The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
GAS TAX DEAD IN VIRGINIA
Talk of a gas tax increase in Virginia appears to be dead. House speaker Bill Howell says the election of Bob McDonnell as governor pretty much killed the issue. "The problem we have right now in Virginia is he gives a broad list of different, alternatives solutions. Bob and I share that just raising the gas tax 20 cents isn't going to get the job done," says Howell, a Republican. (wtop.com)
HOME SALES UP 44 PERCENT
The number of homes sold in the county last month shot up 44 percent from that period a year ago, an increase fueled by dropping prices and the federal government's $8,000, first-time homebuyer tax credit. (The Capital)
FORECLOSURES UP
Prince George's County saw more than 2,000 foreclosure filings last month, and the Maryland suburb accounted for nearly one-third of the total in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. (Examiner/wtop.com)
FAIRFAX COPPER THEFTS
Over the last two weeks, thieves in Fairfax City have stolen various items made of copper, including the roof of a bus shelter. The shelter, located at the intersection of Jermantown Road and Carol Street, had its copper roof stolen on Oct. 29, said City of Fairfax Police Department spokeswoman Sgt. Pam Nevlud. "The bus shelter had been relocated due to road construction," she said. "It was likely lying on its side when the roof was taken, but that roof still weighed over 300 pounds." (Fairfax Times)
NY WOMAN SEEKS MISSING CLASS RING
A New York woman in search of an old high school class ring that carries sentimental value is seeking the help of Stafford County residents who may have run across it somewhere. Arthea Russo, of Falconer, N.Y. told the Stafford County Sun that she was in Stafford in 1987 visiting friends. At the time, she was nearly 17 years old. Russo said that she was 11 years old when her father passed away. Her mother struggled to make sure she had a class ring, and she only had it a few months before losing it. (Stafford Sun)
CHECK ON CASH FOR CLUNKERS
All those Cash for Clunkers trade-ins are destined for the junkyard. Under the program, it is illegal to resell any of them, but some unscrupulous sellers may try. Now you can check the vehicle identification number on a used car you're thinking about buying to make sure it was not a Clunker's trade in. For free. (Washington Business Journal)
