DISTRICT BRIEFING

Friday, June 20, 2008

PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD

Bill Would Give Mayor Full Power to Pick Members

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) introduced a bill yesterday that would give the mayor full authority to appoint members of the Public Charter School Board.

Under a 1996 law, the mayor names the Public Charter School Board's seven members, but from a list of suggestions provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

Norton's proposal comes after complaints by some D.C. Council members that despite spending more than $300 million a year on charter schools, the city's government has little effective oversight of the fast-growing sector.

-- Bill Turque

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

Co-Workers Are Warned of Meningitis Death

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has asked co-workers of an employee who died last week after contracting meningitis to seek medical attention if they feel ill.

Ingrid Olson, 61, of Silver Spring was a lawyer at the agency. She took sick leave and died two days later, June 11, said Mary O'Driscoll, a spokeswoman for the agency. On Monday, the District's health department notified the agency that the cause of Olson's death was meningococcal bacterial meningitis. Although contagious, it does not spread as easily as the flu and can be treated with antibiotics if detected early.

The agency e-mailed all its employees, suggesting that anyone exhibiting symptoms -- including fever, headache and stiff neck -- or who had been in close contact with Olson see a doctor. Since then, the agency's health unit has received inquiries or visits from about 50 employees.

-- Sindya N. Bhanoo

SOUTHWEST

Man Is Found Shot and Critically Wounded in Car

A man was found shot and critically wounded last night in a car that crashed in a Southwest Washington neighborhood, D.C. police said.

The victim, whom police did not identify immediately, was found with a gunshot wound to his back and was bleeding from his mouth after his vehicle crashed into a fire hydrant in the unit block of Brandywine Street soon after 10 p.m., officials said. It was not clear late last night where the shooting happened or what prompted it.

-- Clarence Williams

SOUTHEAST

Woman, 20, on Motorcycle Killed in Car Collision

A 20-year-old Southeast Washington woman was killed early yesterday when the motorcycle she was riding crashed into an oncoming vehicle.

Katrina Matthews of the 300 block of Anacostia Road died after she and the driver of the 2006 Suzuki motorcycle, Demarkus Henry of Landover, were thrown from the bike about 1:10 a.m. when it ran into a car at Southern Avenue and 22nd Street. The motorcycle was speeding in the wrong lane, police said.

Henry, 24, and the driver of the car were treated for injuries. Henry was charged with involuntary manslaughter.

-- Robert E. Pierre

NORTHEAST

House Fire Was Set, Officials Determine

A house fire from which a woman who uses a wheelchair was rescued Wednesday night was set, officials said yesterday.

The woman was rescued by D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services workers as flames tore through her home and three others in the 300 block of L Street NE, officials said. No one was injured.

-- Allison Klein