The Night Note: 7/15/10

News you need to know.

The following stories are brought to you by the fine folks on the News4 assignment desk.

DUI LAWSUITS APPROACH $1 MILLION MARK
Nearly $1 million in lawsuits have been filed against the District by a dozen drivers who say their civil rights were violated by the city's faulty breath analyzers.

The 12 drivers were among 400 who were convicted of driving while intoxicated in the District since October 2008, when city officials say police Officer Kelvin King inaccurately calibrated three of the police department's 13 Intoxylizer 5000s. An outside contractor discovered the improper adjustments on Feb. 4, 2010, officials said during a D.C. Council hearing on Wednesday. (Washington Examiner)

VINCE GRAY CONFRONTED BY PEACEAHOLICS FOUNDER
With this WWE-style video, recorded by the City Paper, of Ron Moten chasing Vince Gray through the bowels of the WPFW radio studio -- be honest, how many of you were expecting a Gray staff member to jump out of a dark corner and wallop Moten with a chair, with Mayor Fenty just getting to the scene moments too late to make the save? -- I think we can officially update the status of the mayoral contest from "somewhat unbalanced" to "certifiably nuts." (DCist)

THE CONSULTANT WAS A SPY
The Russian spies arrested last month and traded back to Moscow have mostly been introduced to the American public as a hot girl and a bunch of bumbling Borises and Natashas. They may have been sent here to infiltrate American institutions, and according to news reports about the information they sent back, Moscow Center might have been better served by a few American news subscriptions. But people who crossed paths with one of the recently deported spies, a Bostonian calling himself Donald Heathfield, suggest that he, at least, may have passed important American business intelligence back to Russia. (Washingtonian)

MEALS ON WHEELS KEEPS ROLLING DESPITE FUNDING CHALLENGES
On a recent July morning — with temperatures fast approaching the mid-90s — Prudi Shinn was, as usual, in the kitchen at College Park United Methodist Church, helping to make more than 150 meals for elderly and disabled residents as part of the College Park Meals on Wheels program.

"I get here at 7 a.m., and I'm usually done by 11 a.m.," said Shinn of College Park, who started at Meals on Wheels 19 years ago when she was pregnant and looking for a hobby to help pass the time. "After I had the baby, I just kept coming back. Once they get you, you're staying." (Maryland Gazette)

Contact Us