The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
PROPERTY VALUES DROP
About 60,000 Prince George's County homeowners started the new year with mixed news: the official value on their properties has dropped by 18.4 percent — which may lower their property taxes. In the latest round of tax assessments mailed Jan. 1, state appraisers decreased the worth of county properties for the first time in more than a decade, making resells difficult for those who bought their homes at higher prices. However, a lower value could mean less in property taxes if tax rates do not increase. (Gazette)
RED LINE CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND
Major track work on Metro's Red Line will close the Grosvenor-Strathmore Station this holiday weekend from 10 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Tuesday. (Washington Post)
INTERNATIONAL MANHUNT
International law enforcement officials, including Interpol, are conducting a manhunt on at least two continents for a former youth baseball coach who was a fixture in Northern Virginia for nearly 20 years. John E. Hamilton, 38, of Centreville, was charged last June with molesting children in several incidents going back nearly to the beginning of his coaching career.
(Fairfax Times)
LIBRARIES TAKE A HIT
More than $1 million in library budget cuts, proposed last week, would mean "very substantial" reductions in magazines, newspapers, music, print reference materials and databases at the county's 22 branches, according to a plan County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) sent the County Council Thursday. (Gazette)
SPELL CHECK NEEDED HERE
Frederick 's East Street extension project involves many changes, but the modified spelling of Buckeystown Pike is not among them. At least one motorist spotted a misspelled sign on the newly minted Md. 85 exit ramp: Buckeyestown Pike. (Frederick News Post)
