Local News

Severe weather alerts rattled Central Virginia on Friday, May 30, 2025, as tornado warnings were issued for several counties amid a line of powerful thunderstorms moving through the area. The warnings come as part of a larger weather system impacting parts of Virginia and neighboring states, prompting residents to stay alert and take safety precautions. Tornado Warnings in Central Virginia The National Weather Service (NWS) issued tornado warnings for multiple counties including Westmoreland, Richmond, King and Queen, and Essex. Officials reported severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes moving at speeds between 20 to 25 miles per hour across the region. Specifically, a severe thunderstorm was reported near Coles Point in Westmoreland County, heading northeast at 25 mph...

A tenant in Takoma Park was arrested and charged with second-degree assault after slapping his landlord during a heated dispute. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of May 29, 2025, has brought attention to how landlord-tenant conflicts can sometimes escalate into physical confrontations. Details of the Incident The Takoma Park Police Department responded to a call at approximately 12:09 a.m. on May 29 in the 1100 block of Kirklynn Avenue, where officers found the victim with visible injuries. The landlord reported that she had a disagreement with her tenant, 32-year-old Amilcar Seliano Ramos Mejia, during which Ramos Mejia became angry and slapped her in the face. Officers noted swelling and irritation on the left side of the landlord’s face, consistent with her accou...

In a landmark case that has shaken Montgomery County, Maryland, Torrey Damien Moore, 34, was sentenced to three consecutive life terms plus 80 years in prison for the brutal 2022 murders of his pregnant girlfriend, Denise Middleton, her unborn child, and a convenience store clerk. On October 9, 2022, Moore fatally shot Middleton, who was eight and a half months pregnant, inside their Silver Spring apartment. Middleton’s body was discovered on December 9, 2022, in an advanced state of decomposition, leading to Moore’s arrest. The tragic case took a further grim turn the next day when Moore killed Ayalew Wondimu, a gas station clerk, during an altercation at a nearby convenience store. This case is historically significant for Montgomery County as it represents the first time a defenda...

A Phillipsburg police officer has been arrested and charged with unauthorized access to the department's computer system, raising serious concerns about the misuse of sensitive law enforcement data. Scott Palmer, 29, a relatively new member of the Phillipsburg Police Department, was taken into custody on May 30, 2025, following a detailed investigation by the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office. Arrest and Charges Palmer faces a third-degree charge of computer criminal activity, which in New Jersey can carry a prison sentence of up to five years if convicted. The charge stems from allegations that Palmer unlawfully accessed the Police Department’s Records Management System (RMS), a secure database used by law enforcement to store sensitive information, including criminal records, incid...

A high-speed crash on Route 22 in Hanover Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, resulted in the death of a passenger Thursday night, May 29, 2025. The Pennsylvania State Police have identified the victim as 27-year-old Joey Anthony Vega II, also known as “Boobie,” from Wind Gap, PA. The fatal incident occurred when a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300, traveling westbound at a high rate of speed, attempted to pass a 2015 Ford Escape on the right lane of the highway. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, the Mercedes sideswiped the Ford, causing the driver of the Ford to lose control. The Ford then veered off the road and struck a tree. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find Vega, who was the front-seat passenger in the Mercedes, suffering from severe injuries. He was ...

A fatal crash that took place in Pleasantville early March 13, 2025, has led to serious charges against a local driver. Prosecutors have charged 28-year-old Jean Zambrano-Briones with vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a fatal accident after the crash resulted in the death of his passenger. According to authorities, the crash happened at around 2:30 a.m. on the Black Horse Pike, when Zambrano-Briones lost control of his vehicle and collided with a utility pole. The impact of the collision fatally injured 38-year-old passenger Gustavo Huestipa-Peralta. Eyewitness accounts and police reports suggest that Zambrano-Briones fled the scene on foot immediately after the crash. Egg Harbor Township police later apprehended him. Investigations revealed that the driver was under the in...

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a nationwide pause of all contractor-operated Job Corps centers, effective by June 30, 2025. This decision comes after an internal review exposed significant financial deficits and raised safety concerns throughout the program, which provides education, vocational training, housing, and support to thousands of young Americans. Financial Struggles and Safety Concerns Behind the Pause Job Corps, which serves primarily low-income youth aged 16 to 24, has been grappling with financial challenges for years. According to the Department of Labor, the program operated at a $140 million deficit in Program Year 2024. Projections for the current year estimate this shortfall could reach $213 million. In addition to financial difficulties, a recent tr...

Two men face serious charges after allegedly assaulting a New York State Trooper during a chaotic incident involving a large group of dirt bike riders on Route 9D in Wappingers Falls last September, authorities confirmed. The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office announced that Steven Hasbrouck, 29, of Middletown, and Naquan Eubanks, 26, of Poughkeepsie, have been indicted following an investigation into the disturbance caused by approximately 30 to 40 dirt bike riders operating recklessly on a busy road. Incident Details On the afternoon of September 8, 2024, police were alerted about a large group of dirt bike riders creating a disturbance and potentially endangering public safety along Route 9D. The report indicated the group was riding in an unsafe and illegal manner, dra...

The New York Police Department (NYPD) is actively investigating a robbery that took place at a jewelry store on Staten Island on Friday afternoon. The incident, which has unsettled the local community, occurred during business hours, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. Limited Details Released by Authorities According to a recent report by the Staten Island Advance, shared via their official Facebook page, the NYPD responded to the scene shortly after the robbery was reported. However, as of now, detailed information about the event remains limited. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the exact location of the jewelry store or how many suspects were involved. Nor have they provided descriptions of the individuals responsible. Police Urge Public to Share Any Inform...

Washington, D.C. is preparing for one of the largest international LGBTQ+ events in its history—WorldPride 2025, expected to attract nearly 3 million people between May 17 and June 8. The city is ramping up security, health services, and transit options ahead of the major festivities, which include parades, concerts, and a two-day street festival on Pennsylvania Avenue. At the heart of it all is a message of unity and resilience. “We cannot live in fear,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser, addressing concerns about safety and public preparedness amid today’s tense political climate. “We have to live our lives and be as prepared as we can.” A Global Celebration Comes to D.C. WorldPride, hosted this year by Capital Pride Alliance, will mark the first time the global event takes place in the ...