Northeast
Man charged with murder of missing woman is illegal immigrant out on bail after previous DWI arrest: report
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A man reportedly in the U.S. illegally was charged with killing a 19-year-old Maryland woman whose body was discovered off a highway earlier this week.
Hugo Hernandez-Mendez, 35, of Bowie, Maryland, was arrested Thursday in the killing of Dacara Thompson, the Prince George’s County Police Department said.
Hernandez-Mendez is an illegal immigrant and had a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer issued on Thursday, according to WJLA-TV.
Prince George’s County Police Department told Fox News Digital the department was not releasing the immigration status of Hernandez-Mendez. ICE did not immediately respond when Fox News Digital reached out.
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Hugo Hernandez-Mendez, 35, was charged with first- and second-degree murder in Thompson’s death. (Prince George’s County Police Department)
The news outlet also reported that U.S. Park Police arrested Hernandez-Mendez for a DWI in April, but he was subsequently released pending a court appearance. Fox News Digital reached out to the Park Police but did not immediately hear back.
Thompson’s family reported her missing on Aug. 23. On Sunday, her body was discovered dumped in a grassy area near Route 50 in Anne Arundel County.
Dacara Thompson, 19, was found dead on Sunday, over a week after her family reported her missing. Police said they believe she was murdered. (Prince George’s County Police Department)
Investigators combed through security footage that showed Thompson had approached a black SUV in the early hours of Aug. 23. She was seen speaking to the driver, according to police, before entering the vehicle. The driver then drove to a home in Bowie.
Detectives executed a search warrant on the home Thursday and uncovered evidence that suggested Thompson had been killed in the bedroom of the home, police said.
Hernandez-Mendez lived at the home in the bedroom where authorities say the killing happened. Police said he also has access to the black SUV that Thompson was seen entering.
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Hernandez-Mendez was charged with first- and second-degree murder in Thompson’s death.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore released a statement on the death investigation Friday, calling Thompson a “bright light” who was “committed to public service.”
“Our entire state mourns the horrible loss of Da’Cara Thompson, who was taken from us by an act of senseless violence,” the governor said in the statement, vowing to use “every tool at our disposal” to hold those responsible for her death accountable.
The 19-year-old’s cause of death has yet to be determined, though police said it may be ruled a homicide based on the evidence collected.
As the investigation remains active, police said detectives are working to determine whether Hernandez-Mendez and Thompson knew each other before the day she went missing.
Hernandez-Mendez is being held without bond by the Maryland Department of Corrections.
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Connecticut
The Great Westport Sandwich Contest kicks off with event at Old Mill Grocery
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce held a kick-off event at Old Mill Grocery on Monday for The Great Westport Sandwich Contest.
The contest runs throughout March with 21 restaurants, delis and markets competing in 10 categories to be crowned the best sandwich maker.
Residents can vote in the following categories: Best chicken, best steak, best vegetarian, best combo, best club, best NY deli, best pressed sandwich, best breakfast sandwich, best wrap, and best fish/seafood sandwich.
After people sample sandwiches, they can vote for their favorites in each category on the chamber’s website. They will also be placed into a drawing to win a free sandwich from one of the 10 winners.
“Of course, the goal is to have people come to Westport and check out restaurants, our markets and our delis. This is a great promotion. I mean it is a competition, but mostly it’s to bring people to the restaurants. It also gives a great community activity because they are the ones who get to vote who makes the best one,” says Matthew Mandell, the chamber’s executive director.
Winners will be announced in April and receive a plaque.
The chamber has held similar contests to determine what establishment has the best pizza, burger, soup and salad.
Maine
How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities
BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Monday’s telethon held by WABI in partnership with Penquis and Heart of Maine United Way Monday raised money for the heating of homes, something so basic, yet so significant in a state like Maine.
Danielle Hewes, Penquis contributor and volunteer, says some people might not even know that they qualify for heating assistance.
“I think there’s this misconception that you can’t get that if you’re working. Like that’s just for people on general assistance. The truth of the matter is this is for the people that are maybe not able to work, but also for the people that are working. They’re making ends meet,” she said.
For Danielle, that’s what makes events like the telethon so special: it’s making a real difference in the community with people who need the help the most.
Speaking about Penquis in particular, she said, “You learn about all of the other things they do and how they help the community and you can’t help but want to be a part of that.”
If you weren’t able to donate Monday, donations are still being accepted.
You can go to homeunitedway.org/heat.
You can also call 941-2800.
Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
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