Plane Sparks Brush Fire, Returns to Dulles

An engine on a United Airlines flight from Washington to Tokyo failed during takeoff, forcing the jet to dump fuel and make an emergency return to Dulles Airport on Saturday.

Sparks from the failing engine “ignited some brush around the runway,” as the Boeing 777 was taking off, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. The fire was put out by airport personnel.

The 275 passengers and 15 crew members on the plane all disembarked safely.

Resendiz Killing Suspect in Court

The trial of Jermiah Copeland, the Navy sailor accused of killing his shipmate Angelina Resendiz this year, is scheduled for June. Copeland appeared in court on Wednesday for a series of pretrial motions. Lawyers said it could take the entire month to present all the evidence in the case.

Copeland has been held in maximum confinement since his arrest because of the severity of the charges and concerns about his life.

Resendiz was last seen on May 29 at Naval Station Norfolk. Her body was found 11 days later.

Her mother, Esmeralda Castle, called for reforms in the way the Navy investigates cases. “Let’s just make them responsible for the things that they’ve done,” she said, adding that she would not support the death penalty in the event of a conviction.

Norovirus Circulates in Virginia

Norovirus, which causes nausea, intense vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping, is circulating in the Commonwealth. New surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Virginia Department of Health show higher gastrointestinal symptom activity across Virginia.

The Virginia Department of Health has warned that the virus is highly contagious and spreads through close contact with an infected person. The disease usually doesn’t require hospitalization, but can be treated at home with rest and plenty of fluids.

Experts recommend frequent hand washing, disinfecting surfaces, and keeping sick children at home to prevent the spread of the disease.

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➤ Blacksburg: Michael Sutphin will be sworn in as the city’s next mayor after a lengthy recount confirmed he edged out business owner Pete Macedo by 18 votes. Three judges oversaw the process. (Details)

➤ Campbell County: A propane truck fire burned through the night and closed parts of Route 29 over the weekend. Crews decided to let the fire burn itself out. (More)

➤ Statewide: Prison patrol dogs have “engaged” with incarcerated people, prison employees, and visitors at least 33 times since a law aimed at reducing such incidents took effect last year, according to the Virginia Department of Corrections. An investigation found that 90% of prison dog attacks nationwide happened in Virginia. (Details)

➤ Virginia Beach: One member of Virginia Task Force 2 deployed to Washington state to lead a FEMA Incident Support Team that is responding to heavy flooding in the Pacific Northwest. (More)

➤ Madison County residents spoke out against school board member Charlie Sheads last week in response to negative comments he has made online about Islam. “I can assure you there is one religion that chants ‘death to America’ and that’s the Muslim religion,” Sheads responded at the meeting. (Details)

➤ Statewide: A fast-moving storm shed snow across parts of Northern Virginia yesterday before temperatures plunged as an arctic front moved through. (More)

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➤ Six teams earned a statewide high school football championship on Saturday. (Scores)

➤ The Washington Commanders improved to 4-10 by topping the woeful New York Giants 29-21 on the road. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech women’s basketball topped East Tennessee State 73-55. (More)

➤ JMU women’s basketball lost at home against No. 19 Notre Dame 78-65 in a non-conference game. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer | H.S. Boys Basketball | H.S. Girls Basketball

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➤ Diners in Virginia Beach pay the second-highest combined sales and meals tax among large cities in the nation after an increase imposed this year. Restaurant owners complained that the 12% rate is slowing business. (Details)

➤ The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is taking comments this week on a new statewide Solid Waste Management Plan. (More)

➤ Developers in Chesterfield County broke ground on a Hilton-branded hotel that will include 270 guest rooms, more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space, and a 12,600-square-foot ballroom. (Details)

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➤ More than 2,500 people took part in Arlington County’s Name that Plow! contest, with Slick-Sleddin’, Plowy McPlowface, and Blizzard of Oz sliding in as the most-suggested monikers. (Details)

➤ The Virginia Beach SPCA said adoptions soar at this time of year, but warned that too many of those pets will end up being returned in the new year. (More)

➤ The Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas is available online to provide details about where birds breed, how populations are changing, and expectations about the future of the flocks. (Details)

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➤ A new video reveals a surprising kitchen-made mixture that may help support healthy blood sugar. They say just one tablespoon of this simple blend—made from a few inexpensive supermarket items—has helped thousands feel more in control and enjoy their favorite sweets again. Watch the video to see the ingredient everyone is talking about.

Would a 12% meals tax discourage you from eating out?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Not if I’m hungry!

Friday’s Results:

Should Virginia impose further dietary restrictions on SNAP recipients? 

1. Yes: 48%
2. No: 27%
3. I don’t care: 25%

Who are sideburns named for?

Show me the answer