Photo by Matt.Dunn

Good morning, Washington. Well it looks like Ted Leonsis and the Pollin estate didn’t come to an agreement before last night’s deadline for the Capitals owner to purchase the Wizards and the Verizon Center, as the Post’s Thomas Heath reports. That doesn’t mean the two sides still won’t work out a sale, but it does mean that they will each now hire their own appraiser in an attempt to figure out exactly how much the NBA team and the arena are worth. “Sources close to the Leonsis group said that if the two appraisers cannot agree on the value for the team, they together would pick a third appraiser. Leonsis, at that point, could agree to pay the amount set by the third appraiser, or take his chances that the estate might find another bidder willing to pay more, according to two sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity.” Business is business, but considering what this sale could potentially mean for the Caps, the Wizards, and the city as a whole, let’s hope this thing gets worked out.

In other big deal sports news, area sports heavies are all headed to the National Cathedral this morning to honor legendary sportscaster George Michael.

D.C. Fire Dept. Running Millions Over Budget: The D.C. Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services is facing an $11 million-plus shortfall for the year, according to the Examiner. The department “spent $3.85 million on overtime in the first quarter and is on pace to pay out roughly $15.4 million for the fiscal year, nearly two and a half times its allotted $6.3 million.” Not to mention the $1.1 million it’s short due to a payroll software error and another $1.7 million it’s overspent on fringe benefits. Of course, FEMS isn’t alone in this situation: its “payroll problems are emblematic of a government struggling to keep spending in check in lean times. Overtime is often the culprit, but there are other factors. The Child and Family Services Agency is expected to run $10 million short this year because of Medicaid billing problems, for example. United Medical Center in Southeast might need another city bailout to stay open.”

Sidwell Friends Teacher Fired Amid Sex Abuse Allegations: It’s always a big deal when a teacher is fired after being accused of molesting a student, but it’s an even bigger deal when that teacher worked at Sidwell Friends, the exclusive private school where President Obama’s daughters attend. The Post runs down the story of seventh and eighth grade social studies teacher Robert “Pete” Peterson, who has been fired after being charged in Montgomery County with inviting a student to his home, showing him pornography and touching him inappropriately.

Briefly Noted: Overcrowding at New Beginnings Youth Services Center draws criticism … The D.C. Council is hosting a blood drive today at the Wilson Bldg. … Meteorite hits doctor’s office in Lorton … Mega Millions coming to D.C. … Marchers gather in D.C. today to protest Guantanamo.

This Day in DCist: Last year, we were recovering from the various inaugural balls we made it to.