Many schools are still closed and roads and sidewalks still dangerously icy this morning as the region struggles to dig out of the winter storm that passed through earlier this week. Most of the really bad news continues to come out of the suburbs, where many homes are still without power, and injuries and at least one death have been reported. The Post has a good rundown of the extent of the metro area’s ice troubles, complete with helpful links. DCist, on the other hand, has the details on my first person account of falling on my ass after coming into contact with a glassy sheet of black ice on 11th Street NW last night. If you’re walking around the city, consider applying a little extra padding to your rear before heading out. A winter butt pillow, if you will. Do they make those?
Metrobus Kills Two Women: More sad and distressing news from WMATA: In the third fatal incident involving a Metrobus and pedestrians in eight months, a Metrobus struck and killed two Alexandria women last night as they crossed Pennsylvania Avenue in Penn Quarter. They had the “walk” signal when a northbound bus turned left onto the avenue at 6:40 p.m., said Lisa Farbstein, a Metro spokeswoman. The Post has more. The driver, who by all accounts failed to slow down or notice the women in the crosswalk, has been charged with negligent homicide.
Did Fenty Blow It?: Not exactly, though the Post’s David Nakamura and Elissa Silverman have tried to suss out the new administration’s ability to deal with the ice and snow storm this week. A few residents are quoted complaining about the speed and effectiveness of the city’s plows yesterday, but the overall impression the article gives is that Fenty and company earned a B in their first attempt at snow removal. Maybe a B+. Many side streets and pedestrian walkways were still pretty bad last night, so we hope they’ll be attended to today.
GAO Audit Released, Tears District New One: In a report described as “scathing”, the U.S. Government Accountability Office is calling D.C.’s procurement laws and policies totally insufficient and ripe for waste and fraud. The Examiner has a brief summary. Mayor Fenty and his top deputy, Tangherlini, are pledging reform. Council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), on the other hand, insists the GAO didn’t need be so mean, since the D.C. Council already knew what the problems are with procurement.
Briefly Noted: Va. Governor Tim Kaine to endorse Obama … Some Peter Pan peanut butter jars have salmonella … Property values way up in Alexandria … Va. transportation compromise bill clears Senate, expected to fail in House.
This Day in DCist: In 2006 we wondered if D.C. was going the way of New York when it comes to real estate, and in 2005 we discussed the real politics of jukeboxes.
Photo by iceman882
