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Opinion site shares viewpoint on Leland Street issue
Greater Greater Washington has weighed in on a blockage on Leland Street in Bethesda. Contributors on the opinion site argued that the county’s decision to set up a barricade on the residential street sets a “bad precedent” for dealing with cut-through traffic. One writer said that sharpening the corner of Woodmont Avenue and Leland Street could be a better solution because it would force drivers to slow down. Another argued that preventing speeding drivers or cut-through drivers by blocking off roadways only pushes traffic onto main roads and worsens congestion. [Greater Greater Washington]
Settlement struck in death of Gaithersburg man shot by Taser
Montgomery County leaders have paid out $1.75 million to the family of a Gaithersburg man who died after being shot by a Taser. The county did not admit liability in the civil settlement made public on Thursday. The man, Anthony Howard Sr., died after county police officers arrested him in April 2013. His family claimed in a lawsuit that the officer had violated Howard’s civil rights. An attorney for the family said county officials had worked with the family, and the collaborative effort had led to the settlement agreement. [Baltimore Sun]
Online report finds Maryland less strict than other states on DUI
A research website has ranked Maryland as among the most lenient states in the nation on drunk driving. Maryland placed No. 46 out of 51 states and the District of Columbia in the ranking by WalletHub, a personal finance site. The analysis found that Arizona was the strictest on impaired drivers, followed by Georgia and Alaska. The District of Columbia and South Dakota were the two laxest states, according to the ranking. WalletHub came up with the list by looking at criminal penalties for driving under the influence and at prevention laws for drunk driving. [WalletHub]
Vigil attendees remember victims of Silver Spring apartment explosion
A candlelight vigil at the Flower Branch Apartments in Silver Spring on Thursday night marked the one-year anniversary of the deadly explosion at the complex. The natural gas explosion killed seven people and displaced many others. The vigil, organized by CASA, drew hundreds of people. One participant said she’d recently banded together with other apartment residents to form a tenants association to advocate for the community.
