Local Leads:08/07/09

Charlie Bragale

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

ALL STAFFORD HIGH STUDENTS MAY HAVE TO TAKE FINALS
Stafford High School rising senior Kurt Vinnedge says he isn't good at math or science. Still, he's never had to take final exams in either, even though he received C-plus grades in both subjects this past school year.That's because Stafford County  high schoolers are exempt from end-of-year exams if they pass Standards of Learning tests or have at least a C-plus and two or fewer absences. Seniors can miss up to three days. (Free Lance Star)

GET READY, MORE SPEED CAMS FOR MARYLAND
Many local jurisdictions in Maryland are gearing up to implement speed cameras. A law authorizing use of the cameras statewide in school zones and highway work zones takes effect Oct. 1. Police in several places say they'll get started right away. The town of Cheverly will introduce legislation later this month to start a speed camera program. (Frederick News Post

PILOT DECLINED RIDE HOME
The pilot of the helicopter that crashed on July 23 was twice offered car rides home before deciding to fly in bad weather, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board.  The report states that at about 10:30 p.m. on July 23, the helicopter was en route to Frederick Municipal Airport from Hagerstown Regional Airport when it struck the guy-wire -- a stability rope -- for power lines along Interstate 70, near Boonsboro. (Gazette)

VIRGINIA TAX HOLIDAY
The Virgina sales tax holiday on school-related items begins Friday and ends Sunday, offering assistance to residents trying to save money. The holiday allows residents to purchase school supplies that cost $20 or less per item and clothing items and footwear costing $100 or less per item free of Virginia's 5 percent sales tax.  (The Observer

HELP SOPHIE
Sophie Grace Nelson is a month away from her first birthday. The gift list is a short one. Sophie was born with multiple abnormalities. She has partial situs inversus, a condition that caused several of her organs to be reversed. Sophie also was born with a 6 mm hole inside her heart, a non-functioning gall bladder (which was removed along with her appendix), five spleens, severe acid reflux and intestines that had wrapped around several other organs. But Sophie's biggest problem is her liver. (Stafford Sun)

Contact Us