Let’s start with the good news this morning: this excessive, unrelenting, soul-sucking heat is expected to come to an end tomorrow, say the guys at Capital Weather. And we say they better not just be leading us on. However, today is yet another day in Scorcher ’06 — and may even be the hottest one yet — with highs once again flirting with triple digits.
Heat-related Problems Continue: With near record temperatures, people are retreating to the safety and sanity of whatever air conditioned places they can find. However, this has put a strain on the region’s power infrastructure, reports the Post, and about 6,000 homes served by Pepco lost power. Sluggers in Springfield have been affected as well, as NBC4 discovers that a popular slug gathering place has been closed the last few days due to the heat. It seems that the parking lot had been repaved, and the heat is not allowing the asphalt to set properly.
Water Woes: If you’re taking off early for the beach to beat the heat, be warned that the north end of Virginia Beach has been closed due to bacteria contamination, according to WJLA. Swimmers on the Bay don’t have it much better, as a new report released by the Natural Resources Defense Council named three Eastern Shore beaches among the worst offenders in terms of contamination, notes the Post. Overall, more than 40 Maryland beaches were cited for violating public health standards at least a quarter of the times they were tested.
Two Men Arrested in Underage Sex Cases: In two separate cases, two men were arrested for sex with a minor. In D.C., an assistant junior varsity football coach from Bowie was charged with first-degree child sexual abuse when a 15-year-old girl told police he had sex with her and repeatedly took her to D.C. to serve as a prostitute, reports WTOP. And NBC4 reports that Maryland Transit Authority police arrested a man in a parking lot near BWI for soliciting sex with a minor.
Briefly Noted: Capitol Hill fries and bread are French again. . . Virginia and D.C. get ready for sales tax holidays. . . The White House briefing room closes for renovation. . . Frederick stinks.
This Day in DCist: Last year, we noted one pastor’s concern about lesbians and checked out the proliferation of lists of D.C.’s beautiful people, and in 2004 we looked at the fight over new street closures and checkpoints on Capitol Hill.
Image posted to DCist photos by Flickr user Bsivad.
