Prince George's Co. Invests $2 Million in Litter Removal

(Click on the image for Tracee's video report)

There is a new effort in Prince George's County to clean up all the litter that has been piling up along streets. Along with a new trash app, the county is also planning to use cameras to enforce current laws. News4's Tracee Wilkins reports.
[The PGCLitterTRAK Users Manual is here]

'Super Speeding' Increasing in DC Area Despite Speed Cameras, Traffic

(Click on the image for Scott MacFarlane's video report)

News4: A review of state and city court records shows almost 200,000 cases of reckless driving above 80 mph or driving more than 30 mph above the speed limit during the past five years.
In some communities, including Arlington County, Virginia, and Prince George’s County, Maryland, the number of reckless or extreme speeders has risen in recent years despite the deployment of speed cameras to reduce speeding.

County Does Not Get All the State-Reported Local Impact Grant Money

State reported data from Maryland Gaming Press Releases.
County received data from Tom Himler, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Budget, Finance, Economic Development, and Administration.
Tom's March 28, 2017 briefing to the County Council on how this money is distributed by the state to the county is here.

National Transportation Noise Map

(Click on the image for the map)

"The National Transportation Noise Map is developed using a 24-hr equivalent sound level (LEQ, denoted by LAeq) noise metric. The results are A-weighted noise levels that represent the approximate average noise energy due to transportation noise sources over the 24 hour period at the defined receptors. This map includes simplified noise modeling and is intended for the tracking of trends, it should not be used to evaluate noise levels in individual locations and/or at specific times."[Documentation is here.]  [Reagan Airport flights and noise, real-time data delay ~1 hour]

Young Adults Police Academy

(Click on the image for the application form and instructions)

Please contact Cpl. S.Rannacher, Dist. VII / COPS, Cell 240-507-8110, Desk 301-292-5382, sdrannacher@co.pg.md.us for more information and to apply.

Soil Testing

(Click on the image for the short video)

A basic soil test that gives readings for soil pH, phosphate, potassium and magnesium levels is sufficient for most home gardeners.
The importance of soil to plant growth can be summed up in the aphorism “it’s better to plant a $2 tree in a $25 hole, than a $25 tree in a $2 hole.”
Click here for more information from the University of Maryland.

Family Justice Center

(Click on the image for the brochure)

The Family Justice Center provides a full range of collocated services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, elderly abuse, and teen relationship violence.

County Executive Proposes 6% Increase for Police in FY 2018 Budget

(Click on the image for the Proposed Police Budget)

Proposal includes cost to train 200 recruits.

Two Lifelong Friends and a Story of Heroism and Gratitude

(Click the image for the Police blog post)

In the early morning hours of March 3rd, Police Officer First Class Ricardo Biddy who is also a Seat Pleasant Volunteer EMT was leaving his firehouse after his shift in his Prince George’s County police cruiser.  As PFC Biddy pulled up in front of his home which was 15 minutes away, he was on the phone with his friend, Seat Pleasant volunteer EMT Phil Martin.  While idling inside his cruiser which was parked in front of his home, Officer Biddy’s speech suddenly became slurred and incoherent and then the call disconnected. [Read the rest of the story on the Police Blog. Tracce Wilkins has a video report on News4]

MGM National Harbor's Neighbors Question Tax Revenue Distribution

(Click on the image for Tracee Wilkins' video report)

News4: Before the MGM National Harbor casino opened, agreements were drawn on how to split its tax revenue. People who live nearby now say they aren't getting their fair share.

Maryland casinos are pumping out billions for education. So why are there school budget deficits?

(Click on the image for the Baltimore Sun report and video)

[This post originally appeared in Tantallon Announcements on January 23, 2017]
By Luke Broadwater and Erica L. Green
In the seven years since the first of Maryland's six casinos opened, they have pumped $1.7 billion into the state's Education Trust Fund — the financial windfall that advocates for gambling promised would go to the state's public schools.
But over that time, casino funds have not gone to bolster school budgets more than what the state already was required to spend — and some jurisdictions, including Baltimore, have suffered funding cuts.
That's because the state officials who approved casino gambling in 2008 — Gov. Martin O'Malley and his Democratic allies in the General Assembly — didn't require that school aid keep pace with the growth in gambling.
State budget analysts say the money from the casino-fueled Education Trust Fund is, in fact, going to schools, helping to pay for rising costs. But that stream has allowed the governor and lawmakers to take money that once went to schools and redirect it to pay salaries, fund roadwork and support other government programs and services.

Prince George's Crime Is Going Down

Officers Rush to Evacuate Family in Raging House Fire

(Click on the image for the police report)

There’s no such thing as routine patrol in policing. Shortly before 1:00 am this morning, an officer assigned to our Clinton station was patrolling on Brandywine Road when he spotted a fire on the back porch of a house on Symposium Way. The flames were quickly spreading into the home itself. The officer, Corporal Glen Caradori, called for backup, jumped out of his cruiser and raced to the house. He immediately began to pound on the front door to try to alert anyone who may be inside. When no one immediately responded, he began to break out window panes on the door in attempt to get inside. [Click on the image for the police report]

Tantallon Has a Relatively Low Crime Rate

(Red circle is the casino 3 mi. impact area. We are in Beat W1)

3 displaced after BBQ grill catches Md. house on fire

(Click on the image for the WJLA report)

Three people were left without a home Friday morning after a BBQ grill on the rear deck caught a home in Clinton, Maryland on fire, Mark Brady spokesperson for Prince George's Fire Department reports. Officials say the fire broke out around 1 a.m. at Symposium Way and Libation Court.
The house was a total loss, but there were no injuries as a result of the fire, authorities confirm.
The damage total is estimated at $65,000.
[Watch ESPN Sport Center's Hannah Storm's Talks About Surviving A Grilling Accident]

Metro Could Cut Bus Routes To Close Budget Gap

(Click on the image for the News4 report)

"Metro may discontinue 13 bus routes to help close a budget gap. There's a vote Thursday night [March 9]. News4 Transportation Reporter Adam Tuss explains what's at stake."
[W19 Indian Head Express is cut. The P17, P18 and P19 Oxon Hill-Fort Washington routes and the W13 and W14 Bock Road routes would remain in operation, but turn back at Southern Avenue station.]
Adam mentions toward the end of his report that "You can still address the Board before a final vote is taken on March 23rd". Email the board at boardofdirectors@wmata.com now if you want to save our routes!

MGM Impact Grants

(Click on the image for the Maryland Gaming data)

Per Jeff Clabaugh's report on WTOP, "In its second full month of operations, MGM National Harbor casino and resort slipped to second place for gambling revenue generated among Maryland’s six casinos, with Maryland Live reclaiming its top spot."

DoE's Green Scene Newsletter: 2016 Year in Review

(Click on the image for the newsletter)

How The Vietnam War Gave Birth To Container Shipping — And Changed The World

(Click on the image for the article)

"The three gray cranes were the first to load ships with containers to send across the Pacific. But to where, you might ask?
The answer is Cam Ranh Bay.
That’s Vietnam."

Avoid Tax Scams

(Click on the image for the video in Consumer Reports)

"If you haven’t had a call from a tax scammer, just wait. These scams are getting more pervasive. We hear from a victim and capture a threatening call. Here's how to spot a scam so you don't get taken."

Prince George’s Co. lawyer takes aim at unlicensed child care centers

(Click on the image for the report on WTOP)

By Mike Murillo:
The state’s attorney for Prince George’s County says parents shouldn’t have to worry about their children’s safety while they are at work.
From 2010 through 2014, 13 children died while at unlicensed child care facilities in Maryland; and since those numbers were tallied, Prince George’s County has added a number of cases to the total, Alsobrooks said.

House fires are moving dangerously faster these days

(Click on the image for the WJLA report)

by Kimberly Suiters:
“Just in a matter of seconds the whole side of the house is gone,” said Frederick Fire Department Battalion Chief Kevin Fox. “The newer homes just melt away.”

The Incredible Car Safety Feature That No One Uses

(Click on the image for the 1 minute video)