Fatal Explosion | Hate Crime Shootings | Opposing ICE | Threats At CIA, Pentagon: VA News

On the weekend, we present a review of the top stories and headlines from across Virginia. Here's a roundup of some of the biggest stories across the state. You can also find your local Patch and catch up on those stories by clicking here.

Explosion, Fire Reported To 911, Fatality Confirmed

There was a heavy police and fire response Monday morning after 911 callers reported an explosion and fire. Fire and Rescue said one person was found dead.

Man Who Threatened CIA Director Tried To Enter Agency HQ, Police Say

A man armed with a box cutter who is accused of threatening to kill CIA Director John Ratcliffe was stopped on Nov. 5 by police as he tried to enter the agency's headquarters, according to court documents.

Man Sentenced To Prison For Hate Crime Shooting

A man will spend the rest of his life in prison after he was convicted of shooting two men because he believed they were from another country.

ICE Transfers From Sheriff's Office Criticized By Mayor, City Council

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and the City Council are seeking an end to the Sheriff's Office's "voluntary" cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The elected officials shared their statement against the sheriff's office policy during a Wednesday meeting.

Man Brought Chef's Knife To Pentagon, Police Say

A man was arrested by a federal officer on Wednesday for bringing a 9-inch chef's knife to the Pentagon in July, which he planned to use to slit his own throat, according to court documents.

Groundbreaking Of Fourth Rail, Other Major Station Projects Held

A groundbreaking for significant improvements at and around the Virginia Railway Express and Amtrak station was held Wednesday morning.

2 Hospitalized Following Shooting In Downtown: Police

Two people were hospitalized following a shooting that occurred Thursday night, according to authorities.

Man On Tracks Struck, Killed By Train: Police

The man was on the tracks when he was hit by the train just before 10 a.m., according to police. Crash reconstruction units were on the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man's death.

Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Girl

A man is facing charges after authorities said he sexually assaulted a girl at knifepoint.

'Sus Candy Man' Faces Aggravated Sexual Battery Charge, Additional Victims Possible

A man facing a child sex charge may be whom children refer to as the "sus candy man."

Investigation Into Shooting Investigation Leads To Drug Charges For Man

While investigating a report of shots being fired early Sunday, police arrested a man on drug charges, according to authorities.

Significant House Fire Reported, Fundraisers Started

Firefighters responded to a heavy house fire at a horse farm on Thursday. Fundraisers are supporting the residents whose home burned down.

Tractor Trailer Driver Cited In Fatal Crash On I-95: VA State Police

A tractor trailer driver was charged in connection to an early morning crash on Interstate 95 that left two people dead, a Virginia State Police spokesman told Patch on Thursday.

Man Admits To Riding Off With Electric Shopping Cart: Sheriff

A 58-year-old man was charged with grand larceny, after riding off with one of the electric shopping carts from a discount department store on Monday, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Woman Identified As Victim In Fatal Crash: Police

Police identified the pedestrian who was seriously injured when she was struck by a car Monday evening, according to authorities. She was later pronounced deceased.

Zoning For Housing Reforms To Boost Housing Upheld In Court

Zoning for Housing, zoning changes seeking to boost housing supply, will stay after a court decision Wednesday.

Rabies Alert Issued After Exposure With Infected Animal

The Health Department issued a rabies alert Thursday after an exposure involving an infected animal.

Resident Found Dead In House Fire: Police

A man was found dead in a house fire Sunday night, according to police.

House Votes To End Shutdown: See How VA Delegation Voted

Returning to Washington on Wednesday after a nearly eight-week absence, Virginia’s congressional delegation split squarely along party lines to approve a stopgap funding bill to reopen the government after the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

These Are VA's Safest Hospitals, New Ranking Says

A new hospital safety report released Thursday shows 38 hospitals in Virginia earned “A” grades based on their ability to protect patients from often preventable harm.