DISTRICT BRIEFING
DISTRICT BRIEFING
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SCHOOLS
Judge Blocks Referendum on Fenty Takeover
A D.C. Superior Court judge blocked an effort to hold a referendum on Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's takeover of the District's public schools, clearing the way for the mayor (D) to assume control of the troubled system next week.
Judge Lynn Leibovitz, in a ruling read from the bench yesterday, said that the issue was not a valid question to put before the District because the change in school governance had been cleared by an act of Congress.
Mary Spencer, who had sought the referendum, said afterward that she was disappointed but that the legal challenge sent a message to the mayor. "The people have spoken," she said. "They want to have a say. They want to have a vote."
-- Henri E. Cauvin
UNIFEST CRASH
Church to Hold Prayer Service; Hearing Delayed
Union Temple Baptist Church will host a prayer and healing service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday to recognize those injured and affected by the crash at the church's Unifest street festival last week.
Meanwhile, a court hearing was postponed for Tonya Bell, 30, who is charged with aggravated assault while armed in Saturday's incident.
Police said Bell was high on crack when she plowed a Volvo station wagon into the street festival, injuring dozens of people. A few victims remain hospitalized with injuries that authorities say are not life-threatening. A D.C. Superior Court hearing was postponed until Thursday at the defense's request. Bell remains jailed without bond.
Representatives from mental health and victim assistance agencies will be at the church service to help people deal with the aftermath of the crash. They will also be available from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday next week at Union Temple, 1225 W St. SE.
-- Ashlee Clark
