The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
MANASSAS SEX SHOP ORDINANCE
Insidenova.com: "If all goes according to plan, Manassas City Council could have a new ordinance defining the acceptable activities and locations of sex shops by March, according to one council member. The final language of the ordinance has “been drafted and discussed by the Land Use Committee,” said Councilman Jonathan Way, who is on the committee, “and it’s been sent back to the city attorney [for fine-tuning] … We’re making sure we’re dotting all the ‘i’s’ and crossing all the ‘t’s’ instead of rushing it through.” One ordinance provision that will likely pass muster is a requirement that sex businesses cannot operate within 750 feet of homes, day cares, libraries, churches and the like."
FORMER HHS SECRETARY CHARGED WITH RECKLESS DRIVING
Alexandria Gazette Packet: "Former Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson has been charged by an Alexandria police officer for reckless driving, clocking in at 68 miles an hour in a 40 zone. An attorney for the former Wisconsin governor appeared in General District Court last week to schedule a February court date. It’s the second time Alexandria police have impeded the former governor of Wisconsin’s life in the fast lane."
TUFFY SAW HIS SHADOW TOO...
Baltimore Sun: "The size of 833 ordinary groundhogs, Tuffy the African elephant steps slowly from barn to holding pen, oblivious to his looming place in Maryland meteorological predictions. If he sees his massive shadow, winter soon will end. If not, it's six more weeks of dreary skies, mush and slop and cold nights without power."
LINCOLN PARDON UP FOR AUCTION
Frederick News Post: "A signed pardon from Abraham Lincoln, an invitation to President James Garfield's inaugural concert and a letter from Eleanor Roosevelt are some of the presidential memorabilia belonging to a prominent Washington family that will be sold at an online auction later this month. Laurie Zook, owner of Mission Transition, sorts through estates and helps families find outlets to sell antiques and other treasures. Zook, who lives in Frederick, works with clients throughout the Washington area."
