The following stories are brought to you by the fine folks on the News4 assignment desk.
SCHOOL WON'T IDENTIFY SECOND GRADER
An unidentified second-grade student at New Hampshire Estates Elementary School told first lady Michelle Obama on Wednesday that her mother "doesn't have [immigration] papers."
Obama was visiting the Silver Spring school and sitting in a circle with a group of 12 children when the girl told her, "My mom said . . . Barack Obama is taking everybody away that doesn't have papers," according to a videotape of the session. (Washington Post)
DC GETS ANOTHER DOG PARK
Leash laws often make it tough for dogs to run free outside, but a new dog park opens in the District in just a few months.
Mayor Adrian Fenty handed out dog treats to some of his furriest constituents Tuesday at the groundbreaking of the Newark Dog Park. The 11,000-square-foot park will be located off Wisconsin Avenue at 39th and Newark Streets in Northwest.
"Everywhere I go in the city, there are more people who want dog parks," Fenty says. (WTOP)
AMBULANCE FEES COMING TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Montgomery County will join Prince George's County, Washington, D.C., and other neighboring jurisdictions in charging a fee to use ambulance services.
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Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
The council voted Wednesday to allow fees of about $400 to be charged for out-of-county residents to use county ambulance services. Supporters say that insurance companies, for the most part, will pay the fee. Those without insurance will receive a bill, but the fee will be waived for those who cannot afford it.
The ambulance fee was one of several new fees and taxes the Montgomery County Council approved Wednesday to help fill the county's $1 billion budget shortfall. (Gazette.net)
COUNTY, DEVELOPER SEARCH FOR LORTON DEVELOPMENT FINANCING
Fairfax County officials are working with a private developer to clear a financial hurdle so a plan to revitalize the former Lorton prison can proceed.
A preliminary estimate included in the development guidelines for the main Penitentiary and Reformatory areas, which were approved by county supervisors last week, anticipates a gap of $9 million to $13 million between the cost to redevelop the site and the estimated sales value of the new homes, offices and shopping areas.
(Fairfax Times)
