WEEK IN REVIEW

Oct. 28-Nov. 3

Meter Plan Moves Forward After StrikeFenty Announces a $4 Minimum Taxi Fare

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) forged ahead with his plan to switch Washington's 6,000 taxis from zones to meters by April 1, announcing new regulations and fare rates that start with a $4 minimum and go up 25 cents for every one-sixth mile traveled after the first sixth of a mile.

The $4 minimum, or drop rate, is substantially higher than what is charged in most U.S. cities. New York and Atlanta, for example, have drop rates of $2.50. In addition, as is currently the practice, passengers traveling during the rush hours will be assessed a $1 surcharge, bringing the starting peak fare to $5. The fare also ticks up 25 cents every minute a taxi is stopped in traffic or going slower than 10 miles an hour.

The mayor's announcement came after a 24-hour work stoppage by many of the city's estimated 7,500 taxi drivers, who want the zone system preserved.

Sensors Back Police in SE ShootingSystem Shows 1st Shot Came From Other Gun

Gunshot sensors indicate that the first shot fired in the police confrontation with 14-year-old DeOnt¿ Rawlings did not come from the off-duty D.C. officers at the scene but from a higher-caliber weapon close to where the slain youth fell, law enforcement sources said.

The data provide support to the account of officer James Haskel, who said he was not the first to fire on Sept. 17. But it does not settle the question of whether DeOnt¿ fired a weapon. Haskel has said he shot the youth after he engaged in a running gun battle with DeOnt¿ over a stolen minibike.

The sensor system, known as the ShotSpotter, was installed last year on rooftops in many city neighborhoods. The sources said it showed that eight shots were fired by a police weapon and that four were fired by a larger-caliber gun. The gun that DeOnt¿ allegedly fired was not found at the scene in Southeast Washington.

Broken Smoke Detectors at FirehousesInspectors Find Deficiencies at Most Stations

The D.C. inspector general found broken smoke detectors, asbestos materials and exposed electrical wiring in some rather unlikely places: the city's firehouses.

Inspector General Charles J. Willoughby said inspectors "recorded significant deficiencies" in 31 of 33 fire stations and the fireboat facility in June. Two stations were not inspected because they were being renovated. In written responses to the inspector general, Fire Chief Dennis L. Rubin said most conditions were repaired or are scheduled to be fixed.

Judge Who Lost Pants Suit Loses JobPanel Cites Concerns Not Related to Dispute

The commission that oversees the District's administrative law judges made it official: Roy L. Pearson Jr., who sued a dry cleaners for $54 million over a pair of pants, will not be reappointed to the bench. The panel said it had concerns about Pearson's conduct in his two years as a judge for the Office of Administrative Hearings, which hears cases involving city agencies. It was the latest setback for Pearson. In June, a judge at D.C. Superior Court ruled in favor of Custom Cleaners in the pants dispute.

When Arenas Scores, Schools WinWizards Star, Owner Pledge $100 Per Point

For the second straight season, the points scored by Washington Wizard Gilbert Arenas will be logged by schools as well as the scoreboard. The NBA all-star has pledged to continue last year's practice of giving $100 for every point he scores in each of the season's 41 home games -- and he scores an average 28.4 points a game -- to a D.C. area school.

That works out to an average of almost $3,000 to 82 different schools, because Wizards owner Abe Pollin matches the payout for all 41 away games. Last year, Arenas -- who was the third-leading scorer in the National Basketball Association -- and Pollin donated almost $215,000 in the inaugural season of the "Gilbert Arenas Scores for Schools" program.