Good morning D.C. We hope you enjoy today’s slightly more seasonal high of 46 before we return to 70 by the weekend. Channel 9 is also warning that a few (gasp) flurries may make an appearance this evening.
Metro Safety Under Scrutiny: Investigators are looking into several aspects of Sunday’s Metro train derailment near the Mount Vernon Square station. D.C. Fire officials say they didn’t receive information about the accident fast enough, leading to a 45 minute wait for rescue for those stuck in the last two cars of the six-car train. Also under scrutiny will be the model of car involved in the incident. As we mentioned yesterday, the track jumper was part of the Spanish-made 5000 series, which account for 20% of Metro cars in service. The NTSB is looking into the 5000 series, which have been involved in four other derailments in recent years.
No Swimming, Fishing, Smelling or Looking: If Anacostia developers have their way, locals and tourists alike will soon be shopping, working, living and dining along the river. That is, if they don’t mind the stench of human waste, chemicals, tumor-laded wildlife and rampant attacks of mutated snakehead fish. Well, maybe not that last one, but the first three are enough to pose a serious challenge for the Southeast redevelopment plan. The Post reports a major cleanup is needed to bring the river up to snuff. The District’s sewer system and the Navy Yard, two of the biggest offenders, are both working towards a healthier waterway, but it looks like a real turn-around is decades away.
Briefly Noted: Dupont Circle underpass construction almost finished… Sexual assault in downtown Bethesda… Former Maryland forward avoids jail, sex-offender registry for 2005 incident… Racist graffiti mars Montgomery County walls…
This Day in DCist: Last year we reviewed Supersystem’s D.C. visit. In 2005, we followed the money behind the Presidential inauguration.
Photo by Flickr user christopher_peli.
