Happy Christmas Eve, Washington. With the frenzy of last-minute shopping and travel out of the city largely complete, folks staying here for the holiday are being treated to a quieter, gentler D.C. than normal, and it turns out in more ways than one. Over the weekend the Post took a look at a recent decline in the murder rate, reporting that only nine homicides have been logged in the District in the 37 days since Nov. 17. That adds up to roughly half the average murder rate for the rest of the year. Are the District’s murderers just feeling the holiday spirit a little more deeply this year? Chief Lanier, naturally, credits the work of her detectives, noting a sharp increase in the number of homicide arrests made during the same period.

Eastern Market Fire Could Have Been Arson: The Washington City Paper put up a story over the weekend on its web site that suggests the fire that destroyed Eastern Market in April may have been the result of arson, or at the very least causes still unknown. The report comes from a set of findings from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives which contradicts the previous statements of Fire Chief Dennis Rubin. Rubin has maintained that the fire was caused by an electrical problem.

Annual Audit to Be Late: The District’s outside auditor has asked for an extra 60 days to perform its annual review of the city’s finances. The delay can be attributed to the extra auditing work the Office of Tax and Revenue scandal has created for the firm, and CFO Natwar Gandhi called the request “reasonable.” The firm, BDO Seidman, is the same that recently complained they felt that Ward 1 Council member Jim Graham had threatened them with a law suit.

Briefly Noted: Suspicious package disrupts Silver Spring, but found to be harmless … Two officers injured in van crash … Police shoot and kill man in Northeast … D.C. and Verizon come to a new $51 million deal.

Photo by Eye Captain