DCist was slowly cleaning out the closets, emptying the trash, and going through the file cabinets, and out came these odds and ends of District news for the day.

Murders Rise: Pardon our being so morbid, but up has climbed the District’s homicide count. As of today, some 192 people have been murdered in the District, a 1.6 percent increase over last year. That means that with eleven days left in 2005, the city has but six murders to give to match last year’s tally and nine to exceed 200, which police chief Charles Ramsey desperately hopes won’t happen.

Dedicated Funding Sought for Metro: Hoping to cash in on $1.5 billion in federal funds that Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) has sought for Metro, the D.C. Council is now considering legislation that would establish a dedicated source of funding for the troubled and always cash-strapped transit agency. Before the money is freed from the hands of Congress, though, Maryland and Virginia will have to establish similar dedicated sources.

Marion Barry Throws Down: Council-member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) has remained relatively quiet this year, going about his council business without the expected fanfare. But today he was back to his old self, releasing a statement concerning the postponement of the vote on the stadium lease. The statement was less comment than it was outright challenge:

Eight strong and courageous members of the Council, including myself, have stopped the Billion Dollar Stick-up by the Mayor! Once again, Mayor Williams is bumbling and fumbling at the expense of the residents of Washington, DC just as he has since the very beginning of this so-called baseball deal…Mayor Williams needs to stop playing games and stop underestimating the intelligence and integrity of the members of the City Council and the residents of Washington, DC. Mayor Williams, stop bumbling and fumbling and being insensitive!! Enough is enough!

Wow. There were seven exclamations points throughout the statement’s 561 words, most likely a record in city politics. And to call Williams “bumbling” and “fumbling,” twice? Snap!