Tag: grace newton

Arlington County homeowners to see first real estate tax hike since 2020 – WTOP News

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The Arlington County Board in Virginia approved a new budget on Saturday that includes a real estate tax increase for the first time since 2020.

Arlington County, Virginia, homeowners will be paying more to live there, after county board members voted to approve a new $1.65 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025, a 6.4% increase from 2024, on Saturday.

Under the new budget, the base real estate tax increases 2 cents to $1.033 per $100 of assessed value, which is partially offset by the move to a stormwater utility fee that reduced the tax rate by 1.7 cents, according to a news release.

“We’ve summarized what is a mythical average taxpayer in the county, and the additional burden for that household would be $541,” Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz said during the board meeting.

He said the average apartment renter will see an increase of $233 on real estate tax.

This is the first real estate tax increase approved by the board since 2020. Board members said the increase will fund needs facing the community, including affordable housing, eviction prevention, investments in the environment and support for teenagers.

The Arlington County Board said it came to the decision following months of research and community feedback.

In the budget, $113 million from the tax hike will go to housing programs, including $21.5 million for the county’s Affordable Housing Investment Fund, $4.3 million will go toward intervention, prevention and education efforts to address teen mental health and substance use, and $3.5 million will go to the county’s Climate Fund.

Additionally, “workforce investments in the new budget include salary increases and an increase in family leave benefits for current county staff,” according to a news release.

Arlington Public Schools will receive $639.7 million from the county.

The new fiscal year begins on July 1.

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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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Grace Newton

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April 21, 2024
Prince George’s Co. workshop for adoptive parents of transracial families gives hands-on hair care lessons – WTOP News

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Transracial adoptive and foster parents in Prince George’s County, Maryland, learned from trained professionals how to care for and style their kids’ hair, as part of a workshop hosted Saturday by the Center for Adoption Support and Education.

D.C.-area adoptive parents of transracial families had the opportunity to get hands-on lessons from stylists with Styles 4 Kidz in Prince George’s County, Maryland on April 13, 2024.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton

D.C.-area adoptive parents of transracial families had the opportunity to get hands-on lessons from stylists with Styles 4 Kidz in Prince George’s County, Maryland on April 13, 2024.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton

D.C.-area adoptive parents of transracial families had the opportunity to get hands-on lessons from stylists with Styles 4 Kidz in Prince George’s County, Maryland on April 13, 2024.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton

D.C.-area adoptive parents of transracial families had the opportunity to get hands-on lessons from stylists with Styles 4 Kidz in Prince George’s County, Maryland on April 13, 2024.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton

D.C.-area adoptive parents of transracial families had the opportunity to get hands-on lessons from stylists with Styles 4 Kidz in Prince George’s County, Maryland on April 13, 2024.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton

D.C.-area adoptive parents of transracial families had the opportunity to get hands-on lessons from stylists with Styles 4 Kidz in Prince George’s County, Maryland on April 13, 2024.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton

Parents of transracial adoptive and foster families in Prince George’s County, Maryland, learned from trained professionals how to care for and style their kids’ hair as part of a workshop hosted Saturday by the Center for Adoption Support and Education (CASE).

Parents received hands-on lessons from stylists with Styles 4 Kidz, an Illinois-based salon dedicated to providing education and services for kids with textured hair in transracial or biracial foster care or adoptive families.

Styles 4 Kidz owner Tamekia Swint founded the salon 14 years ago after meeting a white adoptive mom in her community with two African American daughters.

“She had no idea what to do with her kid’s hair,” CASE Training Institute Director Dawn Wilson said. “She was desperately in need of help with their hair, so I started helping her.”

Now, Styles 4 Kidz travels around the country, offering free haircare workshops for parents in similar situations.

The workshop was held in the student center at Prince George’s County Community College.

Each family received their own bag of products and tools, as well as a mannequin head. One stylist stood at the front of the room to lead the lesson while others bounced around to different tables, assisting the parents.

“We know that a high number of foster and adoptive families are transracial, or interracial. And we really want to make sure that those families can support their children in a way that helps them feel good about themselves and helps promote their own self-identity,” Wilson said.

Parents got trained on several basic hairstyles including ponytails with twists, free-standing braids and Bantu knots, as well as basic hands-on instruction on styling and moisturizing.

“We create a better space at home where hair is no longer a battle,” Styles 4 Kidz salon manager Christy James said.

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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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Grace Newton

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April 13, 2024
Tips to keep your information safe, as DC police warn of credit card skimming devices – WTOP News
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D.C. police are warning residents about a spike in credit card readers used to steal information, otherwise known as skimmers, at retailers in the area.
D.C. police are warning residents about a spike in credit card readers used to steal information, otherwise known as skimmers, at retailers in the area.

Credit card skimming devices have been located by employees and removed from five establishments across the District from March 25 through April 12, according to D.C. police.

NBC Washington reported that all five locations were grocery stores.

“The keypad was sparkling, like brand new,” store employee John Perry-Miller told NBC Washington. Perry-Miller said he discovered one of the skimmers at the Safeway on Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown.

The skimmer device can look identical to the keypad on the reader. But police said there are ways to be mindful before making your transaction.
- Police recommend comparing the machine you are using to the one next to you, checking the alignment of the card reader with the panel underneath and looking inside the reader before inserting your card.
- Police also said to make sure your device can’t be moved or budged when touched, and if you do suspect a card skimmer, to contact police immediately.
Images of two people believed to be connected to the skimmers were captured by nearby surveillance cameras, police said.

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE: Anyone who can identify these people or provide information is asked to contact D.C. police at 202-727-9099 or text your tip to 50411. (Courtesy D.C. police)

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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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Grace Newton

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April 13, 2024
12-year-old hospitalized after being hit by car while walking to Montgomery Co. school – WTOP News

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A 12-year-old has serious injuries after being hit by a car on his way to school Thursday morning, according to Montgomery County Police.

A 12-year-old boy has suffered serious injuries after being hit by a car on his way to school Thursday morning in Damascus, Maryland.

Montgomery County police told WTOP they were called to the area of Ridge Road and Oak Drive around 7:45 a.m. for reports of a pedestrian hit by a vehicle.

The John T. Baker Middle School student was found suffering from serious but not life-threatening injuries. He was taken to a hospital.

The driver of the car that hit the child remained at the scene.

School officials confirmed the boy was on his way to school when he was struck.

A map of the approximate location of the crash is below.

This is an evolving story, stay with WTOP for updates.

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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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Grace Newton

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April 4, 2024
2024 Blossom Kite Festival takes flight: ‘I think everyone should come at least once’ – WTOP News

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1/4

Katie Wechsler says this is her third year at the festival. She brought her seven- and nine-year-olds to join in on the fun.
“We live in DC, and we love that we can easily get down here and love that they do this event every year. It’s a great excuse to get down on the mall and spend time with family and friends,” Wechsler said.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)

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Grace Newton

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March 30, 2024
Landover man accused of shooting DC Housing Authority police officer held without bond – WTOP News

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A D.C. Superior Court Judge has ordered detention without bond for a Prince George’s County man accused of shooting a D.C. Housing Authority Police Officer last week.

The 400 block on M Street Southeast where police are searching for the suspect that shot a D.C. Housing Authority police officer. (WTOP/Kyle Cooper)

A D.C. Superior Court Judge has ordered detention without bond for a Prince George’s County, Maryland, man accused of shooting a D.C. Housing Authority Police Officer last week.

40-year-old Victor Terrill of Landover, Maryland, is charged with assaulting a police officer while armed and possessing a firearm during a violent crime.

Terrill was arrested last week in an apartment building on 4th Street Southeast after allegedly shooting the D.C. Housing Authority Police Officer hours earlier at a different apartment complex nearly a block away.

D.C. Housing Authority police chief Michael Reese said during a news conference that police responded just before 6 a.m. to reports of “unwanted guests” at the Carroll Apartments at 410 M St. SE.

D.C. Housing Authority officers found Terrill and a woman, who were not building residents, outside of one of the apartments. They refused to leave and a struggle ensued as police tried to arrest them. Terrill shot one of the officers in the abdomen, underneath his bullet proof vest, police said.

The officer was taken to a hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. No one else was hurt in the incident.

37-year-old Teyona Tolson of Southwest D.C., who accompanied Terrill in the first apartment building on 4th Street Southeast, has been charged with unlawful entry.

Reese said that he is reminding law enforcement officers “to remain vigilant” as D.C. officers have been shot numerous times in the beginning of 2024, including an incident in Southeast two weeks ago where three officers were shot.

“It’s very disturbing, the violence that seems to be escalating. It’s just a challenging time right now for our law enforcement officers in the community at large,” Reese said.

A court hearing for Terrill has been set for Monday.

WTOP’s 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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Grace Newton

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March 3, 2024
Fairfax Connector strike will enter sixth day after fruitless negotiations between union, contractor – WTOP News

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Union leaders met with public transportation operator Transdev, which operates the Fairfax Connector bus system, but the two sides were unable to reach a deal.

Union leaders met Monday with public transportation operator Transdev, which operates the Fairfax Connector bus system, but the two sides were unable to reach a deal, meaning workers will strike for a sixth day Tuesday.

More than 600 Fairfax Connector bus operators and mechanics are on strike against contractor Transdev over unfair labor practices.

“Transdev failed to offer an acceptable deal,” Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, which represents Fairfax Connector workers, said in a statement.

The union said Transdev reached out less than one day after the strike began last week and set a meeting for Monday.

“Apparently they were not serious about reaching an agreement and as a result, the Fairfax Connector strike continues [Tuesday] and will continue until a deal has been reached,” the union said.

ATU Local 689 said employees have been working under an expired contract since last year. They’re trying to negotiate a deal with Transdev for higher pay, more sick leave and retirement security.

“Transdev was disappointed over ATU 689’s decision to initiate a strike, despite a generous offer from Transdev,” Transdev said in a statement after the strike began Thursday.

The next scheduled session between the two sides is Wednesday, March 6. The union said federal mediators are expected to attend.

Fairfax Connector service is suspended through at least Tuesday and may remain suspended until an agreement is reached. Fairfax Connector transports around 26,000 passengers around Virginia daily.

WTOP’s Grace Newton and Jenna Romaine 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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Thomas Robertson

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February 27, 2024
Fairfax Connector operators and mechanics go on strike; buses could be delayed or canceled – WTOP News

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If you take the Fairfax Connector bus in Virginia, you might have to consider alternate transportation Thursday.

If you take the Fairfax Connector bus in Virginia, you might have to consider alternate transportation Thursday.

More than 600 Fairfax Connector bus operators and mechanics are on strike against contractor Transdev over unfair labor practices.

The union — ATU Local 689 — says they’ve been working under an expired contract since last year.

“The strike, at this point, the ball is in Transdev’s hands,” Ben Lynn, with ATU Local 689, told WTOP.

Lynn said the union will be on strike “as long as necessary” to get a fair contract. They’re fighting for retirement security.

He says they expect the majority of Connector buses to be off the roads while the strike takes place.

“We did everything in our power to try to avert the strike,” Lynn said.

“We involved a mediator in the negotiation process. We’ve been consistently offering fair contract proposals, both fair to our members, the company and the public. And we’ve been trying to meet with Fairfax County officials, the Board of Supervisors.”

Fairfax Connector transports around 26,000 passengers daily.

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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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Grace Newton

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February 22, 2024
DC officer under investigation for alleged sexual assault in a police cruiser – WTOP News

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A D.C. police officer has been placed on leave following allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman in Montgomery County, Maryland, while on duty.

A D.C. police officer has been placed on leave following allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman in Montgomery County, Maryland, while on duty.

Both D.C. police and Montgomery County police confirmed to WTOP that the D.C. police officer is under investigation for allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman in Montgomery County. They were not able to identify the officer due to the nature of the case.

The incident and investigation were first reported on by the Washington City Paper on Thursday.

Other outlets report that on Feb. 1, the woman and officer had arranged to meet up in the Maryland suburb. The woman later reported to Montgomery County police that she was sexually assaulted by the officer during their encounter in his police cruiser.

D.C. police say they are fully cooperating with the investigation. The officer’s police powers have been revoked and he’s been placed on administrative leave, according to the department.

WTOP has reached out to the D.C. police union for comment.

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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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Grace Newton

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February 11, 2024
Prince George’s Co. substitute teacher removed indefinitely after allegedly abusing students – WTOP News

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A substitute teacher at Lake Arbor Elementary School in Prince George’s County, Maryland, has been removed indefinitely following allegations that he verbally and physically abused students.

A substitute teacher at Lake Arbor Elementary School in Prince George’s County, Maryland, has been removed indefinitely following allegations that he verbally and physically abused students.

On Friday, Assistant Principal Camille McLaughlin sent a letter to parents stating the unidentified substitute had been removed indefinitely and was under investigation for reports of verbal and physical altercations with students in a classroom.

She added that “providing a safe and orderly environment for our students remains our highest priority” and asked parents to encourage their children to report any troubling incidents with adults.

Tierra Parker said her son was one of the students abused on Feb. 7. She said he came home from school that day and told her the teacher had lifted him in the air and choked him by his shirt collar. He said that was just one of two incidents.

The student also claimed that the substitute “pulled his left leg and dragged him out of his chair, leading to him hitting his head on the side of the chair and falling on his back,” Parker told WTOP.

Parker immediately reported the incidents to both the school and county police.

“I just want the kids to be aware that this is not right,” Parker said. “Make sure you’re just telling an adult of the situation, don’t just go home and just think that that’s OK.”

She said she wants the school system to do more thorough background checks while hiring. She’d also like to see additions that make classrooms safer.

“I feel like every classroom should have cameras,” Parker said. “Just in case things like this happen, we can have some type of clarification. We can see what’s going on in the class, instead of like ‘he say, she say’ we can actually see what’s going on in the class.”

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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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Grace Newton

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February 10, 2024
DC leaders look to increase safety on Taft Bridge by raising pedestrian barriers – WTOP News

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Lawmakers in D.C. have developed a new railing design for the Taft Bridge over Rock Creek Park to prevent more deaths.

There was a public meeting Saturday to gather community input on the design of a railing improvement project for D.C.’s Taft Bridge.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton

The new design would increase the height of barriers placed on either side of the bridge from 4 to 8 feet.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton

Officials hope to complete the railings final design by the fall.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton

Yuji Nishioka, the project’s lead architect, giving a presentation.
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton

Between 2010 and 2022, D.C. saw 26 bridge-related fatalities. Half of those happened on the Taft Bridge over Rock Creek Park.

Now, lawmakers are looking for community input on how to improve the bridge’s safety.

D.C.’s Department of Transportation and Department of Behavioral Health hosted a public meeting Saturday to gather community input on the design of a railing improvement project for the bridge.

According to the project’s website, the design is meant to “incorporate the existing features of the Taft Bridge to minimize impact to the historic fabric of the bridge.”

The Taft Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

Officials said they’ve been working on the new design for 10 months. It would increase the height of barriers placed on either side of the bridge from 4 to 8 feet.

Alternative designs considered include the addition of a glass panel or a net to either side.

“I looked at earlier designs, which would have been effective, but less beautiful,” one community member said. “I think we’ve got a good one here.”

But, of course, aesthetic was not the only consideration in the railing’s redesign.

“This is a public health project with a transportation asset,” said Richard Bebout, chief of crisis services for the D.C. Department of Behavioral Health.

“And the principles that really drive our operation here are increasing access to care and decreasing access to lethal means.”

Community member Chelsea Van Thof’s partner died by suicide on the Taft. She recalls seeing police lights through the barrier that’s currently placed on the Duke Ellington Memorial Bridge, just perpendicular to Taft Bridge, the night he died.

“Once I learned why there was a barrier on one and not the other and started learning more about how effective barriers are, I kind of made it my mission to make sure that nobody you know, has the Taft as an option when they’re in a temporary crisis,” Van Thof said.

“Also, that nobody who loves someone in crisis has to experience the loss of someone to suicide, you know, particularly with this method or otherwise.”

Officials hope to complete the railings final design by the fall.

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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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Grace Newton

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February 10, 2024