Car Crashes onto Metro Tracks

A driver was hospitalized after losing control of his car and crashing onto Metro rail tracks near Falls Church.

Authorities said the driver was reaching for his E-ZPass when he took his eyes off the road. He hit a mound of snow along the shoulder, and his vehicle launched up and onto the tracks in the middle of I-66.

The incident closed the Orange Line completely on Wednesday. When service resumed, trains had to single-track to bypass the car.

The vehicle has been removed, and the motorist was charged with reckless driving.

Lawmakers Revise VMI Bills

The Education Committee of the House of Delegates approved a rewritten bill that would implement reforms while allowing the Virginia Military Institute to retain its board of visitors. Under this proposal, the board would consist of 17 members: 16 appointed by the governor, plus the school’s adjutant general.

The current board must include 12 VMI alumni, but the new proposal would cap that number at eight. Five members would be required to have served in the military under the proposal.

A previous version of the bill would have dissolved VMI’s board and placed the school under the control of Virginia State University’s board of visitors.

Another House measure was also amended to establish a task force to examine the state of higher education at VMI. In either case, the school would remain a state-sponsored institution.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day in Virginia

It is probably too late to book a romantic dinner for tomorrow night, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the Commonwealth.

Richmond Animal Care and Control is waiving adoption fees all weekend so pet lovers can add a new member to their family at a lower cost.

In the Roanoke area, fans of arts and crafts can choose from candle-making or book bedazzling at various Galentine’s Day events, or create a collage paper heart at the Taubman Museum of Art tomorrow.

Music lovers can drop in on the National Chamber Ensemble’s program Chords of Desire in Arlington tomorrow, or enjoy Valentine’s Day tea at the historic Cherry Hill Farmhouse in Falls Church.

If you want to show your love for the community, the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office will be tidying up along the London Bridge bike path tomorrow morning and invites everyone to join them.

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➤ Richmond: Lawmakers are considering proposals to create a recreational marijuana market as early as Nov. 1. One potential proprietor urged a slower approach. “If we start the market too soon, it’s going to be very hard to correct any issues that we find once this legislation is passed,” the president of the Cannabis Small Business Association said. (Details)

➤ Surry: Bacon’s Castle, constructed in 1665—making it the oldest building in Virginia—will undergo repairs to stabilize the masonry and improve drainage around the building. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach: Federal agents detained a woman outside a laundromat, while other ICE officers were spotted outside a trailer park complex. “Our office does not oversee or coordinate with federal immigration enforcement operations,” the city police department said. (Details)

➤ Broadway: A town police officer shot and killed 61-year-old Mike H. Smith at a convenience store after the suspect reportedly threatened patrons with a knife. State police are investigating. (More)

➤ Roanoke: Walmart will build a bus stop to service Valley View Mall. Advocates said they have been lobbying for such a stop in the area for 15 years, but had not been able to navigate the red tape to complete the job. (Details)

➤ Milan, Italy: Ilia Malinin, a Fairfax County native, is leading the pack going into today’s Olympic men’s free skate final. (More)

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➤ Virginia Tech softball, ranked No. 16, plays two games today at the Queen City Classic in Charlotte. (Preview)

➤ Washington Mystics legend Elena Delle Donne was named a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026. (More)

➤ UVA’s J’Mari Taylor is one of 21 running backs invited to participate in the NFL combine. (Details)

Yesterday’s Results: Olympics | NBA | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf

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➤ The JCPenney at Springfield Town Center will close in May after a 53-year run at the mall. The retailer will still operate three locations in the Commonwealth. (Details)

➤ JK Land Holdings purchased an 83,330-square-foot warehouse in Sterling for $28.5 million. (More)

➤ CarMax, based in Goochland County, tapped Keith Barr to serve as its next CEO. Barr’s previous job was running InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). (Details)

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➤ Virginia’s Youth Survey reported that more than 40% of teens in Central Virginia have felt sad or hopeless every day for two or more weeks. February is Youth Mental Health Awareness Month, and help is available. (Details)

➤ The 17th annual Virginia Wine Expo begins on Feb. 28 in Richmond. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech President Tim Sands will deliver the State of the University Address next Wednesday. “This is a critical time for the university as we develop a new strategic plan that aligns with our evolving Beyond Boundaries vision,” Sands said. (Details)

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When was the last time you shopped at JCPenney?

1. This century
2. The 20th century
3. Never

Thursday’s Results:

Are you watching the Winter Olympics? 

1. Yes: 42%
2. No: 37%
3. I’ll wait for 2028: 21%

What is known as the most photographed site along the Appalachian Trail?

Show me the answer