Tree Lighting Lottery, Hurricane Matthew Aid, Schools Address 'Creepy Clowns': News Nearby

Patch has 32 sites in communities in Va. and D.C. Here are some of the top posts from the past 24 hours.

• Hurricane Matthew: Gov. McAuliffe Signs Emergency Order to Help with Relief Efforts
• National Christmas Tree Lighting 2016: Lottery Underway
• 'Creepy Clowns' Reports Addressed by Manassas Schools Superintendent

Latest Scam: Caller Claims Family Member Has Been Kidnapped
A woman in Arlington received a frightening phone call Thursday informing her that her father had been kidnapped and would be killed unless she provided the caller with money. But it was all a scam, police say, and one of several reports of similar scams in the region this week.

"The female victim received a phone call at approximately 12:48 p.m. from an unknown caller stating he had kidnapped and would kill her father unless she provided him with money," according to a police statement. "While attempting to retrieve funds, the victim’s father called her place of employment advising that he was not in danger.">>> Read more.

More:

• Scam Callers Demand Money in Virtual Kidnapping Schemes: LCSO
• Leesburg Police Warn Community of Virtual Kidnapping Schemes

'Mean Girls' Musical to Premiere in DC in Fall 2017

It's been 12 years since the hit movie "Mean Girls" was unleashed on the world, launching Lindsey Lohan to stardom, and now a musical version of the film will be making its premiere right here in D.C. next fall.

It's been public knowledge that the "Mean Girls" theater adaptation would be coming at some point for a few years, but now we know that the musical -- which is being created by Tina Fey, who was a screenwriter for the film -- will debut here in the nation's capital next fall. >>> Read more.

• Metro Service on Columbus Day 2016: What Your Commute Will Be Like in DC
• Creepy Clown Reported in Arlington: Report
• Man Tries to Kidnap Woman at Knifepoint in Reston Town Center: Police
• Herndon's Haunted House is Shutting Down After One More Halloween Season

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• Area Resident Tricked in 'Puppy Scam': LCSO
• 2 Sentenced for Fraudulently Obtaining Student Loans from Northern Virginia Community College
• Weis Markets Takeover Fredericksburg Food Lions Beginning Next Friday
• 7 Cases of Vehicle Tampering Reported in Vienna: Police

Photo of 2015 National Christmas Tree courtesy of National Park Service