‘but of course…’
courtesy of ‘Barbara.K’

It’s not currently clear if the person currently underneath a red line train at Metro Center jumped or fell in front of the train, but the response has been the same: DC Fire & EMS is currently working with WMATA and WMATA Police to extract them from underneath the undercarriage of the train.

The Red Line is closed between Dupont Circle and Judiciary Square while they work on the tech rescue.  Trains are turning around at Dupont and Judiciary Square, according to tweets.

DC Fire & EMS are currently evaluating one adult male, priority 1 (highest priority), who is under the train, and is also evaluating a bystander who assisted.  We’ll have updates as they come.

Update: 9:05pm Metro is now saying that the person put themselves on the track intentionally in the incident.

‘Yafa #4’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

A Metro Access vehicle was stolen at gunpoint this afternoon in Brightwood on the 500 block of Shepherd Street NW, according to TBD, shortly after the suspect shot three people, including two children, in the 500 block of Madison Street NW.  The car and the suspect were last seen in the 4900 block of New Hampshire Ave.  As of yet, neither the suspect nor the victims have been identified.

Police are searching for the Metro Access vehicle, a Mercury Grand Marquis, with DC Tags C71165, Metro Access number 3910.  Please call 911 if you have information concerning the incident or the whereabouts of that car.  Do not approach the car, the suspect has already shot three people, you don’t need to be number four.

Update: 6:05pm: The suspect in the afternoon shootings was picked up, along with the stolen Metro Access sedan off Kenilworth Avenue near Polk & Olive NE near the Deanwood Metro.

‘Summer time, and the puppy is snoozing.’
courtesy of ‘Martha Garvey’

The Lucky Dog Animal Rescue has released a copy of their complaint (PDF) to the District over the incident on Adams Morgan day that saw a K-9 officer kill a pitbull during the festival.  The story is hair-raising, and alleges that the police let the dog, Parrot, bleed to death just off the sidewalk over a period of 1-2 hours.  MPD is still investigating the case, and has significantly limited comment on the matter.

‘Lightning!’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Yesterday’s powerful windstorm had one building casualty yesterday: The National Science Foundation.  The building was struck by lightning early yesterday afternoon, causing one of the building’s three main transformers to catch fire.  The building was evacuated safely and no one was injured, but the building remains closed today while crews work to replace the transformers and restart all the existing systems.  An update at noon today says that Stafford One and Two (their HQ) is still undergoing repairs, and may re-open in time for work tomorrow.

‘Patrick Murray’
courtesy of ‘cliff1066â�¢’

The campaign bus of Patrick Murray, Republican challenger in Virginia’s 8th District, is currently alleged to have been in a hit and run accident of a jeep in Old Town according to ArlNOW.com.  The bus sideswiped a parked car on King Street while on the way to the Rally.  A campaign spokesman told the Police that a member of the campaign had left a note, but the driver of the car says they’ve yet to contact her about the incident.  As someone who had his rearview mirror wrecked by a passing car near where this occurred, I can attest to the narrow streets in Old Town make for difficult passage, but there’s never, ever an excuse for not leaving a note. Fail!

‘November 2, 2010 California Election: Starchild for Board of Education’
courtesy of ‘DoNotLick’

Today is the citywide deadline to register for an absentee ballot for next Tuesday’s General Election.  Yes, there’s a whole other election.  Yes, that means you can vote for or against Vincent Gray again on Tuesday.  Yes, there’s also early voting again and all sites are open from now til Election Day, so even if you miss today’s deadline for an absentee ballot, you can still vote before Election Day on Tuesday.  Yes, there’s even a PDF Voters’ Guide so you can review all of the candidates on the (lengthy) ballot and read their (sometimes crazy and occasionally hilarious) message to voters.

Elections are part of the toolset of Democracy, and though you think your primary vote may have been enough, there’s no reason to stay home on Election Day, especially when there are all those ANCs up for vote.

”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

American University professor Sue Marcum’s murder is still more mystery than anything else, but the police are one step closer, having recovered her stolen car as part of a chase ending at New Jersey and M St NW, and ending with the vehicle crashed into a utility pole.  The driver is not currently thought to be the killer, and faces charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle, according to the AP.

Marcum’s body was discovered in her home in Bethesda yesterday, when her boyfriend went to check on her after not hearing from her.  Marcum taught Taxation at the Kogod School of Business at AU after a career working for the Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey circus in their taxation division.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.

‘William Chang & Wale’
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’

This one is from the “Are you kidding me?” department.  Mary Washington College The University of Mary Washington invites Wale to perform as part of Homecoming.  Wale is Wale and uses some language perhaps inappropriate for those who are below the age of ten.  The President of the University issues apologies for those offended.

Really? I mean, I do understand that Mary Washington college is down in Fredericksburg, where you’re a lot closer to Baptist country than up here, but the university is apologizing because a performing artist’s act contains profanity?  Do they apologize before showing movies on campus that contain the F-word?  Do they apologize before inviting comedians to perform on campus who perform blue?

The language puritanism that exists in this country, when swearing is a celebrated and decorated artform here, is always astonishing.  Sure, I get noise complaints, and having been near an outdoor Wale concert before, I can attest that their thumping bass was nearly enough to shake RFK apart, but you hire a performer like Wale, or a metal band, or any of the other musical acts who use profanity as embellishment, and you have to know what you’re getting.  This is just silliness. Apologize, sure, but only for the volume, not for the content.

‘Cathy “Bags” Lanier’
courtesy of ‘Women_in_Uniform’

MPD Chief Lanier appeared on the Kojo Nnamdi Show this afternoon to talk about police issues with Kojo and analyst Tom Sherwood.  Chief among them was the investigation surrounding the death of Ali Ahmed Muhammad near the DC9 nightclub.  The Chief gave out no new information, despite repeated proddings, but said that she did stray from charging documents and published witness statements in her remarks the morning after the shooting beating.

Chief Lanier also stated that they are still awaiting the Medical Examiner’s report in the case, but gave no timeline for the release of the information, beyond the fact that they’re still waiting for full toxicology reports.

The rest of the hour covered labor issues lightly (Chief Lanier would love to give officers a raise, but is not authorized to participate in labor issues, and with the unfair labor practices complaint filed, hands are doubly tied), as well as rehashed what we already knew about the shooting of Parrot in Adams Morgan (officers are recertified twice annually in firearms safety, including a segment on animals, investigation is still ongoing).

One issue that received attention was the bill before the city council that would release the identities of minors charged with repeated violent offenses.  Chief Lanier wasn’t as excited about the release of names, as much as she was excited that this bill would permit her department to share information with appropriate city entities the files of repeat offenders that would permit agencies to intervene “between chronic truant and violent offender.”

‘Lotus #49’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

In a notice posted Tuesday afternoon, the DC Alcoholic Beverages Regulatory Agency suspended indefinitely the liquor license of music venue DC9, proving that once again, liquor licensing can be used as carrot and stick in this occasionally puritan town.  DC ABRA has indefinitely suspended DC9 from serving any alcoholic beverages at their establishment.  The club has cancelled or moved all shows through the end of the month.

We’ve requested comment from DC ABRA director Fred Moosally, but at press time, haven’t had a reply.

(WTOP Photo/Kristi King)

Nothing like a beer story to welcome you back from the weekend right?

Trending on Twitter right now is news about a tractor trailer accident on I-495 near between the left exit for Interstate 270 and Old Georgetown Road. An overturned trailer spilled Sam Adams beer all over the beltway resulting in a shutdown of the loop during today’s rush hour. Beer jokes aside, the accident has resulted in the death of the trailer driver and another driver is in critical condition.

But still we can also cry over the beer right?

Also trending locally on Twitter: Continue reading →

DC9 released a statement this afternoon:

DC9 is deeply saddened by the tragic events that have occurred. Our condolences go out to the family of the victim.

We would like to thank our friends, family, and all the employees of DC9. DC9 is a special environment of some of strongest friendships that could only be compared to a close family, which we consider ourselves.

We very much look forward to our day in court.

‘Curbside Cupcakes’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

After some disputed results in a high-tech election, it was announced late yesterday that Curbside Cupcakes brought home the first Curby award for excellence in food truckery.  Congratulations to all who participated in the great event, and to its sponsors at DCRA and elsewhere for putting on this awesome event. DCRA also posted a great photo with Cupcake Chef Samuel and the award certificate.  Congrats Samuel & Kristi!

‘Quio #7’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

This morning’s deadly shooting in the DPW parking lot near W Street NE has caused today’s trash/recycling/bulk waste scheduled pickups to be pushed off a day while the organization regroups.  MPD has blocked off some areas of the waste processing facility and the streets nearby, which prevented DPW from serving citizens today.  This has created a bit of a scheduling issue, as trash days were already being delayed a day due to the Columbus Day holiday.

Our hearts go out to the family of Larry Hutchins, who was killed in the incident, and our thoughts for a speedy recovery go out to the injured worker, who has not yet been named.

Here’s the details on your next pickup:

Continue reading →