◇ Program summary
1. Maryland issues open burning ban to prevent wildfires
If you’re planning on building a campfire this weekend, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is reminding you that now is not the time to start one.
Maryland has enacted an open burning ban, which includes a ban on charcoal grills and campfires due to extreme drought conditions across the state.
Under state law, open burning means burning anything outdoors or in a container other than stoves, incinerators and fireplaces with chimneys. But you can still use an LPG oven.
The ban comes as dry weather in the state has led to wildfires.
If you violate the ban, the first fine is $125.
“While there are fines for violating the ban, the most important role of such a ban is to communicate the seriousness of the situation to the public and remind everyone to behave responsibly to protect life, property and the environment.”
Fire weather warnings were issued for some local counties and cities on Friday. According to a news release, the Maryland Forest Service has responded to more than 24 wildfires that have burned 75 acres since early October.
2. A Maryland family faces high water bills due to leaking toilet
When Nicole Hines of Germantown, Maryland, looked at her water bill, she was surprised to see that her three-month bill was nearly $1,700. She contacted two plumbers to check for leaks in her home but found no obvious problems. According to WSSC water company analysis, the surge in bills may be due to leaking toilets. Leaking toilets can cause water usage to skyrocket, even consuming thousands of gallons of water a day, causing water bills to skyrocket.
WSSC Water Services recommends checking toilets for leaks regularly and recommends using dye tablets to detect leaks. If a leak is discovered, it should be repaired as soon as possible to avoid excessive water bills. The company said Hines qualifies for a high water bill adjustment, which will adjust her bill based on her normal water usage and provide partial relief.
3. An 18-year-old girl in Prince George’s County was arrested for causing a toddler to shoot himself with an unlocked handgun.
An 18-year-old Prince George’s County girl has been arrested after her unlocked handgun caused a toddler to shoot himself in Bowie, Maryland, police said. Prince George’s County police said the incident happened around 4 p.m. Sunday at Brookridge Court near Central Avenue. Detectives determined the child shot himself with an unlocked handgun, causing serious injuries, according to authorities. Elijah Fauntleroy, 18, of Temple Hill, was arrested Monday and charged with reckless endangerment and multiple firearms charges for an unsecured handgun, police said.
The child remained in the hospital as of Monday but was expected to make a full recovery, according to a news release.
4. Many retailers offer “no returns and rebates” service
It’s one of the least-known policies of some of America’s biggest retailers: Sometimes they give customers full refunds and allow them to keep the items they don’t want. Return-free refunds are a tool increasingly used by retailers to keep online shoppers happy and reduce shipping costs, processing time and other costs ballooned by returns. Companies like Amazon, Walmart and Target believe that some items aren’t worth the cost or hassle of returning them. Analysts say companies that offer no-return refunds do so occasionally, often reserving the option only for low-cost items or items with limited resale value. But some online shoppers said they were also allowed to keep more expensive products.
Companies are reluctant to disclose when they issue no-return refunds out of concern about the possibility of return fraud. Even if brands don’t provide details about such policies on their websites, no-return refunds are expanding in at least some retail segments. In an effort to discourage excessive returns, some retailers, including H&M, Zara and J. Crew, began charging customers restocking fees in the past year. Other retailers have shortened their return periods. However, retailers view frequent returners differently. If such customers buy and keep significantly more items than they return, they can be considered non-malicious returners. Many times, the most profitable customers are those with high return rates.
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