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Police: ‘Person of interest’ in Va. elderly couple killing in custody

By WTOP Staff

UPDATE: Wednesday – 2/27/2013, 4:24pm ET The man wanted in connection with the killing of 80-year-old Nelson Slack and his 74-year-old wife, Ethel, has been arrested, police say.

John Wesley Jeffries was taken into Fredericksburg police custody around 4 p.m. on Wednesday and is being held on outstanding warrant charges.

Earlier: Monday – 2/25/2013, 11:24am ET

Hank Silverberg, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – Police across Northern Virginia are searching for a man with a violent history after authorities found an 80-year-old man and his 74-year-old wife dead in Fauquier County’s first double murder since the 1980s.

Deputies found Nelson and Ethel Slack, long-time residents of The Plains, dead in their home on Bunker Hill Road Sunday afternoon, according to Lt. James Hartman, a spokesman for the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office.

The Fauquier County’s Sheriff’s Office wants to talk to John Wesley Jeffries, 60, of Fredericksburg, Va. Police have identified Jeffries as a “person of interest.”

“He has some family ties to the neighborhood where the Slacks lived, and a vehicle known to be operated by Jeffries was found about a half mile from the scene,” says Hartman.

Authorities have not charged Jeffries with the Slacks’ murders. Jeffries is wanted in another case. He is charged in Spotsylvania County with kidnapping, felony strangulation and malicious wounding, Hartman says.

In the Fauquier case, family members called the sheriff’s office after the Slacks failed to show up for church Sunday, something Hartman said was unusual.

Deputies went to the Slacks home twice, Hartman says. The first time it looked as though no one was home. They then returned with a family member’s key. When the key didn’t work, they broke down the door and found the bodies around 1:15 p.m. Sunday.

Hartman says the Slacks’ car, which was taken from their home, was found in Fredericksburg, in an area Jeffries frequented.

Jeffries is considered armed and dangerous. He is described as white, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, 160 pounds, balding with gray hair and blue eyes. He is listed as a “sexually violent offender.”

Anyone who comes in contact with him is asked to call 911.

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Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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