WASHINGTON STATE IS ONE OF THE NATION’S LEADERS when it comes to innovative ways to extract more taxes from its citizens.  Now one of the local toll bridge authorities is proposing charging tolls for fire engines, ambulances and police cars - even if they are responding on an emergency.  Since when does a government agency have the authority to tax another government agency?  It’s economically impossible.

Indianapolis Star photo

VENEZUELAN SPORTS CAR DRIVER MILKA DUNO was all smiles yesterday after finishing her first open-wheel race without incident.  Driving in the first major circuit race to have 3 women participating, she came in 14th.  Now she is ready to face the Indianapolis Month of May for the Memorial Day 500, hoping to qualify. 

Dan Wheldon won the 200-lap race becoming the first driver to win two races this season.  Sarah Fisher finished 12th and Danica Patrick came in 7th.

IN BROCKTON, MASS. A MAN DECKED OUT IN HIS “DAWG THE BOUNTY HUNTER” costume was nabbed shoplifting…..for the second time.  Says he’s not a real bounty hunter, just trying to break into the business.

WUSA channel 9 photo

FOR THE SECOND TIME WITHIN 12 HOURS a major fire has struck a historically important building in Washington, D.C.  Shortly before 1 pm this afternoon an alarm was received for the Georgetown public library and was soon elevated to a 3rd alarm.  A major concern is a reference room on the second floor that contains many old documents relative to the history of Georgetown.

Channel 9 has good raw video here.

IN WHAT HAS BECOME A GROWING SPORT IN THE U. K., A GROUP OF TEENS attacked a Belfast, No. Ireland fire crew while they worked an ouside fire and shot one of the FF’s in the face with a pellet gun.

Firegeezer says:  The U.K. is very proud of their gun-control laws.

THE UN-ELECTED LOONS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION have come up with still another way to turn the continent into a clown college.  With the lovely bureaucratic title of “The European Convention on the Protection of Pet Animals” they are laying out specific limitations on how DOGS can be bred.  The Scottish Kennel Club says that 30 to 40 breeds would be effectively outlawed.

THE 135 YR.-OLD EASTERN MARKET in Washington, D.C. suffered heavy fire damage last night.  The market, which is still in use, is one of the landmark buildings in the SE section of the city.  Early reports are suggesting that the fire started in an outside dumpster next to the building.  Channel 5 has good video here.

FOREGOING THE HASSLE OF CAR PAYMENTS,  a Los Angeles man would just steal a car whenever he wanted to go visit his girlfriend.  It was #26 that did him in.

A FIRE THAT STARTED IN A 3-STORY BUILDING in Chicago this morning rapidly spread to an adjoining warehouse bringing a 4th alarm assignment.  Channel 2 has video here.

Visulogik photo: Hans Kylberg

A WOODEN VIKING SHIP USED TO carry tourists around Stockholm was destroyed by fire early Saturday morning.