The woman suffered smoke inhalation and burns over 20 percent of her body. She was in serious condition at Washington Hospital Center, officials said. The son was in fair condition at the hospital, where he was being treated for smoke inhalation.
Free Clinics Get Insurance Guarantee
Three community health clinics that serve 12,000 low-income District residents are assured of medical malpractice insurance to 2007 because of a vote this week by the D.C. Council, which hopes to extend coverage to six other clinics.
Though these "safety net" clinics have not faced malpractice litigation, the annual cost of their liability insurance nearly doubled from last year. In the past five years, it has grown from about $55,000 to nearly $346,000. Through the Free Clinic Assistance Program, which dates to 1986, the city provides indemnification for La Clinica del Pueblo, Washington Free Clinic and Bread for the City.
MARYLAND
Panel Wants State to Rein In Spending
A legislative panel yesterday recommended limiting growth in Maryland's 2006 state budget to 5.7 percent, a move that would allow $850 million in additional spending than approved for this year.
The Spending Affordability Committee's suggested increase, a reflection of the strength of the state's economy, is the largest in four years.
If Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) follows the recommendation, the state would be required to cut $555 million in other expenses to balance Maryland's $25 billion budget, fiscal analysts said.
Ehrlich's budget secretary, Chip DiPaula Jr., would not comment on whether Ehrlich will adhere to the recommendation. DiPaula said, however, he expects the budget Ehrlich presents to lawmakers in January to include "hundreds of millions" in budget cuts.
Plan for Research Center Site Progresses
The Anne Arundel County Office of Planning and Zoning approved a site plan yesterday for a 100-room hotel and seven office buildings on one of the county's most picturesque spots, a 46-acre parcel overlooking the Severn River across from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis.
The land is the site of the former David Taylor Research Center, which was shuttered in 1999, although submarine research there had ceased a few years earlier. County Executive Janet S. Owens (D) has called the redevelopment of the parcel one of the county's most important projects in years. The 630,000-square-foot campus would replace 86 buildings in varying states of disrepair at the site.
Ocean City Fire Destroys 8 Townhouses
Ocean City fire officials are investigating a blaze early Wednesday that leveled eight beachfront townhouses valued at $8 million.
The fire on 125th Street caused $1 million in damage to nearby buildings, Fire Marshal Sam Villani Jr. said yesterday. Investigators are trying to determine whether the fire was accidental, he said.
Firefighters found the wood homes caved in when they arrived about 3:25 a.m., Fire Chief Roger Steger said.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"I was trying to take responsibility by pleading guilty. I can't come talk to you all because I don't know what to say."
-- Justin Lapier, 20, of Spotsylvania County, speaking in court about accepting blame as the driver of a car that crashed and killed two friends. -- Page A1
Compiled from reports by staff writers Karlyn Barker, David Nakamura, Del Quentin Wilber, Susan Levine, John Wagner and Christian Davenport and the Associated Press.
