Adjudication expedited
Baltimore County is making it a little less onerous to serve jury duty.
The details: Not only does Baltimore County provide WiFi to jurors waiting to go into court, the county also launched an online system that cuts down on the amount of paperwork jurors need to fill if they have to request an alternate date.
Drunken driving arrests
Howard County police are cracking down on drunken drivers.
The details: Howard County has arrested 1,200 people this year — including 10 last weekend caught in a sobriety checkpoint. Maybe if police can arrest enough people, they’ll finally make an impression on those thick skulls: It’s never OK to drink and drive.
Swimming for the cause
Loyola Blakefield’s swimming and water polo teams showed the true spirit of Christmas giving.
The details: When most high schoolers would have been glad to pass out in front of the TV, the Loyola boys kicked it into high gear for a 100-mile relay race that raised money in honor of a teammate’s mother who died of breast cancer in August. This is the 10th year the boys have raised money for a charitable cause with the race.
Peak pricing
D.C. Metro will charge higher fees on Inauguration Day
The details: No one likes higher prices, but all of us pay for Metro and should not foot the bill for extra service that we do not use. Upping prices on Inauguration Day means those who use the service will pay at least a higher portion of the cost to operate it — a concept long used in the private sector but one slow to take off in government. Maybe one day fees will reflect costs.
Conflicting interests
Mayor Sheila Dixon excused herself from a Board of Estimates vote that would affect her former boyfriend’s development firm.
The details: Dixon voted to give tax breaks and beneficial zoning changes to his firm when she was City Council president — state prosecutors are still investigating. She finally understands that she shouldn’t vote when there’s a conflict of interest. It only took a scandal. Bravo mayor!
