Transit Service Inches Closer to Normal — Metro is returning to weekday rail and bus service today (Thursday) after several days of no or limited operations as post-Winter Storm Fern cleanup efforts continue. Most Fairfax Connector routes will operate on a limited Saturday schedule, but a couple have resumed regular weekday schedules. [WMATA]
Extreme Cold Could Be Among Worst Since 1800s — “D.C. plunged to 13 degrees on Tuesday morning, while many locations in the region dipped into the single digits and below zero. The frigid morning was part of a punishing cold snap that ramped up Saturday and may not relax until around Groundhog Day on Feb. 2. By some measures, it could rank among the most severe cold spells since the late 1800s.” [Capital Weather Gang]
Health Insurance Enrollment Lagging — “With the deadline to register for health insurance coverage through the state’s marketplace this year fast approaching, thousands fewer Virginians have signed up so far this cycle. The deadline to register or change insurance coverage is Friday, Jan. 30.” Advocates attribute the decline to “a sharp increase in health insurance costs” due to changes at both the state and federal levels. [VPM News]
Responders Reflect on DCA Crash Anniversary — “Nearly one year ago, on Jan. 29, 2025, the capital region and the nation watched with shock and confusion as an American Airlines regional jet collided midair with an Army Black Hawk helicopter … While most watched the tragedy in the aftermath from phone screens and television, D.C. Police and Fire and EMS’ divers and crew members had to sift through the wreckage in the icy Potomac River.” [WTOP]
Dual DUI Arrests in Annandale — “Fairfax County police arrested two drivers after two vehicles struck police cruisers during a traffic stop on I-495 in Annandale. On Jan. 23, at approximately 4 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on the beltway approaching Little River Turnpike for suspicion of driving while intoxicated.” While officers were testing that driver for sobriety, a different driver crashed into two police cruisers stopped on the shoulder. [Annandale Today]
Family Reunited With Dog After Five Years — “How did you spend your snow day? Luke spent his day reuniting with his family after FIVE YEARS!” Two community members came across the dog “playing in the snow” at a local recreation center on Tuesday (Jan. 27) and brought him to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, which was able to locate Luke’s adopted family using a microchip. [FCAS/Facebook]
McLean Estate Sells for Almost $16M — “Easter Hill, a property consisting of two lots and nearly four acres along McLean’s Gold Coast, went under contract with contingencies at a list price of $15.999 million recently … While there is a four-bedroom home on the land, the buyer is primarily paying top dollar for some of the best views of the Potomac in the region.” There are signs that the site could be part of a “megadeal” involving three other adjoining properties, totaling 6 acres. [DC UrbanTurf]
Burke Store Sells $1M Raffle Ticket — “A retired U.S. Army officer couldn’t believe that the New Year’s Millionaire Raffle ticket he purchased at a Burke grocery store would be worth $1 million, according to the Virginia Lottery … The number of the ticket that the man purchased at the Giant Food at 6011 Burke Center Parkway in Burke was #038045.” It was one of five winning tickets worth $1 million reported on Jan. 1. [Patch]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny conditions and a high of 23 degrees, but wind chills could reach as low as -5 due to a west wind blowing at 6 to 10 mph, and gusts reaching up to 20 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear with a low of 6 degrees and wind chill values as low as -2, accompanied by a northwest wind at around 6 mph. [NWS]
