District imposes cab surcharge
The District Taxicab commission approved an emergency $1 surcharge for fares to compensate for increased gas prices.

The price of gas nationwide has increased 32 cents since December because of war fears, a Venezuelan strike and unusually cold weather, fueling the drive for the commissions’ surcharge. The extra fees will remain in place for 120 days.

The American Automobile Association reports that the average cost of gas in the District is $1.68.

Another permanent increase isn’t likely but will be examined by the commission, Kimberly Lewis, attorney adviser for the panel, told the Washington Times.

“This is mainly to help cab drivers break even from costs of increased gas prices that have shot up with the possible war,” Lewis said.

The commission raised the upcoming surcharge from 50 cents, the original proposal, to $1 after a 4-3 vote. Lee Williams, commission chairman who voted against the $1 charge, told the Times he was concerned the higher fare would keep low-income residents from riding.

Sniper suspect in trouble behind bars
District-area sniper suspect Lee Boyd Malvo appeared in court last week on charges of defacing court property.

MJLA reported Malvo, 18, allegedly wrote the name of his accomplice “Muhammad” on his jail cell floor.

Fairfax County Sheriff Stan Barry also told The Washington Post Malvo told another inmate he wanted to kill a deputy guarding him. No charges have been filed related to that incident.

John Allen Muhammad and Malvo face capital murder charges in neighboring counties for the string of sniper shootings this year.

Boy playing with matches starts fire
A young boy in a Southwest D.C. homeless shelter started a fire while playing with matches, fire officials said.

D.C. Fire Department spokesman Alan Etter told WJLA the boy was in a closet of the Village Shelter when the fire started.

About 75 people, including many children, were evacuated.

UMD cited in ACLU suit
The University of Maryland at College Park’s policy of limiting public speakers and leafleting to two campus sites violates the right to free expression, a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union claims.

The practice, designed to reduce litter on the campus, has raised the concern of civil liberties groups that claim it restricts students’ rights to free speech and expression.

“I was expecting to hear free and impassioned debate, I expected to have the campus buzzing,” plaintiff Dan Sinclair, a junior from Baltimore, told the Associated Press.