COME IN OFFICER, DON'T MIND THE BONG.
A Stafford County deputy didn't find the air conditioner he was looking for when he searched a county home early Sunday. But what he did find--more than 50 marijuana plants--landed the resident in hot water. According to sheriff's spokesman Bill Kennedy and court records, Deputy Frank Shannon went to 77 Serenity Lane in a North Stafford mobile home park shortly after midnight to investigate a reported larceny from a vacant trailer. (Fredericksburg.com)
ARETHA WANTS ROYALTIES FROM CROWN SALES
Aretha Franklin made it popular, and now she wants her cut of the big hat pie. The Queen of Soul thinks she's entitled to royalties from sales of hats inspired by the "festive creation" she sported during her Inauguration Day performance, or so she told a Detroit radio host. (NBCWashington.com)
ECONOMY DOWN, PROM SPENDING FOLLOWS
For many teens across the United States, it's the start of the all-important prom season. With dresses, limos, corsages and after-parties, the cost of the special night has always been a consideration for parents. But in these tough economic times, families are even more conscious about their financial priorities. Daniel Reynolds, owner of Stephenson's of Elkhart, said lowering his prices 5 to 10 percent has helped spur sales. "We order dresses a year in advance, and when the economy went the way it did, I thought 'Uh-oh, I ordered too many dresses.'" (MSNBC)
THE FINER POINTS OF HOV LANES
Certain hybrid drivers in Virginia are allowed to use the HOV lanes whenever they want. But that rule doesn't extend beyond the Commonwealth, and some drivers are finding that out the hard way. When D.C. resident John Uhar recently took his Toyota Prius in the HOV lanes on I-66, he was pulled over and told he needed to have an in-state "clean fuel" license plate to be granted the exemption. (WTOP)
WHISTLEBLOWER NOW MOPPING FLOORS
Few in public service have fallen harder. Recently, we chronicled Greg Bowyer, a fire department whistleblower who had been demoted from arson investigator to hydrant checker. Today, his hydrant checking duties were temporarily suspended in favor of rescuing some flooded bathrooms. This morning he attended to the Florida Avenue NW water main break–which still appears to be a problem–and helped citizens mop up their flooded basements and bathrooms. “We responded code one with lights and sirens,” Bowyer says of his community service unit’s response to the bathroom detail. (Washington City Paper)
