Author: ARLnow.com

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.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Wood beams can be seen inside new construction along Columbia Pike, a style called “5 over 1” construction (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Biden in Arlington on 9/11 — “President Joe Biden commemorated the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks at a remembrance event Sunday at the Pentagon, delivering heartfelt remarks that honored those killed there. ‘I know for all those of you who lost someone, 21 years is both a lifetime and no time at all,’ Biden said at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.” [CNN]

Candidates on Missing Middle — Arlingtonians for Our Sustainable Future, a group that’s critical of the county’s Missing Middle housing proposal and development in general, “posed questions to the candidates for Arlington County Board that we hope can give you a sense of their positions on issues important to ASF and future development of our county.” [Arlingtonians for Our Sustainable Future]

Indecent Exposure Near H-B Woodlawn — “1600 block of Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 10:32 a.m. on September 8, police were dispatched to the report of an exposure. Upon arrival, it was determined that a witness allegedly observed the unknown male suspect seated on a bench and masturbating. Responding officers conducted a search of the area yielding negative results.” [ACPD]

Officer Rescues Bird — From Arlington County police: “This morning, a supervisor on Patrol – Adam Squad assisted this injured bird after it flew into a building in the Courthouse area and fell to the ground. The bird was brought to our friends at @AWLAArlington for further assistance.” [Twitter]

New Local Business Awards — “The Arlington REV Awards recognize Arlington companies with exceptional growth in revenue, employment and venture capital raises. Arlington Economic Development is seeking applicants in eight categories and looks forward to honoring a few of the many deserving companies that make up Arlington’s thriving business community. Winning companies will be announced during an awards reception in National Landing on November 1, 2022.” [Arlington Economic Development]

WaPo TikTok Guy Visits Library — “Today’s third @washingtonpost TikTok features @carmellaboykin getting a library card at the @ArlingtonVALib.” [Twitter, TikTok]

Feedback for Senior Living Center Proposal — From Arlington’s Dept. of Community Planning, Housing & Development: “Feedback opportunity extended! Mon. Sept. 19 is now the last day to comment on a possible change in the land use designation for the Sunrise Senior Living site on N. Glebe Rd.” [Twitter, Arlington County]

It’s Monday — Rain starting in the afternoon, with heavy rain and severe storms possible around the evening commute. High of 82 and low of 72. Sunrise at 6:49 am and sunset at 7:23 pm. [Weather.gov]

Most-read Arlington stories of the week: Sept. 5-9

By ARLnow.com
Sunset near the U.S. Air Force Memorial (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A gorgeous end to the workweek today is expected to give way to clouds tomorrow and rain on Sunday.

Nonetheless, high temperatures in the lower 80s to mid 70s should make much of the weekend perfectly pleasant.

Next week is a County Board week, likely with plenty to report. This week, as well, was busy despite the holiday. Below are the most-read local stories of the past five days.

  1. Police conducting apparent death investigation in Ballston
  2. Maryland man arrested in case of woman pushed out of SUV
  3. Wakefield junior dies after SUV vs. scooter crash in Alexandria
  4. Chicago-based Veo is bringing 400 e-bikes to Arlington
  5. Driver swerves over embankment at Dunkin’ drive-thru
  6. Construction starting next week on upgraded I-395 and Boundary Channel Drive interchange
  7. More Honda airbag thefts and a bizarre brandishing along the Pike
  8. Candidates square off on Missing Middle, safe schools and gun control
  9. Police: Woman threatened store employee in Courthouse with knife
  10. Pickup truck smashes through decorative Memorial Bridge stone railing

Feel free to discuss these stories or anything else of local interest in the comments. Have a great weekend, Arlington!

Open houses in Arlington this weekend

By ARLnow.com
1/3

Happy Friday everyone! It looks to be a slightly cooler weekend ahead and a perfect time to visit an open house or two.

According to Homesnap, there have been 209 sales and 113 new listings in the last 4 weeks. Currently, there are 501 homes for sale with a median list price of $685,000 and a median sales price of $635,000.

Here’s a look at some of the open houses taking place in Arlington this weekend

  • 1833 N. Columbus Street, Highview Park*
    6 BR/6.5 BA Single-family home
    Noteworthy: Brand new single family home in Highview Park!
    Listed: $1,899,900
    Open: Sunday, 1-4 p.m. (Amanda Irizarry – NXT Shell Realty)
  • 738 N. George Mason Drive, Bluemont*
    5 BR, 3 BA single-family detached
    Noteworthy: This large beauty is updated throughout with a private, spacious backyard!!
    Listed: $1,299,000
    Open: 2-4pm (Carrie Shokraei – RE/MAX Allegiance)
  • 2607 N. Franklin Road
    6 BR/5.5 BA Single-family home
    Noteworthy: Floor to ceiling windows, side entry, bonus loft
    Listed: $2,895,000
    Open: Saturday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (Caitlin Platt – RE/MAX Distinctive Real Estate)
  • 5205 N. Carlin Springs Road
    5 BR/5.5 BA Single-family home
    Noteworthy: Wine storage, home theater, two car garage
    Listed: $1,895,000
    Open: Sunday, 2-4 p.m. (Robert Carney – TTR Sotheby’s International Realty)
  • 1909 N. Woodley Street
    3 BR/2.5 BA Townhouse
    Noteworthy: Renovated end unit, fenced patio, attached garage
    Listed: $897,000
    Open: Saturday, 12-2 p.m. (Eli Tucker – RLAH)
  • 5612 18th Street N.
    4 BR/2.5 BA Single-family home
    Noteworthy: Electric fireplace, attic storage, hardwood floors
    Listed: $980,000
    Open: Saturday, 1-3 p.m. (Norm Odeneal – KW Metro Center)
  • 1804 S. Nelson Street
    2 BR/2 BA Single-family home
    Noteworthy: Private backyard, stone patio, automatic pet door
    Listed: $745,000
    Open: Saturday, 12-2 p.m. (Kristin Francis – KW Metro Center)

See all Arlington open house listings here.

Want your listing to appear here or as the Listing of the Day? You can now submit sponsored listings.

Image (3) via Google Maps. * Denotes sponsored listing.

 

A pair of major events will prompt road closures Saturday

By ARLnow.com
American flag over the start of the Arlington 9/11 Memorial 5K in 2017

(Updated at 3 p.m.) A pair of large events are planned for Saturday, resulting in road closures in Rosslyn and the Crystal City area.

First up, the Rosslyn Jazz Fest, scheduled from 1-7 p.m. in Gateway Park, will close the following roads from 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

  • EB Langston Boulevard, from Fort Myer Drive to N. Moore Street
  • Fort Myer Drive driveway access, from 19th Street N. to N. Moore Street

“Traffic is expected to be impacted in the area and motorists should seek alternate routes to reduce road congestion,” the Arlington County Police Department said. “Attendees are encouraged to use Metro and other forms of multimodal transportation. The Rosslyn Metro Station (Orange, Silver, and Blue lines) is located within walking distance to the event.”

Later that day, a more extensive set of road closures will be put in place between 3-5 p.m. for the 20th Annual Arlington Police, Fire, Sheriff, & ECC 9/11 Memorial 5k race.

From a police press release:

The Arlington County Police Department will close the following roadways around the Pentagon and in Crystal City to accommodate the event:

From approximately 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

  • Army Navy Drive, from S. Eads Street to 12th Street S.

From approximately 5:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

  • S. Eads Street, from Army Navy Drive to 12th Street S.
  • S. Fern Street, from Army Navy Drive to 12th Street S.
  • S. Hayes Street, from Army Navy Drive to 12th Street S.
  • Army Navy Drive, from S. Joyce Street to S. Eads Street
  • S. Joyce Street, from Army Navy Drive to Columbia Pike
  • Columbia Pike, from S. Oak Street to Washington Boulevard
  • S. Washington Boulevard, from Arlington Boulevard to Columbia Pike
  • S. Washington Boulevard, from SB George Washington Parkway
  • Route 110 S., from I-66 and Wilson Boulevard to Army Navy Drive
  • Marshall Drive, from Iwo Jima Access Road to Route 110 S.
  • Southgate Road, from Oak Street to Columbia Pike
  • The ramp to Army Navy Drive from NB I-395 Exit 8A, Arlington Ridge Road, and N. Washington Boulevard
  • The ramp from NB I-395 Exit 8C to Pentagon City / Crystal City

“Race attendees and spectators are encouraged to use Metro or other forms of multimodal transportation,” said the release. “The Pentagon City Metro Station (Blue and Yellow lines) and Crystal City Metro Station (Blue and Yellow lines) are located within walking distance to the racecourse. Paid parking is available at the Pentagon City Mall garage for those choosing to drive.”

Street parking in the area of both events will be restricted, with temporary “No Parking” signs placed along various streets, police said.

There’s also a third major event that will be coming through the county Saturday morning: the D.C. Bike Ride, the route for which goes over the 14th Street Bridge and loops around near the Pentagon.

Happening now: Arlington’s 9/11 remembrance ceremony

By ARLnow.com
Flag displayed at the Pentagon in remembrance of 9/11 (file photo)

Arlington County’s annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony is taking place in Courthouse.

A live feed of the event, which started around 9:30 a.m. and features local officials and members of the police and fire departments, is available below. The full event should be viewable upon its conclusion.

American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2001, killing 184 people. It a clear late summer day, not unlike today.

President Joe Biden is scheduled to attend a private memorial service at the Pentagon Sunday morning, with the Secretary of Defense and family members of the victims, to mark the 21st anniversary of the terror attacks.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Bees seek out pollen on flowers in Rosslyn (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Potential Development Near Courthouse — “A property with long-suffering residential redevelopment plans in Arlington looks poised to get a new owner, pending a proposal to increase allowable density on the site. D.C.-based The Fortis Cos. LLC is the contract buyer for 2025 Fairfax Drive, a half-acre parcel in the Radnor-Fort Myer Heights neighborhood… Currently site of a single-family home and surface parking lot, the property is clearly under-built, given its location.” [Washington Business Journal]

Reminder: Metro Work Starting — “The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will conduct two simultaneous projects that will have significant impacts on Metrorail’s Yellow Line starting Saturday, Sept. 10: preparations for connecting the new Potomac Yard Metro station and rehabilitation of the Yellow Line tunnel and bridge between L’Enfant Plaza and Pentagon Metro stations.” [Arlington County, ARLnow]

D.C. Debut for Local Filmmakers’ Doc — “Arlington, VA-based filmmakers Steve Dorst and Angie Gentile announced the Washington, DC premiere of their first joint documentary, DANI’S TWINS, at the DC Shorts Film Festival being held from September 8-11. Their film documents the rare and risky pregnancy of Dani Izzie, one of the few quadriplegics ever to give birth to twins.” [Press Release]

It’s Friday — Clear throughout the day. High of 79 and low of 64. Sunrise at 6:46 am and sunset at 7:28 pm. [Weather.gov]

Local leaders react to the death of Queen Elizabeth II

By ARLnow.com
Queen Elizabeth II in London in 2019 (Photo by Mark de Jong on Unsplash)

(Updated at 11 p.m.) During her 70 year reign, Queen Elizabeth II visited Virginia and Arlington — the cemetery, specifically — on numerous occasions.

Now state and local leaders are remembering the monarch, who died today at age 96.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin released the following statement this afternoon.

Today, we sadly mourn the loss of a transcendent leader, Queen Elizabeth II, who admirably presided over the United Kingdom for over 70 years and was deeply beloved by her people. Throughout her reign, she showed steadfast compassion towards the United States during trying times, especially following the September 11th attacks. Virginians fondly remember Queen Elizabeth II’s many visits to the Commonwealth of Virginia including in 1957 for the Jamestown anniversary, 1976 for the U.S. Bicentennial celebration and 1991 to Arlington National Cemetery. Her most recent trip in 2007 when she visited the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond, Jamestown’s 400th anniversary celebration, and Virginia Tech was a particularly important part of Virginia’s history. As governor, the Queen’s consistent tenderness for the Commonwealth and Virginians will never be forgotten.

Younkin ordered flags across the Commonwealth to be lowered to half-staff Thursday night, until the queen’s interment.

Arlington’s members of Congress and the state legislature, as well as local institutions, are also offering their condolences via social media.

Photo by Mark de Jong on Unsplash

Police: Woman threatened store employee in Courthouse with knife

By ARLnow.com
File photo

(Updated at 3:05 p.m.) A pair of incidents involving local businesses and armed suspects were reported in today’s Arlington County Police Department crime report.

One happened on the 2000 block of Clarendon Blvd in Courthouse around 8:40 a.m. Wednesday morning.

“The female victim was standing outside a business when the suspect walked by and she greeted her,” according to police. “The suspect then allegedly made threatening statements, brandished a knife and held it towards the victim before fleeing the scene on foot.”

Initial reports suggest that the victim was an employee of the Ace hardware store on the block and that the suspect held the knife up to her throat. It’s not clear what, if anything, prompted the alleged attack.

“During the course of the investigation, officers identified the suspect, located her and took her into custody without incident at her residence,” said ACPD. “No injuries were reported.”

A 33-year-old Arlington woman was arrested and charged with Assault and Battery and Abduction, police said. She was held in jail without bond.

Early this morning, meanwhile, police responded to the 3300 block of Langston Blvd in the Cherrydale neighborhood for another report of an armed suspect at a local business.

“At approximately 4:38 a.m. on September 8, police were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery [that] just occurred,” said today’s crime report. “Upon arrival, it was determined the employee was inside the lobby of the business when the unknown suspect entered and approached the counter. The suspect then brandished a firearm and demanded money. The suspect stole an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing the scene.”

The name of the business was not given by police.

“No injuries were reported,” the crime report said. “The investigation is ongoing.”

UPDATED: Hazmat investigation still underway after 100 fish killed in stream

By ARLnow.com
Four Mile Run in Shirlington (file photo by Jay Westcott)

Update at 5:35 p.m. — The Arlington Dept. of Environmental Services said via Twitter Thursday evening that “people and their pets should continue to avoid entering” Four Mile Run. Authorities are still investigating the incident and may be adding some harmless dye to the water as part of the investigation.

Earlier: There are “no ongoing hazards to humans and their pets” after a hazmat incident in Four Mile Run.

That’s according to the Arlington County Fire Department, in a Twitter post this morning. ACFD said about 100 fish found dead in the stream on Wednesday, between S. Walter Reed Drive and S. Taylor Street. A chemical odor was also reported.

People and pets were encouraged to avoid the waters between the Shirlington area and the Potomac after the fishkill was discovered. The fire department says it has identified “a likely source” that caused the incident.

ACFD and Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services worked together on the hazmat investigation.

Driver swerves over embankment at Dunkin’ drive-thru

By ARLnow.com
1/2

Those in line to get coffee and donuts in the Buckingham neighborhood this morning were met with an unusual sight.

The driver of a white Volvo drove partially down an embankment next to the Dunkin’ drive-thru at 70 N. Glebe Road, becoming wedged between the sidewalk and the restaurant’s driveway. It’s not clear what led to the crash, though the drive-thru line is not typically associated with excess speed.

“I’m not sure what the story is or how the car ended up this way,” said a tipster, who called it an “odd scene.”

No emergency vehicles are seen in the photos above, which were taken around 7:45 a.m.

The Dunkin’ and its drive-thru lane opened in 2017, replacing a former KFC.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
A pedestrian walks along a path in Ballston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Four Mile Run Hazmat Alert — From Arlington County: “Chemical Odor with Fish Killed… All pets and people should avoid the water in the area of Four Mile Run from Walter Reed Drive to the Potomac River until the Department of Environmental Services says it is safe.” [Twitter, Twitter, Twitter]

No County Payments to Amazon, Yet — “Arlington offered $23M for Amazon HQ2. So far, it hasn’t paid a dime. The county’s incentives are based on revenue streams that have shrunk since Amazon — and covid — moved in.” [Washington Post]

Grumbles About Committee Switch — “With the elimination of [the Emergency Preparedness Advisory Commission], ‘the [County] Board will not receive neutral, outside advice on such county issues, making them more reliant on the manager and staff for decisions,’ noted one individual who had watched the process closely but asked not to be named because it could be problematic in their professional life. ‘EPAC and CARRT could have coexisted,’ the individual said.” [Sun Gazette]

APS Hiring for Last Open Positions — “APS started the school year 99 percent fully staffed, and Human Resources is working closely with administrators to fill the remaining 35 full-time teacher vacancies as quickly as possible. Currently there are 15 full-time vacancies at the elementary level and 20 at the secondary level. We are utilizing substitutes where necessary as we work to ensure high quality teachers are in place in every classroom.” [Arlington Public Schools]

Three to Receive Community Award — “For the first time in 29 years, three extraordinary people will be honored with The William T. Newman Spirit of Community Award. Individually and collectively, these recipients represent the passion, commitment, and community advocacy that define the Award and the absolute best vision of what Arlington can be: Portia Clark… Mark Riley… [and] Dr. Mike Silverman.” [Press Release]

Improper Tow Truck Parking Tweeted — In something of a local Twitter trend, a number of people have been posting photos of Advanced Towing tow trucks parked next to a fire hydrant in front of the company’s lot in Ballston. [Twitter, Twitter, Twitter]

Renovations at Nearby Shopping Strip — “Construction has begun on a substantial renovation of Chesterbrook Shopping Center in McLean. Barricades, signage and other equipment started emerging at the Safeway-anchored retail strip in mid-August… An overhaul of Chesterbrook has been anticipated since longtime property manager Federal Realty Investment Trust took ownership of the 90,000-square-foot property at 6214 and 6246 Old Dominion Drive in May 2021.” [FFXnow]

It’s Thursday — Mostly cloudy but fairly pleasant throughout the day. High of 78 and low of 67. Sunrise at 6:45 am and sunset at 7:30 pm. [Weather.gov]

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