9+ min ago (532+ words) November 30, 2025, 5:21 PM As the winter approaches and it gets colder, you may be looking for alternative ways to heat your home, like using space heaters. If so, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer told WTOP beware: users need to learn how to use these heat sources safely to avoid fires. Out of three serious overnight fires across Maryland and Virginia this week, fire investigators say at least two were caused by space heaters. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission'estimates that from 2019 to 2021, portable heaters, including electric space heaters, were involved in an average of'1,600 fires per year in the U.S., resulting in an average of 70 deaths and 160 injuries each year. Piringer said residents need to take precautions before using space heaters, and offers tips for how to use these alternative heating sources safely. The most important advice, he said, is…...

3+ hour, 19+ min ago (322+ words) November 30, 2025, 2:11 PM Maryland State Police have arrested four people in connection with a triple murder on Nov. 18 in Washington County with more arrests expected. Police said the three men and one woman set a fire and used accelerants at a home in the 13000 block of National Pike in Clear Spring in the early morning, killing three people inside. During the investigation, police found "signs of foul play" including police K9s alerting for accelerants at the scene and "trauma to the victims that were inconsistent with fire-related injuries." Brittany Ray, 31, Harold Flichman, 36, and Brianna Mae Weishaar, 25, were pronounced dead on the scene. Police said the three lived at the home. Through the investigation, police identified four suspects and arrested Darnell (aka Donnell) Hawkins, 47, of Baltimore, Tony Smith, 43, of Hagerstown, Maurice Mouzon, 46, of Baltimore, and Kierra White, 35, of Glen Burnie. Hawkins was arrested…...

4+ hour, 38+ min ago (133+ words) November 30, 2025, 12:52 PM A man was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Montgomery County, Maryland, Sunday morning. Just after 4 a.m., fire and rescue crews were called to the intersection of Ridge Road and Kings Valley Road in Damascus for a report of a crash. Upon arrival, they'found a gray Honda Civic overturned in an embankment. Police said the unidentified driver, believed to be the only person in the car, had been thrown from the vehicle and was found unconscious in the roadway. He died at the scene, police said. A preliminary investigation revealed that, "the Honda was going southbound when the driver lost control," police said, adding that alcohol may have been a contributing factor. Below is a map of the area where the crash took place:...

4+ hour, 44+ min ago (126+ words) November 30, 2025, 7:46 AM A car flipped and caught fire Saturday night on the eastbound lanes of the Intercounty Connector in Montgomery County, Maryland. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer said the crash saw the vehicle roll over on the ramp from southbound Route 29 to the eastbound lanes of state Route 200. The crash happened around 6:10 p.m. Flames from where the car's engine caught fire subsequently caused a brush fire on the side of the ramp. Several units from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue responded to extinguish the flames and clear the scene. The driver of the crashed vehicle managed to get out on their own and was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries....

5+ hour, 25+ min ago (176+ words) The man was the only victim of the fire that burned on the first floor of a three-story building on the 2200 block of Savannah Street Southeast, Sunday morning. [View image] Man dies after fire burns inside Southeast DC apartment building WASHINGTON " DC Firefighters said a man they located inside a Southeast apartment during a fire has died. The man was the only victim of the fire that burned on the first floor of a three-story building on the 2200 block of Savannah Street Southeast on Sunday morning, according to DC Fire and EMS. There were also no displacements from the fire. The investigation stretched through the rest of Sunday morning, as fire engines and trucks could still be seen lining the Savannah Street at 9:30. DC Fire delivered the update that the only victim of the fire had died at 11:24 a.m. To stream…...

10+ hour, 23+ min ago (1196+ words) November 30, 2025, 7:07 AM (CNN) " Food stamp recipients are now receiving their November benefits, but a growing swath of enrollees may soon lose their vital food assistance completely. At the same time as the government shutdown disrupted the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, states began implementing an expansion of the program's work requirements as mandated in the Republicans' "big, beautiful bill," which was signed into law by President Donald Trump this summer. Under the GOP package, more food stamp enrollees will have to work, volunteer or participate in job training for at least 80 hours a month or they will only be able to receive benefits for three months out of every three years. The expanded work requirements will result in 2.4 million fewer Americans receiving food stamps benefits in an average month over the next decade, according to a Congressional Budget Office…...

10+ hour, 28+ min ago (578+ words) Tennessee Titans cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. disrupts an attempted reception by Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington that nearly ends in an interception. Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams scores a touchdown from 7 yards out against the Carolina Panthers in Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season. San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings catches a 7-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brock Purdy. Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin is good on a 57-yard field goal against the Arizona Cardinals, his ninth field goal of the season from more than 50 yards, setting a new franchise record. New Orleans Saints defensive edge Chase Young bursts into the backfield to sack Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for a 4-yard sack. Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua makes a 30-yard reception against the Carolina Panthers during Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season. Tennessee Titans wide…...

18+ hour, 38+ min ago (270+ words) After at least three overnight fires in Maryland and Virginia, fire investigators say at least two of those fires were caused by space heaters. "There was smoke billowing out from these two windows," Kirk, a neighbor who lives a couple of houses down, said after he saw a house fire along gordon road in White Oak, Maryland. One person was rescued and taken to a hospital. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue said the fire erupted around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. Fire investigators say a space heater on a dresser ignited nearby combustibles. "Fifteen to 20 firemen and women in uniform right out here on the front yard," the neighbor said. "It was quite a response." Montgomery Fire and Rescue responded to another fire late Friday evening. Fire investigators say they responded to Randolph Road near Judson Road in Glenmont, Maryland for calls about a…...

19+ hour, 23+ min ago (137+ words) WASHINGTON " A woman will live to enjoy another holiday season, thanks to the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue crews." On Saturday, crews were called to the 11800 block of Gordon Drive for a house fire with an occupant trapped inside. The homeowner called dispatchers just before 2:30 a.m. to report a fire inside her bedroom." The woman also explained that her mobility is limited and she couldn't get out. Crews arrived and placed ladders against the house to assist in removing the woman from her second-story bedroom." She was taken to a local hospital and is expected to be okay." Investigators determined the cause of the fire was a bedroom space heater on the dresser ignited combustibles. They estimate the damage to the home to be valued at $150,000....

21+ hour, 11+ min ago (617+ words) November 29, 2025, 8:19 PM Right between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is Small Business Saturday." For a lot of shoppers, it's a way to get away from the hustle and bustle of shopping malls and return to mom-and-pop stores with more of a personal touch. WTOP spoke to many people in Takoma Park, Maryland, who enjoyed a pretty but chilly day browsing stores on Carroll Avenue. "Takoma Park is all about small businesses," said resident Diana Coats. "So much cute stuff, coffee shops, little shops with cute trinkets." Two people who were beaming as they walked by K&B Bridal and Tux were Claire Sleigh and her mother, Ann Greiner. "Was just trying on some wedding dresses," Sleigh said. It was important to Sleigh to return home from Ithaca, New York, and pick the dress that she will wear for her "I…...