'Virginia Lost A Legend': Commonwealth's Longest-Serving Sheriff Dies At 73 'Virginia Lost A Legend': Commonwealth's Longest-Serving Sheriff Dies At 73 'Virginia Lost A Legend': Commonwealth's Longest-Serving Sheriff Dies At 73
'Virginia Lost A Legend': Commonwealth's Longest-Serving Sheriff Dies At 73 For generations of Virginians, there was only one Sheriff Steve Draper. Draper, the longtime Martinsville lawman whose 32 years in office made him the longest-serving active sheriff in the Commonwealth, died on Saturday, Aug. 29.  He was 73. His death ended a remarkable run in public service that stretched back more than half a century. Draper first joined the Martinsville Sheriff's Office in 1973, working as a correctional officer, court bailiff and civil process and transportation officer before eventually making his way to the top. He was elected sheriff in 1993 and took office on Jan…
'Mo County Legend': Beloved Barber, Go-Go Musician Killed In Maryland Crash 'Mo County Legend': Beloved Barber, Go-Go Musician Killed In Maryland Crash 'Mo County Legend': Beloved Barber, Go-Go Musician Killed In Maryland Crash
'Mo County Legend': Beloved Barber, Go-Go Musician Killed In Maryland Crash Craig Budd Sr. was the guy people called when they needed him. Then his loved ones' lives were turned upside down. Budd was struck and killed in Maryland on Friday night, Aug. 28, just a short time after the call his daughter intended to return once she got settled. “I missed your call, thinking I would get to call you back once I got settled,” ShaVonté wrote in an emotional tribute. “But I never imagined that the ‘later’ would be stolen from me just a short while later.” The crash was reported at approximately 8:10 p.m. near North Frederick Avenue and Professional Drive in Gaithersbur…
Students Couldn't Wait To See Their Bus Driver Tuesday. Hours Later, He Was Gone Students Couldn't Wait To See Their Bus Driver Tuesday. Hours Later, He Was Gone Students Couldn't Wait To See Their Bus Driver Tuesday. Hours Later, He Was Gone
Students Couldn't Wait To See Their Bus Driver Tuesday. Hours Later, He Was Gone Tuesday morning, Rodney Givens was right where generations of Maryland schoolchildren had come to expect him. Behind the wheel. Hours later, the longtime Montgomery County Public Schools bus driver, husband, father and union leader was gone after suffering what his family says was a heart attack while driving his bus on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Givens was driving MCPS Route 4105 when the medical emergency struck shortly after 3 p.m., according to his family and police. The bus crashed into a utility pole near Central Avenue and Route 355. There were no students aboard, and nobody else was in…
Ashley Bynum Remembered As Family Steps Up For Young Son Malachi With 'Shares, Prayers' Ashley Bynum Remembered As Family Steps Up For Young Son Malachi With 'Shares, Prayers' Ashley Bynum Remembered As Family Steps Up For Young Son Malachi With 'Shares, Prayers'
Ashley Bynum Remembered As Family Steps Up For Young Son Malachi With 'Shares, Prayers' A DC family is trying to hold together a little boy's world after his life changed in an instant. Ashley Bynum died unexpectedly this week, leaving behind her son, Malachi, as loved ones mourn her sudden loss and step up for the boy who now has to grow up without his mother. Her sister, Troya Bynum, announced Ashley's death while launching a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses and support Malachi in the days ahead. "I am creating this fundraiser with a very heavy heart after the unexpected loss of my beloved sister, Ashley," she wrote. "Ashley was deeply loved by our family, and he…
‘Forever My Daughter’: Dad Mourns Virginia Teen Serene Tayari After Drowning Accident ‘Forever My Daughter’: Dad Mourns Virginia Teen Serene Tayari After Drowning Accident ‘Forever My Daughter’: Dad Mourns Virginia Teen Serene Tayari After Drowning Accident
‘Forever My Daughter’: Dad Mourns Virginia Teen Serene Tayari After Drowning Accident A Saturday night along the Potomac became every Virginia parent's nightmare. Serene Tayari, a 15-year-old from Arlington, died after slipping into the river near the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Washington, DC, on Saturday, Aug. 22, according to reports. Tayari had been sitting on a ledge overlooking the Potomac when she slipped and fell into the water, WUSA9 reported. Someone nearby saw what happened and tried to pull her out, but failed. She was later found by members of the Metropolitan Police Department's Harbor Unit. Tayari was rushed to an area hospital, but could not be saved. "On S…
He Woke Up For Physical Therapy After Back Surgery, Then Tragedy Struck He Woke Up For Physical Therapy After Back Surgery, Then Tragedy Struck He Woke Up For Physical Therapy After Back Surgery, Then Tragedy Struck
He Woke Up For Physical Therapy After Back Surgery, Then Tragedy Struck A routine back surgery turned tragic for a young Maryland family that suddenly finds itself without its patriotic patriarch. Bel Air resident Matthew Robert Peters went under the knife on Thursday, Aug. 20. Things appeared to go well until the following day. Loved ones say that Peters woke up to do his physical therapy when he suffered a medical emergency and died. He was 38. Peters, a Baltimore native, leaves behind his loving wife of 11 years, Emily, along with their 6-year-old daughter, Grace, and 3-year-old son, Clark. Following his death, Peters was remembered not only as a dot…
He'd Just Retired After 20 Years, But Maryland Dad Edwin Pierce Was Never Done Serving He'd Just Retired After 20 Years, But Maryland Dad Edwin Pierce Was Never Done Serving He'd Just Retired After 20 Years, But Maryland Dad Edwin Pierce Was Never Done Serving
He'd Just Retired After 20 Years, But Maryland Dad Edwin Pierce Was Never Done Serving Edwin Pierce had finally reached the part where he was supposed to slow down. After more than 20 years in the US Army, the Maryland father had only recently retired, closing a career that took him from aviation to public affairs and ultimately the Pentagon. But Pierce was never much for sitting on the sidelines. Out of uniform, he poured that same energy into Woodlawn Little League, where he coached, mentored, umpired, worked concessions, handled audio and visual duties, and seemingly stepped in whenever somebody needed a hand. His sudden death prompted an outpouring of tributes from the …
His 20th Birthday Was Supposed To Be A Celebration, Then Tragedy Struck In Maryland His 20th Birthday Was Supposed To Be A Celebration, Then Tragedy Struck In Maryland His 20th Birthday Was Supposed To Be A Celebration, Then Tragedy Struck In Maryland
His 20th Birthday Was Supposed To Be A Celebration, Then Tragedy Struck In Maryland What should have been a day of celebration became a day of heartbreak for a Maryland family. Inmar Nazareth Campos-Rivera, of Oxon Hill, died on his 20th birthday after crashing his motorcycle shortly after midnight on Friday, Aug. 21, in Prince George's County, according to police and his family. The crash happened at approximately 12:20 a.m. in the 10700 block of Tucker Street in Beltsville. Campos-Rivera had been traveling along Tucker Street when he lost control of his motorcycle for reasons that remain under investigation and crashed, Prince George's County Police said. He was rushed…
3-Year-Old Facing 'Unimaginable Future' Without Mother Brutally Murdered In Great Falls Park 3-Year-Old Facing 'Unimaginable Future' Without Mother Brutally Murdered In Great Falls Park 3-Year-Old Facing 'Unimaginable Future' Without Mother Brutally Murdered In Great Falls Park
3-Year-Old Facing 'Unimaginable Future' Without Mother Brutally Murdered In Great Falls Park A 3-year-old girl will have to grow up without her mother after she was brutally murdered by an acquaintance in Virginia. Carmen Lizet Puch, 42, was found fatally stabbed near her Honda at Difficult Run Park in Great Falls early on Monday, Aug. 17, after arranging to meet a friend there, police said. Days after her death, 19-year-old Alexis Antonio Cedillos-Campos was arrested and charged with her murder. Now, as investigators continue building their case against the teen, those who knew Puch are trying to make sure her young daughter is cared for after losing the woman who moved from New …
Teacher, Mom Of 2 Dies Suddenly At 40 As Fundraiser Surges Past $93K Teacher, Mom Of 2 Dies Suddenly At 40 As Fundraiser Surges Past $93K Teacher, Mom Of 2 Dies Suddenly At 40 As Fundraiser Surges Past $93K
Teacher, Mom Of 2 Dies Suddenly At 40 As Fundraiser Surges Past $93K Amanda "Mandy" Jean Butler spent more than a decade molding young minds. Now it's her community that is stepping up for her kids following her unexpected death. The 40-year-old educator passed away during a vacation on Wednesday, Aug. 12, after suffering a sudden stroke, according to loved ones. She leaves behind two little boys and a doting husband she married two years ago. Despite doctors’ efforts, Butler died at the hospital surrounded by close loved ones, organizers of a GoFundMe that went viral in the community. Her death left a hole stretching from her classroom at Stoddert Element…
Frank Beard Dies: Rock Hall Of Fame Drummer Powered Iconic Hits For ZZ Top Frank Beard Dies: Rock Hall Of Fame Drummer Powered Iconic Hits For ZZ Top Frank Beard Dies: Rock Hall Of Fame Drummer Powered Iconic Hits For ZZ Top
Frank Beard Dies: Rock Hall Of Fame Drummer Powered Iconic Hits For ZZ Top A steady beat that powered one of rock’s longest-running lineups has gone silent. Frank Beard, ZZ Top’s drummer for 56 years, died Monday, Aug. 17, at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, the band announced on its website. He was 77. Beard was receiving hospice care and had family members at his side. An exact cause of death was not disclosed. “Today, Elwood and I lost a great friend and collaborator, and the world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas,” ZZ Top founder Billy F Gibbons said. “His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top. The ba…
'Bring Francisco Home': Family Mourns Dad Supporting Family In Mexico Killed In Police Shooting 'Bring Francisco Home': Family Mourns Dad Supporting Family In Mexico Killed In Police Shooting 'Bring Francisco Home': Family Mourns Dad Supporting Family In Mexico Killed In Police Shooting
'Bring Francisco Home': Family Mourns Dad Supporting Family In Mexico Killed In Police Shooting Francisco Aparicio Muños spent a decade working in Maryland to provide for his family back home.  Now, they’re trying to bring his body home. Aparicio Muños was the driver fatally shot by Bel Air Police Officer Christopher Birch during a traffic stop on Franklin Street at around 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, according to the Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division. Days after the shooting, his family is putting a face and a story to the man whose name initially went unreleased. Aparicio Muños spent the past 10 years in the US working hard, sometimes holding two…