The Library of Congress was evacuated this afternoon after a broken sprinkler dumped “a lot of water” in the complex, U.S. Capitol Police said.
Independence Avenue between 1st and 2nd streets SE closed to traffic after the call for the evacuation. The area around the intersection of 2nd and C streets SE also is blocked off near the James Madison Memorial Building of the Library of Congress.
We’ll update this post when we have more information.
Photo via Flickr/Craig Nelson
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Development in Southwest Disturbs the Peace at District’s Only Houseboat Community — Residents of the Gangplank Marina in Southwest, the only houseboat community in D.C., said that development at The Wharf has made their quiet corner of the city louder and made their future at the site uncertain. [Washington Post]
Man Arrested for Bathing in Fountain at Library of Congress — A man was arrested for indecent exposure after he was caught bathing in the fountain outside of the Library of Congress last week. [NBC Washington]
D.C. Fountains Ranked by Potability of Water — Several fountains near the U.S. Capitol got high marks when Stuck in DC taste-tested public fountains and reflecting pools around the District. The Southwest Duck Pond did not fare so well. [Stuck in DC]
Man Killed in Southeast-Southwest Freeway Car Crash — One man was killed and another man was injured in a single-car crash on the Southeast-Southwest Freeway near South Capitol Street. [WUSA]
Gun in the Library of Congress — A former D.C. police officer was arrested for trying to take a loaded, unregistered gun into the Library of Congress. Yong H. Ahn, 55, said the revolver was his off-duty weapon, but he failed to provide credentials or a license. [WTOP]
Psych Exam for Stabbing Suspect — Jasper Spires, the main suspect in a fatal stabbing at the NoMa Metro station on July 4, has been ordered to undergo a psychological examination. Judge Robert E. Morin of the D.C. Superior Court also said he found sufficient evidence to retain Spires in jail until trial. [Washington Post]
Keeping it Green — The Wylie Street Community Garden in the H Street corridor is safe from development for now. The H Street Community Development Corporation said it does not have “immediate plans” to develop the land, but that it could devise a plan to develop within a year. [Hill Now]
RNC Trouble — A staffer at the Republican National Committee who lives in Capitol Hill has left his job after allegations that he sexually assaulted two women. [Hill Now]
The Week Ahead — The Hill East Task Force will meet with Councilman Charles Allen on Thursday, and the Capitol Hillbillies will perform at Eastern Market on Sunday. [Capitol Corner]
Find My Phone — iPhone snatching on the Metro is up this month, police say. Several recent incidents include one theft at the Eastern Market Metro station. [Hill Now]
Library of Congress on Mobile — “People who are blind, visually impaired or have a physical disability may now download talking books to their Android phone or tablet, if they are registered with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) in the Library of Congress.” [Capitol Community News]
Photo via Flickr/Mike Licht
Hope Springs Eternal — “Can one stadium deal lead the Washington Redskins back to the city?” [CBS Washington]
Virginia Ave. Closures Scheduled — The new CSX Tunnel work will close the avenue to traffic and parking between 2nd and 3rd Streets SE “as soon as Monday, June 22” and the stretch between 4th and 5th Streets SE “as soon as Monday, June 29. [JD Land]
Librarian of Congress Retires — James Billington, who led the world’s largest library for almost three decades, has announced that he will retire Jan. 1, 2016. [WTOP]
Anacostia Renewal — A young documentarian is looking for donations to help her explores how the residents of Navy Yard and other D.C. neighborhoods connect with the Anacostia River. [Hill Now]
(Updated at 2:25 p.m.) Police have determined the James Madison Memorial Building is safe after unattended bags were discovered in the Library of Congress facility.
U.S. Capitol Police launched a suspicious package investigation into the bags after they were found in the building shortly after noon, police said.
By 2 p.m., the police had completed their probe and reopened a portion of Independence Avenue SE that was closed during the investigation. The building is located at 101 Independence Ave. SE.
Photo via Flickr/Craig Nelson
