Martin Austermuhle
Did DCist readers spend the night fighting the crowds at the Irish pubs in the area, or did they buck the St. Patrick’s trend and head for some of DCist’s alternative choices? Any notable stories to share for the day, which is looking to be partly sunny and in the mid-50s?
Alston Murder Suspect Arrested:As we reported last night, a suspect in the murder of Wanda Alston, head of the D.C. Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Affairs, was taken into custody yesterday afternoon after police recovered her stolen vehicle.
Another Round for Smoking Ban: Showing persistence and relying on the experience of New York, Boston, Dublin, and Montgomery County, several members of the D.C. Council have decided to re-introduce legislation banning smoking in restaurants in the District, the Post reports. The first time the legislation was introduced, some two years ago, it failed to pass council muster under pressure from restaurant and bar lobbyists.
Ehrlich and Democrats Battle Over Hirings: The Post reports today that Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich and state Democrats are going head to head over allegations that the Ehrlich administration fired and hired state employees based more on political loyalty than practical experience. In response, Ehrlich called those allegations “lies” and refused to accept any legislative inquiry whose rules he couldn’t dictate himself.
Briefly Noted: In WMATA news, Metro buses are to get more cameras for driver safety and Metrorail will return 250 to 300 bomb-proof trash cans to station platforms at a cost of $800,000 … A local man was fined $15,238 and completed 200 hours of community service for mouthing off to police at a Capitol Hill checkpoint.
