Photo by kobito

Good morning, Washington. It’s the last weekday of 2011, and when we return to full strength next week, we’ll be reveling in the optimism and opportunity of a new year. If you’re one of the few folks stuck at work today — or even if you’re not — keep it here for more end-of-the-year posts, including some favorite films, concerts and dishes, along with great local photography.

Freedom Plaza Encampment to Remain Through February: Despite the fact that their permit expires today, the protesters that have occupied Freedom Plaza since October don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. The Post reports that the National Park Service has granted the encampment an extension on its existing permit, allowing the protesters to stay through February. At the same time, though, they’ll have to contend with some competition — a pro-free market group plans to organize daytime events in the plaza in February and March. (Occupy the occupation?) A related but separate encampment at McPherson Square remains without a permit, and hasn’t yet indicated that they plan on leaving at any point soon.

D.C. Ordered to Pay Heller Legal Fees: A federal judge ruled yesterday that the District has to pay the legal fees for the lawyers that successfully argued the 2008 Heller Supreme Court case that found the city’s handgun ban to be unconstitutional, reports WTOP. But in something of a victory for the District, the city will only be on the hook for $1.1 million in fees, significantly less than the $3.1 million requested by Dick Heller’s legal team.

Romney Qualifies for D.C. Republican Primary: Though he’s unlikely to win the District’s three electoral votes come the November general election, Mitt Romney is the first of the Republican contenders to qualify for the April 3 primary, writes The Washington Times. Other hopefuls that have picked up nominating petitions to gather the 10,000 necessary signatures include Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich and Jon Huntsman; Rick Perry is opting to pay a large fee instead of doing the legwork to get on the local ballot. In the February 2008 Republican primary, Romney came in third after John McCain and Paul, receiving only 6.41 percent of local GOP votes. In related news, Gingrich is waging a legal battle to get himself on Virginia primary ballot.

Briefly Noted: The final tab on Mayor Vince Gray’s inaugural festivities comes to $715,000 … Councilmember Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) again breaks the rules … Republican loyalty oath roils Virginia … Good God, not Third Edition! … Man indicted for killing of wife, 11-year-old stepson … Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell signs off on new abortion regulations.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2010, Sticky Rice was temporarily closed after a stabbing, Metro started debating what could replace the SmarTrip card and we wondered what the District should be known for. In 2009, we eagerly anticipated the premiere of The Real World D.C. and discovered how a local six-second drum beat conquered the world.