Protest Against Ukraine Invasion, Mask Guidance | 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.

CDC Updates COVID Mask Guidelines: What It Means In Virginia

The Biden administration dramatically loosened its federal COVID-19 mask guidance Friday as infection rates return to pre-omicron variant levels around the country.

'Murder' Painted Outside Russian Embassy After Ukraine Invasion

A sidewalk outside Russia's Embassy in Washington, D.C., was vandalized Thursday morning as dozens of people protested the country's invasion of Ukraine.

National Guard Deployed As DC, NoVA Prepare For Trucker Protests

The Department of Defense approved requests for the National Guard to help with traffic flow in Washington, D.C., as truckers and their allies plan protests in the next few days against pandemic restrictions and other government policies.

• Trucker Convoy Protests Could Create Havoc For DC, NoVA

Mask Opt-Out Begins March 1 At Fairfax County Public Schools

As a new state law allowing a mask opt-out for students in schools begins March 1, Fairfax County Public Schools will give families that option.

• Understanding Of Student Mask Choices Urged By Arlington Schools

Commanders Consider Stadium Sites In Woodbridge, Sterling: Report

The Washington Commanders will consider three sites in northern Virginia for the team's new football stadium, according to a report from WUSA9. The prospective sites are in Sterling, Woodbridge, and Dumfries.

• Washington Football Would Lose Tax Break Under House Bill

Virginia Expected To Get $530M In Opioid Settlement

Virginia expects to receive about $530 million as part of its share of a major opioid settlement agreement between the states and the nation's three major pharmaceutical distributors and drugmaker Johnson & Johnson, Attorney General Jason Miyares announced Friday.

Fairness Of AG's Loudoun Sex Assault Investigation Questioned

Virginia's new Republican attorney general, Jason Miyares, has hired former Arlington Commonwealth's Attorney Theo Stamos, a Democrat, to lead an investigation into how Loudoun County officials handled sexual assaults at two high schools in 2021.

Anti-Semitic Flyers Discovered In Wolf Trap Area: Police

Anti-Semitic flyers were found in a Wolf Trap area neighborhood Sunday, leading to a police investigation.

Deaths Of Police Recruit, Wife Investigated In Fairfax County

The deaths of a Fairfax County Police recruit and his wife are under investigation after police responded to their Mount Vernon home over the weekend.

VA, DC's James Beard Award 2022 Semifinalists Announced

Several Washington, D.C., and Virginia restaurants and bars were among those the James Beard Foundation on Wednesday announced as semifinalists for its 2022 restaurant and chef awards. The awards are regarded as the Oscar Awards of the culinary industry.

Vienna Mother Pleas For Formula To Feed Son, Community Responds

Because of severe food allergies, Claire Rowan's son Will has relied on a hypoallergenic formula brand as his main source of food for several years. When Rowan learned the EleCare Jr. that her son relies on was recalled, the Vienna mother turned to the community to help.

Real Estate Assessments Up 9.57% For Most Fairfax Homeowners

Fairfax County residential property owners can expect to see a 9.57 percent increase in their real estate assessments this year, if the Board of Supervisors adopts the 2022 tax rate proposed Tuesday by Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill. That equates to an average increase of $666 for every homeowner in the county.

• Fairfax Schools Would Be Fully Funded Under FY 2023 Budget Plan

Update: Small Plane Crash Lands In Loudoun, 1 Injured: Police

A small, private plane crash landed in Loudoun County on Tuesday afternoon, according to Virginia State Police. The pilot, Aaron Adams, suffered minor injuries in the crash.

Recall Petition Against Springfield School Board Member Dismissed

A Fairfax Circuit Court judge issued an order Wednesday dismissing a case brought by the Open FCPS Coalition to remove Fairfax County School Board member Laura Jane Cohen from office.

Most Guns Stopped By TSA Officers At DC's 2 Airports Were Loaded

Transportation Security Administration officials at Washington, D.C.'s two airports are concerned about an increase in the number of travelers bringing firearms to TSA checkpoints.

Metro Reminds Customers To Replace Old SmartTrip Cards

Metro's oldest SmarTrip cards will no longer be accepted at faregates and fareboxes as of Tuesday, March 1.