50 inmates isolated for hair
Forty-eight Virginia prisoners are being held in isolation because they refuse to cut their hair, according to the Associated Press.

Thirteen are Rastafarians, who say cutting their hair would violate the tenet of their religion. At least 10 of the Rastafarians have been segregated for more than 10 years.

Police to increase holiday patrols Virginia State Police will beef up traffic enforcement during the Independence Day weekend.

Patrols aimed at catching speeders, drunk drivers and failure to use seat belts will begin Friday and continue through midnight Monday.

During the 2009 holiday period, state police stopped nearly 7,400 speeders and 2,140 reckless drivers in Virginia. In addition, 949 summonses were issued for failing to use seat belts or properly secure children.

Stolen puppies recovered
The two American Bulldog puppies reported stolen from the backyard of a Waldorf residence last week were found unharmed after the news media reported the theft.

A man who saw a broadcast report called the Charles County Sheriff's Office and bought the puppies from an unidentified seller last week.

The dogs were returned to their owner and the theft remains under investigation.

Seat Pleasant man arrested in homicide
A 21-year-old Seat Pleasant man has been arrested on first-degree murder charges related to the May 15 shooting death of a 43-year-old man outside Jerry's Carry Out on Martin Luther King Jr. Highway, police said.

Harold Hairston was taken into custody late Tuesday. Police said he and Keith Andrell Vereen were arguing inside Jerry's and then spilled out onto the street, where Hairston allegedly shot and killed Vereen.

Hairston has been held without bond. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Prince George's County police at 301-772-4925.