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STRONG STORMS ROLL THROUGH REGION
Severe thunderstorms ripped through the Prince William area late Thursday afternoon, toppling trees, sparking lightning fires and knocking out power to thousands.
A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for the entire Washington area until 9 p.m., but forecasters said the worst of the storms appeared to be over. (Inside NoVA)
ROBERTA DONNA GUILTY OF EMBEZZLEMENT
Roberto Donna, once the reigning king of Italian cooking in the area, pleaded guilty today to one count of felony embezzlement in Arlington County, according to the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney. Donna admitted withholding more than $150,000 in meal taxes, plus fines and penalties, from his now-shuttered Bebo Trattoria in Crystal City.
Arlington County Circuit Court judge Benjamin N.A. Kendrick sentenced Donna to a five-year sentence in the penitentiary but suspended it on condition of probation, good behavior, and restitution of $156,330. 96. The chef has not yet submitted a plan for restitution. (Washington City Paper)
LONG-DELAYED GROCER COMING TO COHI?
I'm cautiously optimistic about this: Ellwood Thompson's is close to signing a lease in DCUSA and will start construction in July, and open in January 2011, reports the City Paper's Housing Complex blog. Ellwood Thompson's CEO CFO Jack McGrath gave the details at the North Columbia Heights Civic Association meeting last night. He also said they'll have in-store dining.
Of course, this isn't the first time we've heard this, but let's hope it happens. Ellwood Thompson's, for those unfamiliar, is a Richmond-based organic supermarket, and McGrath says prices will be similar to Whole Foods. They've been in talks to move to DCUSA since 2008, and it seemed close last year until they put their plans on hold in April. Here's their website. (New Columbia Heights)
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Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
TWO INJURED IN DUMP TRUCK CRASH
Northbound lanes of Interstate 295 have been closed after two dump trucks collided, critically injuring both drivers.
D.C. fire department spokesman Pete Piringer says the crash was reported about 2:45 p.m. Thursday near the Laboratory Road exit. One truck had overturned.
Piringer says two patients were taken to the hospital with serious and life-threatening injuries. A search dog was brought in to find any other passengers in the wreckage, but nothing was discovered. (WTOP)
