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January 26, 2010 - WASHINGTON (AP) Metro says the two workers who were struck and killed by a maintenance truck had worked for the transit agency since 1990 and 1998. Metro says Jeff Garrard and Sung Oh were installing safety equipment early Tuesday on a track.
WASHINGTON (AP) Former first lady Laura Bush is joining an advisory board to help raise money to build the Smithsonian Institution's planned black history museum. Others who have been helping to raise private money to build the museum include Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones and Citigroup chairman Richard Parsons.
WASHINGTON (AP) Power is being restored after high winds and heavy rains led to power outages across the Baltimore-Washington area. Baltimore Gas + Electric says more than 13,000 customers were without power last night.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
January 26, 2010 - ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) Law enforcement officers in Maryland would be prohibited from doing SWAT team raids on homes where residents are suspected of misdemeanor offenses, under a proposed bill. Sen. C. Anthony Muse, D-Prince George's, has also proposed requiring county prosecutors to sign SWAT team search warrant applications before they're submitted to judges.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) A measure to legalize medical marijuana in Maryland with state-run production centers is getting support from lawmakers in both parties. Under the plan, marijuana dispensaries would be licensed by the state.
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) The Baltimore Ravens have hired former New England Patriots defensive coordinator Dean Pees as their new linebackers coach. The 60-year-old Pees ran New England's defense over the past four years after serving for two seasons as the Patriots' linebackers coach.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
January 26, 2010 - RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Gov. Bob McDonnell says a package of economic development bills he proposes will create 29,300 new jobs and boost state revenue by about $311 million in five years. McDonnell outlined the proposals Monday evening, including millions more to recruit business, boost tourism and entice Hollywood to shoot more movies in Virginia.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) Virginia state police say human remains have been discovered on a southern Albermarle County farm. The skeletal remains were discovered Tuesday morning on the Anchorage Farm by owner David Bass.
SPRINGFIELD, Va. (AP) Fairfax County authorities say two men have been killed in a house fire. Fire department spokesman Dan Schmidt says crews arrived at the home early Tuesday. Schmidt says during a search of the home, authorities found the bodies of the two men.
SOMERVILLE, N.J. (AP) A New Jersey judge has set bail at $75,000 for a Virginia man facing charges after authorities seized a cache of weapons and ammunition from a motel room where he was staying. Forty-three-year-old Lloyd Woodson of Reston, Va., appeared briefly before Superior Court Judge John Pursel in Somerville on Tuesday.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
January 26, 2010 - By Kavitha Cardoza
D.C. School's Chancellor Michelle Rhee has answered demands to explain her controversial statements that last year's layoffs were connected with teacher misconduct but some council members are not satisfied with her explanation.
The controversy began when Rhee told a national business magazine that she, in her words, "got rid of teachers who had hit children, who had had sex with children, who had missed 78 days of school," when she laid off 266 teachers and staff last October.
Some City Council members demanded an explanation, and Rhee responded today in a letter. She says one teacher faced serious allegations of sexual misconduct, and the case was referred to the police. That person was on administrative leave before the layoffs. She says six of the laid off D.C. Public School employees had been suspended for hitting students, while two others had been absent without an explanation on multiple occasions. Rhee says she was trying to explain why teacher performance, and not just seniority, is important while deciding which teachers to lay off.
But some Council Members weren't buying her explanation. Marion Barry called this a "pattern of disrespect."
"This is the latest incident where she has spoken disrespectfully and lying about the nature of the firings," says Barry.
D.C. Council Member Harry Thomas says her letter has only infuriated him further.
"How could you act so irresponsible and put out allegations against so many and have evidence against so few," he says.
A hearing is still expected about whether proper procedures were followed, what evidence there was and why Rhee did not tell the council or the union about these teachers.
D.C. Council Members Marion Barry, Michael Brown and Harry Thomas are not satisfied with Chancellor Michelle Rhee's explanation of her comments about teachers.
Courtesy of: Kavitha Cardoza
January 26, 2010 - The National Transportation Safety Board has begun what it says will be a thorough investigation of this morning's Metro accident that killed two veteran workers. Jeff Garrard and Sung Oh were working on the tracks a few blocks from the Rockville Station in Maryland when they were struck by a maintenance truck.
D.C. Councilman Jim Graham, Metro's outgoing board chairman, says human error caused this mornings accident on the Red Line.
"And I'm not prepared to go into details on that," he says, "but I did want to say that much to you today."
The National Transportation Safety Board has begun investigating the case. Stephen Klejst, the investigator in charge, says the board is examining a number of factors.
"Conditions at the time of the accident, such as lighting, weather, ambient noise on-track worker protection, rules and procedures; we will obtain all radio recordings between the crews and the operations control center," she says.
Klejst says the NTSB is testing the workers involved in the accident for drugs and alcohol. And investigators will perform sight-distance tests, and obtain the employees 72-hour work history: standard procedure during NTSB investigations.
This morning's fatalities are the most recent in a string of incidents that have raised questions about Metros safety. But Graham says employees and passengers should not lose faith.
"What is different this time is the fact that we're on the verge of bringing in new extraordinary leadership to address these issues," he says. "On the other occasions, you know, we were not at that juncture."
Metro's First Vice Chairman, Peter Benjamin, will take over for Graham on Thursday. The board also is looking for a new general manager. Graham says he expects the search to last up to six months.
The scene of the latest Metro accident.
Courtesy of: NBC4.com
January 26, 2010 - By Rebecca Blatt
Police in Virginia say they are confident skeletal remains found on a farm are likely those of a Virginia Tech student who disappeared in October.
The remains were found this morning by a farmer surveying his land. State police say an autopsy will determine whether they are those of 20-year-old Morgan Harrington.
Harrington vanished October 17th after attending a Metallica concert at the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville. She was separated from her friends after she left the concert and was not allowed to reenter.
Police say the arena is about 10 miles away from the farm where the remains were found.
January 26, 2010 - By Elliott Francis
General Motors is investing $246 million to build electric motors for Hybrid and electric cars here in the U.S. The plant selected to manufacture the motors is located in Baltimore.
The investment makes Baltimore Transmission the first electric motor manufacturing facility in the U.S. operated by a major automaker.
200 additional jobs will be created to produce the next generation rear-drive electric motors. The project is partially supported by stimulus funds through the U.S. Department of Energy.
The decade-old plant, which currently manufactures two-stage transmissions for hybrid vehicles, was selected for its adherence to eco-friendly technology. Regular production of the electric motors is expected to begin early in 2013.
January 26, 2010 - By Stephanie Kaye
Two veteran workers on the Washington area's transit system were struck and killed by a maintenance truck while working on a track Tuesday, the latest in a string of fatalities on the Metro system since last year.
Jeff Garrard and Sung Oh were installing safety equipment on a track that was closed to regular service for the night when they were hit. One of them died at the scene--the other, on the way to a hospital.
Metro says both men lived in Montgomery County, Maryland. Garrard had worked for Metro since 1990, and Oh had worked there since 1998. The accident comes two weeks after Metro held a three-day workshop on track safety with experts from around the country.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating what happened.
January 26, 2010 - By Stephanie Kaye
A new film about the African-Americans who have served in this country's wars will preview tonight at the Smithsonian.
The film is called "For the Love of Liberty". It chronicles the lives of blacks in the military from the Revolutionary War to today.
"It's a collection of letters, diaries, speeches, magazine articles," says filmmaker Frank Martin, which he uses not just to show the big picture, but to make the story of war personal as well.
"You know, when you think of the revolution, you think of George Washington," says Martin. "Well, the first person to lose their life in the cause that would ultimately become the revolution was a black man."
A free preview of "For the Love of Liberty" will be held tonight at 6:30 at the National Museum of American History.
A new film looks at African-Americans who served in this country's wars.
Courtesy of: National Archives
January 26, 2010 - By Kate Sheehy
Two Metro technicians have died after being hit by a maintenance vehicle overnight along a metro track in Maryland.
A spokesman for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue says both technicians were working on the track when they were hit around 1:45 this morning, a few blocks from the Rockville Metro Station.
The workers' names are Jeffrey Garrard and Sung Oh, and both were automatic train control technicians. A spokeswoman says they were struck by a prime mover, a large vehicle capable of moving trains.
Metro safety has been a major concern in recent years. These latest deaths bring the number of Metro workers killed over the past four years to eight.
Jeff Garrard, 49, was one of two technicians hit and killed when a maintenance vehicle hit him early this morning.
Courtesy of: www.wmata.com
View more images from this gallery.
January 26, 2010 - From www.marylandreporter.com:
Gov. Martin O'Malley released his 2010 legislative agenda with a focus on changes to unemployment insurance, jobs, renewable energy, education and public safety, writes Julie Bykowicz in The Baltimore Sun. O'Malley's legislative agenda includes a proposal for homeowners to request face-to-face meetings with their lenders to find alternatives to foreclosure, writes Nick Sohr in The Daily Record.
Former U.S. Sen. Charles Mathias passed away yesterday. The Baltimore Sun's staff takes a look into the former Senator's life. The three-term U.S. senator died in his Chevy Chase home, writes Matt Schudel in The Washington Post. Current lawmakers reacted to the news of his death in the Associated Press story by Brian Witte. The Post also ran an editorial on the late senator saying he was a principled moderate who aided his state and county.
The General Assembly's top budget analyst advised lawmakers to consider a second budget plan in case the stimulus funds O'Malley's budget relies on doesn't come through, writes Annie Linskey with The Baltimore Sun.
The governor plans to make a green jobs announcement at the General Motors' Baltimore plant.
Sen. Catherine Pugh (D-Baltimore City) says she'd like to see table games and slot machines at the parlor planned near M&T Bank Stadium, writes Gary Haber with Baltimore Business Journal.
Repeat drunk or drugged driving offenders could be marked with a boldly colored license plate, writes Greg Latshaw of The (Salisbury) Daily Times. Del. Marvin Holmes Jr., (D-Prince George's County), is sponsoring the bill.
After reaching a compromise reducing the Maryland-mined coal tax credit last year, some legislators may need to fight to keep the reduced tax credit this year, reports Kevin Spradlin in the Comberland Times-News.
New legislation introduced yesterday would put stricter rules on child sex offenders, reports Pat Warren at WJZ.
The man who was to serve as chairman of the Maryland Sexual Offender Advisory Board said his inquiries about the board to meet fell on deaf ears, writes Julie Bykowicz in the Sun blog. The board never met.
In reaction to the Supreme Court decision outlawing limits on corporate spending on political campaigns, Del. Jon Cardin will reintroduce legislation for voluntary public campaign financing in Maryland, according to The Gazette's Doug Tallman.
Montgomery County lawmakers are united in their push to overturn a $46 million penalty for the county's failure to give schools as much as it was supposed to this year, writes Sean Sedam in The Gazette.
Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich was a featured guest at a fundraiser for two delegate candidates in Hagerstown on Monday, but he declined to say if he's running this year, reports Andy Schotz with The Herald-Mail.
RNC Chairman and former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele continues to spend money from his state campaign fund, reports Adam Pagnucco with Maryland Politics Watch.
Rep. Frank Kratovil, the congressman from the Eastern Shore, could have a tough time keeping his seat, writes Paul West with The Sun.
The $1.5 billion Aero Train will make its debut at Dulles today. It was designed to help travelers reach their gates more quickly.
A development company is suing Metro for more that $160 million over a stalled development plan at the Greenbelt Metro station, reports Kytja Weir in the Washington Examiner.
Maryland's Congressional delegation secured $5.6 million in federal funds for roadway improvements, writes Daniel Sernovitz with the Baltimore Business Journal.
The state's Public Service Commission is being urged to approve a Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. smart grid program. Scott Dance, in the Baltimore Business Journal, reports the program would give customers more control over their power usage and billing.
With Baltimore City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake soon to become mayor, a majority of council members have declared their support for Councilman Bernard "Jack" Young to fill her seat. However, there is a behind- the-scenes push for Councilman William Cole IV, writes Julie Scharper with The Baltimore Sun.
January 26, 2010 - By Kate Sheehy
This year's Washington Auto Show is previewing how the future of electric cars could reduce gas dependency in the D.C. area.
The Chevy Volt is one car everyone is talking about. Britta Gross, director of global energy systems and infrastructure for Chevrolet, says it's a zero emission car that will take you 40 miles on a battery and then switches seamlessly to a gas generator in the car that will get you another 300 miles.
Gross says it will have a major impact on the economy. "It means that we're taking a big bit out of gasoline dependency if we can get most people in the country over into these electric drive vehicles with extended range like the Chevy Volt," she says.
Gross says the car should hit D.C. auto dealerships by the fall but like any new technology, it will be expensive at first and become more affordable with time.
The Washington Auto Show opens to the public tomorrow and runs through the weekend.
January 26, 2010 - (Through March 14) MAHALIA There's a revival going on at Alexandria's MetroStage bringing back Mahalia: A Gospel Musical through March 14th. The Helen-Hayes award-winning production follows Mahalia "Halie" Jackson on a wave of song from the shanties of New Orleans to the "magic circle" of Carnegie Hall, in a hilarious and touching hand-clapping show.
(January 27-February 21) PERMANENT COLLECTION Round House Theatre in Bethesda, Maryland opens its newest play, Permanent Collection tomorrow night. The discovery of eight remarkable African sculptures leads to a confrontation about art and race, and the politics at play in a museum's display.
(January 30-March 6) PROJECT 4 Project 4 gallery along D.C.'s U Street Corridor opens the exhibit Underbelly this Saturday and running through March 6th. The artist with a numeral in his name, Adam "5100" Feibelman, hails most recently from San Francisco, bringing images of the Bay City's architecture from a kaleidoscopic point of view.
January 26, 2010 - By Rebecca Blatt
The Smithsonian Institution says a popular young giant panda will leave Washington's National Zoo on February 4th for China. Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough says Tai Shan will travel by FedEx to China along with a 3-year-old female panda from Zoo Atlanta.
The National Zoo had announced in December that Tai Shan would be sent to China for breeding. He has been one of the biggest attractions at the zoo since his birth in 2005 -- but he is property of China. China loans pandas to zoos - in Atlanta, Washington, San Diego and Memphis, Tenn. Tai Shan's parents, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are on a 10-year, $10 million loan that expires in December.
The last full day for visitors to see Tai Shan will be February 3rd, but the National Zoo will host a goodbye party Saturday.
January 26, 2010 - By Rebecca Sheir
Advocates for homeless and runaway young people are asking Congress to expand funding for services. And they're asking lawmakers to meet face to face with young adults who understand the value of those programs all too well.
For Jasmine Williams, the trouble began about four years ago.
"I started suffering from sexual abuse from the age of 14 at the hands of my stepfather," says Williams. "And eventually he grew tired of me, and that led to my being homeless."
Williams spent a total of seven months on the street.
"My dad used to tell me all the time, there's no one out here for you,'" she says. "'You're gonna be just like all those other girls, ya know, prostitutin.' You're screwed, basically."
But Williams who's back in school and heading to college, says she refused to believe that. And as part of this weeks [National Network For Youth]( Joining her is 22-year-old William Iannuzzi, who was homeless for a year after his parents kicked him out for being gay. "Look, we need help," he says. "We need supplies. We need something, you know?" Last month Congress appropriated $750,000 for the Federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. But the National Network for Youth says that isn't nearly enough, since the recession has weakened programs, and tossed more people onto the street. Williams says lawmakers know that, "...and a lot of their attitudes are, 'that's a shame. I wish it wasn't like that.' So what I want to tell them is don't pity me; help me." The National Network for Youth is asking Congress to appropriate $165 million for outreach, shelter and other services to support the young people who are homeless now and to prevent new ones from taking their places.
Jasmine Williams, second from right, and William Iannuzzi, front bottom, are among the formerly homeless young people meeting with members of Congress this week. Also pictured, from top left: Herman Joseph, Charlotte Fonseca, Tyrell Ray.
Courtesy of: Rebecca Sheir
January 26, 2010 - By Elliott Francis
The number of commercially available electric cars is increasing. Now Pepco is studying their design, and potential impact on the existing electric grid system. The folks at Pepco say their electricity is fuel for the new cars.
Spokesman Bob Dobson says a study involving 10 G-M electric vehicles and two new charging stations will let them know if there's enough "fuel" to go around.
"It's going to tell us how we deal with this and what we need to do as these vehicles become common," says Dobson.
Hale Reese, Pepco's VP for strategic services, says the greatest concern is the nation's century old power grid.
"We need to step up transformers, but from the utilities perspective, we are very confident that we will build the infrastructure that can support these vehicles," says Reese.
Testing will be conducted over the next two years.
Pepco is testing to see how electric vehicle chargers will impact the electric grid system.
Courtesy of: Elliot Francis
January 26, 2010 - By Jonathan Wilson
Hundreds of parents, students and teachers in Fairfax County Virginia are fighting to save various school programs placed on the chopping block by the districts superintendent.
Twenty or so of the speakers at the first of three public hearings scheduled in Fairfax this week, were students.
More than a few of them began by showing off their language skills - in Spanish, Japanese, or even Arabic.
The districts Foreign Language programs for Elementary Students (FLES) would be cut if Superintendent Jack Dales budget proposal is accepted by the board.
Freshman sports and summer school are also in danger.
Fourth-grader Victor Fuentes boiled it all down to a simple question.
"If you were a kid my age how would you feel if you had the programs you enjoy and like taken away from you?" he asks.
But no matter how board members would like to answer, they're likely to disappoint some.
The school districts estimated budget shortfall stands at $176 million.
The Superintendent's proposal also calls for close to 600 job cuts.
Hundreds packed the auditorium at Jackson Middle School to plead for various school programs in Fairfax County.
Courtesy of: Jonathan Wilson
January 26, 2010 - By Peter Granitz
D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray is launching an inquiry into allegations Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee made during an interview with a national business magazine. Rhee told Fast Company that some of the 260 teachers laid off in October had sex with students or hit them. Rhee had said previously that the layoffs were because of a tight budget.
Gray sent a letter to Rhee, Police Chief Cathy Lanier and Child and Family Services Director Roque Gerald. He's demanding they tell him by Wednesday which teachers broke the rules and what steps their agencies took to deal with the alleged abuse.
Meanwhile, the Teachers Union is mulling a libel lawsuit. Georgetown law professor Rebecca Tushnet, says it'll be hard to for the union to prove defamation.
"If I say all lawyers are liars, that just doesn't defame any particular lawyer. And then you sort of work from there. At some point you get to a point where that group is small enough that they can be defamed. Usually a group of a couple of hundred is too big," says Tushnet.
The Union sent its own letter to Mayor Adrian Fenty complaining about the comments. He has not commented on the issue.
Michelle Rhee is under fire from the Washington Teacher's Union for allegations she made during a recent interview for a business magazine.
Courtesy of: NBC4.com
January 26, 2010 - Remind us again - where exactly does the rubber hit the road?
The Senate may get around to voting today on a bill to raise the debt ceiling. That's later this morning, right around the time the Congressional Budget Office is set to release its latest economic outlook. As for whether that report might have effect on the vote...
Elizabeth Wynne Johnson reports.
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