Local Leads: 08/31/09

News you need to know

The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:

Students Hit the Books in Montgomery County

Classes resumed Monday morning at public schools in Montgomery County, with officials projecting enrollment to grow by 2,000 students in Maryland's largest school system. Montgomery County School Superintendent Jerry Weast, who visited Quince Orchard High this morning, said that he was excited about a new county college readiness program but concerned about a continued squeeze on the budget. (Washington Post)

Virginia to Get Money to Buy Foreclosed Homes

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine this morning announced that Virginia will receive $9.4 million through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program to buy and refurbish foreclosed homes and sell them to low and middle-income families. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

University Police Cracking Down on Parties

Students were warned. Two weeks before classes started, police informed fraternities of an impending crackdown on the typical school greeting festivities. “The police were cracking down on a lot of the activity that goes on at the beginning of pretty much every fall,” Interfraternity Council President Brandon Bienstock said. “They said they basically wanted to change the culture, whether that’s through breaking up the parties or following noise violations or putting more people out there on foot ...  Their goal was to limit the parties going on.” (Diamondback Online)

Suit Could Disrupt Dulles Project

A federal lawsuit to stop toll hikes on the Dulles Toll Road could throw a wrench into the financing of the Metro to Dulles rail extension.  The tolls on the Dulles toll road are supposed to go up by 25 cents in January. It's the first of three increases proposed to partially finance the extension of Metrorail to the airport, construction that is already underway.  (WTOP)

Economy Impacts Adoptions

With job losses and pay cuts looming, many prospective parents are struggling to come up with the money to adopt. Some have decided to put off growing a family through adoption. Others are seeking creative ways to raise the $25,000 typically needed. Still, adoption advocates say this is the perfect time to consider adopting foster children--a process that is usually free for adoptive parents.(Fredericksburg.com)

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