Valerie Bonk – 杏吧原创 News Washington's Top News Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:23:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 /wp-content/uploads/2021/05/WtopNewsLogo_500x500-150x150.png Valerie Bonk – 杏吧原创 News 32 32 Man fatally shot by Maryland police moments after traffic stop /maryland/2026/08/man-fatally-shot-by-maryland-police-moments-after-traffic-stop/ Sun, 16 Aug 2026 19:55:42 +0000 /?p=29541503 What began as a Saturday night traffic stop in Bel Air ended with a man fatally shot by a police officer and a state investigation into what happened.

The shooting happened in the 300 block of Franklin Street in Harford County, moments after the man was pulled over for a traffic stop around 9 p.m., according to a release issued by the Maryland Office of the Attorney General.

The man was transported to a local hospital where he died, the news release said.

Officials have not revealed the reason for the traffic stop by the Bel Air police officer.

The Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division is reviewing what happened during the Harford County traffic stop.

Authorities are asking for the public’s help in information about the incident and any private surveillance or cellphone video of the traffic stop.

Anyone with information or video footage regarding the incident is asked to contact the Independent Investigations Division at (410) 576-7070 or by email at IID@oag.maryland.gov.

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Fiery Beltway crash kills 1 in Fairfax County, survivor faces DWI charge /fairfax-county/2026/08/fiery-beltway-crash-kills-1-in-fairfax-county-survivor-faces-dwi-charge/ Sun, 16 Aug 2026 14:54:53 +0000 /?p=29541371 One person died and another was charged with driving while intoxicated after a fiery crash on Interstate 495 in Fairfax County, Virginia, early Sunday.

Virginia State Police said the two-vehicle crash happened shortly before 2:30 a.m. on northbound I-495, south of Braddock Road.

When troopers arrived, a Toyota Camry was engulfed in flames and a BMW with significant front-end damage.

The Camry’s driver died at the scene, police said.

The BMW driver was transported to a hospital with serious injuries and was charged with driving while intoxicated.

Police said the crash remains under investigation.

A map of the area is below.

CLICK MAP TO ENLARGE. (Courtesy Google Maps)

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Case of 2 Marions: Fairfax Co. police seek info in decadesold Springfield cold-case killings /fairfax-county/2026/08/case-of-2-marions-fairfax-co-police-seek-info-in-decadesold-springfield-cold-case-killings/ Sat, 15 Aug 2026 17:30:53 +0000 /?p=29540242 It has been 20 years since two women named Marion were killed 2 miles apart by the same person, Fairfax County, Virginia, police said. And the suspect has never been located.

Police are asking for the public’s help in finding new information on who killed them.

Marion Marshall was last seen after she came home from shopping at the Bradlick Shopping Center. Police said she “encountered her killer after returning home” in the 6600 block of Bostwick Drive in Springfield on Aug. 14, 2006. She was found dead that evening.

Marion Newman was last seen on Nov. 19, 2006, after visiting her mother. Newman was found dead two days after that visit in her home on the 7100 block of Reservoir Road also in Springfield.

These two women were killed two months apart by the same person in the same manner. Police are still searching for their killer. (Courtesy Fairfax County police)

Both of the women died from strangulation and blunt force trauma, police said.

Police said DNA evidence from the scenes of both killings showed that the same person was responsible for the women’s deaths.

In 2019, DNA analysis determined that the suspect was of Latino descent, “particularly El Salvadorian,” .

Below are composite sketches of what the suspect could look like, police said.

Police released this composite sketch of what the suspect may look like now, 20 years after the murders. (Courtesy Fairfax County police)

鈥淲e live in hope the individual who harmed this gentle woman will be brought to justice,” said Marshall’s niece and nephew in a statement.

Her family is offering an $11,000 reward for new information in the case.

Detectives ask anyone with information about the murders to contact the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 8. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone at 866-411-TIPS.

Below is a map of where the two women were found.

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Scattered storms could soak parts of DC region Friday /weather-news/2026/08/scattered-storms-could-soak-parts-of-dc-region-friday/ Fri, 14 Aug 2026 06:00:49 +0000 /?p=29538111 A dreary Friday could be capped off by storms and showers in parts of the D.C. region.

7News First Alert Meteorologist Eileen Whelan said that increasing clouds throughout the day will lead to scattered showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon and evening.

“Coverage should be greatest south and west of the I-95 corridor, particularly along and south of I-66 and US-50,” Whelan said.

There’s a “marginal risk” for severe weather mainly south and west of the D.C. area.



“Any stronger storms could produce damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning and locally heavy rain capable of isolated flash flooding. It will not be a washout, but storm chances increase during peak heating,” she said.

Highs on Friday will be in the low to mid 80s. Showers and thunderstorms may continue into the evening with storms diminishing overnight with lows ranging from 68 to 73.

Looking ahead to the weekend, Sunday could bring strong thunderstorms to the D.C. area.

Forecast

贵搁滨顿础驰听
Mostly cloudy
Chance for showers, storms
Temperatures: 78-85
Winds: Northeast 5-10 mph
A few showers and isolated thunderstorms will remain possible Friday evening, especially south and west of the immediate metro, as the remnants of an upstream weather maker move through. Most activity should gradually fade with time, leaving a mix of clouds and some breaks. Temperatures will fall from near 80 into the mid 70s by the late evening. Winds will be light, generally from the north and northeast.

FRIDAY NIGHT
Lingering showers/storms
Lows: 68-73
Winds: Light
Any leftover shower should quickly fade, with mainly dry conditions expected through the overnight hours. It will remain rather muggy with lows settling into the low 70s around D.C. and the nearby suburbs. Winds will stay light from the north to northeast, with some clouds lingering into early Saturday morning.

SATURDAY
Partly cloudy
Highs: 85-88
Winds: Southeast 3-8 mph
A fairly typical August day with a mix of clouds and sunshine, temperatures climbing into the upper 80s and humidity remaining slightly noticeable. Most of the DMV should stay dry, with the better chance for an afternoon or evening thunderstorm focused well to the west and southwest, mainly toward Pendleton and Grant counties in West Virginia and west-central Virginia. Any severe weather threat will also be confined mainly to those areas. Winds will gradually turn from the east to southeast.

SATURDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy
Lows: 70s
Winds: Light
Mostly cloudy, warm and muggy with temperatures slowly settling into the low 70s. Most of the evening should stay dry, although the chance for a few showers begins to increase late at night and toward daybreak Sunday. Winds remain light from the south, helping keep plenty of humidity in place.

SUNDAY
Partly sunny
PM Rain, Storm chance
Highs: 87-92
Winds: South 5-10 mph
This is the day to watch. It will turn warmer and increasingly humid, with highs in the mid-to-upper 80s to lower 90s and feels-like temperatures climbing into the 90s. An approaching front will help trigger scattered showers and thunderstorms, with the better chance for stronger storms developing during the afternoon and evening. Damaging wind gusts are the primary severe weather concern, while the high humidity could also support torrential rain and localized flash flooding. As of this writing, the Storm Prediction Center has the entire viewing area in a Level 1 of 5 ‘marginal’ risk for severe storms, while the Weather Prediction Center has highlighted the region in level 2 of 4 ‘slight’ risk for flash flooding. A tornado or two cannot be ruled out given the amount of wind shear in the atmosphere. If current trends continue, our team may go on weather alert, so stay with us as we continue to refine the timing and threats.

MONDAY
Partly sunny
Showers and storms
Highs: near 90
Winds: Northwest 5-10 mph
Very warm and humid conditions continue, with highs around 90 and heat index values potentially reaching the upper 90s during the afternoon. Another round of scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible as a cold front moves through the region. Exactly how active Monday becomes will depend on the timing of the front, but southern Maryland and central Virginia could still have a stronger storm threat if Sunday鈥檚 system is slower to move east. Storm chances should begin winding down behind the front later Monday or Monday night.

TUESDAY
Mostly sunny
Highs: around 85
Winds: Northwest 5-10 mph
A noticeable change arrives behind the front. Temperatures will still reach the mid to upper 80s, but much drier air will filter in from the north, with dew points dropping into the 60s and eventually the 50s in parts of the region. Sunshine should become more prevalent, and with the lower humidity and little or no thunderstorm activity expected, Tuesday looks considerably more comfortable.

Current conditions

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Joint venture selected to build new Washington Commanders stadium /dc/2026/08/joint-venture-selected-to-build-new-washington-commanders-stadium/ Tue, 11 Aug 2026 21:36:26 +0000 /?p=29531836 The new Washington Commanders stadium plans are on well on the way, and a group of companies have been selected to lead the construction of the campus.

The joint venture of Clark Construction Group, Mortenson, and Smoot Construction Company of D.C. were chosen by the Commanders to lead construction of the 1.8 million square-foot venue, according to a news release from the Washington Commanders.

The 180-acre campus will include the 65,000-seat stadium with the ability to host more than 200 games, concerts, festivals and other events each year.

“Their combined experience building some of the most iconic venues in professional sports, together with their strong presence in the D.C. region and commitment to community impact, made them the clear choice for this transformational project,” said Matt Haas, head of construction for the Washington Commanders.

“We are confident this partnership will help us create a premier destination that serves our fans, drives economic opportunity, and leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come,” he said.

The 45-day public comment period on Friday.听The听draft master plan, released June 30, calls for 5,500 to 6,500 housing units, commercial development and parks and recreational space across six districts with the new stadium.

The preparation to start construction for the former RFK site began in June with construction anticipated to begin in spring of 2027, according to the news release. The targeted completion date is spring of 2030.

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FAA to pause flights at Reagan National for Freedom 250 Grand Prix /dc/2026/08/faa-to-temporarily-pause-flights-at-reagan-national-for-freedom-250-grand-prix/ Mon, 10 Aug 2026 20:08:32 +0000 /?p=29529919 There will not be any flights to or from Reagan National Airport for three hours during the Freedom 250 Grand Prix event in D.C.

The temporary halt in flights is to support the event, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Special event flyovers, fireworks and aerial displays in D.C. have been planned throughout the summer in connection with America 250 celebrations, the 听During these aerial events, flights will be temporarily suspended at the airport.

The FAA plans to pause all flights at Reagan National from 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on Aug. 23 for the grand prix.

The times could change, the administration said.

“The FAA has been planning and coordinating with stakeholders to help ensure the safe and efficient movement of air traffic during Freedom 250 events. As part of that effort, the agency will implement traffic management initiatives at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA),” the agency .

There will also be several road closures and parking restrictions for the event.

The event is set to be the first IndyCar Series race in D.C. with the cars traveling a total of 250 miles on a 1.7-mile-long track that has drivers going down Pennsylvania, Constitution and Independence avenues.

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Maryland White Marlin Open brings fishermen from near and far to compete for $9.9 million in prizes /maryland/2026/08/maryland-white-marlin-open-brings-fishermen-from-near-and-far-to-compete-for-9-9-million-in-prizes/ Sun, 09 Aug 2026 19:24:09 +0000 /?p=29527953 It was a battle for the biggest catch and largest prize in Ocean City, Maryland, this weekend.

The 53rd annual White Marlin Open closed Saturday with an 80-pound white marlin coming in as the biggest catch from Bill Sharpe, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, aboard the Mister Pete boat.

The fish is expected to earn around $3.5 million, according to a news release with the results.

Reel Hunter of St. Michaels, Maryland, took second place with a 71.5-pound white marlin caught Friday by Kevin Howell of Queenstown, Maryland. That fish is projected to earn approximately $355,000.

The six-day tournament began with 334 boats competing for an estimated $9.9 million in prize money.

Other local winners of the tournament include the following:

  • Boat BAR South, of Key Largo, Florida, finished second place in the wahoo division with a 64-pound fish caught by Rob Gothier of Ocean City, Maryland. The wahoo fish is worth about $49,443.
  • The dolphinfish division was won by the vessel Today鈥檚 The Day, of La Plata, Maryland. Ryan Jones of Welcome, Maryland, caught the 45-pound winner, projected to earn approximately $22,000.
  • The Bill Collector boat out of Crownsville, Maryland, placed third with a 37-pound dolphin caught by Andrew Somerville IV. It is projected to earn approximately $20,000.
  • Samuel 鈥淪am鈥 Cassell weighed Saturday鈥檚 heaviest tuna, which was an 85.5-pounder aboard the Spring Mix II of Ocean City. The fish won Saturday鈥檚 Daily Tuna competition and is projected to earn approximately $40,000.
  • Dylan Treff, of Pasadena, Maryland, weighed a 78-pound tuna aboard Reel Moore, also of Pasadena. The fish won Saturday鈥檚 Daily Small Boat Tuna prize of approximately $12,000.

See the full listing of winners at the .

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Metro Transit police search for rider accused of punching Metrobus driver in Montgomery Co. /crime/2026/08/video-shows-attack-on-wmata-bus-driver/ Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:01:49 +0000 /?p=29527325 Investigators with the Metro Transit Police Department are in Montgomery County, Maryland, earlier this month.

WMATA told 杏吧原创 that the incident happened Aug. 1 after the driver told a man he could not bring an open alcoholic beverage on the bus.

“Preliminary information shows the operator told the adult male suspect he could not bring an open alcoholic beverage on board,” a WMATA spokesperson said.听It was then that the person “assaulted the operator after being asked to step behind the yellow line.”听

WMATA said the Metrobus driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated after the attack.

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, which represents about 8,000 transit workers across the D.C. region, posted video of the incident on social media.

The video shows a verbal exchange between the driver and a passenger before the rider reaches around the driver’s protective shield and punches him multiple times.

In a statement, the union said the partial shield 鈥渄id nothing鈥 to protect the driver.

The incident remains under investigation. Metro said it is continuing efforts to equip buses with full protective shields.

The video below contains violent content. Viewer discretion is advised.

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杏吧原创 has reached out to Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 for additional information.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect additional details provided by WMATA.

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2 firefighters hurt, 19 residents displaced in Prince William Co. apartment fire /prince-william-county/2026/08/2-firefighters-hurt-19-residents-displaced-in-prince-william-co-apartment-fire/ Sun, 09 Aug 2026 12:18:21 +0000 /?p=29527757 A three-alarm fire at an apartment building in Woodbridge, Virginia, injured two firefighters and displaced 19 people Saturday afternoon.

Firefighters were called to the 15700 block of Tassia Lane in the Landings at Markham’s Grant community around 5 p.m.

“Crews arrived on the scene with heavy fire showing from the rear of the apartment building,” Prince William County Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Matt Smolsky said in a news release.

Firefighters used ladders to rescue three people from the building. Two of those people were evaluated for injuries at the scene but were not transported for care, Smolsky said.

Two firefighters suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a medical facility, Smolsky said.

The fire displaced 12 adults and seven children, Smolsky said.

The Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region said in a statement that “disaster response volunteers are on the scene to provide meals and to ensure that displaced residents are supported.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Prince William County Fire Marshal’s Office.

A map of the area is below.

CLICK MAP TO ENLARGE. (Courtesy Google Maps)

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DC area giveaways for back-to-school supplies, backpacks /local/2026/08/dc-area-giveaways-for-back-to-school-supplies-backpacks/ Sat, 08 Aug 2026 16:07:21 +0000 /?p=29526707 This story is part of 杏吧原创鈥檚 2026听Back to School coverage.

It’s almost time to go back-to-school in the D.C. area and shopping is most likely on almost everyone’s to-do list.

Shoppers can save some money on school supplies and other items during sales tax holidays locally with the tax break underway in Virginia and the savings starting Sunday in Maryland.

Below is a list of other giveaways, deals and steals for back-to-school in the D.C. area:

Maryland

The is on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. Organizers at the event will give away 500 backpacks filled with grade-level school supplies. The event at Seat Pleasant Elementary School also features family-friendly activities, community resources, and opportunities for residents to connect with local organizations.

Life Covenant Christian Ministries is holding its on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the church grounds located at 15522 Livingston Road in Accokeek. The goal is to provide a minimum of 300 backpacks and school supplies to children with limited resources.

D.C.

The is giving away bookbags, school supplies and access to community resources during events at the libraries on select dates from Aug. 13 through Aug. 20.

Grace Apostolic Church is hosting a on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 44th and Clay Streets NE in D.C. The event offers听free groceries, haircuts, hot dogs, backpacks, school supplies, music, and access to local community resources.

The Belief Worship Center along with D.C. Central Kitchen, is hosting the . They will be giving away bookbags, school supplies, uniforms and more.

Virginia

Blaszkow Legal is holding its on Aug. 15 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. They are going to be giving away backpacks filled with school supplies to elementary school children throughout the D.C. area. This year’s giveaway will feature fun, food, backpacks, games and more.听Backpacks are on a first-come, first-serve basis, but pre-registrants will have their backpacks held and assured.

The in Reston is on Aug. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate. Free bookbags and supplies will be available for those who register ahead of time.

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Buying school supplies? Here’s how to teach children about money at the same time /parenting/2026/08/buying-school-supplies-heres-how-to-teach-children-about-money-at-the-same-time/ Sat, 08 Aug 2026 12:22:59 +0000 /?p=29525917 Back-to-school shopping can be a lot to manage as summer ends. But a financial expert told 杏吧原创 those trips for notebooks, pencils and new clothes can also be an opportunity to teach your children valuable lessons about money.

鈥淚t is so important to have those money conversations with your kids as early as you can,” Jessica Perrone, an accredited financial counselor and founder of HerFinIQ.

She said shopping for school supplies can help children learn the difference between needs and wants while making spending decisions.

鈥淩eally involving them in the conversations: what needs are, what wants are. ‘OK, we have X amount of money. What do you really want? What do you really need?'”

She said it’s important for children to see firsthand how far a dollar really goes.

鈥淕ive them the cash to go into the store and really see how far that money goes. I mean, that is a huge eye-opening experience for kids,” she said. 鈥淲hen we start bringing the kids into the budget conversation at an early age, they learn the value of money.鈥

Giving children the opportunity to to prioritize their spending can help set them up for financial success later in life, Perrone said.

鈥淲hen you really empower the kids to really think about what those needs are, what those top three things that they absolutely cannot live without, they really do start and surprise us,” she said.

Perrone also said helping children find a part-time job can teach them lessons about earning, spending and saving money.

鈥淓mpowering them to come up with their own income streams and saying, ‘OK, I will, I will take care of your needs up to this level, and that’s my budget. And if you want anything above that, well, go work for it.’ And I feel like we don’t have that conversation enough with our kids as well.鈥

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New lower estrogen birth control patch gives women more options, DC-area doctor says /health-fitness/2026/08/new-lower-estrogen-birth-control-patch-gives-women-more-options-dc-area-doctor-says/ Fri, 07 Aug 2026 21:22:04 +0000 /?p=29524500 The Food and Drug Administration has just approved a new, lower estrogen birth control patch for the market.

“It’s very exciting because not everything works the same for every person,” said Dr. Anne Banfield, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Maryland.

The new product is called Gwyn Lo and it is the lowest estrogen patch dose yet.

“The estrogen component of combined contraception can often be associated with nausea, breast soreness, headaches,” she said. “It is the component of birth control that can increase the risk for patients to have a blood clot, heart attack or stroke. And so, by having options that have lower doses of estrogen available that can make patients feel much safer about it.”

You wear each patch for seven days at a time for a total of three patches over three weeks. You remove the patch and then, “have what would be a hormone-free week, and that’s the week that the bleeding or period would occur,” Banfield said.

So what makes it different?

“In this case, the dose of estrogen is lower than the other patches that are available on the market, and the dose of progesterone is slightly higher,” she said. “Because of the higher dose of progesterone and the lower dose of estrogen over time, this is a type of birth control that can make periods shorter and lighter, so less bleeding.”

She said it can be used to decrease bleeding for those who have heavy periods.

“Or to help to control pain for people who have crampy and uncomfortable periods,” Banfield said.听

The patchhas not been recommended for women with a BMI greater than 30 because it may impact the effectiveness, Banfield said.

The patch is expected to be available through prescription later this year.

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How to help your children reset their sleep schedules for the new school year /parenting/2026/08/how-to-help-your-children-reset-their-sleep-schedules-for-the-new-school-year/ Wed, 05 Aug 2026 19:33:01 +0000 /?p=29491548 The first day of school is getting closer to being a reality for families in the D.C. area. For some kids, getting back to waking up after staying up for summer fun could be a challenge.

“If they don’t get enough sleep, it can impact their ability to pay attention in school,” said Tyish Hall Brown, director of behavioral sleep medicine at Children’s National Hospital.

She said the amount of sleep needed varies by age.

“Right around elementary school and middle school, anywhere from like 10 to 12 hours of sleep can be helpful,” Brown said. “As we get to the high school time period, it gets a little bit less and we’re still looking at around nine to 10 hours of sleep.”

She said that getting those hours in should start soon.

“If we start trying to optimize our sleep schedule now, it gives us about a week or two before school starts to have that settle in,” she said.

Brown said creating a routine is important.

“I’ve been thinking about it as more of like a sleep tool kit or a sleep supply list, just like we have a school supply list,” she said.

What should be on it?

“That they have a comfortable temperature in the child’s room, somewhere between like 65 to 70 degrees. The noise level is minimal or kind of none at all. And that there is optimal light in the room,” Brown said.

She also said to have your kids and teens put away that cellphone or iPad about 30 to 60 minutes before bed.

This is all done to create an environment that fosters a solid night of sleep.

“Just a 30-minute segment of time where the first 15 minutes may be used for hygiene and kind of getting ready for the next day, and then the other 15 minutes is used to implement a relaxing activity and you want this to be something that they’re interested in or something that they enjoy, but something that’s not necessarily activating,” Brown said.

For those kids who don’t get enough sleep before school, she said that it manifests in more than simply being fatigued and tired.

“Younger kids will often act out and have more behavioral manifestations if they’re not getting enough sleep,” Brown said. “As they get older, we see a lot of difficulty with attention, so difficulty paying attention in class, maybe falling asleep in class, irritability at times, forgetfulness. So there are a lot of different signs that perhaps your child’s not getting enough sleep.”听

She said turning to a sleep specialist is important if the issues persist.

“They can also seek out sleep specialists to help them figure out what other difficulties might be occurring, as opposed to just trying to push through sleep difficulties that may be related to something like sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome,” Brown said. “So we definitely encourage people to seek out sleep specialists when they are able to.”听

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Maryland reports 1st human case of West Nile virus this year /maryland/2026/08/maryland-reports-1st-human-case-of-west-nile-virus-this-year/ Sun, 02 Aug 2026 19:25:27 +0000 /?p=29482405 The Maryland Department of Health has confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus for the state this year, weeks after the mosquito-borne disease was traced to Anne Arundel County.

Health officials confirmed the disease in a resident in the , urging Marylanders to take preventive steps to reduce their risk of getting the virus. The department said it will not release additional information about the individual to ensure their privacy.

Prevention efforts include covering any exposed skin and using an EPA-registered insect repellent when outdoors, as well as monitoring backyards and gardens for areas of high mosquito activity, especially standing water.

The health department said even small amounts of water in a discarded can or container can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, as can clogged rain gutters and drain pipes.

MDH announced the case weeks after the Anne Arundel County Department of Health confirmed mosquitoes pools in the county .

鈥淲e are in the season when the West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne viruses can spread in Maryland,鈥 said Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Dr. Meg Sullivan in a release.

鈥淵our best defense against West Nile virus is to protect yourself from mosquitoes, such as using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and eliminating standing water near your home.鈥

Humans can get the West Nile virus through mosquitoes infected by feeding on birds that have the virus, according to the MDH. In rare instances, the virus may be spread from person to person through organ donation, blood transfusion, breastfeeding or from a pregnant mother to fetus.

Many people do not show symptoms from the virus, but those who do can develop mild symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches and occasionally a skin rash and swollen lymph glands. Symptoms may last a few days or as long as several weeks. However, individuals who are older than 50 or have immunocompromised conditions can become seriously ill.

While birds are not routinely tested for West Nile virus in Maryland, sick or injured birds can be reported to an appropriate local wildlife rehabilitator by calling 1-877-463-6497.

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5 DC-area teens, basketball coach facing charges over junk food stolen from Florida 7-Eleven /crime/2026/07/5-dc-area-teens-basketball-coach-facing-charges-over-junk-food-stolen-from-florida-7-eleven/ Sun, 26 Jul 2026 19:48:59 +0000 /?p=29463924 Five teen basketball players from the D.C. area and their coach were arrested in Florida for “conspiring to steal merchandise” from a 7-Eleven, according to the Polk County Sheriff鈥檚 Office.

The teens traveled to Davenport, Florida, as members of the “Run It Up” travel basketball program. The group was participating in the Puma NXTPro basketball tournament.

The teenagers and their coach were staying at a vacation rental unit located less than a mile from a 7-Eleven store at 3141 Ronald Reagan Parkway in Davenport.

The Sheriff’s Office said the teens “concealed” a variety of merchandise on Thursday that included Doritos, gummies, Starburst Minis, a Big Mama sausage, lemonade, and grape and orange Slurpees. The incident occurred shortly after 4 a.m.

In total, the items cost $37.60.

Maryland coach gets roped in

The group quickly fled the store after being confronted by a 7-Eleven clerk. However, authorities were able to locate three of the five teens near the entrance of their rental unit.

The sheriff’s office said the teens were seen putting the stolen goods inside a backpack that was then hidden in a nearby bush.

A detective later made contact with the team鈥檚 coach, Malik Abdul Harvey, 27, of Bryans Road, Maryland, to see if he could identify the remaining two suspects from security footage.

Harvey is employed by the Department of Juvenile Services at the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center. The basketball trip was not associated with that position.

Authorities said the coach admitted to lying about not knowing the two teens after the pair had been located by investigators and admitted that Harvey was their coach. Harvey said he’d lied in order to protect the teenagers.

A spokesperson with Maryland’s Department of Juvenile Services confirmed Harvey is an employee, and said the agency won’t comment on personnel matters or litigation while it conducts its own investigation.听

Charges filed in the case

Of the five teens, two were 17 and three were 16 years of age. Authorities said four were from D.C. while one member of the group hailed from Prince George’s County.

Each teen was charged with:

  • Conspiracy to commit retail theft
  • Tampering with evidence
  • Petit theft
  • Violation of the county curfew ordinance for juveniles.

As for Harvey, who was also arrested, he was charged with:

  • Child neglect
  • Contributing to the delinquency of a minor
  • Accessory after the fact
  • Resisting without violence

鈥淲e welcome anyone who wants to visit or stay in Polk County on vacation. But people need to realize that while you might be able to get away with crimes and foolishness where you live, it won鈥檛 fly around here,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

“If you steal in Polk County, we鈥檙e going to send you home with a commemorative mug shot from the Polk County Jail.”

The sheriff’s office that the department wants to charge the teenagers as adults in the case. That decision is up to the State Attorney’s Office.

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