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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

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Reward Offered in Montgomery County Homicide
Gene Kuleta

June 10, 2008 - In Maryland, a reward is being offered in the case of a man who was killed on May 27th in the Silver Spring store that he managed. Gene Kuleta reports from Montgomery County Police headquarters...

The victim, 53-year-old Jorge Villatoro, was shot during a robbery attempt in his store, Variedades Jenny, near the corner of University Boulevard and Piney Branch Road. The suspects escaped after carjacking a Comcast van.

The Victims' Rights Foundation is offering a reward of up to $5000 for information leading to arrests.

Villatoro's daughter Jenny hopes the reward will lead to the killer who took her father away.

The suspect is Hispanic, between 35 to 38 years old, five-foot-eight with a thin build, black hair, a gold crown on a front tooth and wearing a trench coat.

The second man was also Hispanic, 32 to 38 years old, five-foot-eight to five-foot-ten, and stocky with bushy black hair, a mustache and stubble. He was wearing a black baseball cap, a camouflage jacket and "Terminator"-style sunglasses.

Anyone with information should call Montgomery County Police at 866-803-2337.

Area Doctors More Aware of Heat Related Symptoms
Kavitha Cardoza

June 10, 2008 - In the past few days, Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C., has seen an increase of up to 30 patients a day coming in with heat related symptoms. Doctors are encouraging their staff to be more aware of the high temperatures. Patients come to the emergency room with complaints such as chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath and weakness. Dr. William Strudwick says he expects that number to increase as the high temperatures continue.

Kavitha Cardoza reports....

Two Virginia Republicans Back Mark Warner

June 10, 2008 - In Virginia, two former Republican lawmakers who headed up the General Assembly's budget-writing committees last year have endorsed Democrat Mark Warner for U.S. Senate. Former Delegate Vince Callahan and former state Senator John Chichester say they're backing Warner because of the way he handled a budget crisis six years ago when he was governor. They say their party's nominee running against Warner, former Governor Jim Gilmore, presented rosy economic forecasts while Virginia slipped into recession in 2001, shortly before Warner took office. Gilmore has challenged that version of events though. He says Warner embellished how bad the budget troubles were to set the stage for a $1.4 billion tax increase in 2004.

Matt McCleskey has more...

Senator John McCain Stumps in Richmond

June 10, 2008 - The presidential battle for Virginia continued Monday with a Richmond visit by Arizona Senator John McCain.

Anne Marie Morgan was there...

Pets Feel the Heat Too
Sabri Ben-Achour

June 10, 2008 - Pets suffer during heat waves just like people, and certain animals are more susceptible to heat exhaustion or stroke.

Sabri Ben-Achour reports...

Lawsuit Alleges Virginia Lottery Rigged

June 10, 2008 - The Virginia Lottery sells tickets to scratch games even after all the top prizes for the game have been claimed. At least that's the allegation from a Roanoke law firm, which has notified the state of its intent to sue.

Connie Stevens reports...

Life Sentence for Prince Georges County Gangster

June 10, 2008 - In Maryland, U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced one of the area's most violent gangsters to life in federal prison for crimes in Maryland.

According to testimony presented at the six week trial, Israel Cruz and co-defendant Santos Maximo Garcia, both 30, conspired from at 2001 to 2007 to operate an MS-13 enterprise in Prince George's and Montgomery Counties through a pattern of racketeering activity which included eight murders in Maryland and one in Virginia; and numerous attempted murders and assaults; kidnapping; obstruction of justice; and witness tampering. Trial testimony showed that Cruz was the leader of the Westside clique in Prince George's County. Garcia collected and distributed dues from MS-13 members as a de facto treasurer. Forty-nine alleged MS-13 gang members have been charged with federal crimes in Maryland. Garcia also faces a maximum sentence of life in prison when he is sentenced on August 15.

Meymo Lyons reports...

"Art Beat" with Stephanie Kaye - Tuesday June 10, 2008
Stephanie Kaye

June 10, 2008 - (June 10) KITES FOR PEACE A group organizing Kites for Peace(http://www.bkwdc.com/kitesforpeace.htm) will be at the Sylvan Theatre out on the National Mall near the Washington Monument from 4:00 to 8:00 Tuesday. The Brahma Kumaris, a non-profit organization, is flying them in the name of children harmed by war, brining attention to their plight and encouraging noble deeds on the part of us all. After their time spreading this message in the air, the kites will be shipped to children in Iraq and Africa.

(June 11) BOLEROS & BLUES The musical Boleros & Blues(http://www.galatheatre.org/english/index.html) opens at the impressively ornate Gala Theatre Wednesday night at 8:00, on stage through June 29. The show revives the life and songs of Mexico's legendary composer-poet, Agusta­n Lara. A renowned Don Juan frequenting the international club scene of the 1920s, Lara learned to play on the world's heartstrings with his classic romantic melodies. His music comes to life in this production, presented in Spanish with English subtitles.

(June 11) MINE Filmmaker Erin Essenmacher hosts a screening and fundraiser for "MINE"(http://www.minethemovie.com) at Aroma, Wednesday evening at 6:30. This moving documentary recounts the continuing custody battles between those who adopted animals rescued during Hurricane Katrina and the pets' original owners. "MINE" explores the unique bond between humans and animals, set against the backdrop of one of the worst natural disasters in American history. Proceeds go towards the completion of the film and to fund animal rescue groups nationwide.

(June 10) DINNER IN LIECHTENSTEIN You can join the delegation from Lichtenstein for a finger-lickin' good evening at the ambassador's residence Tuesday at 7:30. Visit the territory of one of the smallest countries in Europe, sample food and drink from Liechtenstein and learn about its people and culture. With influences from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, you might recognize the Weiner Schnitzel and Linzer torte. And Ambassador Claudia Fritsche is as unique as her Lichtenstein-based art collection.

Orange Line Metro Train Derails in Northern Virginia
Matt Bush

June 10, 2008 - A derailment of a Metro Orange Line train in Northern Virginia made the afternoon commute a headache for thousands Monday. Close to 400 people were on the train. No injuries were reported, though one pregnant woman was taken away in an ambulance as a precaution.

Matt Bush and David Klatt report from the Courthouse and Rosslyn Metro stations in Arlington....

Virginia Governor Commutes Death Sentence

June 10, 2008 - Virginia Governor Tim Kaine has granted clemency to a man scheduled to be executed tonight for the killings of three people in 1996.

Rebecca Blatt has details...

Seniors Feel the Heat

June 10, 2008 - Senior citizens need to be particularly careful when the weather gets this hot.

David Klatt made the rounds with a D.C. lunch delivery service to see how homebound seniors are coping with the heat...

Cynthia Moore delivers close to 90 lunches each day. But when Washington heats up, Moore also plays the role of friend, dropping in to make sure her hungry clients are staying cool.

Alfred Smyer's door is open as he waits, leaning against a table. Smyre has the air conditioning cranked in the other room. His plan is to lay low today, he's got some celebrating to do later this week.

Smyre's plan is perfect, says Mimi Castaldi, AARP's Director in Washington. "Relax and put off chores and any strenuous activity. So this is a time when you really have an excuse to just take it easy and stay inside and stay cool."

Seniors who don't have air conditioning can contact local governments about cooling stations in their area.