Best Whisky, Goat Thief, Toll Road App, Top Cuisine: News Nearby

There was plenty of news across Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia on Wednesday. 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.

• Scammers Threaten To Cut Off Electricity Over Past-Due Bills
• Northeast Man Dies Of Gunshot Wound: Police Report
• Suspect Arrested In 2012 Sexual Abuse, Kidnapping Case

Gun-Wielding Protester Shows Up Outside State Rep's Home

A gun-wielding man showed up outside the home of a Virginia state legislator who proposed a ban on assault weapons.

Dining Out: What Are DC's Most Popular Ethnic Cuisines?

Chef's Pencil, an Australian website that examines industry trends for cooks and foodies, released a new report Tuesday, Feb. 18, identifying the most popular ethnic cuisines across the U.S.

Puppy Escapes Unscathed From Mall Confrontation

A Manassas teenager was arrested Monday night for carrying a gun and abandoning a puppy he was carrying at the Manassas Mall, according to police.

NoVA Company Tops Fortune's Best To Work For List Again

The business magazine Fortune, in partnership with analytics firm Great Place to Work, has released its annual list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the United States. Virginia had six of the best companies to work for in the nation, according to Fortune.

Farmer Holds Suspected Goat Thief At Gunpoint Until Police Arrive

A Stafford County farmer held a man he suspected of trying to steal his goats at gunpoint in the middle of a field last Friday until a sheriff's deputy arrived, according to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office.

Bloomberg, Sanders Tied For Lead Among Likely VA Voters: Poll

After former Vice President Joe Biden's surprisingly poor performances in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT) and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg are now running neck and neck in Virginia in the latest polling by Monmouth University.

Fredericksburg Distillery Wins Top Awards In Whisky Competition

The John J. Bowman Single Barrel Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey was named the nation's best non-Kentucky single barrel bourbon at Whisky Magazine's 2020 World Whiskies Awards in New York City.

New App Provides Alternative To E-ZPass For Virginia Tolls

Private toll operator Transurban announced a new app providing an alternative to paying tolls with E-ZPass. The GoToll app lets drivers use cashless toll lanes and pay through a smartphone app.

Sears To Close, Few NoVA Locations Remain

One of the few Sears locations remaining in Northern Virginia is preparing to close. The last day of business for the Sears at 6211 Leesburg Pike is April 12.

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Also Worth A Look Today

• Adoptable Pets Of The Week: Maddie, Pepper, Tank, Spot, Turbo
• Robber Sought After Huntington Metro Assault: Police
• Hand Roll Sushi Concept, Bar Open In Former Eamonn's, PX Space
• Delivery Driver Robbed, Laundry Room Damaged: Crime Report
• 4 Charged In Valentine's Day Assault, Malicious Wounding
• Leesburg Restaurant Inspections: Moldy Marinara, Dusty Kitchen
• Long & Foster Accepting Entries For Woodbridge Art Exhibition

Across America

• Beloved Driver To Be Buried In ‘School Bus Casket’
• Trump Commutes Blagojevich's Sentence
• Dog Who Can't Walk, Pigeon Who Can't Fly
• Boy Scouts Seek Bankruptcy Amid Sex-Abuse Lawsuits