Squirrel Starts Fire, Obama Gifts, Ballroom Closing: News Nearby

There was plenty of news across Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia 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.

• Best College Cities 2020: Virginia Schools Make The List
• Squirrel Blamed For Causing DC Apartment Fire: Firefighters
• Man Robbed Store Workers Using Pepper Spray: Police
• Clarendon Ballroom Closing After Two Decades

Virginia Freshman Stabbed To Death In NYC By Muggers: Report

A freshman from Charlottesville, Virginia, finishing her first semester at Barnard College in Manhattan, New York, was stabbed to death Wednesday during a robbery near the campus, according to school and police officials.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama Surprises DC School In Big Way

Former first lady Michelle Obama recently visited Randle Highlands Elementary School, where she surprised teachers and students with desktop computers, laptops, iPads and $100,000.

Seminary Road Diet Spurs Heated Discussion At City Council

As the road diet on Seminary Road continues to spur divisiveness among Alexandria residents, one council member revived the discussion during a City Council meeting on Dec. 10 with a motion to reverse the road change.

Former Redskins Players Charged In Health Care Fraud Scheme

Former Washington Redskins players are among 10 charged in connection with a scheme to defraud a health care program for retired NFL players, federal officials announced Thursday.

Ad Encourages DC Metro Riders To Stand On Left Of Escalator

If DC area residents know one thing, it's stand to the right and walk to the left on Metro escalators. Tourists unfamiliar with this custom may break this local rule, but a new tourism ad encourages all riders to stand to the left.

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Also Worth A Look Today

• Christmas Tree Safety Tips: How To Prevent Devastating Fires

• Details Of Summer-Long Shutdown Announced For Vienna Metro
• Details Of Summer-Long Shutdown Announced For Falls Church Metro
• McLean's Kirby Road Reopens After Long-Term Flooding Damage
• Loudoun Approves Contract To Expand Broadband To Rural Areas
• Construction Begins On Project To Turn Route 7 Into Freeway

Across America

• See: House Panel Debates Articles Of Impeachment
• Area 51, OK Boomer Among Top 2019 Google Searches
• Weinstein And Accusers Reach $25M Settlement
• 'They' Is Merriam-Webster's 2019 Word Of The Year
• Geminids: When To See 2019's Best Meteor Show