The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
UPPER MARLBORO DEATHS
Prince George's County police said two women have been found dead at an Upper Marlboro home. Authorities said they responded to the 10800 block of Southall Drive about 2:30 a.m. today after a neighbor reported hearing gunshots. They entered the home through an unlocked window and found the women in an upstairs bedroom. (NBCWashington.com)
GIRL LEFT AT CHUCK E CHEESE
Harford County police are seeking the public's help to identify a 3-year-old girl who was found unattended at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant yesterday. The girl identified herself as Keyshanna, according to Sgt. David Betz, a sheriff's office spokesman. Betz said this morning that police have a possible last name of Tyson for the girl, but they have not been able to confirm it. Police also released several photos of the girl. (Baltimore Sun)
LOUDOUN COUNTY ASSESSMENTS
Assessment notices are in the mail and many county residents can expect to see some big changes in the numbers coming to them from the county. The county's overall portfolio for all classes dropped to a little more than $62 billion from last year's ending number of $67.7 billion, a difference County Assessor Todd Kaufman said represents an overall decline in value.(Leesburg Today)
MARYLAND AUTO EMISSIONS
President Barack Obama will clear the way today for Maryland, California and several other states to implement auto emissions rules designed to slash global warming pollution, sources familiar with the decision said yesterday. The move is significant on two fronts: It could empower states to set tougher standards in targeting emissions, which are blamed for contributing to global climate change; and it would be another swift reversal by Obama of Bush administration policy, this time on energy. (Baltimore Sun)
PRINCE WILLIAM BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB CLOSING?
The potential closing of the Prince William County boys and girls group homes on Feb. 27 might become a formality thanks to what Social Services Director Jack Ledden has described as the perfect storm of a change in philosophy, a lack of state funding and a diminishing staff. Earlier this month, the Social Services Board voted 5 to 3 in favor of closing the doors. The move, which would save the county at least $438,888 just in the remaining fiscal year, won't become official, though, until the Board of County Supervisors votes on it next month. (Insidenova.com)
FREDERICK RECYCLING
Frederick County residents who have curbside recycling can say farewell to their 18-gallon blue bin this week, and start using their 65-gallon wheeled cart. Residents' collection day depends on where they live, and their old recycling day no longer applies. (Gazette)
RENTERS ASSISTANCE
A bill from Del. Paul Nichols, D-Dist. 51, requiring landlords facing foreclosures to provide written notification to renters in a timely manner made it out of committee and onto the House floor on Thursday. Neither Nichols nor his aide, John Murphy, could be reached for comment Friday afternoon. But in a press release, the measure was described as a means of helping renters who have paid their rents on time but are nonetheless evicted due to their landlord's inability to pay the mortgage. (Insidenova.com)
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Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
LOWER GAS PRICES / VEHICLE SALES
Gyrating gas prices are playing havoc on auto industry planners, who've been adding small cars to their lineups, even as customers are showing more interest again in bigger vehicles. New Chrysler small cars expected from a deal with Italy's Fiat hatched last week won't arrive for up to two years, says Chrysler President Jim Press, but even if they were showing up now, it wouldn't matter much. (USAToday)
FREDERICK'S DAILY 5
The daily fix for the day.. (Frederick News Post)
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN IN CHARLOTTESVILLE
The road never ends for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Though the venerable group just played the Richmond Coliseum five months ago, they'll return to the area for a Charlottesville date at 7:30 p.m. May 5. (Richmond Times Disptach)
