Region Digest

Man falls, dies while trimming tree

BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — A man trimming a tree branch with a chain saw has died after falling off the ladder he was using.

Maryland police and fire rescue officials were called Saturday and arrived to find the 35-year-old man dead. Montgomery County police said in a press release that the man fell about 30 feet to the ground and that the chain saw caused an injury to his upper body.

Officials have not yet identified the man.

Suspect arrested in rape, stabbing

BALTIMORE — Baltimore police say they have arrested a man suspected of raping and fatally stabbing a 15-year-old boy, whose body was found hidden in a closet.

Anthony Guglielmi, chief of public affairs for Baltimore police, said Dante Parrish, 35, was arrested Thursday night in east Baltimore.

Police have been searching for Parrish in connection with the death of Jason Madison Jr. The teen had been gagged with a pillowcase, then stabbed in the neck and head. A police spokesman said the boy was also raped.
Parrish was convicted of second-degree murder for a 1999 slaying, but was released from prison in January after winning a new trial last year.

An autopsy was planned.

Biden serves lunch to D.C. homeless

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden briefly took on a second job this week, serving lunch at a Washington homeless shelter.

Biden served lunch Friday to dozens of homeless men.

The vice president's job was doling out fish sticks at the Father McKenna Center of St. Aloysius Church. The church is near Union Stations.

Biden said he served the meals because "you've got to remind yourself that but for the grace of God there go I. Sometimes you forget that this is real."

Ticket sales strong for Waterfowl Festival

EASTON, Md. (AP) — The 39th annual Waterfowl Festival is under way in Maryland.

The three-day festival began Friday in Easton and continues through Sunday.

Organizers have shooting demonstrations planned as well as demonstrations by retriever dogs. There are also goose and duck calling contests and displays of wildlife paintings and collectible decoys.

Festival passes cost $10.

DC getting wheelchair-accessible taxis

WASHINGTON (AP) — Wheelchair-accessible taxis will be soon be in service in Washington.

D.C. residents who use wheelchairs must currently call a suburban cab company for a taxi. But the companies don't always have an accessible cab available when it's needed.

Royal Cab and Yellow Cab will put four Toyota Sienna minivans with a special back door ramp on the streets next month. In January, the entire initial fleet of 20 will be on the streets.

The cabs are part of a $1.2 million pilot program using District and federal funds.

Passengers will call one number, and the closest available cab will pick them up.

Wheelchair taxis are available in Arlington and Alexandria. They also are available in Montgomery and Prince George's counties.

Parents ask school to ban perfume

LEITERSBURG, Md. (AP) — The parents of a 14-year-old Maryland boy are asking a public school system to ban perfumes and colognes because they trigger their son's asthma.

Danial Murray, a ninth grade student at Smithsburg High School, often suffers a severe asthma attack when he smells cologne, perfume or other scented products. His parents say that means he has to come home from school three or four times a week. They're asking the Washington County Board of Education to ban the fragrances.

Kelly Murray says her son's condition was triggered last year when another student doused Danial's clothes with a scented spray during gym.

The president of the Washington County Board of Education says the board will likely review the matter during committee meetings next month.