The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
OOPS
At least 70 Baltimore police patrol cars were sidelined because of an apparent problem at the city fuel pump over the weekend. Officials said the cars, which represent roughly a third of the Police Department's patrol strength at any given time, broke down because of problems with the fuel. Tests were being conducted to determine the precise problem, but officials say they were looking into whether the gas station's unleaded tank might have been filled with diesel fuel. (Baltimore Sun)
TOLL ROAD CONSTRUCTION
Drivers using the eastbound Dulles Toll Road may experience some daytime delays beginning Tuesday, Sept. 22, due to ongoing construction of the Dulles Metrorail extension. The eastbound right lane between Beulah and Trap roads, just west of Wolf Trap Farm Park, will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily for four to five days, weather permitting, project officials announced Friday afternoon. (Fairfax Times)
DC AREA INCOMES RISE
Residents of the Washington area made the most of a bad economic situation last year, boosting incomes even as the nation suffered through the first year of a recession. Median household incomes increased for all jurisdictions in and around the District of Columbia in 2008 compared to 2007, according to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, which was released Monday. Loudoun County had the highest median household income in the area at $111,925. Loudoun was followed by Fairfax County at $107,448; Arlington County at $101,171; Montgomery County at $94,319; Prince William County at $88,724; the City of Alexandria at $86,682; Frederick County at $78,728; Prince George’s County at $72,166; and D.C. at $57,936. (Washington Business Journal)
RVs NO MORE
The ten weeks since Montgomery County banned RVs and heavy commercial trucks from residential streets have brought about 200 citations and a "dramatic" improvement to neighborhood safety — but not long-term answers for where those vehicles can park. Displaced owners may soon be able to buy a night of refuge in a pair of unused parcels south of Interstate 270 if Gaithersburg City leaders relent on their concerns over zoning. And state officials are weighing whether to convert an underused park-and-ride lot on Clopper Road in Germantown. (Gazette)
NON-PROFIT WINE
A Kensington town councilman has launched an online wine marketplace that will give 50 percent of its proceeds to partner charities, urging patrons to "Drink Charitably." But Mackie Barch's Vintners Charitable Cooperative won't be filling goblets or coffers of Marylanders any time soon. Direct delivery of wine from vintner to consumer, the system upon which the company is based, is illegal in this and 12 other states, so the Web-only storefront will be restricted to the places its goods can be legally delivered. (Gazette)
VIRGINIA ELECTRIC CHARGE STATIONS
Virginia will work with Dominion Virginia Power to install electric-vehicle charging stations at some highway rest areas. The charging stations, installed at no cost to the state, are designed to accommodate most of today's hybrid electric vehicles. Use of the stations will be complimentary.The first electric vehicle charging stations were installed earlier this month at the westbound New Kent rest area on Interstate 64. The stations can charge up to four vehicles at a time. (Richmond Times Dispatch)
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
HOV VIOLATORS, BEWARE
It's a gamble lots of solo drivers take every day in the D.C. region: using the HOV lanes during HOV hours. If you are one of those gamblers, don't think your fellow drivers haven't noticed. "People have contacted us and complained about an increase in the number of violations that they are witnessing," Capt. Tracy Russillo, division commander in northern Virginia for the Virginia State Police. (wtop.com)
