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Thursday, March 11, 2010
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December 01, 2009 - By Matt Bush
Baltimore mayor Sheila Dixon was found guilty of one charge related to her spending of gift cards meant for charity.
Baltimore mayor Sheila Dixon with her attorney Arnold Weiner.
Courtesy of: Matt Bush
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December 01, 2009 - By DAVID DISHNEAU Associated Press Writer
BALTIMORE (AP) Mayor Sheila Dixon vowed to continue serving after her conviction a single charge she took gift cards intended for the city's poor.
In a statement she issued Tuesday afternoon, Dixon said the verdict does not affect her responsibility to continue serving. She said she was focused on keeping the city on course.
Dixon also thanked God, her staff and supporters. She said she was ``blessed'' with the opportunity to serve the people of Baltimore.
Dixon was acquitted of three other charges on Tuesday, including felony theft. But the conviction of fraudulent misappropriation by a fiduciary could force her from office.
Jurors deliberated more than six days after hearing testimony that accused Dixon of using or keeping $630 worth of gift cards.
She was accused of soliciting most of the cards from a wealthy developer and then buying electronics at Best Buy, clothes at Old Navy and knickknacks at Target.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
December 01, 2009 - By Sabri Ben-Achour
The D.C. Council has voted in favor of a bill that would recognize same sex marriage. The 11 to 2 vote brings D.C. one step closer to legalizing gay marriage. There's one remaining final vote in two weeks and the mayor has to sign off on it.
Longtime gay rights advocate Peter Rosenstein said the council's action was was a victory for equality. "This was a fight for our own rights, and it was an honor to be in the room when the council voted this way," says Rosenstein.
Bishop Harry Jackson has long opposed the bill. He and others are vowing to continue a legal battle to put the question to a popular vote. "We have an uphill battle, but I think the courts will give us the opportunity to have the people decide, so it's not over until the choir lady sings," says Jackson.
If the bill passes a final vote December 15th, it could go into effect in February, making D.C. the sixth jurisdiction in the U.S. to legalize gay marriage.
Council members Yvette Alexander and Marion Barry opposed the bill.
December 01, 2009 - WASHINGTON (AP) A two-month-long rash of violence near one D.C. charter school is prompting officials to give charter schools the same police protection other public schools receive. At least eight Friendship Collegiate Academy students have been assaulted or robbed after class since September, and several large fights have broken out in front of the school.
WASHINGTON (AP) White House press secretary Robert Gibbs says both President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, were angry that two univited people were able to get into a state dinner at the White House. He noted today that the Secret Service is investigating and says the White House is re-examining its procedures.
WASHINGTON (AP) The Washington National Opera is scaling back its production schedule and cutting staff to tackle a budget crisis. The action announced yesterday follows similar moves for other arts groups across the country.
WASHINGTON (AP) A 67-year-old Georgia man faces up to 30 years in prison for having sex with his 16-year-old lover at a Virginia hotel as the couple drove through the state. Mack Gordon Harris Sr. of Social Circle, Ga., pleaded guilty Monday to transporting a minor for illegal sexual activity. Federal prosecutors say Harris met the Maryland girl in 2005 through an online Christian chat room when she was 15.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
December 01, 2009 - BALTIMORE (AP) Mayor Sheila Dixon vowed to continue serving after her conviction a single charge she took gift cards intended for the city's poor.
In a statement she issued Tuesday afternoon, Dixon said the verdict does not affect her responsibility to continue serving. She said she was focused on keeping the city on course.
Dixon also thanked God, her staff and supporters. She said she was ``blessed'' with the opportunity to serve the people of Baltimore.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller are scheduled to attend a forum to discuss Maryland's upcoming legislative session, which starts in January. Students from the U.S. Naval Academy are scheduled to attend the forum.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
December 01, 2009 - CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) Governor Tim Kaine says tax exemptions are likely to be shaved along with state spending for services and programs in an austere budget he will submit later this month. Kaine has made nearly $7 billion in cuts and other budget-balancing maneuvers because of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) Governor Tim Kaine says the restaurant smoking ban that took effect Tuesday is literally a healthy development for tobacco-loving Virginia. In a statewide tour of eateries, the governor took a term-ending victory lap over the compromise smoking restriction the General Assembly enacted last winter.
ROANOKE, Va. (AP) Carilion Clinic will sell two outpatient centers to resolve a complaint that its acquisition of the facilities was eroding competition in the medical field. The Federal Trade Commission approved a settlement with Carilion today.
WAYNESBORO, Va. (AP) A federal study says soil contaminated more than 50 years ago by a textile plant is the source of 96 percent of the mercury in the South River. The report by the U.S. Geological Survey says the plant in Waynesboro discharged mercury waste from 1929 to 1950.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
December 01, 2009 - By Rebecca Sheir
A tenth of one percent of D.C.'s teens are infected with HIV. Adrienne Belasco, a medical student at Georgetown University, says being a teenager is hard enough, "just with social aspects and just growing up in this world, like dealing with the everyday things," says Belasco.
But being a teen with HIV "causes a great deal of isolation." Or so says Andrea Rigoli, of Pediatric AIDS/ HIV Care, a non-profit in D.C. serving youths infected or affected by HIV and AIDS. Speaking at Georgetown Medical School, she reminded future doctors like Belasco of the stigma and fear surrounding infected kids. Rigoli talked about myths among children, such as being able to get AIDS just by sitting next to each other.
"A lot of fear comes from misinformation," says Rigoli. "Let's just sit down and make sure that we understand where that fear comes from and how we can eliminate the fear," says Rigoli.
Because only then, she says, can we begin to eliminate the disease.
December 01, 2009 - By Meymo Lyons
Diamond Pet Foods recalled select bags of dry cat food Tuesday after 21 reports of health problems in cats.
Select bags of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball could lead to gastrointestinal or neurological problems for cats, because they do not contain enough thiamine, an essential nutrient for cats.
If cats fed these foods have no other source of nutrition, they could develop thiamine deficiency. If untreated, this disorder could result in death.
Initial symptoms of thiamine deficiency include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. Later, neurological problems could develop, including bending the neck toward the floor, wobbly walking, circling, falling and seizures.
The company has confirmed 21 cases of thiamine deficiency in New York and Pennsylvania. The recalled bags of food were distributed in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
The affected cat food was pulled from store shelves on Sept. 23rd, according to the company. No incidents have been reported since Oct. 19.
December 01, 2009 - By Elliott Francis
A decision has been rendered on whether to end the holiday display in front of the Loudoun county courthouse in Leesburg, Virginia.
The 7 to 1 vote by the Loudoun County board of supervisors effectively overturns an the earlier decision by the facilities and grounds committee of Loudoun County Courthouse.
Committee Chairman Ben Lawrence admits the board has the last word. "We serve at the discretion of the board. They have the final say, so that's it," says Lawrence.
Dissenting board member Jim Burton argued against the inclusive display, saying it could attract unpopular messages, possibly from hate groups.
The majority of board members said the holiday display should continue as an expression of religious freedom, and first amendment rights for all faiths.
December 01, 2009 - By Mana Rabiee
D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty announced a housing assistance program for the homeless, but at least one advocate for those at risk has reservations.
The Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing program uses federal stimulus money to help hundreds of households stay out of shelters. The $7.5 million can be used for rent and security deposits.
"We see a lot more people coming in, more anecdotes from our housing counsel agencies, as well as numbers in terms of people being counseled on foreclosure, evictions, or dangers of evictions," says Leila Edmonds, D.C.'s housing director.
Marta Beresin is with the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless. While she welcomes the money, Beresin worries it's another step by the Fenty administration to move resources away from shelters towards long-term housing.
"What we're worried about is removing that safety net when they do become homeless. Like this family who became homeless because of a fire," says Beresin.
"She was just telling me to go sign up for the shelters but the shelters are kinda full," says Kimberly Ware, mother of seven. After a house fire, the Red Cross placed the family in hotel rooms while she applied for shelter space, but she's told her children may be separated in the process.
"Where would the kids go? What type of shelter would they go without me," asks Ware.
Over 1,000 families are now in temporary housing in D. C., up 20 percent from the same time last year.
After a fire destroyed her childhood home in southeast D.C., mother of seven Kimberly Ware got help from the Red Cross, which temporarily housed her family at a Courtyard Marriot in northwest D.C. Ware is awaiting to see if she will qualify for shelter assistance, but worries her children will be separated in the process.
Courtesy of: Mana Rabiee
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December 01, 2009 - By Meymo Lyons
In Montgomery County, Maryland, newly released records reveal that county employees used taxpayer money to take sailing lessons and attend a New Age spiritual retreat.
The tuition assistance program for county employees has been suspended amid oversight questions. The program was supposed to allow employees to take courses to help them grow in their jobs. But detailed records were released by the Office of Human Resources at the request of the county council. They provide descriptions of some of the classes county employees took. Previously, only the school and course names had been publicly available.
The records show that a course labeled "health education" was actually a spiritual retreat in Texas. A member of the fire department took a sailing class that cost $995.
December 01, 2009 - By Matt Bush
Jurors will start a seventh day of deliberations later this morning in the theft trial of Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon.
The first sign of any conflict between jurors came Monday, when Judge Dennis Sweeney received a note from the jury saying it could not reach a unanimous verdict on one of the five charges facing Dixon. After denying a defense motion for a mistrial, Sweeney began to craft a note in response to the jury when a new one arrived.
Jurors asked to be dismissed for the day, saying they wanted to return today to discuss "new things that have been brought to light". Dixon can only be convicted of three of the five charges she faces.
December 01, 2009 - By David Schultz
When Vincent Schiraldi, a Brooklyn-native, received a call from the Bloomberg administration, it was an offer he couldn't refuse.
"They just called me out of the blue," says Schiraldi. "I just got a call one day from a recruiter that works for Mayor Bloomberg and [he] asked me if I was interested in coming up and looking. So I said 'Yeah, sure.'" Schiraldi's new title will be Commissioner of the Department of Probation.
During his nearly five-year tenure in D.C., Schiraldi made some powerful enemies, especially among judges and prosecutors who felt he was too soft on juvenile offenders. But he's leaving on his own terms, and Schiraldi says that's because the city's political establishment was behind him.
"If it wasn't for Mayor Fenty and the support I had from the council," he says, "there's no way this would be a celebratory moment."
Fenty is expected to name Schiraldi's successor in a few weeks.
December 01, 2009 - By Kavitha Cardoza
Some teachers in D.C. Public Schools who were laid off say there should be a change in leadership at the Washington Teacher's Union.
Crystal Proctor, a former DCPS teacher, uses words such as "ridiculous" and "terrible" to describe watching the union attorneys in court, as they tried unsuccessfully to persuade a judge to reinstate laid off teachers. Proctor says the union has not been proactive enough and wants to see a change at the top. "Someone who's not afraid of Michelle Rhee," says Proctor. "Someone who's going to stand up to her and stand up for us." Some teachers spoke of not getting information from their representatives, while others say the union should pay for private attorneys.
George Parker, president of the Washington Teachers Union, says they organized a rally, met several times with teachers and went to court to try and stop the layoffs-- something he says hasn't been done in the past. Parker says understandably teachers are upset. But as for teachers asking for a change in leadership, "I don't even want to discuss that yet. I mean we have too much work to worry about that," says Parker. "I think a lot of what you're seeing is the political posturing that takes place in the WTU. I think it's unfortunate but that's what happens."
Teachers can still file individual appeals with the Office of Employee Appeals.
December 01, 2009 - By David Schultz
When two Metro trains collided early Sunday morning at a rail yard in Northern Virginia, it was the fourth time a Metro employee was hurt or killed on the job since the June Red Line crash that killed nine people.
That unnerves Jackie Jeter, the union president. She wants all Metro employees to undergo safety re-training.
"We've been asking for this since 2006," says Jeter.
It isn't clear whether human error caused Sunday's collision. But Jeter says Metro needs to take tangible steps towards improving safety.
"You have to start doing something," says Jeter. "You can't just give them a piece of paper and ask them to sign a safety pledge if they're continuing to do the same things wrong."
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
December 01, 2009 - By Pat Brogan
It's 'Winter Preparedness Week' and counties in the region are hoping you get ready, just in case.
It hasn't felt like winter, but it's expected to get cold this week and could remain that way for quite a while. In Arlington, the county is offering some tips to prepare you for snow, sleet and ice. You can sign up for emergency information through its 'Arlington Alert' system. Officials also ask you to make a plan, decide on a place to meet if you and your family can't make it home due to bad weather.
They also suggest making a kit supplied with things like food, water, a battery powered radio and first aid supplies.
December 01, 2009 - The D.C. Charter School board is in the process of creating a separate, non profit corporation. The intent is to attract more grant dollars which can be spent on research into best practices in charter schools. Tom Nida, heads the current board and in a few months, will complete his second and final term.
WAMU's Kavitha Cardoza spoke with Nida about his role in the new non profit entity and what they hope to accomplish....
December 01, 2009 - (December 2-13) STRIKING 12 Arena Stage puts a whimsical spin on the The Little Match Girl in Striking 12 in Crystal City, Virginia, opening tomorrow and running through December 13th. The pop-rock trio GrooveLily underpins this story-in-a-concert as a grumpy New Yorker's holiday funk is chased away by an incandescent salesgirl.
(November 23-January 3) A CHRISTMAS CAROL Ford's Theatre presents its annual holiday classic, A Christmas Carol . They'll be collecting money for Bread for the City during performances this week, in an act of community kindness that would melt the heart of the sternest of Scrooges.
(December 13) PG COUNTY "CAROL" Maryland and Virginia partner together for A Christmas Carol at the Publick Playhouse in Cheverly this Sunday at 4pm. Richmond-based Theatre IV makes sure its Carol suits families and young audiences.
(December 1) PIXIES If you're in the mood for some non-holiday sparkle, The Pixies bring their alt-rock sound to DAR Constitution Hall tonight at 8. The reunited group members tackle their 1989 album Doolittle in its entirety.
December 01, 2009 - By Natalie Neumann
The D.C. Council is scheduled to vote today on whether to allow same-sex marriage in the nation's capital.
The first of two votes comes today. The bill has been expected to pass for some time as 10 of the 13 council members supported its introduction.
A second, final vote is expected later this month, and D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty has promised to sign the bill.
Marriages would begin in the city as soon as the bill passes a period of Congressional review. Congress is not expected to alter the law.
Massachusetts, Iowa, Vermont and Connecticut already allow same-sex marriage. New Hampshire will join them January 1.
December 01, 2009 - By Natalie Neumann
The Washington National Opera is scaling back its production schedule and cutting staff to tackle a budget crisis.
The Company President said in a statement that donations and ticket sales have not kept up with expenses for several years.
For the 2010-2011 season, the company will offer five mainstage operas, compared with six this year and seven last year.
The opera will cut eight administrative and production staff positions, including marketing, development and artistic jobs.
Salaries are frozen for remaining staff. Retirement contributions are being suspended. And the staff will take a one-week furlough by the end of the year along with rolling furloughs in 2010.
The cuts follow similar moves for other arts groups across the country.
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