Weird Virginia/D.C.: Hoya Mascot Drops Out, Things That Go Boom, and....Goat Voodoo?!

By Mary Ann Barton

Patch has 31 sites in Virginia and D.C., and not a day goes by that something weird isn't happening somewhere in the area. Here's a look back at some of the weird goings-on over the past week.

Folks, it may be the dog days of summer, but, as you know, weird never slips off to the beach in these parts.

Baby Born on L'Enfant Plaza Metro Platform Thursday Morning: Next stop, delivery room! If you ride the Metro, you know that sometimes, stuff happens. But boy, did it ever happen this week. A 23-year-old woman went into labor Thursday morning while riding a Green Line Metro train in the direction of Greenbelt and ultimately delivered a baby boy on the platform at L'Enfant Plaza. WTOP reports that an off-duty EMT was on the same train as the pregnant woman, and helped her exit the train and deliver the baby.  

Eviscerated Goat Remains Found in Dora Kelley Nature Park: We’re not sure if this was part of some Satanic ritual, or maybe just the remains of a primitive barbecue...? The remains of a juvenile goat were mysteriously found Tuesday within Dora Kelley Nature Park, located in Alexandria’s West End. An Alexandria Animal Control officer responded to the scene and found no entrails or other signs of violence, leaving police officers to believe the goat was disemboweled elsewhere and its remains were dumped in the park.

What Was That Loud Booming Sound? Did you hear a loud booming sound Thursday morning in Chantilly? In case you're wondering what it was  — especially in the South Riding area — we've got your answer here from the Virginia State Police. The bomb unit assigned out of the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Fairfax Field Office has been conducting routine training at a quarry in the South Riding area of Loudoun County, according to Virginia State Police. Residents in the area may hear loud booms, as the training does involve the detonation and handling of explosive devices as part of the training exercise for their bomb techs.

‘Don’t Mess With the Farmers’ Market’: Stealing tips from the balloon man? Really?? This seemed to be a particularly low-down form of crime Bystanders and workers at the Reston Farmers’ Market at Lake Anne chased and tackled a would-be thief when he tried to run off with the tip jar from one of the market’s balloon artists. The citizens held the suspect, an 18-year-old from Herndon, until Fairfax County Police arrived. The suspect was charged with grand larceny, and the money was returned to T.J. Michael, the balloon artist.

Hoya Mascot Jack Jr. (J.J.) Not Returning to Georgetown this Fall: We’ve heard of students dropping out, but mascots? Jack Jr. (a.k.a. "J.J.") just took over for Jack the bulldog at the end of the most recent basketball season, but now the student newspaper The Hoya reports JJ will not be returning to campus this fall. The university confirmed the pup’s early retirement, citing, among other behavioral issues, an incident where the dog bit a child last fall, according to The Washington Post.

Fairfax County Animal Shelter Accepts 23 Dogs from Springfield Home: Fairfax County Animal Control received more than 20 dogs from a Springfield home last week after the owner fell ill and released the dogs to the county. All 23 dogs, who range in condition from fair to very poor, are currently being monitored and cared for by veterinarians, according to a recent news release. Those who are in good health will be groomed, spayed or neutered, and treated for medical conditions ranging from cataracts to heart murmurs.

Foxes Gone Wild: Creatures Blamed for Missing Newspapers: What is it about the Washington Post that a certain group of foxes loves so well? The Oakdale Park neighborhood of Vienna is no stranger to foxes being out and about, but this year the four-legged fiends have been especially active. One result: a recurring pattern of Washington Postnewspapers pilfered by foxes before residents have a chance to retrieve them has neighbors howling. Some have reported seeing foxes walking down their street, paper in mouth, then disappearing into the woods only to return and retrieve another newspaper.

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