Raskin Will Run For Congressional Seat — State Sen. Jamie Raskin says he will run for Chris Van Hollen’s soon-to-be-vacant 8th District Congressional seat. The longtime state legislator from Takoma Park was widely rumored to be looking at the seat once Van Hollen announced he would run for Senate. Raskin said he will formally announce his run next month. [Baltimore Sun]
How Pepco’s Tree-Cutting Program Works — Since 2012, Pepco has been required to more aggressively prune and remove trees that could fall and knock down power lines. Some feel the utility has been too aggressive. But Pepco says it follows a standard protocol and always gets permission if a tree is on private property. [The Gazette]
Van Hollen Unhappy About HHS Relocation Plan — The Department of Health and Human Services is planning to move 100 employees and contractors slated for its renovated Twinbrook facility to Utah. Rep. Chris Van Hollen this week told HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burrell the move would be “detrimental to our region and devastating to the families” of affected employees. [Van Hollen On HHS Move]
‘Brit Bandit’ Released Early From Prison — Charles Francis Watkins, who in 1997 used a fake British accent when robbing homes at gunpoint, was set free Wednesday after a judge agreed to end his prison sentence. Based on a letter from Watkins and testimony from a prison official, the judge determined that Watkins had changed for the better. The break-ins in 1997 attracted attention because they happened at high-end Montgomery County homes and because Watkins and a partner spoke with British or Australian accents to their victims. [Washington Post]
‘Sports Junkie’ Coming To Bethesda Row Tonight — Eric Bickel, one of the “Sports Junkies” from 106.7 The Fan will be at the American Tap Room (7278 Woodmont Avenue) tonight for a college basketball viewing party. [CBS DC]
Flickr photo by ehpien
