The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
CHARGING INMATES FOR JAIL STAY
Sitting in jail could get a lot more expensive if the Frederick County sheriff has his way. Sheriff Chuck Jenkins wants to charge inmates $10 for every day they're housed at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center. Jenkins asks, "Why should the public support the bad guys?" (The Capital)
HOUSING REBOUND?
Third quarter figures from the Virginia Association of Realtors would suggest the market is on the upswing, as home sales statewide jumped by more than five percent since last quarter. "There seems to be no doubt now that we have hit the bottom and are moving back up, in terms of both price and sales activity," said John Powell, president of VAR, in a written statement. "We are now in our third consecutive quarter of marked improvement." (Insidenova.com)
MONTGOMERY COUNTY MENUS
The Montgomery County Council is set to resume debate this week over whether chain restaurants should have to include in their menus the amount of calories, fat and sodium of the food they sell. Councilman George Leventhal, D-at large, introduced a bill in 2007 requiring restaurants with 10 or more facilities nationally to post nutritional information on their menus and menu boards in all of their Montgomery County locations. A committee held work sessions on the bill, but the full council never voted on the proposed legislation. Leventhal has scheduled the bill to be heard by the Health and Human Services Committee, which he heads, on Thursday. He could not be reached for comment, but in the past has said lawmakers need to address the problems caused by America's unhealthy eating habits. (Examiner)
8-YEAR-OLD WANTS TO FIX RAIL STATION
An 8-year-old train enthusiast went to Point of Rocks a few weeks ago to see one of the country's most famous historic train stations. He left wondering why his new favorite station had fallen into disrepair, and he decided he wanted to help fix it. "It needed to be painted and get the windows fixed," said Connor Fischer, a third-grader who lives in Darnestown in Montgomery County. "We were driving home and he said 'I want to start a renovation project,'" said Lisa Fischer, his mother. "To hear the words 'renovation project' come out of an 8-year-old's mouth was so funny." "He was ready, literally that day, to take a giant Reese's peanut butter jar to school and collect money," said Jack Diamond, Connor's father and a popular radio show host in Washington, D.C.Connor said he had visited train stations in Frostburg, Gettysburg, and other parts of Maryland and Pennsylvania. He liked the one in Point of Rocks the most because it is so close to home and looks old-fashioned. (Frederick News Post)
BEAVER DAM DRAINED
Bill Greene used to enjoy the tranquility of the pond that once backed up to his and about 20 other houses in the Olde Stage Knolls neighborhood in Bowie. The pond, which was there before the housing development was built more than 18 years ago, was made by a beaver dam, said Greene and his neighbor, Jeanette Rodkey. But the beavers and the dam were removed and the pond consequently drained in March at the request the Olde Stage Homeowners Association, HOA president David Perroto said. (Gazette)
