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DC's crime leads to more restaurants closing in 2023 than the previous year

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DC's crime leads to more restaurants closing in 2023 than the previous year


Dozens of beloved Washington restaurants closed this year, more than in 2022, according to the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.

Last year, 48 D.C. restaurants shut down while in 2023, 52 restaurants went out of business.

BIDEN’S EIGHT MOST NOTABLE GAFFES OF 2023

RAMW President Shawn Townsend attributes the closures to challenges of restaurant ownership, including the higher cost of goods, fewer patrons eating out, and, specifically, the city’s rising crime problem and Initiative 82, which will phase out the tipped minimum wage.

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Townsend is hoping that “things will get back to some type of new normal,” he said.

Biergarten Haus, a longtime beer garden, struggled during the pandemic and found that many regulars stopped coming due to the crime problem in the District. Owner Aaron McGovern was also the owner of Russia House, a D.C. mainstay known for its wide selection of vodkas and caviar, which closed earlier in 2023.

McGovern reportedly lost tens of thousands of dollars to burglaries of his businesses and experienced his employees getting assaulted.

“Why am I paying for more police presence when I pay it in taxes, and I pay a lot?” he reportedly said.

Chinatown’s Bar Deco, known for its bottomless brunch, closed due to the crime problem and lack of foot traffic.

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The security budgets for nightclubs and restaurants have increased the operational budget for doing business in the District. Even Dupont Circle’s Surfside taco window began to need to pay for hired guards to keep patrons safe.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

D.C. restaurateur Bo Blair said he spends $4,000 a week on hired guards for his businesses.

Blair reportedly said that he “cannot continue to pay what we’re paying for security.”





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Washington, D.C

Spring Hill Officials Travel to Washington D.C. for Congressional Briefing

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Spring Hill Officials Travel to Washington D.C. for Congressional Briefing


Spring Hill Assistant City Administrator Dan Allen and Mayor Matt Fitterer in Washington D.C. on Thursday to take part in a congressional briefing regarding water reclamation.

On Thursday, May 29, 2025, Spring Hill Assistant City Administrator  Dan Allen, accompanied by Mayor Matt Fitterer, traveled to Washington D.C. to take part in a  congressional briefing regarding water reclamation.

The panel was composed of five experts in the field, including Allen. He was flanked by  representatives from Pepsi and Amazon, among others. Allen specifically focused on the  impact of water resources on recruiting for economic development purposes.

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“Spring Hill is expanding rapidly, and our industries — especially automotive manufacturing — rely on large volumes of high-quality water to operate,” Assistant City Administrator Dan Allen told congressional staffers. “By reusing water, we can reduce strain on the Duck River, ensure  reliable supply for new and existing businesses, and protect our environment. It’s a smart

investment that balances economic expansion with environmental stewardship.”

While in Washington D.C., Allen and Fitterer also met with Senator Blackburn and Senator  Hagerty’s offices, stressing the importance of water reclamation for Spring Hill.

“Spring Hill’s water reclamation pilot project will position us as the leader in water reclamation  in Tennessee. We are committed to leading from the front and helping push forward this  important initiative for all of Tennessee,” said Mayor Matt Fitterer. “Staff’s efforts have  brought positive national attention to Spring Hill. Spring Hill residents deserve high quality and  sustainable utilities. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen and City staff are committed to  delivering for them.”

The City of Spring Hill is currently moving forward with plans for an Advanced Purification Pilot  Project. The Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation gave clearance to the  pilot in August of last year.

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The overall Advanced Purification Project plan outlines how the City of Spring Hill will  maximize its fair share of water from the Duck River through extensive treatment processes at  an expanded Wastewater Treatment Plant and accompanying reservoir.

Construction of the Advanced Purification Pilot Project is scheduled to begin later this year.

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Weekend road closures take over DC, Virginia as Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic kicks off – WTOP News

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Weekend road closures take over DC, Virginia as Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic kicks off – WTOP News


This weekend, you might encounter a detour or two in the District or in Arlington, Virginia, as the Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic comes underway.

The first race of the day kicks off at 7 a.m. Saturday.

The following areas will be closed to traffic on Saturday from 4 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.:

    • 12th Street South from South Eads Street to Crystal Drive
    • S. Clark Street from 12th Street South to 14th Road South
    • 14th Road South from South Clark Street to 15th Street South
    • Westbound 15th Street South from Crystal Drive to South Eads Street
    • South Eads Street from 12th Street South to Army Navy Drive
    • Long Bridge Drive from 10th Street South to 12th Street South
    • Richmond Highway from 20th Street South to Interstate 395
    • Virginia Route 110 from Richmond Highway to Wilson Boulevard/Interstate 66
    • Army Navy Drive from South Eads Street to 12th Street South
The Armed Forces Classic race route. (Courtesy Arlington National Cemetery)

Crystal Drive from 12th Street South to 15th Street South will be open to local traffic only.

Additionally, all vehicles departing via Memorial Avenue will be unable to turn left onto Route 110 South from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. Inbound traffic will be able to access Memorial Avenue via the George Washington Parkway and Memorial Circle from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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The following areas will be closed to traffic on Sunday for the Armed Forces Cycling Classic Clarendon Cup from 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

  • Wilson Boulevard from North Edgewood Street to North Highland Street
  • Wilson Boulevard from 10th Street North to Washington Boulevard
  • North Fillmore Street from Clarendon Boulevard to Wilson Boulevard
  • Clarendon Boulevard from Washington Boulevard to North Edgewood Street
  • Washington Boulevard from Kirkwood Road to North Garfield Street
  • Washington Boulevard from North Garfield Street to 10th Street North (westbound only)
  • North Highland Street from Washington Boulevard to 13th Street North
  • North Garfield Street from Clarendon Boulevard to Wilson Boulevard

Wilson Boulevard from North Highland Street to Washington Boulevard, will close earlier, starting at 3 a.m.

Map of road closures and routes outlined for the Clarendon Cup Cycling Classic on June 1, 2025.
Map of road closures and routes outlined for the Clarendon Cup Cycling Classic on June 1, 2025. (Courtesy Arlington County Police Department)

There will be no access to Clarendon Boulevard from North Fillmore Street. On North Highland Street, access to the public parking garage in the 1300 block of N. Highland Street will be available to the public.

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Tornado warning: Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and NYC on alert amid heavy thunderstorms

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Tornado warning: Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and NYC on alert amid heavy thunderstorms


Washington, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City are under heightened alert as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued Tornado Watch, effective until midnight EDT on Friday. The warning covers parts of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. 

Several parts New Jersey, Washington DC and Baltimore were under tornado alert on Friday(Unsplash)

The watch, announced by NWS offices in State College, PA, Mount Holly, NJ, and Wakefield, VA, warns of severe thunderstorms bringing risks of damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes across 22 counties and multiple coastal waters, including Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay.

The NWS Mount Holly office reported that the watch spans major urban centers, including Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Atlantic City, with potential hazards like ping pong ball-sized hail and wind gusts up to 65 mph. Coastal areas face additional threats from thunderstorms moving over waters from Sandy Hook, NJ, to Fenwick Island, DE. In Pennsylvania, Adams, Lancaster, and York counties, including Gettysburg and Lancaster, are at risk, while Virginia’s watch covers 53 counties, from Richmond to Virginia Beach.

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Heavy rainfall accompanying the storms has raised concerns about flash flooding, particularly in low-lying areas from eastern Kentucky to southern New York. The NWS warned of life-threatening flooding in urban zones like Philadelphia and Trenton, with up to one inch of rain already fallen and an additional 1–1.5 inches possible in some areas. Residents are urged to avoid flooded roads and seek shelter in sturdy buildings, ideally in basements or interior rooms away from windows.

Social media users and weather reporters noted a flash flood threat north of DC into the overnight hours. One forecaster confirmed the tornado watch for DC and Baltimore. The storms, fueled by a dynamic low-pressure system, could produce isolated tornadoes, prompting officials to advise immediate action if warnings are issued.



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