1st Place Win By Reston Ideaventions Academy Robotics At Nationals
• McLean Student Wins Team Award At National Science Fair Competition
• Northern VA Student Places Second In Scripps National Spelling Bee
• Wakefield High School Senior Wins National Gold For Art Portfolio

Business and Development

Amazon Celebrates Grand Opening Of HQ2's First Phase In Arlington

Amazon celebrated the grand opening of the first phase of its second headquarters, or HQ2, in Arlington on Thursday, with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and top local officials. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos did not attend.

Casino Planned Near Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station By Comstock

Comstock Companies wants to build a casino at or near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station, several local officials told Patch.

Washington Capitals, Wizards Move From DC To NoVA Outlined

A proposal to relocate the Washington Capitals and Wizards from D.C. to a new entertainment district in Alexandria's Potomac Yard was officially released by Virginia's governor and developers.

• 'Not A Final Deal': Alexandria Mayor Addresses Sports Arena Proposal

New FBI Headquarters Headed To MD, Dealing Blow To VA Officials

Federal officials have chosen a site in Prince George’s County, Maryland, over a site in Springfield, Virginia, to build a new FBI headquarters that will replace the agency’s downtown D.C. location, according to reports.

Missing Middle Housing Proposal Approved By Arlington County Board

The Arlington County Board voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve the Missing Middle Housing proposal, a decision that will allow developers to build multifamily dwellings in areas of the county currently zoned for single-family homes.

• Lawsuit Against Arlington's Missing Middle Allowed To Move Forward
• Zoning For Housing Approved, A 'Powerful Tool' For Housing Supply
• Buc-ee's Travel Center Planning 2nd Virginia Location
• NoVA Pizza Place Ranked As One Of The Best In U.S.
• IKEA Ready To Open DC Area's 1st Smaller Format Store In Arlington
• Rotating Skydome Restaurant In Arlington Reopens With New Dinner Menu
• Lego Discovery Center DC Opens At Springfield Town Center

Sports

Commanders Sold For $6.05 Billion To Group Led By Josh Harris: Report

Embattled owner Dan Snyder has finalized a deal to sell the Washington Commanders to a group led by Josh Harris, according to several reports. The group will pay a record $6.05 billion for the team, ESPN is reporting.

• Dan Snyder Leaving $48M Fort Hunt Property Amid Commanders Sale
• Commanders Fire Defensive Coordinator After Thanksgiving Embarrassment

Soccer Star, NoVA Native Ali Krieger Reflects On Retirement, Legacy

In November, Ali Krieger found the storybook ending for her professional soccer career. The lifelong defender won her first National Women's Soccer League Championship in her final game before retirement.

• Vienna Figure Skater Completes First Quadruple Axel At Worlds
• Madison High School Grad Chosen In First Round Of MLB Draft
• Final Four Starter Tony Skinn Picked As George Mason's Next Head Coach
• 'Last Of Us' Actor, Aspiring Hockey Player Meets Capitals' Ovechkin
• Athletes From Yoo's Martial Arts Make Taekwondo National Team