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Washington State Patrol increases patrols on I-5, warns drivers after series of armed carjackings – The B-Town (Burien) Blog

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2 years ago

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Washington State Patrol increases patrols on I-5, warns drivers after series of armed carjackings – The B-Town (Burien) Blog


In response to a recent series of armed carjackings along I-5, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) announced this week that they will increase their presence on the freeway, and urged drivers to be vigilant and aware of this dangerous criminal activity.

The most recent incident occurred on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, when a driver was carjacked near the South 320th exit in Federal Way. According to WSP, the victim’s vehicle was bumped from behind by a white SUV. Both vehicles pulled to the shoulder, at which point three suspects wearing ski masks exited the SUV, pointed firearms at the victim, and stole their wallet, phone, and vehicle. The suspects, described as young Black males, fled the scene after throwing the victim’s belongings into nearby bushes.

Two additional carjackings occurred early on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, under similar circumstances:

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  • Shortly after midnight, a white SUV bumped a vehicle near Fife. After pulling over to the shoulder, 6-7 Black males wearing ski masks approached the victim. The victim was punched, and his car was stolen. The victim was able to track the stolen vehicle on his phone after the suspects tossed the phone from the vehicle. The vehicle was then located in Federal Way and pursued to Martin Luther King Blvd. One male suspect was arrested, and two females were released to family members.
  • Shortly after 1 a.m., another car was bumped by a white SUV. Much like before, the victims were robbed at gunpoint. Later, one of the victim’s credit cards was attempted to be used at a McDonalds on South 320th. The manager of the restaurant was able to provide a vehicle description that matched one of the earlier stolen vehicles.

Troopers said that carjackings in our area are extremely rare but they do sometimes occur. While the vast majority of minor collisions are simple fender-benders caused by an inattentive driver, the traveling public needs to be aware and wary of any similar scenario where they are bumped by another vehicle and then multiple or masked people emerge from the causing vehicle.

“We recommend that anyone involved in a minor collision involving a white SUV, immediately report it to 911,” WSP said. “Move out of traffic flow to a safe location but do not pin yourself in. Given recent events, be vigilant on who and how many persons get out from the causing vehicle. If the situation seems at all suspicious, be prepared to quickly leave the area and not engage with individuals from the causing vehicle.”

WSP says that you should drive to a well-lit and safe public place like a local police station. If you find yourself in this scenario, call 911 with updates as you are safely able to do so.

“While a white SUV is linked to each of the three situations outlined above, this type of crime could be perpetrated by any vehicle. Any similarly suspicious behavior with any vehicle or number or description of suspicious parties should be treated with great caution. If the situation turns out to be a common and innocent minor collision, law enforcement will be able to sort things out quickly and both parties will be on their way after the normal exchange of information.”

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The Washington State Patrol and our partners in local law enforcement are committed to finding the perpetrators of this serious and dangerous criminal behavior and bringing them to justice.

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“The public’s awareness, reasoned caution, and fast information sharing will help us in this important work.”

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Washington

Inside Woodlawn Cemetery’s mission to preserve history

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4 hours ago

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June 24, 2026

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Inside Woodlawn Cemetery’s mission to preserve history


The iron gate to Woodlawn Cemetery is almost always locked shut, but Toni White-Richardson was more than happy to let News4 inside.

As president of the Woodlawn Cemetery Perpetual Care Association, she was excited to talk about what makes this resting place so special.

“It is major D.C. history, first. Then it’s also major Black history, second,” White-Richardson said.

More than 30,000 people, mostly African Americans, are buried among the 22 acres of Woodlawn Cemetery, which opened in Southeast D.C. in 1895. And like so many cemeteries that date back to the 1800s, particularly African American cemeteries, this one has fallen into disrepair, is overgrown and has headstones tumbled over, like those of Wilhelmina and her husband James, and Eliza Spencer, a mother who died in 1887.

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“Let me do a very upfront disclaimer,” White-Richardson said. “We have no idea where these stones go. And when we looked at the grid, it became even clear as mud, it became less clear as to where these stones should really go. Unfortunately, when we look back, we can tell there was a plan, but we could see we never got totally completed. Even back then, there are no markers saying this is Section H or this is Section G or this is 102 and this is, none of that.”

One of the most notable Washingtonians laid to rest here is John Mercer Langston, Virginia’s first Black congressman.

“Langston University came one year because they had a grand reunion in D.C., and we arranged for them to come to see […] John Mercer Langston, the university that was named after this man,” White-Richardson said.

And Blance Bruce, the first Black U.S. senator to serve a full term and register of the treasury, is also buried in the cemetery.

“He’s the signature on our dollar bill, you know, back in the late 1800s,” White-Richardson said. “So, oh, it’s history. It’s capital letters. No getting around it.”

Woodlawn is also the resting place of several of the original founders of two of the country’s most prominent Black sororities, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta. Both organizations volunteer to help with clean ups.

The Perpetual Care Association recently received a grant from the D.C. Office of Planning to help with upkeep of the grounds and preserving the history here.

“These are important individuals who’ve made contributions to the District a century ago, but today still their history and their stories reverberate and really influence the trajectory of our city,” said Anita Cozart, director of the D.C. Office of Planning.

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The cemetery tucked away off Benning Road is only open to the public five days a year, but groups can request tours anytime. The next chance to visit Woodlawn when it will be open to the public is Labor Day.

They’re always looking for volunteers and donors to help with the upkeep of this sacred ground.



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Parsing Trump’s claims about Washington’s reflecting pool

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14 hours ago

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June 24, 2026

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Parsing Trump’s claims about Washington’s reflecting pool


US President Donald Trump wanted to mark the US’s 250th birthday with a renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the National Mall.

The makeover, including a new coat of “American Flag blue,” cost taxpayers $16 million (€14.1 million).

But the water is covered in green algae. The blue paint is already peeling. Trump has blamed vandals, while his critics question the project’s transparency and cost.

DW’s Brent Goff and Washington correspondent Janelle Dumalaon unpack the whole fiasco.

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Social media reacts to former BYU star AJ Dybantsa going No. 1 in 2026 NBA draft

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1 day ago

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June 23, 2026

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Social media reacts to former BYU star AJ Dybantsa going No. 1 in 2026 NBA draft


Former BYU basketball star AJ Dybantsa fulfilled his dream of going No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA draft.

The Washington Wizards selected Dybantsa with the first pick.

Immediately after the pick, reactions poured in on social media about the Wizards drafting Dybantsa.

Social media reactions to the Washington Wizards selecting BYU star AJ Dybantsa

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSL and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.

Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.

Want more coverage of BYU sports? Take us with you wherever you go.

Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. Allows you to stream live radio and video, keeping you up to date on all your favorite teams.

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