The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
OBAMA INAUGURATION COSTS
Next week's presidential inauguration of Barack Obama has already cost Maryland at least $11 million, state officials said today. The unbudgeted spending, mainly for transportation and security, is part of some $75 million that Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia have already had to absorb, Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty told reporters. The $11 million figure also includes costs associated with Obama's Saturday train trip and scheduled stop in Baltimore. (Baltimore Sun)
STAFFORD COUNTY SCHOOL LAYOFFS?
The Stafford County School Board will discuss its procedures for laying off employees at a meeting tonight. The Virginia School Boards Association has recommended that divisions review their "reduction in force" policies because of the state budget shortfall. The item has been popping up on school board agendas throughout the state. (Free-Lance Star)
VIRGINIA GUNS
After months of hearing from those on both sides, the Virginia State Crime Commission today is to decide whether to endorse legislation to close the so-called gun-show loophole. Victims and family members of those injured or killed by a student gunman at Virginia Tech have pleaded with the commission to support closing the loophole, in which private sellers at gun shows are not required to perform background checks on buyers.Others have said gun opponents are using the Virginia Tech tragedy as an excuse to prevent law-abiding citizens from selling their private firearms. The crime commission is meeting this morning in Richmond.
(Richmond Times Dispatch)
VIRGINIA SALMONELLA DEATHS
Two Virginia residents -- one of whom was from northern Virginia -- had salmonella when they died, but it's not clear whether the illness is what killed them. Virginia state health authorities tell WTOP the deaths have not yet been linked to the salmonella outbreak that's being associated with peanut butter. In Virginia, 17 cases of salmonella have been reported. Eight of those are in northern Virginia. (WTOP.com)
LOUDOUN COUNTY DANGEROUS INTERSECTION
The intersection of Waxpool Road at Loudoun County Parkway in Ashburn heads the list of the most crash-prone intersections in the county during 2008. (Leesburg Today)
PW TEEN FATAL
A Brentsville District High School junior died Sunday after a car crash on Saturday in Nokesville. Sixteen-year-old Alyssa Leighann Beach of Nokesville died at Fairfax Hospital at 2:45 p.m. on Jan. 11.The crash occurred just after 11 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 12417 Vint Hill Road in Nokesville. According to police, Beach was driving a 2007 Honda Civic west on Vint Hill Road just before Schaeffer Lane. She ran off the left side of the road and hit a ditch and a tree. She and her passenger, another 16-year-old junior at Brentsville, were transported to the hospital. (Gainesville Times)
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
VIRGINIA FORECLOSURE HELP
Thousands of homeowners in Virginia threatened with foreclosure will be now be getting some help. Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell says 8,900 homeowners will get some relief from the $8.4 billion Countrywide Financial settlement, resulting in nearly $213 million in assistance. Homeowners who were involved in sub-prime loans with balloon payments are eligible for relief. Hundreds of others who have already lost their homes could also get some compensation. (WTOP.com)
LONGER BAR HOURS IN ANNE ARUNDEL?
Sensing an opportunity to help local ailing restaurants and bars, a delegate is proposing Anne Arundel County businesses with liquor licenses stay open an extra hour on Inauguration Day. (The Capital)
INAUGURATION TRAFFIC/FAR OUT?
The worst congestion associated with President-elect Barack Obama's Jan. 20 inauguration will be in Washington, D.C., but with millions of people expected to attend the event, local authorities are preparing for what could happen in Washington County and elsewhere in the area. Although Hagerstown is more than an hour from Washington, the effect will be felt here as people fill area motels or travel to reach the nation's capital, officials said. "They're staying as far away as Cumberland" in Allegany County, Md., Washington County Sheriff Douglas W. Mullendore said. (The Herald-Mail)
