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.
A 39-year-old man is in jail after police say he broke into a woman’s home and sexually assaulted her.
The alleged incident happened Friday around 7 a.m. on the 400 block of N. Piedmont Street, in a garden apartment community southeast of Ballston.
The man was arrested later Friday evening about a block away, following an investigation.
More from an Arlington County police press release:
The Arlington County Police Department is announcing the arrest of a suspect following an investigation into a residential burglary with sexual assault which occurred in the Ashton Heights neighborhood. Geoffrey Harley, 39, of No Fixed Address has been charged with Burglary and is being held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility. The investigation into the incident is ongoing and additional charges may be sought at a later time.
At approximately 7:07 a.m. on December 2, police were dispatched to the 400 block of N. Piedmont Street for the report of a breaking and entering. Upon arrival, it was determined a male suspect gained entry to the victim’s residence, entered her bedroom and sexually assaulted her before fleeing the scene on foot. During the course of the investigation, officers developed a suspect description and obtained a warrant for his arrest. He was subsequently located and taken into custody without incident on the evening of December 2 in the area of 5th Street N. and N. Piedmont Street.
This remains an active criminal investigation and anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Detective T. McGuire at 703-228-4173 or [email protected]. Information may also be provided to the Arlington County Police Tip Line at [email protected] or anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
SUV nearly driven into creek at Long Branch Nature Center (photo via ACFD)
SUV nearly driven into creek at Long Branch Nature Center (photo via ACFD)
Two people were rescued from a precarious situation in Glencarlyn Park on Friday.
The driver of an SUV reportedly mistook the gas for the brake in the parking lot of the Long Branch Nature Center, sending it over an embankment and nearly into the creek below.
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene around 8:30 a.m. They stabilized the vehicle before helping the two people inside get safely back up to level ground. They were both taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Arlington County has seen several vehicles driven or nearly driven into creeks over the years, including in 2018 along Columbia Pike and in 2019 in Bluemont Park.
On 12/2 ACFD responded for a single vehicle crash in the 600 BLK of S. Carlin Springs Rd. Crews found a vehicle that was hanging on the rocks above a creek. The car was stabilized, and the occupants removed. 2 individuals were transported to an area hospital with NLT injuries. pic.twitter.com/1EfEaq61uF
An airplane flies over Rosslyn (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
I-66 Change Takes Effect Today — “Starting Monday, Dec. 5, vehicles on I-66 in Northern Virginia will need three or more occupants to qualify as a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV). This change from HOV-2+ to HOV-3+ applies across the entire I-66 corridor in Northern Virginia from Haymarket to the D.C. line, and is in line with regional policy and goals to reduce vehicle miles traveled and comply with federal Clean Air Act Amendment of 1990.” [Press Release]
Weight Restrictions Lifted on TR Bridge — “The Theodore Roosevelt Bridge reopened to all traffic Wednesday as the District lifted weight restrictions that had been in place since mid-February. The shift marks the completion of nearly 10 months of emergency closures and repairs at the span that carries Interstate 66 over the Potomac River. In February, the District Department of Transportation abruptly closed part of it to traffic after an inspection found steel support beams had continued to deteriorate.” [Washington Post]
Local Schools in Choir Competition — Updated at 11:10 a.m. — Washington-Liberty and Yorktown high school choirs are among the contestants for WASH-FM’s 2022 Christmas Choir Competition. Online voting ends tomorrow. [WASH-FM]
Abandoned Road to Be Removed from Books — “American troops were headed to Vietnam the last time anybody actually drove a car over what is now known as ‘original North Quincy Street’ across from the eastern edge of the Washington-Liberty High School campus. But until now, nobody has seen fit to formally declare that the abandoned roadway actually isn’t a roadway, but rather has been reclaimed by grass with some aging asphalt still holding off the advance of time. Arlington County Board members are slated to tidy up the records later this month.” [Sun Gazette]
Video: Shoulder Driver Pulled Over — From Dave Statter: “Where’s a cop when you need one? Sometimes they’re 3 cars ahead of you in the same traffic jam when you decide to ride the shoulder. Just before 6pm on backed up I-395N.” [Twitter]
GOP Hopes for Campaign Momentum — “Karina Lipsman, the Republican nominee in the 8th District, said the campaign was something the local GOP could use to build on in the future. ‘We’ve created an infrastructure – we’ve built so much momentum,’ Lipsman said at the Nov. 29 Arlington County Republican Committee’s volunteer-appreciation awards dinner… Lipsman garnered 25 percent of the vote in the Nov. 8 election” [Sun Gazette]
It’s Monday — Mostly cloudy throughout the day. High of 49 and low of 31. Sunrise at 7:13 am and sunset at 4:48 pm. [Weather.gov]
Rain in the morning and afternoon. High of 59 and low of 33. Sunrise at 7:12 am and sunset at 4:48 pm. See more from Weather.gov.
👂 Audio summary
Get caught up on all of our reporting today with this brief audio summary.
🌅 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. 👋
Police officer talks with a driver during high-visibility enforcement along Little Falls Road (via ACPD)
(Updated at 4:10 p.m.) Police issued a traffic ticket every six minutes, on average, during an enforcement effort in front of Nottingham Elementary on Thursday afternoon.
The several block stretch of Little Falls Road near the school, in the Williamsburg neighborhood, has seen three fatal pedestrian crashes since 2014, including an elderly woman who was struck and killed by the driver of an SUV in October. That driver is not facing criminal charges.
“During yesterday’s hour-long StreetSmart activation in the 5900 block of Little Falls Road, which coincided with school dismissal, officers issued 8 speeding citations and 2 citations for stop sign violations,” ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage tells ARLnow. “Drivers are reminded to slow down, be mindful of pedestrians and obey posted speed limits which change during school zone times and are indicated by flashing yellow lights.”
As part of the @COGStreetSmart campaign, officers conducted high-visibility traffic enforcement in the 5900 block of Little Falls Rd. The campaign aims to identify & change unsafe behavior patterns with the goal of reducing traffic related collisions and injuries on our roadways. pic.twitter.com/MEgOYDDST8
“Officers will continue to conduct periodic random, rotating enforcement in the area with the goal of compliance even when police are not present,” Savage noted. “Additionally, as part of our education efforts, police have deployed a variable message board on Little Falls Road with transportation safety messaging.”
Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services added that safety improvements are in the works for the intersection where October’s crash happened.
“In response to the recent tragic crash fatality at the intersection of Little Falls Rd and John Marshall Dr, the Vision Zero Critical Crash team has developed short-term safety improvements and enhancements for this intersection,” the department said in a brief statement. “We plan to install these improvements by the end of the year, weather permitting.”
More on the fall Street Smart campaign in Arlington, below, via an ACPD video.
(Updated at 3:35 p.m.) Police swarmed the Rosslyn neighborhood after an alleged thief led an officer on a brief foot pursuit.
The incident happened just before 2 p.m. An officer chased a suspect who had stolen a large quantity of laundry detergent from a store in Rosslyn, according to scanner traffic, before finally detaining the person near the intersection of Wilson Blvd and N. Pierce Street.
An ambulance was dispatched to the scene to evaluate the officer for a possible minor injury.
“At approximately 1:56 p.m., an officer in the 1500 block of Wilson Boulevard observed a larceny in progress from a business and approached the suspect,” Arlington County Police Department spokeswoman Ashley Savage tells ARLnow. “The suspect fled the scene on foot and a foot pursuit was initiated. Near the intersection of Wilson Boulevard and N. Pierce Street, the suspect assaulted the officer and resisted arrest. With the assistance of additional arriving units, the suspect was taken into custody.”
“The officer is receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained during the incident,” Savage continued. “Charges are pending against the suspect.”
Traffic on Wilson Blvd was at least partially blocked in the area immediately after the arrest, as numerous police units arrived on scene to assist the officer.
We have new list of open houses to browse this weekend, whether you’re looking to rent of buy.
Here’s a look at some of the open houses taking place this weekend:
4714 20th Street N., North Arlington — The Clark*
2 BR, 2 BA single-family detached Noteworthy: Fully renovated, move-in-ready, adorable brick cape cod in North Arlington! Listed: $925,000 Open: Saturday, 12-2 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (Theo Daubresse – KW United – Kingstowne)
4620 26th Street N.
7 BR, 6 BA single-family detached Noteworthy: Two car garage, 11 foot ceilings, wine storage Listed: $3,299,900 Open: Sunday, 2-4 p.m. (Shahab Nasrin – TTR Sotheby’s International Realty)
4515 Wilson Boulevard
3 BR, 4 BA townhome Noteworthy: All brick, rear entry 2 car garage, balcony Listed: $1,295,000 Open: Sunday, 12-2 p.m. (Francesca Keith – Avery-Hess Realtors)
3131 9th Road N. #11
2 BR, 2 BA condo Noteworthy: Private patio, full laundry room, covered parking space Listed: $869,900 Open: Sunday, 1-4 p.m. (Conor Sullivan – KW Metro Center)
3830 9th Street N. PH 3E
2 BR, 3 BA condo Noteworthy: Renovated penthouse, corner unit, gas fireplace Listed: $771,000 Open: Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Lynn Kern – TTR Sotheby’s International Realty)
Box truck overturned after crash with SUV (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Box truck overturned after crash with SUV (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Box truck overturned after crash with SUV (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Box truck overturned after crash with SUV (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Box truck overturned after crash with SUV (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Box truck overturned after crash with SUV (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
A box truck has overturned on a residential North Arlington street.
The crash happened just after 11 a.m. at the intersection of N. Lexington Street and 22nd Street N., on the border of the Leeway-Overlee and Tara-Leeway Heights neighborhoods, south of Langston Blvd. It appeared to involve a truck collecting donations for the Vietnam Veterans of America and a BMW sport utility vehicle.
Initial reports suggest that the truck driver was treated by medics on scene after suffering minor injuries.
N. Lexington Street is currently blocked by police, though a local resident who was out walking her dog is attempting to direct traffic.
AI-generated image of a gondola over the Potomac near Rosslyn (via DALL-E 2)
(Updated at 10:35 a.m.) The proposal to build a Rosslyn-to-Georgetown gondola remains just a gleam in the eye of aerial lift transport fans and Georgetown business owners.
First, we asked it to write an essay about the advantages of a Rosslyn-to-Georgetown gondola. Here’s what it had to say:
As the population of the Washington, DC metropolitan area continues to grow, there is an increasing need for alternative forms of transportation to alleviate traffic congestion. One potential solution is the construction of a gondola from Rosslyn, Virginia to Georgetown, Washington DC, over the Potomac River. This gondola would provide an efficient and cost-effective form of transportation for commuters, tourists, and locals alike.
The Rosslyn-to-Georgetown gondola would provide a reliable and quick mode of transportation between the two neighborhoods. Currently, it can take up to an hour to travel from Rosslyn to Georgetown by car or public transportation. The gondola would be able to make the same journey in as little as 10-15 minutes. This would save commuters both time and money, as they would no longer need to pay for costly parking or Metro fares. Additionally, the gondola would be powered by electricity, making it a sustainable form of transportation.
The gondola would also provide a unique and enjoyable experience for tourists. Rather than having to make the long journey by car or public transportation, they would be able to take a leisurely ride across the Potomac and enjoy the scenery. The gondola would also provide locals with a new way to experience the city. Rather than having to fight through traffic or take the Metro, they could take a peaceful ride across the river and take in the views.
The Rosslyn-to-Georgetown gondola is a potential solution to the increasing traffic in the Washington D.C. area. It would provide a reliable, efficient, and enjoyable mode of transportation for commuters, tourists, and locals alike. The gondola would be cost-effective, sustainable, and offer unique views of the city. It is an attractive alternative to traditional forms of transportation, and could be a viable solution for the area’s transportation woes.
Compelling as that essay was, it had a distinct lack of rhyming. So next we asked for a poem.
A gondola from Arlington to D.C.
It would be quite a sight to see
It would cross the Potomac River
And make the trip so breezy
It’d provide a new way to commute
A scenic ride to pass the day
Visitors to D.C. would be enthralled
And locals would show their glee
At Rosslyn, the boarding station
The gondola’s cables will be tight
Away across the river they’d go
For the ride, it’d be a delight
With the monuments in view
The ride would be one of a kind
It’s a great way to travel
To Georgetown and back again
To crank the whimsy level to 11, we asked the AI to write an ode to the proposed Rosslyn-Georgetown gondola in the form of an Shakespearean poem.
O Gondola of Rosslyn-Georgetown,
Thou art a marvel of our time.
A scenic ride across the Potomac,
That so few of us can find.
A chance to soar above the water,
And take in sights both far and near.
A joyous respite from life’s drudgery,
An escape that we can cheer.
No more shall we endure the traffic,
The daily hassles on the road.
Instead, we’ll board thy gondola,
And watch the city as it flows.
What pleasure dost thou bring us,
And what joy have we in store?
To cross the river in mere minutes,
And take in sights galore.
So thank thee we for giving us,
This wondrous mode of transport.
A journey that is smooth and easy,
For which we are quite content.
This is not to say the AI is totally sold on the idea, however. When you ask it to argue against the gondola, GPT-3 really goes to town.
Clear skies over Ballston Quarter (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Hamm Middle School Closed — Updated at 11 a.m. — From Arlington Public Schools: “Closure Alert: Dorothy Hamm Middle School is closed today, Fri, Dec 2… The closure is due to impacts from a water leak that have affected both water and heating in the building.” [Twitter]
Gun Brandishing at Clarendon 7-Eleven — “3000 block of Washington Boulevard. At approximately 3:04 a.m. on December 1, police were dispatched to the report of a person with a gun. Upon arrival, it was determined the known male suspect entered the business and became involved in a verbal dispute with the clerk after being told he could not purchase alcohol after midnight. During the incident, the suspect lifted his shirt and displayed a handgun in his waistband before fleeing the scene on foot.” [ACPD]
Local Santa Summary — “Santa Claus will be back in Arlington this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids to crawl up on his lap and make their case that they’ve been good boys and girls over the last year… In the Arlington area, children have several chances.” [Patch]
Pike Work Continues After Celebration — “On Monday, November 14 at 11:00 a.m. Arlington County celebrated the completion of Segments H & I (from the Arlington County line to Four Mile Run Drive) of the Columbia Pike Multimodal Improvements Project and The Pike, a sculpture by artist Donald Lipski, located on the corner of Columbia Pike and South Jefferson Street. The event represented the culmination of two years of construction to improve the pedestrian, transit, and driver safety… Segment F (from South Wakefield Street to South Oakland Street) is currently under construction and is expected to reach substantial completion in 2025.” [Arlington County]
Vision Zero Meeting Next Week — “Tuesday, December 06 [from] 07:00 PM to 08:30 PM… Please join us for the mid-year virtual meeting of the Vision Zero External Stakeholder Group as we discuss Arlington’s progress on the Vision Zero Action Plan. The public is welcome to attend – please bring your questions and feedback to the meeting.” [Arlington County]
Donation to Arlington Free Clinic — CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield announced a nearly $8 million investment in 19 community-based organizations in Maryland, Washington D.C., and Northern Virginia. One of the organizations receiving a multi-year grant is the Arlington Free Clinic. This grants are part of CareFirst’s National Health Equity Strategy, with a focus on advancing behavioral health equity in the Mid-Atlantic region.
It’s Friday — Clear throughout the day. High of 49 and low of 30. Sunrise at 7:11 am and sunset at 4:48 pm. [Weather.gov]
