Friday, September 5, 2008
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May 19, 2008 - As the busy Memorial Day travel weekend approaches The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration kicked off its annual seatbelt enforcement campaign. This year's annual campaign focuses on young drivers; their seatbelt use continues to lag behind the national average. The campaign will also focus on nighttime seatbelt use, a time when the odds of being killed in a car crash are three times greater.
Faryl Ury reports...
May 19, 2008 - More than half a million dollars in new federal grants will be used to restore shorelines along the Chesapeake Bay. Ten groups are receiving grants, including the Chesapeake Bay Field Laboratory and the Nature Conservancy.
Gene Kuleta was on hand as Maryland Senator Ben Cardin helped a group of Cub Scouts with plantings that are part of the project...
May 19, 2008 - The DC area boasts the second worst gridlock in the country. Now, it is has something new to brag about; people in DC are spending almost 13 dollars a day getting to and from work� the third most expensive commute in the country, according to Forbes Magazine. Commutes in Atlanta and the Riverside-San Bernadino California area are even more costly.
Faryl Ury reports...
May 19, 2008 - A lesbian mother has won her battle to deny her former partner visitation rights to a child she adopted while they were a couple for 18 years. When Janice M. and Margaret K. split up Margaret won visitation rights, saying she took on full responsibility as the little girl Maya's parent with Janice's consent and was the de facto parent. Janice appealed that decision, and the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled in her favor. Cynthia Young is the attorney for Janice. She says there are many people such as au pairs who may form strong bonds with children but that doesn't mean they are entitled to visitation rights. But Jennifer Fairfax, Margaret's attorney, says this is very different because the couple made the decision to adopt together.
Kavitha Cardoza reports...
May 19, 2008 - Warmer weather is leading residents to open windows which can be extremely dangerous for infants and small children. That's the message from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Gene Kuleta reports...
May 19, 2008 - (May 19) AFRICAN UNDERGROUND African Underground: Democracy in Dakar comes to the big screen at Space 903 in northwest D.C. tonight (Monday) at 8:00. This free event is part of Passport to Africa, a week-long celebration of the continent's dynamic culture and heritage. This groundbreaking documentary explores the tempestuous relationship between hip-hop, youth and politics on the vibrant coast of Senegal.
(Through June 1) THE ORESTEIA The Oresteia by Aeschylus takes the stage at Constellation Theatre through June 1st. The classic struggles of Agamemnon, Orestes and the Furies come together in the ultimate story of love, sacrifice and revenge. Constellation always delivers productions full of powerful imagery, rich with live music, and boasting a powerful cast that can bring this epic Greek trilogy to life during a spectacular evening of theater. http://constellationtheatre.org/
(May 21) TRIVIA AT THE IMPROV
Trivia night hits the D.C. Improv Wednesday evening at 7:00. Hosted by comedian Chris White, prizes and bragging rights are up for grabs as the champion is crowned.
(May 22-Jul 5) HORIZONS UNDER THE SURFACE The exhibit Horizons Under the Surface opens with a wine and cheese reception at Flashpoint Gallery Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00. On view: the lush work of Tai Hwa Goh, who uses an unusual and exotic layering technique to fashion silk-screened images of bees wax on wood.
May 19, 2008 - The Smithsonian Institution is expected to release an improvement plan for the National Zoo this week. The facilities upgrade proposal is part of the Zoo's latest strategic plan. By 2016 Smithsonian officials say they would like the Zoo to be recognized as the top in the world. To achieve that goal, they are proposing the addition of a new visitor`s center, expanded exhibits and 600 additional parking spaces. The plans also call for the construction of an aerial tram that would stretch across the zoo, stopping at each of four entry gates. The Zoo's existing Visitor's Center is hosting an informational meeting about the proposal Thursday evening at 6:30.
Rebecca Blatt reports...
May 19, 2008 - The DC Council will hold a public hearing on a bill meant to establish a city-wide emergency medical services system.
The measure would require EMS providers, vehicles and instructors to be licensed by the mayor. It would also mandate procedures and standards for licensing and certifying them. The bill would also create a District-wide emergency care and data collection system that would be regulated by the mayor as well.
A recent audit of DC Fire EMS found that the District had lax oversight of the agency directly resulting in the death of former New York Times journalist David Rosenbaum.
Jessica Golloher reports...
May 19, 2008 - Residents are divided over a new hospital planned off the Dulles Greenway in Loudoun County. Critics of the proposed hospital contend it is poorly designed and it does not fit Ashburn's Broadlands neighborhood, which the homeowner's association describes as a "master planned community." The hospital was rejected in 2005 by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, but four of those supervisors have since been voted out of office. It's also competing with another proposed hospital in southeastern Loudoun, complicating matters further. The group trying to build the hospital says it`s sorely needed, and that fifty percent of Loudoun residents leave the county for health care.
Sabri Ben-Achour reports...
May 19, 2008 - Most Virginia state lawmakers are regrouping at home before converging on the Capitol next month for a Special Session on transportation. But the state’s top three leaders will be making appearances throughout the week. Tommie McNeil has a preview of what’s happening at the Capitol .... and elsewhere in Virginia.
May 19, 2008 - Starting today, Virginia State Police say they'll be keeping a sharp eye out for people not wearing seat belts. The enforcement effort is part of a national "Click It or Ticket" campaign. From today through June 1st, Virginia state troopers will be on heightened alert for drivers and front seat passengers who aren`t buckled up as required by law. Police will NOT be able to stop drivers solely for a seat belt violation though. Under state law, motorists can be ticketed for not buckling up only when they're stopped for another violation.
Matt McCleskey has more...
May 19, 2008 - For many immigrants, navigating America’s complex and often intimidating immigration system is a major challenge.
In Spanish-speaking communities, immigrants often consult brokers called "notarios"... many of whom pretend to be lawyers.
Although it's legal for them to fill out forms and translate documents, it's a crime for them to prepare legal documents or to offer legal advice.
As Patrick Madden discovered, when they do violate the law, their mistakes can cost their clients dearly......
May 19, 2008 - Twenty-five pedestrians were killed last year in traffic, the highest number in five years. Over the next five years, the District will spend $12 million dollars to improve safety at more than sixty intersections across the city. The intersections are considered hazardous for pedestrians and have the highest number of pedestrian injuries or deaths. Planned changes include marking crosswalks more clearly, changing signal timing and pedestrian activated flashing beacons. Despite the spike in pedestrian fatalities last year, the District continues to be ranked the 5th most walkable city in the country by Prevention Magazine. Sabri Ben-Achour reports...
May 19, 2008 - Later this week, DC city council will hold a hearing on instituting new training and licensing standards for EMS workers. It comes in the wake of a multi-million dollar lawsuit filed against the city after journalist David Rosenbaum was murdered. The EMS response was severely criticized, as Rosenbaum was first treated as a drunk instead of an assault victim. Fire and EMS Chief Dennis Rubin says a lot of his workers are already undergoing the new training. Rubin is taking one of the classes himself, and doesn't believe the tougher training requirements will scare off potential applicants.
Matt Bush reports...
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