Photo by philliefan99

Good morning, Washington. Special thanks to Weekend Editor Kriston Capps for filling in for me on Monday. As Kriston noted in yesterday’s Morning Roundup, that dreaded wintry mix still looks to be heading our way this afternoon and evening, though our friends at the Capital Weather Gang say it should all turn into just rain by Wednesday morning. Still, take care on your way home from work tonight. If the cold, wet stuff starts falling before commute o’clock, it could be a real mess out there.

Gray Under Official Scrutiny: Those recent stories from the Washington Times and the Washington Post about possible ethics lapses on the part of D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray have now produced a pair of official inquiries. First up, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs told Gray he has 10 days to obtain the proper permits and arrange for inspections on the work that was done on his house by William C. Smith & Co. In addition, the Office of Campaign Finance is investigating the matter, along with Gray’s use of official council stationery to solicit $10,000 from Comcast for the D.C. Democratic Party. Gray’s statement early this morning: “I will cooperate fully with this investigation to separate the facts from false inferences, conjecture and speculation. I welcome this investigation, even though I have engaged in absolutely no favoritism nor knowingly skirted any regulations or laws.” Gray also reiterated that he “was unaware any permits were required,” and that he believed it was the responsibility of the contractors who performed the work to obtain permits if they were necessary. And as every District resident knows, claiming ignorance of the law works every time!

Mayor’s Office Says H Street Shuttle Will Return: Following up on DCist’s reporting on the suspension and possible return of the H Street Shuttle, the Post writes this morning that Mayor Fenty’s office is now promising that the shuttle will return on Dec. 21. ‘”The Administration is committed to restoring the H Street shuttle service and has identified [District Department of Transportation] funds to support the continuation of the route,” Mafara Hobson, a spokeswoman for Fenty (D), said in a statement.’

Briefly Noted: Jeep catches fire on Outer Loop of the Capital Beltway early Tuesday morning … More NORAD flight exercises planned for overnight … Fairfax County and Krispy Kreme settle out of court … Man hurt, suspect held in shooting at Quantico.

This Day in DCist: In 2008, WMATA redesigned its web site, and in 2006, we checked out Italian delicatessen and pizzeria Vace in Cleveland Park.