Photo by Kevin H.

Good morning, Washington. In case you were holding out on turning on the heat, we can now officially declare that D.C. has crossed the line into the cold part of the year. The weather is now hitting the freezing point regularly, the wind is whipping and an overnight water main break on Connecticut Avenue presenting drivers with an “icy hazard” and bringing out the salt trucks. Even though that snow some were projecting this weekend didn’t arrive, once the salt trucks come out, there’s no going back.

Fire Investigation On 1200 Block of N Street NW: The 1200 block of N Street NW has been closed to vehicles this morning as authorities investigate a basement fire at 1215 N Street NW. Two people are reportedly injured, at least one seriously. TBD reports that U.S. Marshals had been executing a search warrant at the property this morning and that D.C. police have requested the Arson Task Force to help with the investigation.

Late-Term Abortions Begin In Germantown: Protests and tight security are expected outside of the Reproductive Health Clinic in Germantown this morning, as Dr. LeRoy Carhart will begin offering late-term abortions to women. Carhart is one of the few people in the country who will publicly admit to performing such abortions — he relocated to the area after Nebraska, where he normally practices, outlawed all abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. In Maryland, abortions after the fetus becomes viable are illegal, unless the “life and health” of the woman is under threat — that determination is made by the doctor performing the abortion.

Rushern Baker Swearing-In: Rushern Baker’s Prince George’s County reboot officially gets underway this morning, as the longtime candidate is finally sworn in as the County Executive. Over a thousand people are expected to attend the ceremony in Upper Marlboro; Baker’s inaugural ball will be held at National Harbor. It should be a very busy day in the county, as Baker is expected to fire or accept resignations from many of the previous administration’s political appointees, including county police chief Roberto Hylton. Baker will be fighting to free the county from under the Jack Johnson corruption scandal, but it won’t be easy — Johnson’s wife, Leslie, takes her seat on the County Council today, and holds a rather important vote.

Briefly Noted: Man shot in neck near 7th and N Streets NW by robber…Average D.C. gas prices hit 2010 high…Yale study shows gay and lesbian teenagers experience large punishment gap…Woman fights off potential attacker in Wheaton…Oprah, Paul McCartney, Merle Haggard among those recognized at Kennedy Center Honors last night.

This Day in DCist: Last year, Sarah Palin was in Fairfax to sell her book and we pondered where Northern Virginia was leaning politically; in 2007, the Council and the Mayor were fighting over Wizards tickets.