Local Leads: 3/3/09

News you need to know

The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:

THE AREA DIGS OUT
After a day of shoveling and sledding, Washingtonians woke up this morning to shiver-inducing temperatures, school closings or delayed openings in many jurisdictions, and warnings to avoid icy walkways and roads. (Washington Post)

CITIBANK MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE
Struggling bank Citigroup Inc. said today it will lower mortgage payments for some homeowners to an average of $500 a month for three months as part of a new program to help the unemployed. The struggling bank makes the move as President Barack Obama looks to lenders to adjust the way loans are handled. (Richmond Times Dispatch)

$54 MILLION DOLLAR PANTS SUIT APPEAL DENIED
The District of Columbia’s Court of Appeals has denied a request for a second appeals hearing for a former U.S. judge who sued a dry cleaner for $54 million over a lost pair of pants. Roy Pearson Jr.‘s request for a second hearing before the entire nine-judge panel was rejected yesterday. (AP/Richmond Times Dispatch)

FLU RESISTANT TO TAMIFLU
The flu strain most likely to make you sick this winter has developed a near-total resistance to one of the most popular drugs prescribed to blunt its symptoms. More than 98 percent of one of the influenza A viruses circulating this winter is now resistant to the antiviral drug Tamiflu, up from less than 1 percent just two years ago, according to a study in The Journal of the American Medical Association. (Baltimore Sun)

HAVE A DRINK IN A PARK
Non-profit community service groups will be permitted to sell alcohol at fund-raising events in Emmitsburg town parks under a policy adopted Monday evening. Commissioners unanimously approved the policy, though others in town have suggested that alcohol permits be available to all residents. (Frederick News Post)

USED CAR SALES
The Town of Herndon Planning Commission discussed a number of zoning ordinances on Monday, including one that would allow area businesses to sell used cars as an accessory use.  During the work session, town staff briefed the Planning Commission on the amendment, which would set standards for selling used cars as an accessory use to existing companies that deal in vehicle sales and service. Businesses who wish to sell used vehicles would be required to obtain approval from the town through a special exception permit. (Observer Newspaper)

GREEN REAL ESTATE TEAM
In a time of falling home values and tentative buyers and sellers, one local Realtor has found a way to save clients, and the community, some green by going green. Lansdowne resident David Harbour has announced the launch of NOVA Green Team, a group of real estate agents "committed to the environmental and economic health of the community." (Leesburg Today)

RETIREMENT FOR A DOLLAR
The jackpot in the multi-state Mega Millions lottery game has reached what the Georgia Lottery calls the “boiling point” — $212 million. A winning ticket in Tuesday night’s drawing could yield the lucky holder about $8.1 million a year, before taxes, for the next 26 years. That’s with an annuity option. A single payment under the cash option is worth about $137 million before Uncle Sam’s share is extracted. (AP/Insidenova.com

KEEP IT MOVING
Everybody does it. Your mom and dad do it. Your friends do it. Even world leaders do it. Everybody poops. Just as there are a variety of words for the same process, so are there a variety of results with a bowel movement. Some results are good and healthy, while others may signal health problems. (Frederick News Post)

MCGRUFF THE CRIME DOG ROUGHED UP
McGruff never saw this one coming. McGruff the Crime Dog, the stern but beloved police mascot who teaches children how to stop crime before it happens, became a victim himself this weekend when a Metro bus driver punched him in the face as a stunned group of children watched, authorities said.  McGruff, who is played by D.C. Police Officer Tyrone Hardy, was passing out fliers to children at the corner of 14th Street and Spring Road in Northwest Washington around 2:30 p.m. Saturday when a Metrobus pulled up to the curb.  (WTOP.com / Washington Examiner)

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