Call it providence or coincidence, but today’s news is heavy on the crime side. Shootings, stabbings, bank robberies — does the nicer weather bring out the criminals, or do the slow news days of August simply tend more toward stories of violence and mischief? Either way, it’s days like these that we start wondering if summer has gone on for too long.

The picture of the sunflower at right, snapped by ohadby and posted to DCist Photos, has nothing to do with crime, but considering the news and the weather, may be the one thing to brighten up our day.

Summer Crime Spree Hits: As per yearly tradition, crime in the District has again increased in July and August, reports WTOP. The killing of three people over the weekend in distinct incidents has pushed the city’s homicide count to 118 for the year, a 1.8 percent increase over the same time last year.

Serial Bank Robber Strikes Again: A serial bank robber again hit Montgomery County yesterday, bringing to six the total number of banks robbed since July by a man police describe as a 5’9 to 6’0 foot tall black man, notes WTOP. The series of robberies echo similar incidents in the District in late 2004, where one man robbed more than seven banks over the course of various months.

Stabbing Suspects Held Without Bond: Six men accused of participating in two gang-related stabbing incidents in Montgomery County last week have been ordered held without bail, writes the AP via WTOP. The six men, ranging in age from 16 to 25, are alleged to be members of MS-13, a feared Latino gang responsible for repeated incidents of violence in the region in recent years.

Briefly Noted: Washington Harbour is the place to be … Area gas prices at record highs … D.C. Police to protect Amtrak trains … D.C. bioterrorism funds unspent … District charter schools not faring too well … Washington soon to be overrun by college freshman.