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  • Martha’s Table is giving away 3,000 winter coats in Southeast DC – WTOP News

    Martha’s Table is giving away 3,000 winter coats in Southeast DC – WTOP News

    On Saturday, Martha’s Table is giving away 3,000 winter coats to families in Southeast D.C.

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    Martha’s Table is giving away 3,000 winter coats in Southeast DC

    On Saturday, Martha’s Table is giving away 3,000 winter coats to families in Southeast D.C.

    The annual winter coat giveaway will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at 2375 Elvans Road SE. On site, there will be new and gently-used coats for men, women and children, along with winter accessories, free of cost.

    “We really want to support people who are hardworking families, and they deserve something new and feeling good this winter and nice and warm,” said Mei Powers, chief development and communications officer at Martha’s Table.

    Each family can select up to four coats. To make the event happen, Martha’s Table took donations from people in the community who either dropped items off or purchased something on their Amazon wish list.

    “Coats are just the beginning,” Powers said. “We want people to know there’s a whole lot more at Martha’s Table. If they want to access food, if they want to access physical fitness classes, or emotional wellness classes, or parenting support classes, or career training, all of those things are at Martha’s Table.”

    Martha’s Table has served the community for 45 years with the mission to support strong children, families and communities by providing a range of programs focused on areas such as education and health and wellness.

    Martha’s Table also invites the community to visit its no-cost boutique in Anacostia to shop for baby clothing, school uniforms, work clothes and more. For more information, to volunteer or donate, visit Martha’s Table’s website.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Cheyenne Corin

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  • New law cracks down on dangerous driving in DC – WTOP News

    New law cracks down on dangerous driving in DC – WTOP News

    On Tuesday, the Strengthening Traffic Enforcement, Education and Responsibility (STEER) Act went into effect in D.C. to combat dangerous drivers who don’t live in the District.

    If you thought crossing into Maryland and Virginia could get you out of paying those driving tickets you got in D.C., think again.

    On Tuesday, the Strengthening Traffic Enforcement, Education and Responsibility (STEER) Act went into effect in D.C. to combat dangerous drivers who don’t live in the District.

    Under the new law, Attorney General for the District of Columbia Brian Schwalb will be able to sue drivers who haven’t paid tens of thousands of dollars in traffic fines — even if they don’t live in the District. Prior to this, Maryland and Virginia drivers could rack up tickets in D.C. and not be held accountable.

    “The Attorney General is hiring two attorneys who are going to work full time on this, and they’re going to be taking people who have these huge sums, and they’re going to take them to court,” said D.C. Council member Charles Allen.

    The bill was unanimously passed in February earlier this year, after the District saw 52 traffic deaths in 2023, an increase from 35 in 2022.

    Under the STEER Act of 2024, the D.C. area can also now install an intelligent speed assistance system in the vehicles of drivers convicted of reckless driving. This is part of a new pilot program will limit the car’s speed automatically.

    The STEER Act would also establish a new points system for vehicles repeatedly caught speeding. If a vehicle accumulates 10 points in a six-month window, it immediately becomes eligible for booting and towing. Under the bill, points are accumulated as follows:

    • Speeding 11-15 mph over the limit — 2 points
    • Speeding 16-19 mph over the limit — 3 points
    • Speeding 20+ mph over the limit — 5 points
    • Reckless driving — 5 points
    • Aggravated reckless driving — 10 points

    “It’s dangerous,” Allen said. “We have lost lives over this, and in the District, we’re not just going to sit back anymore.”

    In a post on X, Schwalb added that “Allen is 100% right — too many people, especially from outside the District, feel like they can drive recklessly on our streets without consequences.”

    Victims of auto theft will not be responsible for tickets accumulated while stolen.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Cheyenne Corin

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  • Open Streets shuts down a mile of downtown DC this Saturday – WTOP News

    Open Streets shuts down a mile of downtown DC this Saturday – WTOP News

    This Saturday is the 11th Open Streets DC, closing a mile of 7th Street NW to cars and opening up the roadway for people to safely walk, run, bike and play.

    Participants stroll down a shutdown D.C. street at a past Open Streets DC event.(Courtesy Open Streets DC )

    This Saturday is the 11th Open Streets DC, closing a mile of 7th Street NW to cars and opening up the roadway for people to safely walk, run, bike and play.

    The shutdown spans from Rhode Island Avenue to E Street, cutting through Shaw, Mount Vernon Triangle and Chinatown.

    The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., but the downtown section of 7th Street, from Mount Vernon Triangle to E Street, will shut down early at 2 p.m. The street itself will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for set up and clean up.

    There are fitness zones throughout the walk that offer free classes for passersby, including yoga, dance workouts and wrestling lessons. Local performers — from rock bands to gospel groups — will be supplying entertainment with some breaks for cultural dance performances, like a Chinese Dragon Dance and Flamenco. Small businesses will also have stands along the street, selling food and other wares.

    Like past years, there is also a focus on bicycle safety, with bike repair workshops, free cycle maintenance, and a giveaway of 22 adult bikes and 29 children’s bikes.

    “Open Streets is about coming together as a community, staying active, supporting our local businesses, and reimagining how we use public space,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in a release. “We’re a walkable city, we’re a city that is focused on expanding biking and public transportation options, and Open Streets shows us what’s possible.”

    The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) says Open Streets helps to get people excited and thinking about pedestrian plazas, which are part of a new downtown plan.

    “One of the things that the mayor is doing in terms of downtown revitalization is looking at adding more pedestrian plazas,” said DDOT’s director, Shannon Kershbaum. “This is going to be one of our inaugural ways to do that right downtown, on 7th Street.”

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Emily Venezky

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  • Montgomery County Transportation officials taking action on Silver Spring parking issues – WTOP News

    Montgomery County Transportation officials taking action on Silver Spring parking issues – WTOP News

    People who live on Quebec Terrace in Silver Spring, Maryland, are frustrated about the lack of parking and are taking matters into their own hands.

    People who live on Quebec Terrace in Silver Spring, Maryland, are frustrated about the lack of parking and are taking matters into their own hands.

    On Wednesday, the Montgomery County Police and the Department of Transportation filled three dump trucks with a variety of objects and cones people used to save their parking spots.

    This comes after they received complaints from neighbors such as 64-year-old Joan, a resident who lives in that area, but didn’t want their full name used.

    “When you come home late you struggle to find parking,” said Joan. “When you move the cone, they block you in.”

    But Joan says while people saving parking spots is frustrating, she understands because there’s not enough spots available. She says some people illegally park in handicap spaces that she said she needs.

    “We asked our landlord if they can get us stickers because one apartment has 10 cars and some apartments have one car,” she said.

    Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation says they have been working with the neighborhood for some time to try to help relieve their parking issues.

    For a permit parking restriction to be installed on a block, at least two-thirds of the households on that block must sign “in favor” of the restriction.

    Following a community meeting, MCDOT said they received sufficient votes in support of implementing a Residential Permit Program in the Quebec Terrace neighborhood.

    According to MCDOT, permits were made available for purchase in July, and they began installing signage in August.

    MCDOT says in early October, a final letter in English and Spanish will be sent to residents notifying them that parking permits are needed. Warnings will be given throughout most of October, and on Nov. 1, enforcement of the permitting parking will begin.

    To make parking fairer, each household will be eligible for a permit. The permit fees are $20 annually.

    The department reminds people though, even with the issued parking permits, reserving parking spaces in the right-of-way is illegal.

    MCDOT says they also are still looking for additional alternatives to help the neighborhood, as the residential permit parking program is a first step.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Cheyenne Corin

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  • Md. man indicted for stealing AC units from a church, apartments – WTOP News

    Md. man indicted for stealing AC units from a church, apartments – WTOP News

    A District Heights man has been indicted on 17 counts of theft for stealing air conditioning units from the First Baptist Church and nearby apartments.

    A District Heights, Maryland, man has been indicted on 17 counts of theft for stealing air conditioning units from the First Baptist Church and nearby apartments.

    Joshua Thomas, 31, allegedly stole the ACs in order to steal the units’ copper piping and sell it for cash.

    “Committing these crimes this time of year is particularly problematic, because we’ve been experiencing an unsafe, unusually hot summer,” said Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy.

    Investigators say the thefts happened between April and June, and were estimated to be cost over $70,000 in damages.

    Neal Nappi, a representative from Niven Property Management Company, which owns one of the apartment buildings targeted, said this caused residents a lot of stress.

    “The actions taken by your office and the District Heights police officers were fantastic,” said Nappi, speaking during a virtual press conference. “We haven’t had any damages since Mr. Thomas has been in jail. And we thank you tremendously for all the help you guys have given us. It’s been fantastic.”

    District Heights Police Chief Ronald Tarpley said multiple air conditioners at several properties were being vandalized every night. To track the suspect down, detectives were able to use surveillance video from apartment complexes.

    “This individual really took a very huge toll on the destruction and chaos it brought to our city and our residents,” said Tarpley. “In a very short period of time, he was able to create a lot of damage and cause a lot of unnecessary hardship and financial costs.”

    Thomas will be back in court for a bond hearing.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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  • ‘It’s unbearable’: Neighbors at Eaves Fairfax Towers without air conditioning for 2 weeks – WTOP News

    ‘It’s unbearable’: Neighbors at Eaves Fairfax Towers without air conditioning for 2 weeks – WTOP News

    Amid dangerous heat waves, nearly 250 people who live at Eaves Fairfax Towers in Falls Church, Virginia, have been without air conditioning for two weeks and are desperate for relief.

    One Eaves Fairfax Towers unit’s thermostat reads 92 degrees.(Courtesy Patrycja Dziewa)

    Amid dangerous heat waves, the nearly 250 people who live at Eaves Fairfax Towers in Falls Church, Virginia, have been without air conditioning for two weeks and are desperate for relief.

    “No sleep for the last 15 days,” resident Sonny Singh said. “Look at the weather outside, you sweat in two seconds. Inside, it’s a box.”

    Singh shared an email with WTOP from the apartment’s management team sent June 22.

    “It has been brought to our attention that last night the Cooling Tower unexpectedly went down for the odd side of the building. One of the blades for the fan had broken off and caused damage. Our maintenance team is already hard at work getting a rental Cooling Tower up and running until we receive the new part,” the email read.

    The management team went on to say that they’re committed to repairing the cooling tower and restoring the air conditioning as soon as possible. They also suggested residents keep the windows closed, blinds down and turn on the AC fan for additional cooling.

    “We have been sleeping on the couch in the living room because we cannot access the bedroom because it’s very hot,” resident Vatsal Shah said. “This situation is really unbearable, it’s getting out of hand.”

    On June 25, the apartment’s management team said it ordered the necessary parts to fix the tower and repairs are projected to begin mid-July. They also were able to implement a temporary fix that allowed half the floors that were impacted to have AC and provided portable units to those still impacted.

    “I don’t feel like I should be paying for the rent when I’m not able to live normally, like a human being,” Patrycja Dziewa said. “I haven’t been able to sleep for the past two weeks. I slept maybe two hours a night.”

    A portable AC units provided to those impacted by the outages.

    Dziewa said the portable units don’t work properly and are unable to cool down the apartments. She said even with the unit in her apartment, it’s 92 degrees inside and there’s been no relief.

    “What they do is they keep coming back and adding more tape to the portable units in the windows,” Dziewa said. “It keeps falling. I think I request maintenance six to seven times a day.”

    As of this week, the apartment complex said it received the parts and they have given approval to a contractor to begin repairs immediately. According to an email neighbors shared, repairs will begin Monday night, but there is no timeline on how long it will take.

    WTOP has contacted Eaves Fairfax Towers for comment, but did not get a response.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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  • Celebrity athletes host Frederick Co. charity golf tournament to raise leukemia awareness – WTOP News

    Celebrity athletes host Frederick Co. charity golf tournament to raise leukemia awareness – WTOP News

    NFL player Clinton Portis is grateful that other players “just come out and support community,” spreading their knowledge while supporting a worthy cause at the Annual Eapen Open Charity Golf Tournament.

    In 2004, Aji Eapen’s father lost his battle to leukemia. Shortly after, he decided to start a foundation to raise money and awareness for the disease.

    “He started donating charity for all the money raised at the tournament, to go towards the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which will help leukemia patients overall,” said Aji’s son, Deven Eapen.

    Now celebrating over 20 years, the event continues to grow. On Friday, the Annual Eapen Open Charity Golf Tournament in Ijamsville, Maryland, will be hosted by NFL athletes Clinton Portis, Cato June and Andre Kates. Portis became involved because of his friendship with Aji.

    “Being able to give back to the community that supported so much of my career and still does has always been great,” Portis said.

    He’s been involved in the charity tournament for about 10 years and helped bring in local celebrity athletes. Portis is grateful that other players “just come out and support community,” spreading their knowledge while supporting a worthy cause.

    June reiterated that the sense of community really draws in supporters, say that they “look forward to it every year.”

    “You’re giving back and you’re raising money, you’re having a good time, but you’re doing it with great people,” June said. “I think that’s like the biggest draw, and the reason why it’s been able to sustain for 21 years.”

    Deven hopes to continue the family tradition of the fundraiser — he plays golf on his high school team at Our Lady Of Good Counsel High School.

    “I love golf. I think that’s something that I would want to pursue in life and in college,” he said. “I think I can carry on this event when I’m older and keep it going.”

    Organizers say they have already raised over $150,000 throughout this year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. For more information, check out the Annual Eapen Open Charity Golf Tournament website.

    WTOP’s Andrew Alsbrooks and Emily Venezky contributed to this report.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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  • Historical marker in Wheaton honors Elsie and Romeo Horad. Theirs is one of many ‘untold stories’ – WTOP News

    Historical marker in Wheaton honors Elsie and Romeo Horad. Theirs is one of many ‘untold stories’ – WTOP News

    On Thursday, the Montgomery County Planning Department unveiled a new historic marker at Wheaton Veterans Park honoring civil rights leaders Elsie S. Horad and Romeo W. Horad, Sr.

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    The untold story of Elsie and Romeo Horad

    On Thursday, the Montgomery County Planning Department unveiled a new historical marker at Wheaton Veterans Park honoring civil rights leaders Elsie S. Horad and Romeo W. Horad Sr.

    In the 1930 and 40s, the married couple helped Black residents buy homes despite restrictive covenants and were leaders in advocating for integration.

    “Elsie and Romeo Horad stood up for what was right and opened the door for a more equal and just Montgomery County,” said planning supervisor Rebeccah Ballo.

    Elsie was raised in D.C., where she taught at public schools for three decades. She was also an active citizen who held leadership positions in the Montgomery County Colored Republican Club and other local women’s groups. Her grandparents, Charles and Jane Webster, campaigned for political candidates that supported Montgomery County’s Black residents.

    Their original family home at 2118 University Blvd. West is still there from 1894 and is under consideration for historical designation.

    The historical marker is part of Montgomery Planning’s project “Remarkable Montgomery: Untold Stories,” which highlights underrepresented topics in local history.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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  • ‘I put a GPS on it’: Virginia man tracks down stolen construction tools, initiating ‘enormous’ investigation – WTOP News

    ‘I put a GPS on it’: Virginia man tracks down stolen construction tools, initiating ‘enormous’ investigation – WTOP News

    A Sterling, Virginia, contractor was a victim of thieves who stole over $3 million worth of construction equipment. Now Howard County police in Maryland are conducting an “enormous” investigation.

    A pile of stolen tools recovered by police in Howard County, Maryland. (Courtesy Howard County police)

    A Sterling, Virginia, contractor was the first victim identified in a string of robberies in which thieves stole over $3 million worth of construction equipment.

    Howard County Police said the “enormous” investigation began in January after the contractor had his equipment, which had a tracking device inside, stolen. The victim said he installed the GPS system after being targeted previously. He declined to share his name with WTOP out of fear the thieves would come back again.

    The contractor first noticed the tools were missing from a work van when he arrived at a job ready to work, and ended up having to take the day off.

    “I’m frustrated, but good thing I can buy [tools] again and keep going,” he told WTOP. “Most of the time, you never can get it back so I know when something gets lost, I know I need to buy it again.”

    The victim said after he reported the missing equipment to police, he was forced to buy new tools at a cost of around $5,000. But because of the tracking system he installed, he was able to see where his stolen equipment was and decided to try to follow the tools.

    He said he grew frustrated seeing his tools move around on the tracking system and decided to go to the Elkridge storage unit that led police to find over 15,000 stolen pieces of construction equipment. Officers eventually conducted search warrants on 12 total locations, 11 of which were in Howard County.

    “I’m happy because I know they can find who did this. Someone rented the unit and put a name on it. I hope they can get arrested,” he said.

    Police said no charges have been filed but they’ve identified at least 80 victims so far and said there could be hundreds, or even thousands, more. To try to find as many victims as possible, police have launched a website for people who’ve had their tools stolen to report it.

    “A lot of victims may not have filed a police report in the first place,” Seth Hoffman, a spokesman for Howard County Police, said. “When we contacted them, some of them were surprised their items were recovered. It may have happened years ago and ‘out of sight out of mind,’ but many of them were thankful because they didn’t expect to get them back.”

    To protect your tools, police recommend keeping equipment in a secure place, getting it engraved, using serial numbers and installing tracking devices.

    At a press conference last Friday, Howard County Police Chief Gregory Der said, “This case sends a clear message — we will not tolerate this criminal enterprise and Howard County.”

    WTOP’s Thomas Robertson contributed to this report.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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  • ‘Underwear underworld’ uncovered by police in Northern Virginia – WTOP News

    ‘Underwear underworld’ uncovered by police in Northern Virginia – WTOP News

    Three men now have their panties in a bunch after being arrested for allegedly stealing over $24,000 worth of merchandise — mostly Victoria’s Secret underwear.

    A three-man retail theft crew now has their panties in a bunch after being arrested for allegedly stealing over $24,000 worth of merchandise — mostly underwear from Victoria’s Secret.

    Fairfax County Police Capt. Dana Ferreira said the thieves stole the items Wednesday in Prince William County. Later in the day, they drove to Tysons Corner Center, and detectives were alerted about the car through their automated license plate recognition system.

    CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE: Nearly $24,000 worth of merchandise from the Tysons Corner mall was stolen this week. (Courtesy Fairfax County Police)

    “They immediately got to work and located that vehicle in the garage,” Ferreira said. “And we were able to use the mall’s cameras to determine who dropped off several passengers that were moving about the mall.”

    After taking the suspects into custody, officers found the stolen undergarments, which were from Victoria’s Secret, police said. Detectives are only aware of the alleged thefts in Prince William County, but are working to see if the suspects committed similar thefts in other areas.

    “They stole them from a relatively high-value retailer,” Ferreira said. “So they’re items that would normally sell for a pretty high cost. The suspects probably believed they could sell them at a lower cost than the retailer was charging and still make a healthy profit.”

    Ferreira said they are seeing a rise in larceny offenses in the area and are making a concerted effort to disrupt these operations to show thieves it’s not even worth coming to the D.C. region to perpetrate these crimes.

    Felix Perez, 57, Amauri Roman Sanabia Balbuena, 44, both of New Jersey, and 38-year-old Jonathan Peralta Cabrera, of New York, are being charged with grand larceny and other related charges.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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  • Kids inspect renovated Southeast DC playground — and they approve – WTOP News

    Kids inspect renovated Southeast DC playground — and they approve – WTOP News

    Twenty kids grabbed their clipboards, badges, vests and hardhats Saturday to inspect the newly renovated 17th and C Park and Playground.

    Kids from D.C.’s Department of Parks and Recreation’s Kid Playground Inspectors check out the newly renovated 17th & C SE Triangle Park and Playground.
    ((WTOP/Cheyenne Corin))

    (WTOP/Cheyenne Corin)

    Kids from D.C.’s Department of Parks and Recreation’s Kid Playground Inspectors check out the newly renovated 17th & C SE Triangle Park and Playground.
    ((WTOP/Cheyenne Corin))

    (WTOP/Cheyenne Corin)

    Kids from D.C.’s Department of Parks and Recreation’s Kid Playground Inspectors check out the newly renovated 17th & C SE Triangle Park and Playground.
    ((WTOP/Cheyenne Corin))

    (WTOP/Cheyenne Corin)

    Kids from D.C.’s Department of Parks and Recreation’s Kid Playground Inspectors check out the newly renovated 17th & C SE Triangle Park and Playground.
    ((WTOP/Cheyenne Corin))

    (WTOP/Cheyenne Corin)

    Kids from D.C.’s Department of Parks and Recreation’s Kid Playground Inspectors check out the newly renovated 17th & C SE Triangle Park and Playground.
    ((WTOP/Cheyenne Corin))

    (WTOP/Cheyenne Corin)

    Twenty kids grabbed their clipboards, badges, vests and hardhats Saturday to inspect the newly renovated 17th and C Park and Playground.

    “I like the fact there’s a lot of it packed into one space so you would think it would feel really tight but its designed in a way so its like a lot of stuff is in one spot but it lets you feel free,” said 9-year-old Lee.

    Lee is part of the second cohort of D.C.’s Department of Parks and Recreation’s Kid Playground Inspectors.

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    Kid inspectors check out the renovated 17th & C SE Triangle Park and Playground

    Director Thennie Freeman created the program.

    “The kids are extremely excited, their parents are excited,” Freeman said. “It’s a beautiful thing about putting on the equipment putting on vest, putting on the hats. Oh my goodness, they did light up.”

    Tom Fricton brought his kids Grant and Ellie to take part in the inspection. The two tested out the bright lime green playground — making sure it met their standards of fun and climbable.

    “Both of my kids loved it,” Fricton said. “They loved dressing up and pretending to be construction workers.”

    DPR is also in the process of hiring for over 700 positions for the summer.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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  • DC youth mentoring program receives grant to help ‘create a city that is happier, more hopeful’ – WTOP News

    DC youth mentoring program receives grant to help ‘create a city that is happier, more hopeful’ – WTOP News

    Life Pieces to Masterpieces, a D.C. mentoring program that supports “Black and Brown boys and young men from Wards 7 and 8,” was one of the 11 programs awarded.

    March 22, 2024 | D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced the winners of the first-ever “Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Violence Prevention Grant Program.”

    Nearly a dozen nonprofits in D.C. have been awarded new funding totaling $1.5 million under the “Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Violence Prevention Grant Program,” D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced Wednesday.

    Kids in the Life Pieces to Masterpieces program receiving flowers during their mentoring programming.(Courtesy Life Pieces to Masterpieces)

    Life Pieces to Masterpieces, a mentoring program that supports Black and Brown boys and young men from Wards 7 and 8, was one of the 11 programs chosen, out of over 200 applicants, according to a release from the attorney general’s office.

    Andrew Blickle, the director of the mentoring program, told WTOP that the organization solely depends on “philanthropic and government grants” to do their work and is incredibly grateful to receive a grant from this office specifically.

    “It’s really vital to us. This OAG funding specifically is especially important, not only because it’s a larger grant than we were expecting, we’re really thrilled to have that,” Blickle said.

    “We really support everything that this attorney general is doing and everything that he says about the importance of recognizing … you can’t prosecute your way out of crime.”

    Life Pieces to Masterpieces provides after-school and summer programs.

    Blickle said he believes creating a safe space for young boys in D.C. is incredibly important work.

    “That’s going to create a city that is happier, more hopeful, more peaceful,” Blickle said.

    “And ultimately, that’s the work that we do at Life Pieces and so that recognition from the Attorney General means so much to us.”

    David Adams, a mentor at Life Pieces to Masterpieces and junior at Delaware State University, also attested to the work that the nonprofit does.

    “I started the program, when I was in about second or third grade … and I’ve been a part of it ever since. I’ve never left,” Adams said.

    “Life Pieces just surrounded me with people who had my best interests in mind. You know, having all the mentors, the positive male role models, as well as positive woman figures.”

    David Adams painting at a Life Pieces to Masterpieces program. (Courtesy Life Pieces to Masterpieces)

    Adams agreed that the funding from the office of the attorney general will “means a lot because it really does help the community, it helps the youth, you know, it’s literally saving lives.”

    Schwalb recognized in his release that “proactive interventions” from the awarded D.C. programs make an impact in the District.

    “The Office of the Attorney General recognizes the critical role local organizations play in helping ensure that young people have the tools and skills necessary for long-term success, and with these grants, we are continuing to put our money where our mouth is,” Schwalb said.

    “Prevention work, along with policing and prosecution, is a critical component of any comprehensive public safety strategy that will help keep the District safe now and in the future.”

    Blickle added that the largest impact of the program is made by children and young men after they’ve attended Life Pieces to Masterpieces.

    “The largest impact that happens at Life Pieces isn’t the impact that we have on our boys and young men, but it’s the impact that they then have on their communities as a whole,” Blickle said.

    He points to Adams as a perfect example of that work, as he has helped create a mentoring organization called Brothers in Power at Delaware State that focuses on supporting first-generation college students and young people that aspire to be the first in their family to attend college.

    “Really going out and passing that on, and giving back everything that he received from the program is something that’s so special,” Blickle added.

    “It’s an important part of our mission, and it’s an important part of the impact that we can have.”

    WTOP’s Cheyenne Corin contributed to this reporting.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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  • Howard University men’s basketball team makes history, ‘dancing’ for 2nd year in a row – WTOP News

    Howard University men’s basketball team makes history, ‘dancing’ for 2nd year in a row – WTOP News

    Howard University’s men’s basketball team is headed to the NCAA tournament for the “Big Dance,” for the second consecutive year and just the fourth time ever.

    Howard head coach Kenny Blakeney watches during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)(AP/Morry Gash)

    Howard University’s men’s basketball team is headed to the NCAA tournament for the “Big Dance.”

    The Bison beat Delaware State 70-67 on Saturday to secure the MEAC Championship and one of 68 spots in the NCAA tournament. It’s the first time ever the program has made the tournament twice in a row.

    “The school spirit’s amazing,” said student Kajean Talette. “As soon as we hear we’re going to March Madness, I’m seeing everyone talk about it and having little parties and stuff.”

    Howard will play Wagner in Dayton, Ohio, Tuesday. The winner will face No. 1 seed UNC.

    “Do your best out there. I know you guys can do it, I know you guys can win, but God forbid you don’t put your best foot forward,” said student Gabrielle Francis.

    Last year, the Bison lost in the first round to No. 1 seed Kansas.

    “We put the whole campus behind the teams that are winning, so it definitely changes the environment,” said student Miles Suit.

    In all, this will be Howard’s fourth NCAA tournament appearance, with the Bison looking to notch their first ever tournament win Tuesday.

    “It’s funny, people who don’t even go to Howard are like, ‘Wow, Howard is doing well, going back to the tournament again,’” said student Drew McIntyre. “It’s nice to see Howard recognized.”

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    Cheyenne Corin

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  • A grieving Frederick Co. mother diagnosed with ‘broken heart syndrome’ after her daughter died from fentanyl overdose – WTOP News

    A grieving Frederick Co. mother diagnosed with ‘broken heart syndrome’ after her daughter died from fentanyl overdose – WTOP News

    A Frederick County, Maryland, mother says after her 22-year-old daughter died from a fentanyl overdose in March of 2022, she was diagnosed with “broken heart syndrome.”

    22-year-old Victoria Laster died from a fentanyl overdose in March of 2022. (Courtesy of Faith Laster)

    A Frederick County, Maryland, mother says after her 22-year-old daughter died from a fentanyl overdose in March of 2022, she was diagnosed with “broken heart syndrome.”

    “It ends up destroying your arteries,” said Victoria Laster’s mom, Faith. “Because you’re so stressed, the stress level is what causes the broken heart syndrome. And I ended up having a triple bypass because of it. I was in the hospital for over a month.”

    But Faith said she wasn’t the only one that was impacted by Victoria’s death. She said this loss shook her entire family.

    This weekend, Faith is hosting a vigil in Victoria’s honor and wants people to understand the broader impact this deadly drug has on families.

    A family friend also started a petition calling for harsher penalties for dealers of fentanyl, especially repeat offenders.

    “We believe that stricter penalties for fentanyl dealers can serve as a deterrent and help save lives,” wrote a friend of Faith’s in the petition. “By increasing the minimum sentence for those convicted of dealing fentanyl, we can send a strong message about our society’s stance against this lethal substance.”

    In Maryland, a bill was proposed last week that would adopt tougher laws on fentanyl sales in the state. Senate Bill 1075 and House Bill 1245 specify that the law would apply whether the drug is mixed or combined with any other compound after the sale of the drug. The bill also includes language that states that if the drug is transferred to more than one person, “each person who distributed or delivered the substance is considered to have violated the bill’s prohibition.”

    “I’ve got 49 signatures,” said Laster. “I’m trying to do something, because I promised her before they shut the casket, that I would make sure that I fought for her, the justice that she deserves. I just don’t think it’s fair that all these dealers are being put in jail, and then they’re getting a smack on the hand, and they’re repeat offenders.”

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  • Bowie State University is in the game with new $575K esports center – WTOP News

    Bowie State University is in the game with new $575K esports center – WTOP News

    Bowie State University’s esports facility opened Feb. 8 and includes 12 gaming stations, streaming capabilities and a racing simulator.

    Students at Prince George’s County, Maryland’s Bowie State University interested in gaming now have a place to compete professionally, earn money or just blow off some steam.

    The university’s esports facility opened Feb. 8 and includes 12 gaming stations, streaming capabilities and a racing simulator. The $575,000 space will serve as the official training space for Bowie State’s esports team participating in the CIAA and national competitions.

    “We actually started during the pandemic, when, of course, there was no physical contact allowed, because we were all teaching and learning from our respective homes,” said Maurice Tyler, Bowie State’s vice president for information technology and chief information officer. “During that time, esports was the only thing that we could do,”

    But, Tyler said students participating in esports didn’t have a place to practice or compete.

    “Over the last year and a half, we started putting together a space for our students on campus to actively participate in practice and compete in tournaments for our new esports program,” Tyler said.

    Through the program, the athletes can compete professionally, earn scholarship money and even receive brand deals for their likeness. The university hopes the growing space will also increase students’ interest in STEM careers, and encourage students already pursuing STEM careers to take up gaming.

    “We also have what we call casual gaming,” Tyler said. “These are students that just want to relax and release and play games, not necessarily in this professional, competitive setting, but more of a casual, fun, you know, laid-back type of feel.”

    Other students are playing esports as part of their academics.

    “We’re actually creating a game design curriculum, all focused on game design, because it really touches on just about every profession,” Tyler said.

    The facility sits on the ground floor of the James E. Proctor Building.

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