Photo by Paige Weaver.

Good morning, Washington. Nothing like starting your day on a positive note, right? Remember that story about the man who bilked local teenagers who wanted to play in a local basketball league out of more than a thousand bucks? Hundreds of people and the Central Union Mission have stepped up, and the league has now gathered about $7,000 in donations.

This Won’t Do Much To Ease Those Cronyism Accusations: Robert Hildum — the city’s Deputy Attorney General — will be the new interim director of the District’s Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. Hildum will take over the position from Marc A. Schindler. At the Post, Henri Cauvin says that Hildum’s appointment “took many people…by surprise and raised fears” about juvenile justice reform — and the further consolidation of Attorney General Peter Nickles’ power within the Fenty administration. Freeman Kloppott notes that “Nickles has been maneuvering to have Hildum” as the DYRS director “for the past month.” Kloppott also reports that DYRS deputy director David Brown and head of internment David Muhammad have both resigned “citing uncertainty about [DYRS’] future”. Councilmember Tommy Wells called the leadership change “a step backwards,” while Councilmember Phil Mendelson said that Nickels is “supposed to be independent…[Nickles] is neither a deputy mayor nor a substitute mayor.” Schindler’s last day in charge will be August 2.

Talkin’ Petitions: Randy Brown, Carlos Allen, Leo Alexander, Sulaimon Brown, Calvin Gurley, Kathy Henderson, Delano Hunter, Kenyan McDuffie and Tracey D. Turner…come on down! You’re the next contestants on The Petition Is Wrong! The Board of Elections and Ethics released the list of petition challenges after yesterday’s deadline, and it’s hardly any surprise that the ten challenges made — Carlos Allen, you got two separately dated challenges from the same person! — are totally incestuous. Take for example Henderson, who made two challenges against candidates for Ward 5 Councilmember and had one levied against her petition for that same seat. Oh, and Michael Green (running for Mayor) and Will Ross (running for At-Large Councilmember), better luck next time — you didn’t meet the minimum signature requirement.

Score One For Justice: Yesterday, a D.C. Superior Court jury found John Holmes guilty of second-degree murder in the 1990 killing of Ronald Jones, Jr., the son of a retired MPD homicide detective. Ronald H. Jones, Sr. emotionally took the stand on Thursday. The jury only deliberated for about an hour before convicting Holmes, 40, of the crime.

Briefly Noted: Police arrest carjacker after short pursuit…New red light camera fines go live in Arlington on Wednesday…Orange Line train derails in New Carrolton rail yard, no injuries…Homicide victim found in Brightwood Park…Man shot in Adams Morgan on June 27 dies…No courthouse displays, any courthouse displays — just make up your mind, Leesburg…Huge gang bust in Virginia…D.C. CFO Nat Gandhi made his annual trip to Wall Street last week.

This Day In DCist: In 2007, we asked how you got to work, and in 2006, then-Councilmember Adrian Fenty cast the lone vote against a juvenile crime bill.