Man vs. drunken college students

This week the story behind the blog drunkengeorgetownstudents.com was everywhere. The Washington Post interviewed the man behind the website, which features photos of people partying in his neighborhood near Georgetown University. Burleith resident Stephen R. Brown told the Post Tuesday “If the university would let me have a night’s sleep, I might take it down,” referring to his blog. The 62-year-old also told the Post he hoped negative publicity about Georgetown would hurt the university. Luckily for GW students,  there’s no GW version of the website.

Soda tax proposed

On Wednesday D.C. Council member Mary Cheh proposed a new tax on soda products sold in the District. Cheh, who represents Ward 3, wants a 1-cent tax per ounce on soda and other beverages to help fund the Healthy Schools Act, legislation that has already been approved by the D.C. Council and goes up for a final vote May 4. DCist has more details on the soda tax that will be voted on May 25.

Metro prepares for another fare increase

On Thursday, Metro’s Board of Directors met to discuss a fare increase coming this summer to make up for the $189 million operating budget deficit it faces. Plans are expected to be finalized by mid-May which include a 15 percent increase in Metrorail fares, a 20 percent increase in Metrobus fares, as well as an increase for MetroAccess service, The Washington Post reported. Ways to reduce service or increase  fares from a revised budget proposed in April were addressed at the meeting. One proposal was to close the rail system at 2 a.m. on weekends, an hour earlier than it currently does. Board member and D.C. Council member Jim Graham called for that plan to be eliminated. Other board members also opposed a proposal for a $4 flat rate fee on late-night weekend Metrorail rides.