Metallica's VA Move | Best Pizza | Heroic Rescue: NoVA Good News 2023

VIRGINIA — At the end of 2023, we present a year in review of the top good news stories and headlines from across Northern Virginia.

The top good news stories for 2023 included Metallica makes big investment in NoVA, town named one of the most "Christmassy" in the U.S., and local student places second In Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Here's a roundup of the top good news stories from 2023 across Northern Virginia:

Local Figure Skater Completes First Quadruple Axel At Worlds

Vienna senior Ilia Malinin, who made history in figure skating competition, once again proved why he is the self-proclaimed "Quadg0d."

• Figure Skater Ilia Malinin Recognized By Fairfax County Board

Witnesses Save Woman From Burning Car After Crash: Cops

Two men saved a woman from a burning car after a crash in Spotsylvania County on Sept. 10. Authorities said the vehicle went off the road, hit several trees and caught fire. The driver was unconscious and two witness sprang into action, cutting the driver's seat belt and pulling her from the burning vehicle."

'Reclining Liberty' Statue Begins Yearlong Residency

The Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington welcomed “Reclining Liberty” to Arlington at an event where the public got a chance to meet the artist behind the statue and learn about the statue’s meaning.

Metallica Buys NoVA Pressing Plant With Resurgence Of Vinyl Records

Metallica, the legendary hard rock band, has acquired a majority interest in Furnace Record Pressing, a leading provider of vinyl records based near Springfield.

• Metallica To Judge Oakton And Other Marching Band Finalists

Northern VA Student Places 2nd In Scripps National Spelling Bee

A student from Northern Virginia was the runner-up in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Charlotte Walsh, 14, a student from Arlington in a Fairfax County education program, was one of 11 finalists in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Book Vending Machine Donated By PTA Introduced To Students

Kids at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School eagerly lined up to make their selections from a new vending machine. But it wasn't a normal vending machine with snacks that they were after. It was books.

'You Want To Look Ahead': Arlington Woman Celebrates 108th Birthday

Vera Punke has lived a long life and has been widowed four times. Now, at 108 years old, the spunky Arlington resident jokes that she will only date older men.

• For 102-Year-Old Woman, Hobbies Don't Have Age Limit

NoVA Pizza Place Ranked As One Of The Best In U.S.

Virginia is home to one of the top 50 pizzerias in the United States, according to a ranking by Italian pizza experts.

• 1 VA Pizzeria Named Best For Neapolitan-Style Pizza

$5M Windfall For NoVA Man On Winning Virginia Lottery Ticket

Alexandr Pichev's recent decision to buy a Virginia Lottery scratch-off ticket turned out to be a profitable won. He ended up winning a top prize of $5 million in the $326,000,000 Fortune game.

• Routine Stop Before Work Leads To Top Lottery Prize For Vienna Man
• Stafford Man Wins $1 Million From VA Lottery During Coffee Break
• Annandale Resident Wins $1M In Virginia Lottery's Mega Millions Game
• Retiree Wins $1M Powerball Prize From Ticket Bought In Kingstowne
• $1M VA Lottery Prize Awarded To Occoquan Man In New Year's Raffle
• Springfield Man Wins $1M Top Prize In New Year's Millionaire Raffle

Food Glorious Food

• Famed Chef Peter Chang Opening New Restaurant In NoVA
• 5-Time World Barbecue Champion Myron Mixon To Open Eatery
• Jake's Ice Cream Owner Snags Statewide Award
• Crumbl Cookies Hold Grand Opening With Free Samples
• Local Restaurant Makes New York Times 'Restaurant List'

Top Honors

• Miss Fairfax Volunteer 2023 Spreads Message Of Service At Blossom Fest
• Most 'Christmassy' Towns: NoVA Town Makes Top 5
• Halloween Parade Named One Of The Best In U.S.
• Civil Rights Icon Honored By VA General Assembly
• Photographer Wins Nature Photo Contest For Youth Magazine

School Days

• Seniors Visit Old Schools As Part Of Graduation Walk
• High School Student Earns Perfect AP Exam Score
• Student Named VA State Winner In Doodle For Google Contest
• School Principal Named Washington Post Principal Of Year
• Custodian Of 42 Years Is 'Heart And Soul' Of School: Principal
• Grad Becomes First Specialist For Neurodiverse Students
• Students Take Summer Trip To Inaugurate African Schoolhouse

Sports Highlights

• Local grad Noah Lyles Sprints To 100m World Championship
• Fairfax County Honors 'Trailblazing' West Springfield Girl Wrestlers
• State Champion Langley HS Golf Team Honored By Fairfax County Board
• Madison High School Grad Chosen In First Round Of MLB Draft
• Ovechkin To Host 800 Arlington Students To Celebrate Goal Milestone

We Can Be Heroes

• Team Of Moms Raises $400K To Renovate Playground
• Astronaut Kjell Lindgren Returns To Robinson To Discuss Space Station
• Nonprofit Founded By High Schooler Wins Global Youth Action Grant
• Stranger Pays Hotel Bill For Vienna Volunteers After Canceled Flight

Animal Kingdom

• Eagle Stuck On Train Tracks Recovers, Released Back Into Wild
• Puppy Nativity Returns To Church After 4-Year Pause
• Video: Young Fox Hides Feral Cat Popeye's Water Bowl
• Fairfax Shelter Marks St. Patrick's Day With Weekend Adoption Event

Fun and Games

• Lego Discovery Center DC Opens At Springfield Town Center
• Spray Park In Fairfax County Makes A Splash In USA Today Readers Poll
• Bowlero Hosts Former Wizards, Offers Free Bowling And Food

More Top 2023 Good News Stories

• Robot Love: Celebrating Four Years Of Starship Robot Deliveries
• Best-Selling Author David Baldacci Celebrates Books, Ideas At Festival
• IKEA Ready To Open DC Area's 1st Smaller Format Store
• Virginia's Newest State Park Now Officially Open
• New App Lets Residents Upload Public Art Images
• Amazon Celebrates Grand Opening Of HQ2's First Phase

Thank you for reading Patch. Here's to a Happy 2024!