Maryland Subdivision Goes Up in Flames, Arson to Blame: It appears that arson had a role to play in the fires that destroyed or damaged 30-some homes south of the city in an affluent Charles County subdivision early Monday morning. Since the homes were still under construction, there were no injuries.
The FBI says it is looking into the possibility that environmental extremists could have played a role in the torching of the Hunters Brooke community that boasted homes approaching a half-million dollars. The Post describes the attacks as “coordinated” and “methodically planned.”
Hunters Brooke has been described as one of the most ecologically damaging developments in the metropolitan area as it is threatening one of few remaining magnolia bogs on the planet. Environmental groups that have been vocally opposed to Hunters Brooke have condemned the apparent arsons. But they say the development-related damage already done at the bog in questioned is irreversible.
>> Prince George’s serial arsonist strikes in Bladensburg.
>> Two “independent” fires burn Northeast D.C. charter school
In Other Non-Arson Development News: Fairfax County has approved a mini-city to rise around the Vienna metrorail station at the end of the Orange Line, the Post reports.
Fenty: Stadium is Doomed in Upcoming Vote: Ward 4 Councilmember Adrian Fenty is predicting that the public financing plan for the proposed South Capitol baseball stadium will not muster enough support on the District Council to gain approval on the final vote, the AP, via WJLA reports. But the mayor’s office contends that since the deal has already passed a preliminary vote, there is nothing to worry about.
Virginia Democrats Get $750,000 From GOP: The Post reports that state Democratic leaders in Virginia have accepted $750,000 to settle a federal lawsuit that accused the state’s Republican party executive director of eavesdropping on the Dems’ conference calls.
Briefly Noted: A chemical sensor prompted yesterday’s closure of the Pentagon metrorail station, but no traces of harmful substances were found … Independence Air struggles to sell tickets … In possibly the oddest AP article pulled by WTOP, a McLean man pleads guilty to smearing petroleum jelly all over a Binghampton, N.Y., hotel room
