A community leader in Hill East is taking the U.S. Department of Justice to court in her quest to get crime statistics for her neighborhood.

Commissioner Denise Krepp of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6B yesterday filed a lawsuit in the District’s federal district court, claiming DOJ violated the Freedom of Information Act. She urges the court to order the agency to hand over information about what percentage of crimes and arrests in D.C. result in prosecutions.

The suit came after Krepp raised more than $1,800 to cover FOIA fees for the data, which she has yet to get.

“Since I had exhausted all administrative remedies, I filed suit against DOJ,” Krepp said in an email last night. “I did so because crime is on the rise and instead of helping, DOJ continues to claim lack of knowledge regarding the number of crimes it is prosecuting in the city.”

Photo via Twitter/Denise Krepp

Fundraiser Set Up for Woman Injured in Violent Carjacking in December — A Navy Yard resident set up a fundraising page for a woman who suffered multiple broken bones and teeth after a violent carjacking in Navy Yard in December. [PoPville]

Owners of Archibald Walk Treehouse Raising Money to Relocate Fort — Ellen Psychas and Bing Yee, who were recently ordered to remove their treehouse in Archibald Walk from public space, have set up an online fundraiser to relocate the castle-themed treehouse. [DCist]

Block of I Street SE Opens in Navy Yard — The stretch of I Street SE between 2nd Street SE and New Jersey Avenue SE opened yesterday with wide sidewalks and a bike lane. [JDLand]

Information On Area Criminals Hidden Behind Bureaucratic Criminals — Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6B Commissioner Denise Krepp wrote an editorial about her difficulty finding information on the trial history of a man accused of brutally raping a Hill East woman. [The Hill Is Home]

Metro Transit Police Investigating Thursday Attack on Red Line Metro Train — Metro is investigating after a man reported that he was attacked by a group of teenagers on a Red Line Metro train Thursday afternoon. The group of teens reportedly boarded the train at the NoMa-Gallaudet University station about 4:30 p.m. and harassed several passengers. [Washington Post, Washington City Paper]

Southwest Residents Raise Concerns About Buzzard Point Development — As development brings more people to Buzzard Point, residents want to make sure that the area is prepared with transit options and public spaces. [Hill Rag]

Monthly Capitol Hill Area ANC Meeting Roundup — Hill Rag takes a look at what happened last month with Capitol Hill area ANCs, including 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D. [Hill Rag]

District Government Tells Archibald Walk Resident to Move Treehouse Out of Public Space — The District Department of Transportation’s Public Space Committee ruled against the owners of a treehouse that extends into the residential alley at Archibald Walk, ordering them to move the controversial treehouse off public space. [Capitol Hill Corner]

ANC Commissioner Starts Petition Asking Department of Justice to Start Compiling Prosecution Data — ANC 6B Commissioner Denise Krepp, who held a bake sale to pay for data from the Department of Justice about prosecution rates in the Capitol Hill area, received a letter from DOJ saying they do not collect the data she requested. In response, Krepp has created an online petition to ask the federal agency to start tracking the prosecution rate for crimes in the District. [The Hill is Home]

Former Clarendon Restaurant EatBar to Open on Barracks Row — The Neighborhood Restaurant Group, the team behind Red Apron, Churchkey and Bluejacket, are planning to open a new restaurant on Barracks Row called EatBar, reviving a popular Clarendon restaurant that closed in late 2014. [Barred In DC]

Future of Buzzard Point Marina Depends on Lawsuit to Be Heard in February — Boat owners at Buzzard Point marina were told by the National Park Service, who own the land, that they had to leave by the end of December. However, a lawsuit that will be heard in February has kept the marina open for now. [Hill Rag]

The dig out continued in the Capitol Hill area today, with many main streets cleared but sidewalks and side streets still covered in snow. With Mayor Muriel Bowser still encouraging drivers and pedestrians to stay off the streets, many Hill area residents spent the day clearing the snow or finding creative ways to enjoy it.

Several readers sent photos of snow forts around the area, but the best was the “Pigloo” at the intersection of 3rd and K streets NE. In addition to being a genius combination of an igloo and a pig, the Pigloo also appears to have indoor lighting.

Another reader sent us the picture above of Totoro, a character in the movie My Neighbor Totoro and a very handsome snowman.

Across the Hill, ANC 6B Commissioner Denise Krepp shared a photo of a “spacious new one bedroom” igloo in Hill East.

Spacious new one bedroom on Capitol Hill. Cool air & half block from @wmata station. #DigOutDC #HillEast pic.twitter.com/nxjS4k85XD

— Denise Rucker Krepp (@kdrkrepp) January 25, 2016

However, it wasn’t all fun and games around the Hill. As residents leave their homes to shake off cabin fever, many have been participating in the time-honored tradition of snow shaming. Krepp’s ANC 6B colleague Nick Berger posted a roundup on his blog of Hill East businesses that were great about shoveling their sidewalks and those that didn’t even try.

And while many residents took to Twitter to complain about businesses in their neighborhoods that haven’t shoveled sidewalks, Tommy Wells, the Director of the District Department of Energy and Environment said that, on the whole, Capitol Hill area sidewalks were looking good.

More sidewalks were shoveled yesterday than I've ever seen on Capitol Hill after a snow. Such amazing volunteers! #snowzilla

— Tommy Wells (@TommyWells) January 25, 2016

Got any pictures of your snow day in the Capitol Hill area? Email us or tweet at us and let us know how you’re making the dig out fun.

 

New York City Pizza Chain Two Boots Planning H Street Corridor Location — Two Boots, a cajun pizza chain in New York City is planning to open its first D.C. location in May at 1025 H St. NE. [Washington Business Journal]

ANC Approves of Mixed-Use Development Near Potomac Avenue Metro Station — Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6B voted to support a new development at 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. SE that will have 19,000 square feet of retail space and 174 residential units. [Capitol Hill Corner]

D.C. United Release Renderings of Buzzard Point Stadium — D.C. United released three new renderings of its new stadium planned for Buzzard Point. [Washingtonian]

Uni Bistro on H Street NE Introduces New Menu — Uni Bistro at 403 H St. NE introduced a new menu that includes beer and wine. The eatery formerly known as Batter Bowl Bakery is also developing a cocktail menu. [District Cuisine]

Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan Closed Due to Maintenance Issue — Capitol Hill Montessori School at Logan is closed today after a pipe burst in the boiler room. [Facebook/ Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan]

ANC 6B Commissioner Brian Flahaven to Resign Friday — Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6B09 Commissioner Brian Flahaven announced yesterday that he will be resigning from his seat on Friday to spend more time with his family. [Capitol Hill Corner]

CSX Announces Early Morning Demolition Work at Old Virginia Avenue Tunnel — Transportation company CSX has warned residents near the old Virginia Avenue tunnel that demolition of the tunnel will begin on Jan. 18 and will include loud tools and early morning work. [JDLand]

Neighbors Unite to Protest Tree House That Extends Over Public Alley Near Eastern Market — Residents of Archibald Walk, a residential alley in the block between G and E streets SE and 6th and 7th streets SE, are protesting a tree house that one resident built for his children which extends into the historic alley. [Capitol Hill Corner]

Capitol Hill Boutique Luxury Condo Building to Hold Grand Opening Party Wednesday — The Jackson, a seven-unit luxury condo building at 630 14th St. NE, will hold a grand opening party Wednesday. [Urban Turf]

Navy Yard Set to Become District’s Most Densely Populated Neighborhood — With 14 new buildings under development and 17 more planned, Navy Yard is set to become D.C.’s most densely populated neighborhood. [Washington Post]

First Mixed-Use Project Proposed for Buzzard Point — A development company has purchased a waterfront parcel of land between V, First and Half streets SW in Buzzard Point with plans for 90-107 condos and retail, the first mixed-use building planned for the area. [Washington Business Journal]

Southeast Boulevard Between Barney Circle and 11th Street Bridge Could Take 10 Years, $190 Million — The District Department of Transportation told ANC6B’s transportation committee that plans to build a road in Capitol Hill between Barney Circle and the 11th Street Bridge could take up to 10 years to build and cost up to $190 million. The plans also include underground parking for tour buses. [Capitol Hill Corner]

Buchanan School Project Takes Shape in Hill East — Developers Federal Capital Partners and Insight Property Group are planning to convert the Buchanan School at 1325 D St. SE into Buchanan Park, a community with 41 rowhomes and 41 condos. [Washington Business Journal]

Capitol Hill Wig Store Going Out of Business — Kay Wigs, which has operated out of a basement at 325 Pennsylvania Ave. SE for 14 years, will close for good at the end of the month. The store is currently holding a going out of business sale. [The Hill is Home]

Bayou Bakery Expands Dinner Service Starting Friday — Capitol Hill eatery Bayou Bakery will start serving dinner on Friday, with plans to serve fried chicken livers, seared Cajun pork belly and blue crab fritters. [Washington Post]

Turf Athletic Field at Randall Recreation Center Almost Complete — Construction on a new turf athletic field at Randall Recreation Center in Southwest is almost complete. The field includes a new scoreboard, soccer field and baseball/softball field. [SWTLQTC]

Monthly Capitol Hill Area ANC Meeting Roundup — Hill Rag takes a look at what happened last month with Capitol Hill area ANCs, including 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D. [Hill Rag]

NoMa Parks Foundation Purchases Two Acres North of New York Avenue NE — The NoMa Parks Foundation purchased two acres from Pepco at the northern end of NoMa to convert into a park. It’s the second park purchased by the parks foundation, a branch of the NoMa Business Improvement District. [Washington Business Journal]

A bake sale held at Eastern Market this weekend raised more than $1,800 to pay for Capitol Hill crime statistics from the Department of Justice.

The sale was organized by Capitol Hill and Hill East residents to pay for information about what percentage of crimes and arrests in the area result in prosecutions. The information was requested from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which handles prosecutions in the District, via a Freedom of Information Act request filed by Advisory Neighborhood Commision 6B Commissioner Denise Krepp Nov. 5.

In its response to the request, the Department of Justice, which oversees the U.S. Attorney’s Office, told Krepp that it would cost $40 per hour of work needed to collect the data.

Krepp indicated that she would be willing to pay up to $1,000 for the information, but neighbors had a different idea, and organized a bake sale to cover the cost.

The #foiacakes bake sale took place on Sunday at Eastern Market and raised $1,097 by selling cakes and cookies and raffling off two Georgetown basketball game tickets donated by Events DC.

Krepp also raised $420 in direct donations and a $350 donation from Dangerously Delicious Pies, which donated a portion of its proceeds on Sunday to the fund, bringing the total amount raised to $1,867.

In a letter to the Department of Justice, Krepp credited the generosity of Capitol Hill residents and said that she will spend all the money on the requested information.

The exact cost of the information requested is uncertain, as it depends on the amount of time it takes the Department of Justice to collect the data. Krepp said on Monday that if the information costs less than the amount raised, she will donate the remaining money to a local organizations that advocates for transparency in local government.

Despite objections by some neighbors, ANC 6B endorsed the effort by Bullfrog Bagels to secure a liquor license for its planned Eastern Market location, Capitol Hill Corner reported.

Neighbors of the proposed eatery complained that early morning deliveries in the back alley of the location at 317 7th St. SE would be disruptive and worried about trash management.

Jeremiah Cohen, the owner of Bullfrog Bagels, agreed to try to limit the disruptions caused by deliveries, but did not agree to receive deliveries through the building’s front door as some neighbors had requested.

The ANC’s approval also hinged on reducing the hours that alcohol will be served at the eatery by 30 minutes per day.

Cohen plans to serve brunch and dinner with alcoholic beverages at the new location.

A lawyer representing the neighbors who objected to the liquor license endorsement told Capitol Hill Corner that residents were disappointed with the ANC’s decision to approve the license.

The issue will now go before the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration on Dec. 14.

Photo via Facebook/Bullfrog Bagels

D.C. Councilmembers Speak Out Against Pepco-Exelon merger — Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen joined Ward 3 Councilwoman Mary Cheh and At Large Councilmembers David Grosso and Elissa Silverman on a letter urging the District’s Public Service Commission to reject the proposed takeover of Pepco by Exelon. [Washington Post]

Monthly Capitol Hill Area ANC Meeting Roundup — Hill Rag takes a look at what happened last month with Capitol Hill area ANCs, including 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D. [Hill Rag]

Enterprise Car Rental to Open in Southwest This Week — Enterprise car rental is slated to open its new location at Waterfront Station at 1100 4th Street SW this week. [SWTLQTC]

Video Compares H Street Streetcar to Simpsons’ Monorail — A song created by Express writer Sadie Dingfelder, who has written other local transit-themed tunes, compares the H Street Streetcar to the Springfield Monorail from The Simpsons. [Washington Post]

Eastern Market Bullfrog Bagels Runs Into Neighbor Opposition to Liquor License — The application for a liquor license at the future Bullfrog Bagels location in Eastern Market hit a road block at an ANC 6B’s Alcohol Beverage Committee where neighbors expressed concerns about overnight deliveries and noise. [Capitol Hill Corner]

‘Build First’ Development Model Gains Support at Greenleaf Gardens — Neighborhood groups have thrown their support behind a “build first” model of redevelopment at the Greenleaf Gardens public housing complex in Southwest which would allow for new development in vacant areas of the complex without displacing current residents. [Hill Rag]

New H Street NE Restaurant Plans Mediterranean Menu, Extensive Wine List — Sospesso Mediterranean restaurant, which is currently moving into 1344 H St. NE, posted a liquor license application to offer coffee during the day and dinner with wine in the evening. [PoPville]

Lessons Learned From H Street Streetcar Collisions — There have been six collisions between the H Street streetcar and cars during its testing phases. Washington City Paper looked at what can be learned from these accidents. [Washington City Paper]

Organization that Aids Low-Income Veteran Families Raising Money for Christmas Stockings — Community Connections, a Capitol Hill nonprofit that provides mental health care to veterans and others is raising money to provide Christmas stockings full of gifts to children of low-income veterans this year. The group is also collecting winter coats, scarves, hats and gloves at various locations throughout Capitol Hill. [The Hill is Home]