The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
NTSB: Birds Found in Hudson Jet Engine
U.S government officials said Wednesday they have confirmed there were birds in both engines of the US Airways airliner that ditched into the Hudson River near New York last month. The National Transportation Safety Board said remains from both engines from the Airbus 320 have also been sent to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington to have the particular bird species identified. (AP/USA Today)
Study Finds County Residents Living 'Dangerously'
A recent study by University of Virginia Professor William H. Lucy determined that Virginia's rural and suburban areas are more dangerous than its cities, including Richmond and Norfolk. Based on data from 2003-07, Lucy's findings show that Clarke County was the most dangerous jurisdiction in the Northern Virginia region — followed by Fauquier County. Frederick County and Spotsylvania County are also in the top five. (Fauquier.com)
Police Arrest Students for December Robbery
University Police charged three university students, including one who is already in jail, in connection with a December robbery on the campus, and still may be looking for more suspects. Police arrested Brandon Darnell Benston, a 19-year-old from Suitland, and Joshua Shaine Harris, a 20-year-old from College Park, on Monday in connection with the robbery, charging each with multiple counts of robbery, theft, assault and credit card violations. Both are identified in the university directory as students. (Diamondback Online)
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Not Just 'Blunts'
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, but not to D.C. Council member Yvette Alexander, who wants to ban the single-sale of small cigar products commonly known as "blunts." "It's no secret that these products are used for the sole purpose of smoking marijuana," said Miss Alexander, Ward 7 Democrat, who proposed the legislation. "If we are serious about fighting drugs in our communities, we must sponsor this measure." (Washington Times)
Food Bank Wants Gifts to go Further
In these tough economic times, Americans are scouring their budgets, looking for a way to make every penny go the distance. The Fredericksburg Area Food Bank is no different. When director Oya Oliver received $25,000 from the Dominion Foundation in December, she knew the money would have to go further than ever. She will also have to stretch another more recent gift of $28,741 raised at Bloom grocery stores. (Fredericksburg.com)
