Good morning, Washington. Today’s lead story needs little introduction, but did deserve a good picture, aptly provided by ponto and posted to Flickr.

Cat Owner Declared Unfit: A Northern Virginia woman who owned and hid some 488 cats was forbidden from owning animals ever again, reports the Post. Ruth Knueven, 82, still faces five misdemeanor charges related to 222 dead cats she kept in two townhouses in Fairfax County and for defying police orders that she surrender those cats still alive. In related news, experts at the Boston-based Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium (yes, this does exist) claim that animal hoarders like Knueven are attempting to fulfill a human need provoked by childhood trauma or an unstable family life.

Security and Aesthetics Balanced at Monument: The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts is set to vote this week on a controversial $15 million plan to secure the Lincoln Memorial while balancing traffic needs and the area’s aesthetics, reports the Post. The plan to be voted on includes a permanent closure of the east end of the traffic circle surrounding the monument, new pavement and lanes to accommodate increased rush-hour traffic along the west end, and more drop-off areas for tour buses.

Virginia Lawmakers Act Against Court Ruling: Declaring strong opposition to a recent Supreme Court ruling that expanded the government’s ability to take land for private development through the power of eminent domain, Virginia lawmakers are planning on introducing legislation aimed at curbing said state powers, reports the AP via WJLA. The legislation is slated to be introduced next January, and will parallel legislation recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives for the same purpose.

Car Thefts Decline in District: According to statistics released by the Metropolitan Police Department, car thefts in the District decreased 28.2 percent in the first six months of 2005, relative to the same time period last year, reports the Common Denominator. The largest decreases occurred in areas east of the Anacostia River, where in the Sixth Police District thefts fell 41.4 percent.

Briefly Noted: Two drivers indicted in wreck that killed two school-children in Virginia … Family of D.C. boy found dead and bound in bathtub questioned … WMATA prepares riders for evacuations … Heat advisory issued for area.