Launched in January 2010, ARLnow.com is the place for the latest news, views and things to do around Arlington, Virginia. Started by a Pentagon City resident who has spent the past several years working in local TV news, ARLnow.com seeks to distinguish itself with original, enterprising, up-to-the-minute local coverage.
Expect a mostly sunny day with a high around 47 degrees and light, variable winds turning northwest at around 5 mph in the morning. As for Wednesday night, there will be a slight chance of rain and snow showers after 2am, with cloudy skies and a low of about 34 degrees. The calm wind will become north around 5 mph after midnight, and the overall chance of precipitation is 20%. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“The only source of knowledge is experience.” – Albert Einstein
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
A 26-year-old Virginia man is facing several charges after a dispute over a parking space over the weekend.
The incident happened Saturday afternoon, in the area of Penrose Square. Police say the man flashed a gun during the altercation.
More, below, from today’s Arlington County Police Department crime report.
BRANDISHING, 2023-12300122, 2400 block of Columbia Pike. At approximately 2:46 p.m. on December 30, police were dispatched to the report of a brandishing. Upon arrival, it was determined the male victim and male suspect became involved in a verbal dispute over a parking space which escalated into a physical altercation during which the suspect allegedly brandished a firearm. The suspect fled the scene in his vehicle and was located by responding officers. A firearm was recovered. [The suspect], 26, of Stafford, VA was arrested and charged with Brandishing, Assault & Battery and Concealed Weapon Violation.
In other notable incident, which took place one day prior on Friday afternoon, a 31-year-old Virginia man is accused of kicking a police officer and trying to grab the gun of another.
From ACPD:
ASSAULT ON POLICE, 2023-12290134, Fairfax Drive at N. George Mason Drive. At approximately 2:45 p.m. on December 29, police were dispatched to the report of a suspicious person with a knife. The preliminary investigation determined the victim was stopped in her vehicle when the male suspect allegedly ran towards her driver’s side door while displaying a knife. The victim drove away and called police. Responding officers located the suspect in the 4800 block of Fairfax Drive and attempted to take him into custody. The suspect refused to comply with the officers’ commands and actively resisted arrest. With the assistance of additional officers, the suspect was taken into custody during which he kicked an officer in the chest. The suspect provided officers with false identifying information but was subsequently positively identified. During a search incident to arrest, the suspect grabbed the holster of an officer’s firearm. Knives were recovered on the suspect. [The suspect], 31, of Manassas, VA was arrested and charged with Assault and Battery, Assault on Police, Attempt to Disarm Law Enforcement Officer of their Firearm, Identity Theft and Obstruction of Justice.
The evening of New Year’s Day, meanwhile, a man’s Canada Goose jacket and wallet was reportedly stolen by a teen boy at the Pentagon City mall. The teen was later apprehended near the Metro station, according to police.
GRAND LARCENY, 2024-01010144, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street. At approximately 5:58 p.m. on January 1, police were dispatched to the report of a larceny just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined the male victim was sitting with his jacket on the back of his chair when the juvenile male suspect ran by, grabbed his jacket and continued running out of the building. Responding officers canvassed the area and observed the suspect in the metro. The suspect then ran from the officers and, following a foot pursuit, he was taken into custody in the 1200 block of S. Hayes Street. The victim’s jacket, which contained his wallet and cash, was recovered. Petitions were obtained for the juvenile suspect for Grand Larceny and Obstruction of Justice.
Please welcome the adorable Siberian Husky, Leo as the newest Arlington Pet of the Week.
This beautiful ball of fluff is living it up in Arlington with his parents.
They had this to say about Leo:
Leo is assumed to be born at the end of February of 2022. He came to his parents, Andria and Austin Winger, unexpectedly yet serendipitously at 5 months into his life.
Leo is a Pisces who enjoys extremely long walks, multiple daily visits to the dog park (his faves are Benjamin Banneker or GlenCarlyn), chicken and lots of attention. Leo brings joy to every human and animal he meets (except that one squirrel and those few mice, RIP).
Leo’s favorite snacks are dried duck feet, dental chews, and the meatiest treats you can find. His favorite toys are his ropes and chuck it balls.
His best friend is a mini Aussie named Lonnie and the two of them run the Bluemont neighborhood. Leo is a frequenter of many local Arlington establishments and loves living here.
Keep up with Leo and his many adventures by following him on Instagram @leodehuskrio!
Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with 2-3 paragraphs about your pet and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos.
The former Citizens Bank branch in Ballston (staff photo)
The former Citizens Bank branch in Ballston (staff photo)
A bank has moved its branch from one side of Ballston to the other.
Citizens Bank vacated its branch at 4075 Wilson Blvd just before the new year, after opening a new branch at 800 N. Glebe Road, on the western side of Glebe.
It’s unclear what might replace the branch’s former location, in a storefront that’s catty-corner from Ballston Quarter mall, on the same block as Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken.
Ballston is home to a number of bank and credit union branches, including PNC, Chase, Capital One, Navy Federal, Wells Fargo, Truist, Bank of America, Sandy Spring and Citibank. A First National Bank branch is expected to open soon near the intersection of Wilson Blvd and N. Stuart Street.
Washington Blvd and the W&OD Trail along the Pete Beers Memorial Bridge (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Garvey Likely to Be Chair — “Presume nothing until the final votes have been cast the evening of Jan. 2, of course, but odds certainly favor Libby Garvey being elected by her colleagues to what would be her third one-year stint chairing the Arlington County Board over a dozen years in office.” [Gazette Leader]
F.C. Tops Va. Wealth Generation List — “A new study from the Smart Asset financial advisory firm released today shows that the City of Falls Church ranks Number One among all jurisdictions in Virginia in ‘experiencing the most wealth generation over the last 10 years.’ The study measured increases in median income, investment income and home values.” Arlington is No. 6 on the list. [Falls Church News-Press]
History Museum Seeks County Funds — “Those working on a multi-pronged renovation of the Arlington Historical Museum will have to wait a few more weeks to see if the county government opts to join the effort by financially supporting it. If not, advocates may have to spread out to County Board members to make their case.” [Gazette Leader]
Payphone Hangs on in Arlington — “Answer to yesterday’s #WhereIsItWednesday This payphone with the amusing sign can be found in the Arlington County Courthouse.” [Twitter]
It’s 2024 — Expect sunny skies and a high near 44 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind ranging from 8 to 11 mph. As night approaches, clouds will increase, and the temperature will drop to around 30 degrees, with a steady northwest wind at about 6 mph. [Weather.gov]
Here is what’s going on Saturday and Sunday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
☀️ Saturday’s forecast
The weather will be mostly sunny, featuring a high temperature of around 47 degrees and west winds of 6 to 10 mph. During Saturday night, expect mostly clear skies and a low temperature of approximately 33 degrees, accompanied by west winds of 6 to 9 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.” – Niccolo Machiavelli
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋
Crash involving police vehicle in Clarendon (photo courtesy anonymous)
Crash involving police vehicle in Clarendon (photo courtesy anonymous)
Crash involving police vehicle in Clarendon (photo courtesy anonymous)
(Updated at 7 p.m.) A two-vehicle crash in Clarendon damaged an Arlington County police cruiser this afternoon.
The crash happened shortly before 3 p.m. at the intersection of Wilson Blvd and N. Danville Street. The second vehicle involved, a red hatchback, came to rest on the sidewalk, steps away from the entrance to the Beyond/Hello cannabis dispensary.
Officers were responding to an incident in the Ballston area at the time of the crash.
“At approximately 2:45 p.m., police were dispatched to the report of a suspicious person with a knife in the area of N. Glebe Road and Wilson Boulevard,” said ACPD spokeswoman Alli Shorb. “An officer responding to the scene was travelling westbound on Wilson Boulevard when a vehicle travelling northbound on N. Danville Street collided with them. The driver of the vehicle was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.”
“The preliminary investigation into the suspicious person determined the victim was stopped in her vehicle on Fairfax Drive when the male suspect approached and displayed a knife,” Shorb said late Friday afternoon, of the Ballston incident. “The victim fled the area in her vehicle and called police. Responding officers located the suspect in the area and took him into custody. Charges are pending for the suspect and officers remain on scene investigating.”
Noodle is a one of a kind cat. He is long and skinny, hence the name Noodle.
He is a purring machine! He loves ear rubs and will lovingly head butt you until he receives them. He’s very vocal with his needs, especially when he is craving attention. He loves playing with strings and other small toys.
He’s very loving and affectionate, but shy at first. He will need to initiate contact at first, but once he warms up he will be your best friend! Noodle can be a little skittish from time to time, but he is a great kitty to have for companionship.
Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with 2-3 paragraphs about your pet and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos.
Sunset along S. Joyce Street near the US Air Force Memorial (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
More Candidate Announcements Expected — “Political junkies will be able to get another fix on Jan. 3, as the monthly Arlington County Democratic Committee rings in the new year with more candidate announcements.” [Gazette Leader]
APS Students Off For Primary Day — “Arlington students will get the day off, but teachers will be expected to show up, for Virginia’s dual presidential primary on March 5. Arlington School Board members on Dec. 14 approved without comment a staff proposal to make the day a teacher workday. While that will reduce the total number of instructional days from 180 to 179, the school system still has enough time on the schedule to meet the state-mandated 990 hours of instructional time.” [Gazette Leader]
Award for Animal Control Chief — From the Animal Welfare League of Arlington: “AWLA is proud to announce that our very own Chief Jennifer Toussaint has been named as the 2023 National Animal Care and Control Association Leader of the Year! Congratulations Chief Toussaint on this prestigious award!” [Twitter]
Local Ice Cream Shop Expands — “Mimi’s Handmade is now chilling at the Mosaic District in Merrifield. The ice cream maker quietly opened its newest shop at 2985 District Avenue, Suite 160, about a month ago, owner Rollin Amore told FFXnow yesterday… Started in Pentagon City in December 2021, Mimi’s is named after Amore’s youngest daughter and builds on gelato and sweets recipes passed down by his grandmothers.” [FFXnow]
It’s Friday — Expect a mostly cloudy day with a high near 50 and a slight chance of rain, accompanied by a northwest wind at around 7 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%. On Friday night, rain chances continue through 1 am, with the temperature dropping to around 35. The northwest wind will persist at 6 to 9 mph and the chance of precipitation remains at 20%. [Weather.gov]
Expect a slight chance of rain after 1pm, with partly sunny skies and a high near 50. The northwest wind will blow at around 7 mph. Precipitation odds stand at 20%. For Friday night, the slight chance of rain continues before 1am, accompanied by mostly cloudy conditions and a low around 35. The northwest wind will range between 6 and 9 mph, with the same 20% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“In order to write about life first you must live it.” – Ernest Hemingway
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
Police detouring drivers prior to crash on I-66 (staff photo)
Emergency vehicles responding to I-66 crash
(Updated at 3:50 p.m.) A multi-vehicle crash with injuries and at least one person reported to be trapped blocked all westbound lanes of I-66 in Arlington this afternoon.
The crash happened around 2:15 p.m. near the exit to Langston Blvd and Spout Run. The person trapped has since been freed by firefighters, according to scanner traffic.
At least four vehicles, including one that overturned, appear to be involved.
Backups on westbound I-66 extended to Rosslyn, while eastbound traffic was also backed up at the crash scene. Police detoured westbound drivers onto Langston Blvd. At least one eastbound lane remained blocked as of 3 p.m.
Shortly before 4 p.m., VDOT said that all lanes were back open.
