The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
MARYLAND TEXTING WHILE DRIVING LAW
The Maryland Senate gave final approval this morning to a prohibition on reading or sending text messages while driving. The bill would make violations a misdemeanor punishable with a maximum fine of $500. It would be a primary offense, meaning police would be able to pull over drivers solely on suspicion of texting. (Baltimore Sun)
HOLD ON, DON'T OPEN THAT BEER IN A PARK
Maryland state park managers are cracking down on alcohol consumption, The Associated Press has learned. The Department of Natural Resources says it is phasing in rules that will prohibit alcohol consumption this spring and summer except in campgrounds, shelters and full-service cabins where users have a reservation or a $35 permit. (AP/Baltimore Sun)
KID FINDS METH AT PLAYGROUND
A student at Centerville Elementary found a vial of methamphetamine on the school playground during recess Thursday.
Principal Steve Raff said the student innocently stumbled upon the vial, which was the size of a perfume sampler filled with a white power, and brought it to school officials. A Frederick County sheriff's deputy responded and determined it was methamphetamine, according to Raff. (Gazette.net)
STAFFORD SUBSTITUTE TEACHER ARRESTED
A Stafford County man who taught county children earlier this school year was recently arrested in Canada on child pornography charges. Ronald William White III, a long-term substitute teacher in Stafford, was arrested on Feb. 14 after his United Airlines flight landed at James Richardson Winnipeg International Airport. While being processed at Customs, an affidavit for a search warrant states, "irregularities" caused officials to investigate further. A subsequent search of White's laptop computer resulted in five images of child pornography, the affidavit states. (Fredericksburg.com)
USED CAR SALES UP
Used car salesmen are becoming the kings of the lot as demand for such vehicles is starting to rise. While new car sales continue to fall, many dealers are finding buyers are willing to spring for a good used car instead. The volume of used cars sold through dealers rose 3.1% in February compared with last year, the first year-over-year increase in 12 months, reports CNW Marketing Research. By contrast, new car sales slid 41.4% in February from a year ago. (USAToday)
YARD SALE CRACKDOWN
As April showers bring May flowers, yard sales are likely to be springing up on town lawns. Code Enforcement Officer Kenny Oland discussed Thurmont’s proposed yard sale ordinance with four members of the Board of Commissioners. Mayor Martin Burns was absent from Monday’s town meeting. “Chief Eyler told me that we’ve had some problems with yard sales,” Oland said. “Thurmont does not have, or did not have, at the time, an ordinance dealing with yard sales.” (Frederick News Post)
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
EAGLE IS HOLDING UP ROAD PROJECT
Residents of Towles Mill Road have heard dozens of reasons over the past two decades for the delays in paving their two-mile stretch of gravel road in Spotsylvania County. But never has a national symbol posed a potential problem--until now.
The Virginia Department of Transportation will meet with Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries and U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials March 31 to determine if a bald eagle nest near the road will cause any changes to the project scheduled for advertising to solicit bids next year. (Fredericksburg.com)
DOG SNIFFS BEE COLONY DISEASES
Honeybees in Maryland have a new ally against American foulbrood, a bacterial disease that kills bee larvae and jumps quickly from one hive to the next. Klinker, a black Labrador retriever trained to walk among rows of bee hives, can smell the disease and sits whenever she notices American foulbrood. (AP/ The Capital)