Noah's Law Takes Effect; Happy with Diversity

Noah’s Law takes effect

Tougher punishments took effect Saturday for drivers caught intoxicated behind the wheel. Noah’s Law passed in the wake of the death of Montgomery County police Officer Noah Leotta. [NBC Washington]

Happy with diversity

An American University study of 1,000 D.C.-area residents living in the Washington region’s most diverse neighborhoods are generally happy in their communities and think their neighborhoods are better than most others. The “Diversity in the D.C. Area“ report surveyed residents who live in one of two types of neighborhoods: “Quadrivial” neighborhoods where white, Asian, black and Latino residents each make up at least 10 percent of the population — and no group constitutes a majority — and neighborhoods where Latinos make up at least 25 percent of residents. Quadrivial neighborhoods included in the survey are Germantown and Gaithersburg. Although residents of all races were generally happy with where they lived, the survey found that minorities in diverse neighborhoods have far more negative perceptions of law enforcement than their white neighbors. [Washington Post]

Viers Mill Road BRT alternatives unveiled

The corridor study along  Veirs Mill Road (Md. 586) to determine alternatives for the bus rapid transit has been completed and is now ready for public comment. The plan proposes alternatives for BRT between the Wheaton Metro Station and Montgomery College in Rockville.  [Rockville View]

It’s good to have friends

Friends of the Earth has endorsed state Sen. Jamie Raskin in his 8th Congressional District race, citing his work compelling state institutions and agencies to implement green purchasing rules, composting and recycling plans, pushing for a ban on fracking in Maryland. [FOE Action]

Trone company pays fine for exceeding campaign contribution limits

Retail Services and Systems, a company run by David Trone of Potomac, will pay $5,000 for each citation, totaling $150,000, after prosecutors cited his company for exceeding campaign contribution limits to local political candidates. Trone spent more of his own money on his primary election campaign for the state’s 8th Congressional District this year than any self-funded House candidate in history, $13.3 million. [Baltimore Sun]

D.C. litter cops nab Silver Spring woman, 91

The District’s Public Works Department has issued a $75 citation to Doris Simms. She is 91. She has dementia. And she lives in a nursing home in Silver Spring — not at her rowhouse in Northeast Washington, where an inspector found five garbage bags in front of her home’s sidewalk. Doris’s brother Warren Simms said he called Public Works and explained that the trash belonged to his sister’s neighbors, who were doing a construction project. He described his sister’s new residence at a Montgomery County nursing home and argued that Doris couldn’t have produced the garbage at her Northeast rowhouse. Unsympathetic, city officials are forcing him to make his case before an administrative law judge in November. [Washington Post]

Seasonable weather ahead of Matthew

Though our weather will be fairly quiet for most of the coming week you will need to pay attention for updates on Hurricane Matthew.  Matthew remains a powerful Category 4 storm, which will be passing between Jamaica and Haiti tonight, crossing Eastern Cuba on Tuesday and arriving in the central Bahamas on Wednesday.  Ahead of Matthew, we will get a quiet week of mild, October weather.  Today: 1 or 2 sprinkles early, becoming mostly sunny. HIGHS: 70°- 76°. Tonight: Mainly clear, lows 52° – 60°. Tomorrow: Sunny morning. [NBC Washington]