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THE REGION
Weather Postpones Air Defense Drills
An air defense exercise that had been scheduled for late Sunday and early yesterday in the Washington area was postponed because of poor weather. Plans called for it to be held late yesterday and early today if skies were clear enough, military officials said.
The exercise was to use fighters, helicopters and small aircraft, flying at low altitudes along the Potomac River and around the District, to test plans for identifying and intercepting air threats.
The activities were to be conducted by the continental U.S. component of the North American Aerospace Defense Command in coordination with other government agencies. Such exercises have been conducted since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Cheetah With Kidney Failure Is Euthanized
The National Zoo euthanized a 13-year-old female cheetah yesterday that had been in declining health because of chronic kidney failure, officials said.
The cheetah, named Wandu, had been monitored closely for several months because of her age, officials said. The animal was euthanized after a blood sample Sunday confirmed that her condition was deteriorating rapidly, officials said.
Suzan Murray, the zoo's chief veterinarian, released a statement saying that kidney failure "is one of the most common diseases in captive cheetahs." Cheetahs typically live eight to 10 years in the wild, according to the zoo, which has other 13 cheetahs.
MARYLAND
Morning Garage Fire Kills Laurel Man
A 69-year-old Laurel man died yesterday after a fire in a garage, Prince George's County fire officials said.
The fire started shortly after 10 a.m. in the 15700 block of Jera Place at a single-family home, said fire department spokesman Mark Brady. The cause is under investigation. Police did not release the name of the victim.
Two of the man's relatives were home at the time of the fire, but they were not hurt, Brady said. Firefighters extinguished the blaze in about 10 minutes, he said.
Students Urged to Enter 4-Year Programs
Maryland community college students will be eligible for a new $3,000 scholarship intended to encourage them to transfer to full-time, four-year degree programs in the state.
