The number of teen suicides in Anne Arundel County, Maryland is rising…

And as Jessica Forres reports…local residents are responding to what they are calling a crisis.



On the lawn of St. Paul’s church in Annapolis, Marsha Tonarelli
is taking part in the city’s first ever Out of the Darkness Community Walk…. She points to her t-shirt. It's a photo of her seventeen-year old son...

HE PASSED AWAY APRIL 15, 2009 FROM SUICIDE SO WE ARE GOING TO WALK FOR HIM TODAY….WE MISS YOU DEN..AND YOU SHOULD BE HERE...

Nancy Reynolds is with a local group called, Guiding Coaltion to Prevent Teen Sucide. She says the walk is meant to raise awareness and prevent teen suicide in the county. Since May 2008 thru April 2009, she claims there have been six deaths…putting Anne Arundel county on the high end nationally of teen suicides...

WHAT WE’RE FINDING IS THAT MANY OF THESE KIDS ARE NOT NECESSARILY DEPRESSED, THEY’RE NOT ON DRUGS OR ALCOHOL. THEY’VE JUST MADE THAT DETERMINATION. THEY’VE JUST MADE THAT DETERMINATION THAT THEY DON’T WANT TO LIVE ANYMORE AND THAT’S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO SHIFT

Reynolds says suicide is the number three killer of fifteen to twenty-four olds in America today.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Residents of Anne Arundel County, Maryland are responding to a growing number of teen suicides in their community.

Jessica Forres reports…



More than a hundred men, women and teenagers gather on the grounds of St. Paul’s church in Annapolis. They are taking part in the city’s first Out of the Darkness Community Walk…Nancy Reynolds…with the Guiding Coalition to Prevent Teen Suicide… says Anne Arundel county is on the high end nationally of teen suicides...

THIS WALK AND THIS COALITION IS TO KIND OF DO A CULTURE SHIFT IN SOME WAYS IN THAT WE’RE REALLY ABOUT BUILDING LIFE, NOT TAKING IT AND THERE ARE LOTS OF REASONS TO KEEP ON GOING.

Pointing to her shirt, Marsha Tonarelli says she’s there for her son...

THIS IS MY SON DENNIS SMITH AND HE PASSED AWAY APRIL 15, 2009 FROM SUICIDE SO WE ARE GOING TO WALK FOR HIM TODAY.

The Coalition offcials say, suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens and young adults.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Nearly a thousand gas stations have shut down in D-C, Maryland and
Virginia in recent years.

And as Jessica Forres reports... that number is expected to rise.



A chain-link fence surrounds what used to be a gas station in downtown
Bethesda, Maryland. The gas pumps have been ripped out and all that
stands is a boarded-up convenience mart. There's a popular sports bar
next door. Rob Benning is the manager. He says the station has been closed since
January.

IT WAS SURPRISING BECAUSE I THOUGHT, I MEAN I DON’T KNOW HOW MANY
PEOPLE STOPPED IN THERE FOR GAS, MAYBE THAT WAS THE PROBLEM.

Abandoned gas stations line South Capitol Street near the Nationals
Ball Park. Stanley Bradley lives in the neighborhood.

THERE WAS ONE BP UP THERE, THEY SHUT THAT DOWN, THERE WAS TWO EXONS,
ONE BP, ONE SHELL STATION ON M STREET AND UP FURTHER AS YOU GET TO
11TH STREET WAS AN EXON, THEY SHUT IT DOWN.

Jeff Lenard is with the National Association of Convenience Stores.
He says the closings are an acceleration of a national
trend spanning more than a decade.

NUMBER ONE GAS MARGINS ARE VERY THIN, TYPICALLY YOU NEED ABOUT 12
CENTS TO BREAK EVEN SELLING THE GAS PER GALLON. THE MARKUP THE FIRST
HALF OF THE YEAR HAS BEEN ABOUT 10 CENTS PER GALLON AND RETAILERS
HAVE REALLY TAKEN A POUNDING FROM THIS. THE OTHER FACTOR IS THE
LIQUIDITY CRISIS. YOU’RE HAVING BANKS PULLING BACK ON LOANS. LOANS
THAT THEY WERE PERFECTLY WILLING TO MAKE LAST YEAR, THEY’RE NOT
MAKING NOW AND IT’S PUTTING A SQUEEZE ON SOME OF THE SMALLER BUSINESS
THAT DON’T HAVE ACCESS TO CAPITAL. AND PUTTING A REAL SQUEEZE.

More than 30-thousand gas stations have closed in the U.S since 1995.

______________________________

Gas stations continue to disappear from the Washington region.

And as Jessica Forres reports...some local residents are not happy about it.



A chain-link fence surrounds the lot of what used to be a gas station
in Bethesda, Maryland. Rob Benning is the manager of the sports bar
next door. He says the gas station, which closed in January, was there
one day and gone the next…

THERE WAS A BRIGHT LIGHT AND NOW IT’S KIND OF EMPTY OVER THERE. YOU
DON’T GET THE SAME LIKE FOCUS OF LIGHT. SO YOU WALK OUT AND YOU
DEFINITELY MISS IT. IT’S LIKE ONE OF THOSE THINGS, LIKE THE EXONN USED
TO BE THERE.

The scene is much the same on South Capitol Street in D-C., where we
counted three abandoned gas stations. Stanley Bradley lives in the
neighborhood.

WELL IT’S A LITTLE ROUGH FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD. PEOPLE WHO HAVE CARS WE
ALL HAVE TO GO UP TO 11TH AND WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT.

Since 2001, more than a thousand gas stations have closed in D-C,
Maryland and Virginia. Jeff Leonard...with the National Association of
Conveniece Stores... says it's a nationwide trend..

I THINK WHAT WE’RE SEEING NOW WITH A NUMBER OF STORES CLOSING IS
REALLY AN ACCELERATION OF WHAT WE’VE SEEN FOR MORE THAN A DECADE…. IN
1995 THERE WERE ABOUT 200-THOUSAND FUELING LOCATIONS IN THE U.S.
TODAY THERE’S ABOUT 160-THOUSAND THAT’S A FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT DROP
AND I THINK THAT DROP HAS BEEN CONTINUED BY THE LIQUIDITY CRISIS THAT
RETAILERS FACE IN GETTING CAPITAL. THE CONTINUING SQUEEZE ON MARGINS
AND IRONICALLY THE COMPETITION FROM BIG BOXES.

He says

Jessica Forres

The annual croquet competition between St. John’s College and the U.S. Naval Academy brought thousands of spectators to Annapolis, Maryland.

As Jessica Forres reports… the sport acts as a bridge between the rival schools.



Lavish picnics and nearly 2000 people…many of whom are dressed like characters from the Great Gatsby… are spread out across the lawn in front of St. John’s College.

They are watching the 27th annual Annapolis cup…. a croquet match between the college's so-called Johnnies and the Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy…

JoAnn Mattson is St. John’s Director of Alumni Relations…. She says the tradition started in 1984.

SOME MIDS AND SOME JOHNIES WERE ARGUING ABOUT MAYBE THEIR MASCULINITY, I DON’T KNOW AND THE MIDS CHALLENGED THE JOHNNIES TO COME UP WITH A SPORT THAT THEY COULD BEAT THE MIDS AT. THEY SAID WE CAN BEAT YOU AT ANYTHING. AND THEY THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID CROQUET.

Though the two schools are across the street from one another, she says ideologically they are miles apart.

UNTIL THIS EVENT STARTED, WE DIDN’T HAVE A MIDDLE MIXING GROUND. AND THERE COULD BE SOME ANIMOSITY AND OVER THE YEARS AND I KNOW THERE WAS DURING THE VIETNAM WAR.

Colonel David Mollahan..clad in uniform... agrees.

THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WHO GO TO THE NAVAL ACADEMY AND THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WHO GO TO ST. JOHN’S THEY HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS IN WHICH THEY LOOK AT THE WORLD AND YET THEY COME TOGETHER AND HAVE A NICE EVENT.

Watching from the sidelines, Craig Martin, the owner of a barber shop in Baltimore, is rooting for the Midshipmen.

I GET MORE CUSTOMERS FROM THE US NAVAL ACADEMY THEN ST. JOHN’S

St. John’s won the contest yesterday for the 22nd time since the tradition started.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

When Walter Reed Medical Center closes in 2011... thousands of commuters are expected to relocate to their new facility in Bethesda. The Maryland Department of Transportation has proposed improving roads to accomodate the traffic.

But as Jessica Forres reports… some cyclists feel left out...



Angela Atwood-Moore and fellow members of her Cycling Club are at MDOT’s community meeting.They are concerned about what ISN'T being talked about in plans to improve four intersections near Bethesda Naval Medical Center...

WE WALK IN AND THERE ARE BIKE MAPS ON THE TABLE BUT WE’RE NOT ANYWHERE IN THESE PLANS.

The Naval Hospital is expecting about 25-hundred employees and 4-thousand patients to relocate there in a few years ...as part of the military base closure plan.

Atwood Moore says the new design widens and extends sidewalks, but doesnt include bike lanes....

IF THE WHOLE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO MOVE TRAFFIC THAN I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY WE’RE PENALIZING THE VERY PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO GET OUT OF THEIR CARS AND DO THE MOST TO REDUCE TRAFFIC FLOW. I MEAN YOU CAN’T SAY YOU WANT TO MOVE PEOPLE AND THEN PENALIZE WHO AREN’T TAKING UP ROAD SPACE WITH THE CAR.

Mike Haley represents MDOT and says the agency will evaluate public comments when deciding how to use their limited resources..

SO PART OF THE EFFORT IS TO GET SOME FEEDBACK ON WHERE PEOPLE THINK THE MOST VALUE IS. SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SOME DECISIONS GOING FORWARD ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE MONEY WE DO HAVE.

The proposed intersection improvements are at West Cedar Lane and Jones Bridge Road.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

In a few years, thousands of new commuters will inundate downtown Bethesda when the Army relocates Walter Reed Medical Center from D-C to Maryland.

And as Jessica Forres reports.... some homeowners don't think their neighborhood can handle all the cars.



Sheila and Tom Barrett’s house is a stones throw from Jones Bridge Road....across the street from Bethesda Naval Medical Center. They can see the four lane highway from their dining room window.

STARTING AT LEAST FROM 5:30 TO 6 IN THE MORNING, IT’S BACKED UP. BECAUSE OF NAVY. ENTRANCE INTO NAVY BECAUSE OF SECURITY.

IT’S RIDICULOUS…THE TRAFFIC IS INCREDIBLE NOW AND THEN WITH THE CLOSING OF WALTER REED AND MOVING ALL THE EMPLOYEES OVER HERE…

According to plans proposed by the Maryland Department of Transportation, improvements are slated at four major intersections that they say will be most affected by the move.

[NAT: GYM

Inside Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, Mike Haley is representing MDOT at a community workshop. As he points to a large map of Cedar Lane and Wisconsin Avenue, he says the improvements won't do much to relieve the traffic.

-IT’S STILL F
- HUH?
-IT REMAINS F
-WHAT’S F
-FAILING LEVEL OF SERVICE
- EVEN AFTER THE IMPROVEMENTS?
-WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO MAKE IT AN A
-A IS NOT ON THE TABLE

Haley also says fewer than half of the improvements are funded.

(It's still a debate about whether this creek is in D.C. or Maryland, but I'm posting the story anyway. I drove by there the other day and it looks like it's split between D.C. and Maryland. Regardless, residents from D.C. and Maryland cleaned up the important estuary together).

Thousands of volunteers swept the Potomac River watershed for trash and litter. The clean up was part of a regional effort organized by the Alice Ferguson Foundation.

Jessica Forres reports…



Near busy 16th street in Silver Spring, Maryland, Katherine Trimble and her two young children comb Fenwick Branch North-Portal Tributary for trash.

I HAVE TO SAY THIS IS OUR THIRD YEAR DOING THIS. AFTER THE FIRST YEAR I STOPPED USING PLASTIC BAGS.

She and more than 12-thousand volunteers from Pennsylvania to Virginia are taking part in the 21st Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup. Ginny Harris...with the Alice Ferguson Foundation…organized the event. She calls us from another clean up site in Accoceek, Maryland.

IT EDUCATES PEOPLE WHAT IS FLOATING DOWN OUR DRINKING WATER, WHAT’S FLOATING DOWN THE POTOMAC RIVER AND HOPEFULLY YOU’LL START MAKING CHANGES.

A total of 30-thousand trash bags were distributed at 500 sites across the Mid-Atlantic region.

_______________________

Thousands of volunteers collected trash in the Washington, DC area as part of a regional effort to clean up the Potomac Watershed…

Jessica Forres reports...

Cars speed past local residents sweeping Fenwick Branch North-Portal for trash. It’s a small creek near busy 16th street that eventually flows into the Potomac River.
A local boy scout troop shows us what they’ve collected...

A BASKETBALL, SOME CIGARETTES

Boy Scout JEROME WALKER says it makes him angry.

BECAUSE PEOPLE JUST THROW THEIR TRASH OUT HERE WITHOUT THINKING TWICE.

Ginny Harris with the Alice Ferguson Foundation… is on her cell phone at another cleanup site in Accoceek, Maryland. Her group organized the2 1st annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup.

HOPEFULLY YOU’LL START MAKING CHANGES . YOU’LL SEE THAT YOU CAN PICK UP A HUNDRED STRAWS IN TWO FEET OF AREA. AND THEN YOU DECIDE MAYBE NEXT TIME I WON’T GET A STRAW.
She says more than 12-thousand volunteers collected trash at nearly 500 sites throughout the Potomac Watershed.

The pace of sales of existing homes in the U.S. rose 5.1 percent in February, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Jessica Forres spoke with some local real estate agents about what's motivating buyers to get back in the market...



In Takoma Park, Maryland, Andrew Eisel, a real estate agent, greets two prospective buyers who’ve showed up for his Open House…

[ NAT: IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ROOM SIZES]

He’s optimistic the home will sell. He says that’s because the buyers are back…

SIX MONTHS AGO I WASN’T SEENING A LOT OF ACTIVITY. I HAD ONE LISTING AND NO BUYERS AT THAT TIME AND RIGHT NOW, I’VE GOT A FEW MORE LISTINGS THAT I DID AND I’VE GOT FOUR ACTIVE BUYERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING.

Beth Dudrow is touring the brick Colonial with her husband. They stopped looking for houses a year ago because prices were too high. She says that’s changed.

PRICES SEEM TO BE COMING DOWN AND WE’RE TOLD THAT SOME OF THESE HOUSES CAN BE BOUGHT FOR LESS THAN WHAT THEY’RE LISTING AT…

At another Open House in Silver Spring, Maryland, Russell Carlson is looking at a 2 bedroom white, bungalow listed at 350,000 dollars.

He says the price is right for him.

I WOULD HATE TO BUY AND HAVE IT DROP BY ANOTHER 25 PERCENT BUT I DON’T SEE THAT HAPPENING.

Neither does Michele Topel, the listing agent. She says there’s a window of opportunity for buyers now, especially with new tax incentives and historically low interest rates.

I WOULD PREDICT THAT WHAT WE’RE GOING TO SEE AT THE END OF THE FIRST QUARTER ARE SOME HOPEFULLY SOME STRONGER NUMBERS IN THE WASHINGTON, DC REGION.

Regionally, existing - home sales jumped a little over 6 percent in February, but that is still down 11.2 % from the same time period last year.

Jessica Forres WAMU

Some real estate agents in the Washington region say buyers are becoming more optimistic about the housing market again.

Jessica Forres reports....



Open house signs line the front lawn of a bungalow in Silver Spring, Maryland. Inside, Michele Topel, a real estate agent, waits in the living room for prospective buyers. She is confident the 350,000- dollar house will sell. She says buyers are back...

I’M SEEING PEOPLE WHO CONSIDERED JUMPING INTO THE HOUSING MARKET NOW FINALLY COMING IN, ACTUALLY BUYING AND WRITING CONTRACTS.

Though six months ago that wasn’t the case….

IT WAS REALLY, REALLY SCARY, I’VE BEEN IN REAL ESTATE FOR TWENTY YEARS AND I’VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE… WE WERE REALLY WORRIED.

The recent influx of buyers, she believes, is a result of historically low interest rates and tax incentives.

I THINK THAT PEOPLE REALIZE THAT WE ARE IN A UNIQUE SORT OF WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW THAT MAY NOT EXIST IN ANOTHER SIX MONTHS.

Across town in Bethesda, Maryland, another real estate agent, Ana Barbosa..

[NAT: HERE WE HAVE A SOFA,]

It's a six bedroom Dutch Colonial House priced a little over a million dollars. She is also confident about the real estate market.

I THINK THE MARKET IS ACCOMODATING ITSELF TO THE ARTIFICIAL BUBBLE THAT WE HAD FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS OR SO.

That's good news for buyers. Both realators say a few years ago their houses would probably have sold for more than their listed today.

- SO DO YOU THINK WE’VE HIT THE BOTTOM
- YES
- ABSOLUTELY, I THINK WE HIT THE BOTTOM TWO MONTHS AGO

Real estate agent Topel says the greatest demand is for houses priced below 6-hundred thousand dollars.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

In Bethesda Maryland, runners and walkers hit the Capital Crescent trail to protest against the proposed Purple Line…

Jessica Forres was there…



[NAT: THREE-TWO-ONE GO]

John Hay of Chevy Chase and more than 450 runners and walkers are taking part in the “No Rail on the Trail” 10K race.

I CAN’T IMAGINE HOW WE CAN HAVE A TRAIN AND RUNNERS AND BIKERS ON THE TRAIL AT THE SAME TIME.

They want County Officials to re-evaluate their plans for a purple line transit way between Bethesda and Silver Spring. Pam Browning helped organize the race.

THE TREES OF THE RIGHT OF WAY ARE ALL GOING TO BE CUT DOWN

Web Smedley…with Purple Line Now…runs on the trail frequently.

WE’RE VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE RUNNING COMPANY SPONSPORED A RACE BETWEEN BETHESDA AND GEORGETOWN AND WE’D LOVE TO SEE THEM SPONSOR A RACE WHEN THE CAPITAL CRESCENT TRAIL IS COMPLETED WITH THE PURPLE LINE.

The Montgomery County Council voted unanimously in favor of the Purple transit line.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

_____________________________________

Although the Montgomery County Council has voted unanimously in favor of the so-called Purple line linking Bethesda and Silver Spring… many residents remain strongly opposed.

Jessica Forres reports...

In Bethesda, Maryland more than 450 runners and walkers are participating in a 10K race. Most of them sport “No Rail on the Trail” stickers.

[NAT: and they're off]

Pam Browning is with the Petition to Save the Trail organization. She wants County officials to re-evaluate their plans for a Purple Line.

WE’RE JUST GOING TO KEEP ON RAISING AWARENESS. WE HAVE YEARS TO THAT. THERE’S NO IMINENT PURPLE LINE COMING. THERE’S NO MONEY FOR THIS.

Web Smedley…with Purple Line Now…runs the trail frequently. He’s disappointed by the race.

WE’RE CERTAINLY TRYING TO REACH ACROSS THE AISLE AND COME TOGETHER TO COMPLETE IT…A TRAIL THAT MEETS THE GOALS OF THE BIKERS AND HIKERS AND RACERS.

The proposed 16-mile transit line is expected to cost 1.2 billion dollars.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Commerical robberies are on the rise in Prince George's County, Maryland.
And as Jessica Forres reports…the police department is advising business owners to take preventive measures.



At Prince George's County's police headquarters, Robert Freeman, who owns a string of barber shops, expresses his concern over the uptick in commercial robberies...

SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE MYSELF WILL BE AFFECTED BECAUSE WE'RE CASH BUSINESSES.

He says break-ins are pretty common... roughly one a year since he started his business more than a decade ago….But last December a thief robbed one of his shops and shot a barber in the foot...

IT MADE ME FEEL TERRIBLE AS A BUSINESS OWNER . I GUESS THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY JUST TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO AND HOW WE CAN PREVENT SOME OF THE THINGS FROM HAPPENING.

Though commercial robberies in the County have been on the decline since 2005, they have spiked in recent months. Captain James Harper says the faltering economy could be to blame. His department is addressing the problem through a number of strategies. One is to work with business owners...

ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS THAT WAS ECHOED HERE TODAY IS IF THEY DO COME INTO YOUR STORE, LET THEM TAKE THE PROPERTY, THE PROPERTY CAN BE REPLACED, YOUR LIFE CANNOT BE REPLACED.

Captain Harper also advises businesses to take note of the robber's appearance...

START DOWN. IF THE PERSON IS WEARING A BLUE HOOD, WITH A BLACK MASK AND A RED JACKET.

Prince George's police say there have been 75 commercial robberies so far this year.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Federal economic stimulus money will spare schools in Maryland from millions in proposed cuts.

Jessica Forres has more ....



Gov. Martin O'Malley says federal economic recovery money will enable Maryland to avoid 700 state employee layoffs and any cuts to an education fund designed to help areas where schooling costs more. The state had been facing 69 million dollars in education funding cuts...

I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THE AMERICAN REINVESTMENT AND RECOVERY ACT WILL ALLOW US TO PRESENT A PLAN TO THE LEGISLATURE THAT ALLOWS US TO MAKE ALL OF OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS SYTEMS WHOLE IN OTHER WORDS, THE CUTS, THE MID-YEAR CUTS AND THE OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN TALKED ABOUT WILL ALLOW US TO MAKE OUT SCHOOL SYSTEM WHOLE.

The governor also says the federal money will contribute $329 million to the projected growth of teacher pension costs.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Local residents often move to remote suburbs for affordable homes… But as Jessica Forres reports the cost of commuting to work may offset those savings...



Peter Haas...with the Center for Neighborhood and Technology... demonstrates how to use an online calculator that lets local residents compare their transportation and housing costs when planning where to live. He computes the cost of living in DC's Takoma Park and Frederick, Maryland.

YOU CAN SEE DOWN HERE, WHERE WE SHOW YOU THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THERE'S NOT A LOT OF TRANSIT CONNECTIVITY OUT THERE. ZERO BUSES OR TRAINS IN WALKING DISTANCE

The online calculator is part of a report released by Haas's organization, the Urban Land Institute and the Center for Housing Policy. It measures the combined housing and transportation costs for 22 areas within the Washington region. Jeffrey Lubell is with the Center for Housing Policy.

THE FURTHER YOU MOVE FROM YOUR PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, THE HOUSING COST SAVINGS ARE LESS THAN THE TRANSPORTATION COST INCREASES IN OTHER WORDS, YOUR TRANSPORTATION COSTS KEEP GOING UP, YOUR HOUSING COST GO DOWN, BUT AT SOME POINT YOUR NOT COMING OUT AHEAD BECAUSE YOUR SPENDING MORE ON TRANSPORTATION THAN YOUR SAVING ON HOUSING.

The report says region-wide households spend an average of 23-thousand on housing and 13-thousand on transportation annually…
Jessica Forres WAMU 885 news


______


Those who live in outer Washington suburbs pay more on average for housing and transportation than those in inner suburbs.

Jessica Forres has the story...

The median household income is 78-thousand dollars in the D-C region. Though that number seems high, so is the cost of renting or owning a home. Jeffrey Lubell is with the Center for Housing Policy.

He says residents who move to remote suburbs for affordable homes often save less if they live 15 miles or more away from their jobs. That's because of transporation costs.

THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT'S ONLY FACED BY THE POOR ALTHOUGH THEY DO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS FACED PEOPLE AT THE MEDIAN INCOME LEVEL, 78-THOUSAND DOLLARS, THIS IS A PROBLEM WE ALL FACE.

A report released by Lubell's group, the Urban Land Istitute and the Center for Neighborhood Technology, measures the combined housing and transportation costs for 22 areas in the region. Virginia's outer suburbs such as Clark and Fauquier Counties are in the study.

THE HOUSEHOLDS SPEND ON AVERAGE ABOUT 19-THOUSAND 778 DOLLARS PER YEAR ON HOUSING COSTS. THAT'S ABOUT THE SAME AS THEY SPEND IN CENTRAL JURISDICTIONS LIKE WASHINGTON, DC BUT THEY SPEND MORE THAN 6-THOUSAND DOLLARS MORE ON THEIR TRANSPORATION COSTS.

Peter Haas with the Center for Neighborhood and Technology…says local residents can now estimate their transportation costs when planning where to live. His group created an online calculator.

YOU CAN DECIDE WELL THE AMOUNT OF MONEY I'M GOING TO HAVE TO SPEND ON TRANSPORTATION. IS IT WORTH OR NOT WORTH IT TO ME

The report says about 60 percent of households have either high housing or transportation costs, or both.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

January 26th marked the beginning of the Lunar New Year. Members of Washington's Asian community came together to celebrate.

But as Jessica Forres reports... Asian immigrants living in the region still face many challenges...



Dragon dancers and drummers are parading down H Street in the District's Chinatown neighborhood. Members of the Asian Community, such as Grace Weuya, are celebrating the Chinese or Lunar New Year. She moved to the area from China eight years ago.

AT FIRST IT WAS VERY HARD TO ADAPT TO THE AMERICAN LIFE BUT AFTER AWHILE YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE SURROUNDING US ARE VERY HELPFUL AND SO YOU GRADUALLY FEEL LIKE YOU ARE FITTING INTO THE SOCIETY.

Lilly Qi is also taking part in the festivities. She wears a blue and gold silk jacket.

MADE IN CHINA JUST LIKE ME

Now she lives in Maryland and works as the Asian-American liasion for Montgomery County's Executive Isaiah Leggett. She says underemployment is a huge issue in the Asian immigrant community.

BECAUSE YOU WERE EITHER EDUCATED WITH PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS BEFORE YOU CAME TO THIS COUNTRY OR YOU END UP STAYING IN SCHOOL FOR TOO LONG. IMMIGRANTS TEND TO BE OVERLY EDUCATED FOR WHAT THEY ARE DOING WHICH MEANS THEY ARE SEVERLY UNDER-EMPLOYED.

Qi says underemployment is one of many issues County Executive Isaiah Leggett is trying to addresss with the New American Initiative.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT RETRAINING OR RELICENSING PROFESSIONALS WHO CAME TO THIS COUNTRY. THEY ARE LOOKING AT BREAKING DOWN LANGUAGE BARRIERS TO GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND PUBLIC SERVICES. OR HELPING PEOPLE TO QUICKLY GAIN CITIZENSHIP.

She says Asian-Americans make up 14 percent of the county's population.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Motorists and pedestrians may be safer with salted roads and sidewalks but some environmental experts say the de-icer could be doing more harm than good.

Jessica Forres reports...



As salt trucks hit the pavement to clear icy roads, Sujay Kaushal with the University of Maryland's Department of Environmental Science,…. says the compound is causing streams in Maryland to become saltier.

WHAT IT MEANS IS THAT IT CAN INFLUENCE THE TYPES OF AQUATIC LIFE IN OUR STREAMS. I THINK IT COULD LEAD TO CONTAMINATION OF SOME DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES, BUT I THINK IT ALSO CAN BE AN INDICATOR OF OTHER CONTAMINANTS IN WATER AS WELL.

Kaushal says the salt dissolves in the melting snow and runs down a storm drain and eventually into a stream and drinking water supplies.

EVEN IF WE QUIT APPLYING ROAD SALT TO OUR WATERSHED, THE WATER WOULD STILL REMAIN SALTY FOR DECADES. THIS ROAD SALT ACCUMULATES IN OUR GROUND WATER AND IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM.

The underlying problem is development. Kaushal explains, land coverage has increased in the region, by 40 percent since 1986. He researched the salinity of several streams in Baltimore.

WHEN SOME OF THESE WATER SHEDS WERE DEVELOPED, WE WERE SEEING CHLORIDE CONCENTRATIONS WERE ROUGHLY A QUARTER OF SEA WATER.

Kaushal says salinity has also increased four fold in some of Baltimore's reservoirs.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

_________________________________________________

As the snowy weather continues to sweep across the area and the salt trucks hit the pavement to clear icy roads, some environmental experts warn the de-icer may be doing more harm than good.

Jessica Forres reports.....

Motorists may be safer with salted roads, but Sujay Kaushal...with University of Maryland's Department of Environmental Science… says Maryland's waterways are not.

WHEN THAT SALT HITS THE GROUND OR HITS THE PAVEMENT THAT SNOW MELTS IMMEDIATELY TRICKLE ON THE ROADWAY, DOWN A SLOPE AND INTO A STORM DRAIN AND INTO A STREAM.

And eventually into our drinking water supplies…Kaushal…says chloride concentrations have increased four fold in some of Baltimore's reservoirs over the last twenty years.

BASICALLY IF THAT RATE OF SALINIZATION CONTINUES INTO THE FUTURE THERE COULD BE SOME DRINKING WATER PROBLEMS.

The underlying problem, Kaushal says, is development, such as new parking lots and roads. He suggests building green infrastructure is a possible solution.

IF WE INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF STORM WATER MANAGEMENT FACILITIES AND INNOVATIVE STORM WATER MANAGEMENT THIS CAN BASICALLY SLOW THE FLOW WATER TO THE STREAM AND HELP RETAIN HELP RETAIN OR TREAT THE WATER BEFORE IT ENTERS RIVERS OR STREAMS.

People with heart ailments and high blood pressure should check the salt content of their drinking water.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Dozens of local environmentalists plunged into the icy waters of the Chesapeake Bay over the weekend to raise awareness about global warming.

Jessica Forres was there…



[NAT: WAVES]

At the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Annapolis headquarters the wind is blowing and the temperature is in the high 30's yet Leanna Howser... dressed in her bathing suit... is ready to jump into the Bay's frigid waters...

I'M ACTUALLY KIND OF GETTING NUMB SO IT'S NOT THAT BAD ANYONE AND ONCE YOU GET IN YOU HAVE TO DIVE. THERE'S NO POINT OF GOING IN AND KEEPING YOUR HAIR DRY.

She is taking part in the Chesapeake Climate Action Network's fourth annual Polar Bear Plunge.

Mike Tidwell is with the non-profit. He says the plunge is meant to raise awareness about global warming and show support for a bill that would reduce 25 percent of the pollution generated in Maryland by 2020...

WE WILL SUFFER FOR A FEW LONG MOMENTS IN ORDER TO RAISE AWARENESS THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP WINTER COLD TO SAVE OUR CLIMATE, SAVE OUR ECONOMY AND SAVE THIS PLANET.

[NAT: NINE, EIGHT, SEVEN, SIX, FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE… WOOOOOO]

About a hundred people decided to take the plunge…

- HOW DO YOU FEEL
- COLD
- GOOD GOD
- COLD, PRETTY FRIGID
- IT WAS COLD
- IT FELT LIKE TWENTY OR THIRTY DEGREES IN THERE. MY FEET WERE NUMB AS SOON
- AS I WENT IN, IT WASN'T LIKE THAT LAST YEAR. OH MY GOD IT WAS SO WORTH IT.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

It's been three months since Congress passed a 700-Billion dollar rescue plan for banks...but as Jessica Forres reports...many local homeowners who are facing foreclosure are NOT receiving the relief they need...



Juliana Anane of Silver Spring, Maryland is seven months behind on her mortgage, so she's attending a workshop at Montgomery College on how she can save her home...

I HAVE A PAYCHECK BUT I MEAN MY HUSBAND DOESN'T HAVE A PAYCHECK. HE DISABLED NOW AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE FELL BEHIND BECAUSE HE CANNOT WORK.

In 2003… when she bought the home…the interest rate was 6 percent...but now that the rate has adjusted upward, she says the bank refuses to work with her...

THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT I CANNOT AFFORD THE HOME AND I'M TELLING THEM THAT IF THEY CUT THE INTEREST RATE FROM 9.25 TO WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE THAN I COULD AFFORD MY HOME.

Maryland Congresswoman Donna Edwards hosted the "Save Your Home" workshop where struggling homeowners received counselling. She's frustrated because banks are not providing the help homeowners need....

WELL IT HAS BEEN A REAL CHALLENGE TO PUSH THE BANKS, EVEN THOSE BANKS THAT HAVE RECEIVED FEDERAL MONEY IN THE BAILOUT TO WORK OUT THEIR LOANS. I THINK WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS TO COMPEL OUR TREASURY DEPARTMENTAT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO USE THE MONEY DIRECTLY FOR HOMEOWNERS.

Representative Edwards says during the third quarter of 2008 half of the 8-thousand foreclosures in Maryland are located in Montgomery and Prince George's counties.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

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Some homeowners in the DC region say the 700-billion dollar rescue plan for banks is not providing the help they need to stave off foreclosure.

Jessica Forres reports…

Joan...not her real name...is attending a free workshop at Montgomery College where struggling homeowners receive counseling on how to avoid foreclosure.
She questions whether it's worth the effort...

IT'S A DISAPPOINTMENT. THE INFORMATION LEVEL IS NOT MATCHING THE PEOPLE'S PROBLEMS AND THE INFORMATION ALL LOOKS LIKE HERE'S THREE THINGS YOU CAN DO AND YOU SOUND REALLY HOPEFUL BUT FOR ME IT'S NOT HOPE.

She's keeping her head above water now..but she fears what could happen...
THEY SAID HOW MANY MONTHS ARE YOU BEHIND. WELL I'M NOT, I'M PAYING IT WELL THEN WE CAN'T HELP YOU. I DON'T WANT TO BE THAT LATE. I KNOW WHAT'S COMING.

Dozens of homeowners showed up for the "Save Your Home" workshop hosted by Congresswoman Donna Edwards who says it's a challenge to convince banks to modify the loans they've made...

I THINK WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS TO COMPEL OUR TREASURY DEPARTMENT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO USE THE MONEY DIRECTLY FOR HOMEOWNERS. AND I'M CONVINCED THAT THE INCOMING OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AND THE NEW SECRETARY OF TREASURY ARE COMMITTED TO DOING JUST THAT. YOU KNOW A PORTION OF THE 350 BILLION DOLLARS WILL BE USED DIRECTLY FOR HOMEOWNERS.

Representative Edwards says the number of foreclosures in Montgomery and Prince George's counties totaled 4 thousand in the third quarter of 2008.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

More than 57 million Americans live in communities governed by homeowners' associations.

But as Jessica Forres reports, Maryland lags behind other states when it comes to regulating these associations.



In the Worman's Mill neighborhood of Frederick, Maryland, flashing snowflakes and lights decorate the outside of three adjacent townhomes.

Debra Sachs has the most colorful display...

HOW CAN YOU SELL A PIG WITH GIFTS ON HIS BACK AND IT'S NOT TACKY, EVEN STANDING ALONE IT'S TACKY I DON'T DOUBT IT BUT IT'S ALSO INCREDIBLY TEMPORARY…

But she and her two neighbors received letters from their homeowner's association asking them to remove the decorations or face a fine of $25 dollars a day. Donald Suhaka, a neighbor, says it's the first he's ever lived in a community with an HOA.

I HAVE TO SELL MY HOUSE AT SOME POINT SO I SHOOT MYSELF IN THE FOOT WHEN I SAY THIS BUT I WOULD CHECK WITH AT LEAST TEN OR FIFTEEN PEOPLE CUZ EVERYONE OF THESE PEOPLE IS UPSET WITH THIS THIS PLACE.

The dispute was resolved last night when their association decided to give up the fight.

Jeanne Ketley is with Maryland's Homeowner's Association… a non-profit group advocating for more homeowner rights in the state.

MARYLAND VIRTUALLY HAS NO LAWS PROTECTING PEOPLE THAT ARE ENFORCEABLE. THERE'S LOTS OF LAWS ON THE BOOKS BUT BECAUSE THERE'S NO ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THERE'S NO REALLY ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY FOR HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION ISSUES.

In Maryland, she says, associations can foreclose on your property if you don't pay your dues.

WHEN YOU BUY INTO A CORPORATION, YOU SAY YOU'RE GOING TO LIVE BY THE RULES OF THE CORPORATION AND YOU SOMETIMES YOU'VE LEFT THE UNITED STATES AND YOU NOW LIVE IN CORPORATE LAND.

The Community Associations Institute says more than 70% of people are happy with their HOA.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

In Frederick, Maryland, a battle over some holiday light displays that pitted neighbors against one another has been resolved.

Jessica Forres attended a meeting last night where the controversy was settled...



Christmas lights and other holiday decorations adorn many of the houses in the Worman's Mill neighborhood of Frederick but the displays at three adjacent townhouses are what raised the ire of the homeowner's association which claimed they are inconsistent with the community's "design concept."

Debra Sachs describes the elaborate decorations outside her home...

A LOT OF SNOOPIES ON DOG HOUSES, AND SNOW MEN AND PENGUINS AND DEERS, AND FROGS WEARING A SANTA HAT.

She and two other homeowners received letters from the association ordering them to remove their displays.

Refusal to do so would subject each of them to fines of 25 dollars a day.

Homeowner Donald Suhaka calls the association's outdoor holiday decoration guidelines "vague"....

THE OTHER THING IS THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL HOMES IN THE COMMUNITY WITH EQUALLY AS MANY AS MINE OR MORE THAT HAVEN'T GOTTEN LETTERS, SO I THINK THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OUT OF SOMEONE.

[NAT:PEOPLE TALKING]

The three neighbors stood their ground and last noight, they presented their arguments to the neighborhood association's covenants committee.


In this exchange, board chairman Harvey Alter questions Elena Doe, the third homeowner...

-WHAT PUZZLES US IS THAT YOU WERE INFORMED MORE THAN ONCE AND AT LEAST BY THE THIRD LETTER WE DIDN'T HEAR A RESPONSE FROM YOU.

-I DIDN'T THINK THERE WAS A NEED TO RESPOND BECAUSE MY DECORATIONS WERE APPROPRIATE

After hearing Sach's lawyer and watching Suhaka's "Powerpoint" presentation, the covenants committee ruled in favor of the three homeowners.

Here's board member Joe Pinto...

THEY WERE RIGHT YOU CAN HOLD STEADFAST IN A POLARIZED POSITION WHEN SOMEONE'S RIGHT THEY'RE RIGHT.

Pinto says the fines will be dismissed and association's holiday decoration guidelines will be revised.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Christmas may be over but retailers are still trying to lure shoppers with sales and deep discounts.

But as Jessica Forres found out this morning, many shoppers are staying home...



A handful of shoppers are waiting for the stores to open inside Montgomery mall in Bethesda, Maryland.

Sheryl Prieto, sipping a hot, mocha coffee, sits at a table with her aunt Gloria Rose and mother Elizabeth Waaler… Shopping the day after Christmas is their family tradition…But this year they are disappointed, not by the deals, but by the crowds...

WE'RE TRYING TO FIND SOME DEALS BUT I WAS JUST SAYING, IT'S KIND OF DISAPPOINTING I LIKE THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE AND THERE'S NO HUSTLE AND BUSTLE AROUND.
- AND THE PARKING LOT WAS SO EMPTY.

Across the Potomac River at Tyson's Corner Center in McClean, Virginia... a similar scene.
Donald Donoho and his daughter Carla Watkins arrived at 6:45am.

THE MALL WASN'T OPEN AND ONLY MACY'S WAS OPEN, THERE WAS NO CROWD EVERYBODY'S SHOPPED OUT.

Joel Bines with Alex Partners, a global consulting firm, says this holiday season, grocery retailers and stores, such as Target and Walmart held up fairly well. .

BUT ONCE YOU START MOVING INTO SPECIALTY CATEGORIES, DEPARTMENT STORES, LUXURY STORES, JEWELRY STORES, TOY STORES. IT MEANS IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY DIFFICULT 2009 FOR THEM FINANCIALLY AND UNLESS THE RETAILERS ARE IN A VERY STRONG POSITION IN 2009, THEYA RE GOING TO HAVE REAL LIQUIDITY CHALLENGES.

He says.. overall this has been the worst shopping season for retailers in 35 or 40 years.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

One local company is helping senior citizens in the D.C. area fight fraud by using the internet.

Jessica Forres reports…



Cindy Libby-Green ...sits in front of her computer,opens the Senior Checked website and searches for "home care providers" in zip code 20852.

[NAT: TYPING]

The search pulls up 388 companies…but only six of them…including the company she works for Premiere Homecare… have been Senior Checked. That means those companies are legitimate, licensed, insured and their employees crime free...

UP UNTIL SENIOR CHECKED WAS DEVELOPED THERE WAS NO ENTITY THAT SENIORS COULD GO TO THAT GAVE THE STAMP OF APPROVAL TO COMPANIES, EVEN COMPANIES OUTSIDE OF HOMECARE.

Though companies pay a monthly fee for the directory listing, searches are free. Libby-Green says she uses it for herself and clients.

WHETHER WE'RE SENIORS, WHETHER WE'RE TEENAGERS WE ALL NEED TO FEEL SECURE WHERE WE LIVE,

Silver Nation is the company behind Senior Checked and Mark Hansan is the CEO.

WE NAMED THE COMPANY SILVER NATION BECAUSE THE SILVER TSUNAMI IS COMING. WE ARE LESS THAN THREE YEARS AWAY FROM THE FIRST BABY BOOMER TURNING 65.

He says 9 out of 10 seniors live at home, which makes them vulnerable to fraud.

WE'RE SEEING IT RIGHT NOW UNFORTUNATELY IN THIS AREA WHICH IS SO TRAGIC, YOU KNOW THE WOMAN IN WHEATON WHO WAS JUST MURDERED BY THE LANDSCAPER THAT SHE HAD HIRED. THESE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS WHERE WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO STOP THESE CRIMES.

He says seniors in the U.S. are victims of crime every 15 seconds.

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One local company is using the internet to help senior citizens fend off criminals.

Jessica Forres reports….

Mark Hanson, the CEO of a Bethesda company called Silver Nation, says seniors are victims of crime every 15 seconds in the U.S.... and those living at home, he explains, are the most vulnerable.

IF YOU LIVE IN A NURSING HOME THERE ARE STATE LAWS AND FEDERAL LAWS THAT PROTECT YOU TO A LIMITED EXTENT. BUT IF YOU'RE IN YOUR OWN HOME, YOU'RE WIDE OPEN, YOU'RE LIKE THE COMPUTER WITHOUT ANY SECURITY PROTECTION.

That's why his company started a website called Senior Checked, which vets and verifies that local businesses are what Hansan calls senior –safe.

WE HAVE OUR STANDARDS AND THEY HAVE TO BE LEGITIMATE, LICENSED, INSURED, CRIME FREE BACKGROUND CHECKED, CONSUMER ENDORSED AND COMMITTED TO SENIORS.

Premiere Homecare, which provides support services for senior citizens living at home, pays a monthly fee to participate in the program. Cindy Libby-Green is the Executive Director. She says the best part about the service is that it's free for consumers.

IT REALLY IS THE RESULT OF NOT HAVING ANY KIND OF SINGLE ENTRY PLACE TO GO TO MAKE SURE WHETHER IT'S A PLUMBER, A PAINTER, A LANDSCAPER, THAT WHOEVER IS COMING TO YOU IS A SAFE PERSON TO LET IN YOUR HOME.

The program launched in early December.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News