From AlertDC:

“The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a Flash Flood Warning for District of Columbia until noon today.

At 755 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated showers producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1.5 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD: Life threatening flash flooding. Showers producing flash flooding.

SOURCE: Radar.

IMPACT: Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.” Read More

From DDOT:

“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and National Park Service (NPS) announced today that construction for the rehabilitation of the Rock Creek Park Trail and new pedestrian bridge is scheduled to begin on March 31, 2021.

“We are thrilled to finally start construction on this project which is the result of decades long collaboration with our partners and community stakeholders,” said DDOT Interim Director Everett Lott. “The planned repairs and upgrades like the addition of a pedestrian bridge will make this very popular DC destination much more enjoyable for all who use it.”

DDOT and NPS will rehabilitate and construct more than 3.7 miles of the paved, multi-use trail spanning Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4 from M Street NW in Georgetown to Broad Branch Road NW. Read More

From MPD:

“On August 8, 2020, at approximately 7:46 pm, multiple sounds of gunshots were reported in the area around the 4800 block of 4th Street NW. During the canvass by 4th District officers, multiple shell casings were recovered in the 300-400 block of Delafield Place NW, but there were no reports of any injuries. Additionally, numerous parked vehicle was damaged by gunfire.”

and

“On August 8, 2020, at approximately 7:21 pm, multiple sounds of gunshots were reported in the area around the 5900 block of Piney Branch Road NW. Read More

Thanks to Adam for sharing:

“I just rescued a good sized and energetic snapping turtle from a lane of Piney Branch, just short of Arkansas. Is it odd, being a creature of Rock Creek, that it had barnacles on the shell?”

If you spot a hawk or any interesting wildlife around town, lunching or otherwise, and get a good photo please send in an email where you spotted it to [email protected] and I’ll add it to the queue. Hawks around Town is made possible by a generous grant from the Ben and Sylvia Gardner foundation.

Thanks to Susan and Julie for sending from Piney Branch and Arkansas Ave. NW: Read More

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Mayor Muriel Bowser and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced the first seven locations for the new Slow Streets initiative, which will give residents more space to social distance while moving around outside. The locations are spread across all eight wards of the District.

“Like the streateries and other expanded dinging areas that are now on roads, alleys, and sidewalks throughout the city, the Slow Streets initiative is one way we can reimagine public space to make it easier to enjoy the outdoors and stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Mayor Bowser. “We want people to be able to move around and be outside, but it is important, as we continue through Phase One and into the summer months, to remember the importance of social distancing, face masks, and frequent handwashing.”

Slow Streets are restricted to local traffic only and the speed limit is set at 15 miles per hour to support neighborhood-based safe social distancing while walking, running, or cycling. The first seven slow zones will be implemented in the following locations: Read More

via google maps

From MPD:

“Detectives with the Metropolitan Police Department’s Major Crash Investigations Unit are investigating a traffic crash involving a pedestrian that occurred on Monday, June 8, 2020, in the 7000 block of Piney Branch Road, Northwest.

Preliminary investigation revealed that at approximately 9:17 pm, a vehicle was traveling in the listed location when it struck a pedestrian. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the crash and determined the pedestrian displayed no signs consistent with life. The pedestrian remained on the scene until transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The decedent has been identified 21-year-old Timothy Abbott, of Northwest, DC. Read More

via google maps

From MPD:

“The Fourth District is investigating a shooting that occurred on January 30, 2020, around 7:20 p.m. in the 5900 block of Piney Branch Road. The lookout is for an adult male dressed all in black seen fleeing on foot towards 13th street. The adult victim was transported to the hospital for treatment. Anyone with video or information is asked to contact MPDC at 202-727-9099 or text to 50411.”

Ed. Note: Earlier in the week multiple gunshots were fired nearby.

From the National Parks Service:

“To protect and restore native plants and promote healthy and diverse forests, Rock Creek Park is announcing its deer management window of operations starting Nov. 20, 2019, through March 31, 2020.

Extensive safety measures will be in place to protect park visitors and neighbors during operations. Biologists, who are also highly trained firearms experts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will be working under the direction of National Park Service (NPS) natural resource management specialists and in coordination with U.S. Park Police and local law enforcement to conduct reduction actions at night when the park is normally closed. Read More