15. Winter forecast: This winter will be snowier than last
It was pretty clear that when we posted this winter forecast story in November that WTOP readers really like their snow. Really. Our Facebook post garnered more than 2,000 likes. We spoke to NBC Washington Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer, who told us that this winter has the possibility of being snowier than usual for our area. “What we’re predicting in the D.C. metro area is above average,” Kammerer says. There’s one caveat: He says we most likely will not see the white stuff until 2016. (AP)
AP
14. Blues legend B.B. King in hospice at his home in Las Vegas
News broke on May 1 that blues legend B.B. King was in hospice care and the Internet reacted with memories and tributes to the man who inspired so many after him. The 89-year-old musician posted thanks on his official website for fans’ well-wishes and prayers after he returned home from a brief hospitalization. “Mr. King is where he wishes to be,” Toney said. “He’s always told me he doesn’t want to be in a hospital. He wants to be at home.” As one Facebook commenter noted: ” The thrill will always be with us.” King died Thursday, May 14. (Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP)
Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP
13. Armed prisoner who escaped from Va. hospital captured
The region was riveted by news that a prisoner had overpowered an armed security guard at Inova Fairfax Hospital, carjacked an Annandale, Virginia, resident and then stole another car in an early morning escape on March 31. The roads around Inova Fairfax Hospital were shut down and the medical campus was on lock down for hours. At least seven law enforcement agencies searched on ground and by air and scoured the hospital buildings looking for felon Wossen Assaye. Nine hours later, the manhunt ended when Assaye was arrested in Southeast D.C. The case come to conclusion in October, when Assaye was sentenced to the statutory minimum of 32 years in prison. (Fairfax County Police; WTOP/Kristi King)
Fairfax County Police; WTOP/Kristi King
12. Wolf Trap announces summer lineup
WTOP was given a sneak peek at the summer lineup at the always popular Virginia amphitheater. With big names such as Sheryl Crow, The Beach Boys, Peter Frampton with Cheap Trick and Little Big Town, readers were excited to get the inside scoop weeks before tickets went on sale. One Facebook commenter said: “Strong line up this year! I bet Weird Al sells out.” (Associated Press/Shizuo Kambayashi)
Associated Press/Shizuo Kambayashi
11. Well-known Pittsburgh sandwich shop to open first Md. store
When news broke the 29th location of Primanti Bros. would be in Maryland, readers were off-the-charts excited about the idea of having the Pittsburgh staple open nearby. While it’s not as close to D.C. as some had hoped (it’s in Hagerstown), most were excited about the idea of winning free sandwiches for a year at the store’s opening. On Facebook, many readers started suggesting locations for Primanti’s 30th and possible 31st stores, one commenter noted: “Please come to Northern Virginia, specifically Fairfax. Please.” Because of the reaction to the news they were opening, WTOP decided to send a reporter to cover the grand opening, as well. You can see photos and read that story: Pittsburgh’s Primanti Bros. opens first Md. restaurant (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
WTOP/Michelle Basch
10. Patient wins lawsuit after anesthesiologist mocks him during surgery
Readers were outraged for the Vienna, Virginia, man who claimed he had been repeatedly mocked and insulted by an anesthesiologist while he was sedated during a colonoscopy. A Fairfax County jury awarded the patient $100,000 for defamation, $200,000 for medical malpractice, and $200,000 for punitive damages. One person on Facebook commented: “I suspect this happens a lot.” (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
9. Foo Fighters pay tribute to Jim Vance in new video
In late April, NBC Washington’s Jim Vance announced he would be stepping down as the co-anchor of the 11 p.m. news. Later that same week, the Foo Fighters took everyone by surprise when they released a video entitled “Jim Vance, we’re gonna miss you.” In the video, following one of Vance’s more famous newscasts, Springfield, Virginia, native Dave Grohl appears with tear-streaked makeup. On Facebook, one commenter noted: “Jim Vance is D.C.!” (Screenshot via YouTube)
Screenshot via YouTube
8. Guide: How to pair wine with Girl Scout cookies
What is there to say about this story? This was one of our most popular stories on social media because it combined two of most everyone’s favorite things: cookies and wine. Eric Nagel, founder and partner of the Wine Club Group, says pairing wine with Girl Scout cookies is a great way to experiment with the different ways wine tastes when paired with different foods. One of our commenters on Facebook agreed, leaving the following note: “A little sugar, a little wine – life is good!” (Courtesy Central Track)
Courtesy Central Track
7. D.C.’s first cat cafe (yes, a cafe with cats) opens this month
A few months after announcing her plans for D.C.’s first cat cafe, Kanchan Singh reported that she had surpassed her Kickstarter goal — by a lot. The campaign had an original goal of $15,000. It raised almost $36,000 from more than 700 backers. The story was so popular that WTOP went to the cafe in August to see how things were going. Based on the crowds, it was safe to say, it was going well. (You can read more: D.C.’s first cat cafe becomes hot spot for animal adoptions) (Courtesy Facebook)
Courtesy Facebook
6. The most boring places in Virginia are …
Apologies to Virginia residents for this one, but it wasn’t our study. Real estate company Movoto compiled a list of the 10 most boring places in Virginia, and a few D.C.-area locations made the list. Loudoun County’s South Riding was No. 2 on the list, while Fairfax County’s West Springfield ranked No. 5. One person on Facebook left the following comment: “I live in South Riding and we are a traffic nightmare in addition to being boring.” Well, there you have it. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/dayice)
Getty Images/iStockphoto/dayice
5. University of Maryland professor’s extra credit problem goes viral
It seemed everyone could relate to the mind games one University of Maryland professor played on his students. Psychology professor Dylan Selterman’s mind-bending extra credit offer went viral shortly after a student tweeted out a screenshot. The catch: students could earn either two points or six points of extra credit on their final papers. But, if more than 10 percent of the class chose six points, nobody in the class would get the extra credit. As one Facebook commenter said: “It’s a psych class, very fitting.” (Courtesy @shaunhin/Twitter)
Courtesy @shaunhin/Twitter
4. Column: You should feel bad for caring about Deflategate
In late January, Digital Sports Editor Noah Frank wrote one of his most-read columns of the year. From the column: “Congratulations; you’ve fallen for it. You’ve been duped. The NFL got you again. With two full weeks to try to keep you entertained before the Super Bowl, the powers that be have manufactured the non-story of the New England Patriots allegedly deflating game balls during the AFC Championship Game to stay at the top of the sports-headline heap.” The column fanned the debate among Pats fans and non-fans alike. The column was shared 1,200 times on Facebook alone. And this Facebook comment perhaps sums it up: “Yes it IS cheating. But more importantly, get a life. Who cares. Go Pats!!” (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
AP Photo/Rick Osentoski
3. Studies find link between cat ownership and schizophrenia
They’re cute, they’re cuddly and they’re the reigning stars of YouTube, but, as it turns out, cats are also carriers of a dangerous parasite. We wrote about a study in June 2015 that found Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) — a cat-carried parasite — has been linked to mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Our cat-loving readers cried foul. One commenter on Facebook wrote: “Undoubtedly a smear campaign by canines (smiley face emoji).” (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
2. Eagle covered with snow up to the beak as it protects eggs in storm
This story about America’s beloved national bird came during a particularly nasty cold and snowy spell for the Mid-Atlantic. Readers fell in love with the eagle who became covered (up to its beak) with snow, as it refused to leave its nest and two eggs. Despite being so blanketed with snow that only its head remained exposed, the bald eagle was stoic. Occasionally, as the eagle’s beak became covered, it moved its head for room. But other than that, the national bird remained steadfast. (Screenshot/Pennsylvania Game Commission)
Screenshot/Pennsylvania Game Commission
1. This hospitality giant is hiring work-from-home reservationists
Our most popular story on social media is a story about job openings. When we posted this story in July, it really struck a nerve with our Facebook readers. We even received phone calls in the newsroom asking about how they could apply for the job. The story was eventually shared 21,000 times on Facebook. This comment was echoed in some variation in the 242 left on the Facebook post: “This is a great opportunity!!!” (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)
AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File
