U-Md. Online Applications Slow Web Site
A spike in online applications to the University of Maryland has caused the university's Web site to slow in the last few days, prompting several calls and e-mails from anxious students, a U-Md. spokeswoman said yesterday.
More than 11,000 students have submitted their applications online to meet the university's priority deadline, originally set for midnight tomorrow, said Cassandra Robinson, the spokeswoman. Robinson said the university has decided to extend the deadline to next Wednesday because of the problems.
Students who apply by the priority deadline get first consideration for admissions and financial aid. The next freshman class will have about 4,000 students.
Robinson said more students than last year have submitted their essays online, contributing to the slowdown.
University officials are asking students to avoid submitting their applications between 7 p.m. and midnight, when the site has slowed the most.
VIRGINIA
More Trees From State on Display in D.C.
The 70-foot red spruce from the George Washington National Forest in Virginia that will take center stage next week as the Capitol Christmas Tree has 70 attendants -- all Virginia-grown evergreens that will be scattered in other prominent government locations in the District.
Trees will be on display in the offices of Virginia's senators and representatives and at the departments of Agriculture and the Interior. In addition, a 25-foot Virginia tree will stand at the Supreme Court.
The attendant trees come from Christmas tree farms across the state. The state's Christmas Tree Growers Association asked its members to provide their most handsome specimens for display in Washington.
"Overall we have gotten everything we need, including white pines, Scotch pines, Douglas, Fraser and Concolor firs, blue spruce and white spruce in sizes from eight to 25 feet tall," said Sue Bostic, association president.
Townhouse Fire Displaces Residents
A two-alarm fire in the Mount Vernon area Monday afternoon caused about $350,000 in damage to three townhouses, Fairfax County fire officials said yesterday. The cause was under investigation.
One firefighter was slightly injured, and six people were displaced from their homes.
Firefighters spotted heavy flames coming from the top floor and attic of a townhouse on Audubon Meadow Way about 3:50 p.m. Monday and called a second alarm, bringing more than 50 emergency personnel to the scene. The fire was brought under control in about 20 minutes, but two adults and two children were left homeless. Fire marshals estimated the damage at $300,000.
Two adjoining townhouses received damage totaling about $50,000, and two residents in one of the adjacent homes were displaced. One firefighter was taken to Inova Mount Vernon Hospital for treatment of a minor injury.
