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
(Updated at 3:05 p.m.) Roads around the Rayburn House Office Building in the Capitol South area were closed for about 30 minutes this afternoon as U.S. Capitol Police investigated a suspicious vehicle in the area.
Police determined that the car was not dangerous and reopened the streets about 3 p.m.
The vehicle was reportedly parked near the intersection of Delaware Avenue SW and D Street SW. Police closed D Street SW between South Capitol Street and Washington Avenue SW and Washington Avenue SW between South Capitol Street and Independence Avenue SW about 2:25 p.m.
USCP reports a Suspicious vehicle at Delaware Ave at D St SW
Road Closures:
*D St Btwn South Capitol St & Washington Ave SW— DC Police Traffic (@DCPoliceTraffic) February 4, 2016
The Rayburn House Office Building contains offices for multiple members of the U.S. House of Representatives and is located near the Capitol South Metro station.
Photo via Flickr/nullvalue
Mayor Muriel Bowser and four District councilmembers will attend a town hall discussion hosted by the Ward 6 Democrats this Wednesday in Hill East.
The meeting is planned to take place from 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday at the Friendship Public Charter School campus at 1345 Potomac Ave. SE. Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and At-Large Councilmembers Anita Bonds and Vincent Orange are scheduled to attend the meeting.
Bowser, Allen and Bonds will join a representative from the D.C. Attorney’s Office to discuss affordable housing and homeless services. The meeting will also cover crime prevention and enforcement, according to a Facebook post from Ward 6 Democrats.
Representatives from the Metropolitan Police Department are also scheduled to attend the town hall. Other invited participants include the Capitol Hill Village, MPD’s Citizens Advisory Council, Metro Transit Police and the U.S. Capitol Police.
Police Discover Illegal Gun on Trip to Navy Yard Car Wash — Four members of the U.S. Capitol Police recovered an illegal gun during a trip to get their black Chevy Suburban cleaned at Splash Car Wash on I Street SE. The gun was found in another customer’s car, which the officers witnessed. [Washington Post]
The Wharf Modifies Plans for Pier 4, Eliminates Townhouses — The developers of The Wharf in Southwest have modified their plans for Pier 4, eliminating residential development along the pier and starting construction earlier. [SWTLQTC]
New Sport Pickleball Takes Over Sherwood Recreation Center — Pickleball, a game that combines tennis, badminton and table-tennis, is taking over Sherwood Recreation Center at 640 10th St. NE. [Hill Rag]
The young and the young-at-heart on Capitol Hill won rare bipartisan support in Congress for their right to sled at the U.S. Capitol.
Even though the weather lately has been more appropriate for sunbathing than sledding, Congress added language into an omnibus spending bill urging the Capitol Police to allow sledding at the Capitol this winter, Roll Call reported.
Last winter, many families participated in an act of civil disobedience by sledding down the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, despite an official ban.
The spending bill passed by Congress doesn’t directly instruct the Capitol Police to lift the ban, but does urge them to look the other way when sledders take to the hill this winter.
ANC Reviews Plans for Apartments, Daycare at Riverside Baptist Church Site in Southwest — PN Hoffman, the company planning to build a 7- to 9-story apartment building at the site of Riverside Baptist Church at 7th Street and Maine Avenue SW, presented plans to ANC 6D that included a daycare and public space. [SWTLQTC]
Dance-Off Between Police Officer and Teen in Southwest Goes Viral — A video shows a Metropolitan Police Department officer in a dance competition with a teen whom the officer was asking to leave the 200 block of K Street SE is being praised as an example of constructive community policing. [Washington Post]
Photos: Congress and Capitol Police Square Off on the Football Field — The U.S. Capitol Police beat members of Congress and former NFL players 7-6 in the seventh Congressional Football Game Wednesday night. [WTOP]
Where to Go to Celebrate Halloween All Weekend — Whether you’re looking for some costumed clubbing or family-friendly fun, we’ve compiled a list of Halloween events across the Capitol Hill area this weekend. [Hill Now]
Mosaic Theater Company Finds Home at Atlas Performing Arts Center — The Mosaic Theater Company of DC, a new socially-conscious theater troupe, is now a resident partner at the Atlas Performing Arts Center at 1333 H St. NE. [Frozen Tropics]
Congress Overlooks Errors by Capitol Police — Despite several embarrassing missteps by the U.S. Capitol Police, Congress has largely ignored problems with their security detail. [Roll Call]
Four Men Arrested in Connection With Several Capitol Hill Armed Robberies — Police arrested four men on Sunday night that they believe could be responsible for several armed robberies in the Capitol Hill area last week. [Hill Now]
The U.S. Capitol Police will square off against a team of Congressmen and former NFL players for the biennial Congressional Football Game on Wednesday.
This year’s game, the seventh charity game held between the Capitol Police and the people they usually protect, will be held at Watkins Recreation Field at 420 12th St. SE at 7 p.m.
The charity match was first held in 2005 as a way to raise money for the Capitol Police Memorial Fund, which benefits the families of Capitol Police officers who have died in the line of duty. This year, in addition to the Capitol Police Memorial Fund, proceeds from the game will also go to Our Military Kids, which provides grants to children of military personnel and A Advantage 4 Kids, a charity that serves families in need in the District.
The U.S. Capitol Police team, the Guards, have won four of the past six matches while the Mean Machine, a team comprised of congressmen and former NFL players, have won one, with one game ending in a tie. The Mean Machine is coached by former NFL players John Booty and Ken Harvey.
Though the game is a friendly two-hand touch match, Booty said that doesn’t mean it isn’t competitive.
“We know the Capitol Police want to keep that trophy,” he said. “And we want to help Congress get the trophy back.” Booty said he has been leading the congressmen in practices on the National Mall at 7 a.m.
Other former NFL players who will play alongside Republican and Democrat congressmen include Shawn Springs, Gary Clark and Herschel Walker. Donna Wilkinson, who plays for the DC Divas in the Women’s Football Alliance will also play for the Mean Machine.
Before the game, the former NFL players will help lead a clinic held by USA Football, a national youth football organization. At the clinic, which is slated to run from 5:45-6:45 p.m., area children will get the chance to practice football drills and conditioning with the former players. Attendees are asked to register for the clinic by emailing [email protected].
DeSean Jackson, wide receiver for the Washington NFL team, will conduct the coin toss before the game, and Hall of Fame running back John Riggins will serve as an honorary captain for the Mean Machine.
Tickets for the game can be purchased for $10 online or at the game.
Photo via CongressionalFootballGame.org
(Updated at 4:30 p.m.) An unattended lunch bag temporarily closed streets near the U.S. Capitol this afternoon, according to U.S. Capitol Police.
From about 4 to 4:15 p.m., East Capitol Street NE was closed between 1st and 2nd streets NE and 1st Street NE was closed between Independence and Constitution avenues NE as police investigated a report of a suspicious package, the Metropolitan Police Department tweeted.
Obamas Dine at Capitol Hill-Area Eateries — Maketto on the H Street corridor and Rose’s Luxury on Barracks Row were visited by President Obama and his wife, Michelle, this week. The first lady celebrated a birthday with friends at Maketto Monday. She then joined her husband at Rose’s to celebrate his birthday Tuesday. [DCEater/The Hill]
Congressional Staffer Charged With Carrying a Gun — A congressional staffer was arrested yesterday after police said they found a loaded gun in his car near the U.S. Capitol. Marine Corps congressional fellow Peter Boby, who is assigned to the office of Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), was charged with carrying a pistol without a license, unregistered ammunition and an unregistered firearm in connection with the incident. [National Journal]
MLB Fan Cycles 9,000 Miles to Nationals Park — Nationals Park welcomed baseball fan Matt Stoltz to the Nationals game Monday as part of his 11,000-mile bicycle ride for charity. [Fox 5]
‘BeerDisneyLand’ to Open in Navy Yard This Spring — Bardo Brewpub is slated to open a new location near Nationals Park this spring, with the intention of pouring its first beers by Major League Baseball’s Opening Day. [Hill Now]
U.S. Capitol Police Approve Expansion of Powers — Language approved by the U.S. Capitol Police Board last week would allow officers to search possessions of people within the grounds of the Capitol. The board said it will work with congressional overseers to put signs around the Capitol when the law takes effect. [WTOP]
Streetcar Skeptics — District Department of Transportation director Leif Dormsjo announced that streetcars would begin carrying passengers “within months” along the H Street corridor, but public reaction still remains skeptical after years of unfulfilled promises. [WAMU]
Councilman Allen’s Tree Bill — Councilman Charles Allen of Ward 6 introduced a bill last week that would increase the amount of space covered by trees in the District from 36 percent to 40 percent by 2032. It also raise fines and fees for people who chop down trees with a circumference larger than 55 inches. [Washington City Paper]
History Lesson at the Former Buchanan School — The old Buchanan School at 1325 D St. SE will soon be redeveloped into a condominium and town house project. The D.C. Board of Zoning Adjustment gave final approval to the proposal yesterday morning. [DC Urban Turf]
(Updated at 10:30 a.m.) The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center has reopened after a fire alarm forced officials to evacuate the building this morning.
U.S. Capitol Police and the D.C. Fire and EMS Department didn’t find any signs of a fire, Lt. Kimberly Schneider of the U.S. Capitol Police said.
The visitor center is located underneath the plaza between the U.S. Capitol and 1st Street.
The office of the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms tweeted about 9:30 a.m. that “staff should respond to assigned assembly areas.” By 10:30 a.m., staff and visitors could return to the building.
First Street, between Constitution Avenue NE and Independence Avenue SE, and East Capitol Street, between 1st and 2nd streets, were closed temporarily as authorities investigated the alarm.
Photo via Wikimedia/Fletcher6
(Updated at 1:40 p.m.) Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill has reopened after a report of a suspicious package prompted an evacuation.
The U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms tweeted about 1:30 p.m. that the building was “all clear.”
U.S. Capitol Police received a phone call earlier today about a suspicious package in room SD-G40 of the building, police spokeswoman Lt. Kimberly Schneider said.
The U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms tweeted about 12:45 p.m. that Dirksen was being evacuated.
Photo via Architect of the Capitol
(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
Calling the Geese Police — Don’t be surprised if you spot border collies dressed in bright yellow vests adorned with “Working Dog” and “Geese Police of D.C.” on the National Mall. The dogs are part of an effort led by National Park Service to scatter geese that are leaving excessive droppings near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and elsewhere. [NBC Washington]
Honoring the Capitol Police ‘Gentle Giant’ — Thousands of people gathered at the National Law Enforcement Memorial this week to honor 273 police officers who died in the line of duty last year. Among them was U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Clinton Holtz, who died after he collapsed on the job in January 2014. [Washington Post]
Four Decades of Art on Capitol Hill — WTOP has a profile of the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, which has run community art sessions for kids and adults for 43 years. [WTOP]
Bike to Work Day — Did you participate in Bike to Work Day on Capitol Hill, NoMa, Navy Yard or elsewhere in Ward 6? You can share your photos with us via Facebook and Twitter.
