Local Leads: 3/11/10
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The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
GAMBLING HELPS FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Prince George's County delegates are scheduled to vote Friday on whether to let charity groups hold monthly poker tournaments in the county starting this summer. Though volunteer fire departments pushing for the proposal say the games will help raise funds for new trucks and equipment, delegates are skeptical about endorsing any pro-gambling measure this election year.
"It's still gambling, at the end of the day," said Del. Victor Ramirez (D-Dist. 47) of Mount Rainier. (Gazette)
VIRGINIA UNEMPLOYMENT UP
The Virginia Employment Commission says the state's unemployment rate climbed higher during January but was still well below the national average. Virginia's seasonally adjusted jobless rate for January was 6.9 percent, up from the 6.8 percent rate recorded in December. It was 5.7 percent a year ago. (Richmond Times Dispatch)
DIRTY RESTAURANTS
Health inspectors nailed at least 1,900 area restaurants and food vendors — including the swanky Palm and Georgia Brown's -- for violations ranging from rat infestations to "slime"-covered water spigots during a three-month period, according to health department records obtained by The Examiner. Health inspectors in Virginia, Maryland and the District closed at least 116 area food establishments as a result of majorhealth code infractions. (Examiner)
MANSION TO BE AUCITONED
One of the county's most prominent Colonial mansions, Tulip Hill overlooking the West River near Galesville, is going on the auction block next month after sitting on the market for about two years. The property, the home of the county's well-heeled over the centuries, could be sold to the highest bidder April 10. Starting bid: $1.65 million. (The Capital)
TOMBSTONES FOUND IN HOUSE
A man helping ready a Triangle home for the rental market found two tombstones in its basement Wednesday. For the last week, Edward Grogg has been doing handy work at the a one-story home on Triangle Street, helping landlord Elliot Diamond get the 60-year-old house ready to be rented again, after two “unfavorable” tenants abruptly left with little notice two weeks ago.
(Insidenova.com)
Posted Thursday, Mar 11, 2010 - 10:13 AM EST
