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Tuesday, February 9, 2010
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September 30, 2009 - Sheet music, memoirs, and other items related to the Carter Family, Johnny Cash and other performers from the families now have a permanent home at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.
The university says the collection is available for research in the Special Collections department of Newman Library. Included in the material is a collection of Carter Family sheet music with a biography written in 1980 by Johnny Cash.
Some of the other items include Maybelle Carter's hunting and fishing license, programs from performances and festivals, photographs, and newspaper and magazine articles.
Bill Redlin reports...
September 30, 2009 - It's 'Rabies Awareness Week' and many areas in the region are offering information to keep you and your pet safe. It's only September and already there have been 50 confirmed cases of rabies in Fairfax County. While most were raccoons, foxes and stray cats, some where bats, which can easily get into homes and garages. The county also reports 630 people bitten by animals this year and more than 130 who had to start rabies vaccinations. The Fairfax County Health Department says to make sure your pet is up on its shots and to report stray animals to Animal Control.
Pat Brogan has the details...
September 30, 2009 - Local employers are trying to figure out how to cope with what could be a really tough flu season, because of the H1N1 virus. Health officials encourage employers to let more people work from home to contain the spread of the H1n1 virus. For public policy research firms and there are many in the D.C. area that's not a big problem.
Susan Markey, human resources manager for the firm Mathematica, says much of the work CAN be done from home computers. "I don't think productivity will be down that much if we were to have people stay at home," she says.
For others attending the Greater Washington Board of Trades policy forum on the swine flu preparing for H1N1 isn't as simple. Gary Aller works at Gallaudet University. He says the school already has taken efforts to improve campus hygiene, and to allow students feeling sick to receive meals in their dorms.
Aller says all organizations need to recognize the dangers of the vrius and have a plan to deal with it. "I would say pick one employee to be the flu executive or flu champion," Aller says.
Vaccinations for H1N1 become available starting next week.
Jonathan Wilson reports...
Local employers are trying to figure out how to cope with what could be a really tough flu season.
Courtesy of: C. S. Goldsmith and A. Balish, CDC
September 30, 2009 - As federal and state governments get increasingly tough on drivers who text and use cell phones behind the wheel, dozens of area teens got a good lesson in the dangers during a morning at RFK stadium. One teen, 16-year old Angelique Pain is driving a compact car through a series of complex obstacles. She's one of approximately 2-dozen D.C. students chosen to participate in a driver training program sponsored by Ford.
With the help of an instructor, Angelique is getting a good look at what can happen to an inexperienced driver, distracted by sudden road changes, passengers, or cell phone use and texting. "I'll drive slow now and not pay attention to the radio like I was trying to."
Jim Graham is manager of the program. "There'll always be distractions but the key is to try and limit them. We're trying to focus on that today so hopefully we can eliminate some of those distractions."
According to research results released by Ford, teen drivers are 4-times more likely to be distracted by cell phone use than an adult.
Elliott Francis reports...
September 30, 2009 - After spending a year and a half in prison, Vick is teaming up with the Humane Society of the United States to bring an anti-dog-fighting message to young people.
At Covenant Baptist Church in Southwest D.C., Vick tells a small group of students about his dog-fighting days. He says he would fly home every week for the fights. "For what reason? I don't know, to this day," Vick says. "It was something so pointless."
Jonathan Hewitt, a 14-year-old Dunbar High School student, says he thinks Vick isn't just apologizing to regain his superstar status. "I don't think he's saying that just to make a lot of money," Hewitt says. "He probably really is sorry and probably trying to change his life around."
Last weekend, Vick played in his first regular season game since leaving prison.
David Schultz reports...
September 30, 2009 - Senators are questioning why federal money is being spent on private schools in the District that aren't accredited. The federal voucher program helps seventeen hundred low-income D.C. kids afford private and religious schools.
Senator Susan Collins of Maine worries there's not enough oversight of some private schools which are not accredited. "The Catholic schools are all accredited, the charter schools are either accredited or in the process of being accredited."
At a Capitol Hill hearing Tuesday, Collins proposed making it a requirement. She asked voucher fund director Gregory Cork if he would support the change. "I think that process is worth considering, so yes, I would answer your question but I would say I would want some things put in place to make it a fair process."
First, however, Congress has to reauthorize the program, which expires next year. Ensuring accreditation could be a big step toward getting Congressional support.
Tanya Snyder reports...
September 30, 2009 - As the health-care debate rages on, a caravan of doctors arrives in D.C. today, to rally for a single-payer system. The Mad As Hell Doctors have held two-dozen rallies since leaving Oregon on September 8th.
Margaret Flowers helped organize today's event in Lafayette Park, just north of the White House. The pediatrician from Maryland says she's been "mad" a long time.
President Obama declined an invitation to today's event, and the Senate Finance Committee hasn't embraced a public option, let alone single-payer. But Flowers says the doctors will keep spreading the word that health-care has them "mad as hell"-and they're not gonna take it anymore.
Rebecca Sheir reports...
The Mad As Hell Doctors have arrived in D.C. today to rally for a single-payer health care system.
Courtesy of: Rebecca Sheir
September 30, 2009 - A new report on Montgomery County Maryland's two-year-old speed camera program shows it's reducing both speeding and automobile collisions. The report was done by the county council, which will send the report to the state general assembly.
Aron Trombka of the council's office of legislative oversight says the cameras had an immediate impact on speeding. The report also stated the number of collisions in areas around the cameras decreased 28 percent.
But no matter what the numbers say, many residents distrust the cameras. Starting tomorrow, Montgomery County will no longer be the only area in Maryland with speed cameras. All jurisdictions in the state will be allowed to install speed cameras in highway construction zones and school zones.
Matt Bush reports...
A new report on Montgomery County Maryland's two-year-old speed camera program shows it's reducing speeding and automobile collisions, but many residents say they distrust the cameras.
Courtesy of: Priska Neely
September 30, 2009 - (October 1) ENCOUNTERS WITH TROMBONE Post-Classical Ensemble presents Encounters tomorrow (Thursday) night at 7:30, at the downtown D.C. Harman Center for the Arts. Baritone William Sharp joins trombonist David Taylor, reaching deep to perform "Death and the Maiden" and "Doppleganger," two of Schubert's most harrowing works, juxtaposed with a pair of jazzy and rambunctious new scores composed by Daniel Schnyder.
(September 30) MUSIC FOR CATS & DOGS Jammin' Java music club and cafe in Vienna, Virginia presents songs for cats and dogs tonight at 7. The Myriad performs around the country during The Humane Society's All Creatures fall music tour. One of MTV's "Breakout Artist of the Year," the Christian rock group appears in Vienna before heading off to 35 other cities, spreading their musical message of mercy and protection for animals everywhere.
(October 1) GRACE KELLY Grace Kelly makes an appearance at The Music Center at Strathmore tomorrow night at 7:30. Unlike the legendary actress, this sixteen-year-old performer carries a saxophone - she kicks off an evening of jazz, funk, and blues music backed by her quintet, still fresh from performances with musical greats Dave Brubeck and Wynton Marsalis earlier this year.
September 30, 2009 - Auto dealers took a big hit this summer when GM and Chrysler went into bankruptcy. Today they'll be on the Hill to meet with lawmakers, including House majority leader Steny Hoyer.
Elizabeth Wynne Johnson reports...
September 30, 2009 - Fifty-three million dollars in repairs have been ordered for two bridges on major roadways in Maryland.
Maryland Transportation Authority inspectors found what they call 'advanced deterioration' on two bridges across the Susquehanna River. One is on I-95, a major corridor along the Eastern Seaboard and the other is on nearby U.S. Route 40.
The authority's capital planning director says the bridges are safe and the deterioration on the pier foundations poses no immediate danger. However, the deterioration on the two bridges was a surprise to planners, and repairs have been pushed to the front of the line.
The agency recently released a $3.5 billion six-year budget plan, including several projects to address long-overdue bridge maintenance.
A spokeswoman tells the Baltimore Sun the growing list of urgent projects could mean toll increases in coming years.
Natalie Neumann reports...
September 30, 2009 - D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty is known for zipping around in his shiny black SmartCar. But today, Fenty's operating a different vehicle: a bright yellow hydraulic excavator, which he's ramming into the roof of the Rosedale Recreation Center, to make way for the Rosedale Community Center.
Sondra Phillips-Gilbert is wearing a white hard hat, and has an ear-to-ear grin at the groundbreaking. She's spent the last four years lobbying for the new center. "I begged, plead, prayed, cried, I almost gave up, but the spirit said no," says Phillips-Gilbert. "We had faith, and this is where we are today."
The center will include indoor and outdoor athletic facilities, public computers, a senior room and, much to the delight of community activist Brit Wyckoff, "lirbrary, library, library!"
It's the first full-scale library in Rosedale. All of which, Wyckoff says, will unite a neighborhood often known for violence and crime. "'Neighborhood' isn't just living beside. It's getting together and being part of each other's lives," says Wyckoff. "This center will change the nature of the neighborhood."
The project is scheduled to be completed by summer 2011.
Rebecca Sheir reports...
Mayor Adrian Fenty climbs aboard an excavator to start demolition of the Rosedale Recreation Center.
Courtesy of: Rebecca Sheir
View more images from this gallery.
September 30, 2009 - Drivers speeding through highway construction zones in Maryland will be watched more closely starting tomorrow.
Giant concrete columns rise out of the ground next to I-95 in Laurel. The columns will one day support an overpass for the Intercounty Connector, currently under construction. And as long as the construction continues, a speed camera tracks drivers on the interstate.
Lieutenant Colonel Rob Turano of the Maryland State Police says drivers frequently speed through the ICC construction zone on I-95. The cameras are part of a new state law that goes into effect tomorrow. The new law allows all jurisdictions in Maryland to install cameras in construction and school zones. Previously, just Montgomery County was allowed to use speed cameras.
For the first month the cameras are in operation, speeders will get warnings. After that, each violation will bring a $40 fine.
Matt Bush reports...
September 30, 2009 - A father-daughter pair is facing charges for allegedly recruiting Fairfax High School students into a criminal gang.
Fairfax City Police say the investigation into 43-year-old Theodore Olds began after the school resource officer started looking into a string of larcenies and frauds in May.
Paul Regnier, a spokesman for Fairfax County Public Schools, says he's proud the officer and the larger school community reacted so quickly. "The school resource officer, and apparently some students, did notice something amiss and immediately alerted the authorities," Regnier said.
Sergeant Pam Nevlud says police came to believe Olds and his daughter, a student at the school, were recruiting juveniles into the criminal street gang known as the Bloods. "We were surprised that this was going on, but at the same time it's not so shocking that we didn't expect it eventually," Nevlud said.
Police say the Bloods have roots in Southern California, but have been active on the East Coast for many years. They say it's becoming more common for local neighborhood gangs to claim allegiance to larger gangs with national reputations.
Jonathan Wilson reports...
September 30, 2009 - By BEN NUCKOLS Associated Press Writer
BALTIMORE (AP) Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon now must prepare for the possibility of two separate criminal trials.
Dixon's lawyers decided Wednesday to try the two indictments against her separately. The Democratic mayor faces charges including theft for allegedly stealing gift cards intended for needy families. She'll go to trial on those charges in six weeks.
But her lawyers elected to delay trial on two counts of perjury. In that indictment, Dixon is accused of lying about gifts from her former boyfriend, a real estate developer. Her attorneys are trying to have those charges thrown out. They argued Wednesday that prosecutors improperly used Dixon's legislative acts as evidence against her. But prosecutors say evidence of meetings Dixon attended is not protected by legislative immunity.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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