Good morning D.C., and happy Earthday Eve (if that’s a thing). It looks like Mother Nature will be providing plenty of mud in which to celebrate the observance: the weekend forecast is for rain, rain and more rain.
Md. Gets Electricity Rate Relief: WTOP reports that Governor Ehrlich has reached an agreement with Baltimore Gas & Electric to forestall the 72% rate hikes that had been looming for Maryland utility consumers. Customers opting into the plan will experience a mere 25% rate hike, then enjoy the convenience of paying the balance through 2009. Hurrah! In exchange, BG&E’s proposed merger with a Florida utility won’t be held hostage by the state government. Of course, Marylanders living closer to the District deal with Pepco, not BG&E. Fortunately, the Post reported yesterday that a similar arrangement has been brokered for them.
911 Glitch May Have Led To Death: It appears that D.C. isn’t the only local jurisdiction having problems with its 911 system — and this time, the flaw seems to have produced tragic results. Kaafee Billah called the emergency service multiple times on Tuesday, but it was an unbelievable ten hours before Montgomery County emergency responders were able to find him at his desk — and by that time, he had died. Officials say the problem arose because the call originated from an office campus with multiple buildings, preventing it from being precisely traced to its origin.
Store Demands Free Publicity, We Comply: Remember the controversial Victoria’s Secret storefront of six months ago? Well, it looks like American Apparel has decided they’d like to ruffle some feathers as well. Silver Spring residents are complaining that the new store’s ads are too racy. You know the drill: children, won’t someone think of them, etc. If it was any other company we’d bite our tongue — but in the case of AA’s genuine skeeziness, we can’t resist.
Briefly Noted: D.C. surveillance cams are on for World Bank/IMF meetings… Baltimore lives up to glamorous reputation, hosts Miss USA pageant tonight… Accused Spotsylvania teacher caught trying to flee the country… Alexandria prosecutor personally investigating February dine-n-dash shooting death… Prince William AIDS charity in jeopardy…
This Day in DCist: A year ago we chatted with Bob Mould and discussed some underappreciated area museums.
Image posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user Terecico
