REGIONAL BRIEFING

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Cab Fares to Include Fuel Charge

Montgomery County transportation officials have imposed a temporary $1.50 charge on all taxi trips as relief for cabdrivers hit by rising gas prices.

The emergency fuel surcharge, added to the total fare, takes effect immediately and will extend through Aug. 27.

Arthur Holmes, director of the Department of Public Works and Transportation, which regulates the county's taxicab service, said in a statement that the charge is necessary "to ensure the viability of our taxi industry."

Montgomery's cabdrivers lease their taxis, and Holmes said that without the charge, they would have trouble covering daily expenses.

Current meter rates were set two years ago in February when the highest recorded price in Maryland for regular unleaded gas was $3.28 a gallon, according to the county. Last week, according to AAA, the national average was $3.96.

-- Ann E. Marimow

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

Man Killed in Mt. Rainier Area

One man was killed and another wounded in a confrontation in the Mount Rainier area in Prince George's County early yesterday.

Prince George's County Police did not give the name of the man who died, but Cpl. Clinton Copeland, a police spokesman, said he was 26 years old. The other was hit in the leg and is expected to survive. Police said at least two people began firing in the 3700 block of 36th Street. Officers said a dark-colored Ford Taurus drove from the scene.

In a separate incident in the Landover area early yesterday, police said a man was shot in the chest and stumbled to a house in the 6800 block of Greenvale Parkway for help. He was taken to a hospital but police said it was unclear whether he would survive.

-- Aaron C. Davis

THE DISTRICT

Southeast Man Struck, Killed

A 54-year-old Southeast Washington man who was widely known in his neighborhood was struck by a motorcycle and killed early yesterday, authorities said.

Timothy J. Bell of the 700 block of Upsal Street was crossing Wheeler Road SE near his home just after midnight when he was hit, police said.

Ward 8 ANC Commissioner Sandra Seegers, who knew Bell from neighborhood political activities, called him memorable and said she was devastated to learn of his death.

"He just stepped off the curb on his way home, and he was hit," she said. Police said they were investigating.

-- Petula Dvorak