DCentric

Good morning, DCentric readers! It may be chilly outside but these morning links are sizzling.

One of District’s Deadliest Shootings Leads To New Legislation Bill would reorganize truancy and mental health services. Four of 13 council members support it: “But this is not a crime bill. Catania’s proposed legislation would create a comprehensive system to provide mental and behavior health screenings for children in the District’s head start and early head start program, as well as public and charter schools. It would create a Behavioral Health Ombudsman to act as an advocate for residents seeking behavioral and mental health services.” (myfoxdc.com)

MetroAccess drivers paying out of pocket for disabled riders “The transit agency has been trying to find ways to limit a massive surge in ridership: tightening the eligibility rules for riders, limiting the service area and raising fares. Driver Carla Brooks said she’s paid for riders three times recently. “It comes from my money, which comes out of my kids’ mouths,” said the single mother of four. But she said she’ll keep doing it, especially when riders have dialysis treatments. “That’s life-threatening. They need this treatment to be able to live,” she said. “I’m not going to keep them from going.” (Washington Examiner )

Marion Barry driving with ‘inactive’ D.C. license tags, records show The silver Jaguar is not registered with the DMV, has inactive tags and was booted this month after accumulating more than $700 worth of unpaid parking tickets. Barry initially refused to comment, saying he had “better things to talk about”, but last night, he communicated that the car’s dealer was to blame for the lack of title, and as soon as that is resolved, the car will be registered. The Post says the records it examined “raise questions about how Barry has continued to use his vehicle without it being scrutinized by police or city parking control officers. (The Washington Post)

DCPS may investigate more high schools for grade-doctoring A disturbing comment from a teacher at a different DCPS with regards to the grade-doctoring scandal at McKinley Technology High School, where grades and transcripts were “improved” to help with graduation rates and student performance: “A current teacher at Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High School told The Examiner the McKinley reports “could be from any of many DCPS high schools. What is surprising is the boldness of the principal’s alleged actions: telling subordinates to make changes. Most do it much more secretly,” he said.” (Washington Examiner )

Metro Riders Ignore Man in Distress An anonymous witness saw “countless” people walk over or past a man who had collapsed on the Smithsonian Metro station’s platform at noon on Tuesday. None of them stopped to help. When the witness himself tried to examine the man in distress, he was “unresponsive”. It’s no attempt at justification, but considering the station, I wonder if some of the riders were tourists who were scared or unsure of what to do. More: “Both Metro authorities and DC Fire officials confirm a man collapsed and died on the Metro platform. The man who stopped to help said, “It does bother me that people did not take the time or just stood and stared.” (WUSA Washington, DC)

Upset Sulaimon Brown Leaves D.C. Council Hearing as Key Details Emerge in Gray Probe “While six witnesses were called to testify before the legislative body, Sulaimon Brown—who made headlines this month when he accused the mayor of participating in a pay-to-play scheme—was not one of them. Brown sat in the audience as soon as the hearing began, and when Councilman Marion Barry of Ward 8 began to speak, Brown stormed out of the room.” (afro.com)