Cherry Blossom Events, Choking Puppy Saved, Flu Peak: News Nearby

There was plenty of news across Virginia and Washington, DC, on Monday. If you missed any of it on your local Patch, here's a roundup of some of the top stories from the past 24 hours.

• Wind Storm Knocks Over Tree George Washington Planted
• Choking Puppy Saved By Quick-Thinking Responders: Watch
• Flu Still Widespread In Virginia And DC, Slows Nationally

Father Of Parkland Shooting Victim To Attend Alexandria Town Hall

A parent who lost his daughter in the Parkland Florida shooting will be attending a Wednesday town hall discussing gun violence in Alexandria. The town hall at T.C. Williams High School's Minnie Howard Campus will focus on gun reform and school safety efforts.

$3M Lottery Haul To Sterling Woman

Ina H. Fernandez of Sterling decided not to tell anyone—even her husband of 52 years—she was in possession of a Virginia lottery Mega Millions ticket worth a cool $3 million.

Virginia Boy Killed When Winds Blow Tree Into House

A 6-year-old Virginia boy was killed Friday when nor-easter winds sent a tree crashing into his family's mobile home. Not only did Anthony Hamilton's parents lose their young son in the freak accident, the family has also been displaced from their home by the storm damage.

Reston Speedskater Maame Biney Makes History With Gold Medal

After a disappointing 2018 Winter Olympics, Reston speedskater Maame Biney this weekend made history as the first U.S. woman to win a gold medal at the World Junior Short Track Championships, held in Poland.

Cherry Blossom Festival 2018: Guide To Can't-Miss Events

Cherry blossom season is upon us, drawing many visitors to DC to see the beautiful pink flowers bloom along the Tidal Basin. The 2018 National Cherry Blossom Festival will run from March 17-April 15 just as the peak bloom begins.

Anti-Semitic Incidents Jump 385 Percent In Virgina: Report

Anti-Semitic harassment, vandalism and assaults increased dramatically across the United States last year, including in Virginia — most notably in the white nationalist riot in Charlottesville that killed a woman — and Washington, D.C., and experts say that should serve as a "wake-up call" to the Jewish community.

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Also Worth a Look Today

• Fire Damages Chuck E. Cheese's In Woodbridge
• Threats To Fairfax High Prompt Search For Suspect: Police
• Snow Looms: Northern Virginia Weather
• Storm Leaves Falls Church Intersection Without Traffic Signal
• Storm Debris Collections, Road Closures: Things To Know In Vienna
• 71 MPH Wind Gust Reported At Dulles Airport
• Huge Mess In Reston (Photos)

Across America

• Women Steal $150K From Man At Jay-Z's Club: Report
• Amazon Now Takes Photos Of Your Delivered Packages
• Frances McDormand's Oscar Stolen At After-Party
• Martin Shkreli Has To Hand Over His Wu-Tang Album

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Image via National Park Service