Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Good morning! On this day in 1838, a man named Jesse Tomlinson dug into an ancient burial site in present-day Moundsville, which was part of Virginia at that time. Two log tombs containing multiple burials were found inside the Grave Creek Mound.

A state task force is leading a crackdown on transnational criminal organizations. In our Top Stories, The Virginia Flyover has the latest on hundreds of arrests made by the newly formed Virginia Homeland Security Task Force. Also, in Around Virginia, the FAA is trying to make it safer to fly into D.C.

Mourning Family Requests Death Declaration

The parents of college student Sudiksha Konanki said they believe their daughter drowned and have asked authorities in the Dominican Republic to declare her legally dead.

The 20-year-old college student from Loudoun County was on a spring break trip when she disappeared from a beach on March 6.

A man named Joshua Riibe, identified as a person of interest, reportedly told police that he and Konanki were standing in waist-deep water when a wave swept them both out to sea. He had been detained for questioning but is expected to be released.

“It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we are coming to terms with the fact that our daughter has drowned,” Konanki’s father said. “This is incredibly difficult for us to process.”

Task Force Tackles Gangs

The Virginia Homeland Security Task Force (VHSTF) was formed earlier this month to coordinate federal, state, and local agencies in combating transnational criminal organizations (TCOs).

In its first two weeks, the task force has arrested 247 individuals. Those detained include 18 people linked to the MS-13 gang, six to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, and 12 with ties to other violent organizations.

“These aren’t U.S. citizens—they’re violent criminals,” wrote Attorney General Jason Miyares in a social media post.

The VHSTF is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide federal initiative to target transnational criminal organizations.

Woman Killed at Railroad Crossing

The driver of a 2019 Toyota Highlander was killed when she was struck by an Amtrak passenger train at a crossing in James City County.

Virginia State Police stated that 32-year-old Sarah Jones Mazariegos “crossed the railroad tracks on a private road crossing, failing to stop at the sign controlling the crossing, and failed to yield the right of way to the oncoming train.”

The Northeast Regional train was traveling from Newport News to New York City with 90 people on board at the time of the collision.

No injuries were reported on the train.

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10 Amazon Prime Perks You Need to Be Using

Once upon a time, we had to make lists and physically go to stores when we needed things. Sometimes we’d have to go to several stores or even shopping malls for what we needed.

Then, one day, Amazon came out of the heavens. For many of us, free shipping and access to exclusive shows and movies are enough reasons to pay $14.99 per month for Prime.

But if those reasons haven’t been enough to entice you to join Prime, maybe some of these lesser-known incentives will tempt you to sign up. Here are 10 of those perks.

➤ Statewide: Unemployment claims in the Commonwealth increased 40% week-over-week, with 4,036 first-time unemployment insurance claims filed for the week ending March 8, an 81% jump from this time last year. (Details)

➤ Arlington: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it will permanently restrict helicopter flights near Reagan Washington National Airport. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach: Dominion Energy announced that one of three planned substations was installed at its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind farm. The project is on schedule to be finished next year. (Details)

➤ Red Sea: Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed to have launched retaliatory attacks against the Norfolk-based aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, following its participation in strikes against the Iran-backed group. U.S. officials reported that all incoming missiles were intercepted, and none came close to hitting the Truman or any other American naval vessels. (More)

➤ Danville: A new $1.6 million fire truck will enter service, funded by a donation from the Caesars Virginia casino. The city contributed $220,000 for the equipment on the vehicle. (More)

➤ Fairfax County: A woman will not be granted custody of two frozen embryos created with her former husband in 2015. A judge ruled that human embryos are not property that is subject to partition under state law. (Details)

➤ The NCAA settled a lawsuit brought by Virginia and other states. The agreement will remove restrictions on student-athlete compensation for name, image, and likeness as they are being recruited. (Details)

➤ Virginia Tech softball hosts Longwood today, coming off a sweep of Louisville. The No. 15 Hokies are 5-1 in ACC play, 23-5 overall. (More)

➤ UVA women’s swimming and diving team is looking for its fifth straight NCAA championship at a meet that begins today in the state of Washington. (Details)

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➤ State and local organizations will host a job fair today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Virginia Community Resource Center in Petersburg. (Details)

➤ Guide Roasting Company in Chesterfield County announced that it is operating around the clock to produce the only brand of Keurig-compatible coffee pod that is fully compostable, including packaging. (More)

➤ Virginia Credit Union received the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award, given to companies that display the world’s best workplace cultures. It’s the third straight year the credit union has won the award. (Details)

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Are you taking advantage of your Amazon Prime perks?

Free music/podcasts, access to lightning deals, and Whole Foods discounts are just a few of the many lesser-known perks that Amazon Prime has to offer. Make sure you’re not missing out, and get the most out of your Prime membership with help from our deal-finding experts.

Whether you’re already a Prime member or considering signing up, here are 10 Prime member benefits you should be using!

➤ Virginia’s Department of Conservation and Recreation has said it wants gardeners to avoid planting any of the 90 invasive plant species that are often found in the Commonwealth and can dominate the environments where they are planted. (More)

➤ Loudoun County organizations launched the second annual Scrape for the Grape campaign, a spring event aimed at helping clear Spotted Lanternfly egg masses from trees and vines before the bugs can hatch and harm crops, especially grape vines. (Details)

➤ The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is developing a smallmouth bass plan to provide better management of the species, a favorite of sport fishermen. Public comment is open until April 11. (More)

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