INTERNATIONAL

HURRICANE MARIA REACHES CATEGORY 5

Hurricane Maria reaches category 5 on its approach to the Caribbean just after Hurricane Irma made an impact less than a month ago.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Maria made landfall Monday evening on the Caribbean island of Dominica with 160 mph winds. Forecasters say that Hurricane Maria will follow a path similar to Irma’s.

Hurricane Maria is projected to approach the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Wednesday, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency for both territories.

The National Hurricane Center has warned those in Hurricane Maria’s path to expect large and destructive waves with raising water levels as tall as six to nine feet. Buzzfeed News reports that the hurricane is expected to produce approximately 12 to 18 inches of rainfall in Puerto Rico with isolated maximum amounts of 25 inches.

NATIONAL

PROTESTS ERUPT AT GEORGIA TECH AFTER STUDENT SHOT, KILLED BY POLICE

A Georgia Tech student was fatally shot on Saturday after Georgia Tech Police officers responded to a 911 call at 11:17 p.m. Saturday reporting that a suspicious person was holding a knife and possibly a gun, CNN reports.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation reports that evidence shows that 21-year-old Scout Schultz called 911 himself. Cellphone video from a student shows the interaction between officers and Schultz as they repeatedly tell Schultz to put down the knife. The video show Schultz taking a few steps forward and officers opened fire soon after.

After the shooting, violent protests took place Monday causing Georgia Tech police to urge students to stay inside and lock their doors.

LOCAL

FIRE BURNS IN WEST RENO

Firefighters battled two fires west of Reno on Monday. According to the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center, the Woodchuck Fire and the Cone Fire started Monday afternoon with an unknown cause. Both fires took place near Interstate 80 between Reno and Verdi.

It is estimated that the Woodchuck Fire ranged from 30 to 75 acres. Firefighters were able to stop the fire from spreading, but RGJ reports that crews did not have an estimate on containment due to active hot spots in the burned areas.

The fire provoked voluntary evacuations, burned two construction trailers, and triggered several road closures.

The Woodchuck fire is believed to have formed at a construction site. Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Chief Charlie Moore said that a few construction workers were cornered by the fire before gusty winds blew the fire away and workers were able to escape.

Karolina Rivas can be reached at mpurdue@sagebrush.unr.edu and on Twitter @karolinarrivas.