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.

Pickup truck smashes through decorative Memorial Bridge stone railing

By ARLnow.com
Pickup truck that crashed into and damaged the side of the Memorial Bridge (photo courtesy John Wilcox)

The driver of a pickup truck nearby ran off the side of the Memorial Bridge this evening.

The truck mounted the southern sidewalk and smashed through the decorative masonry on the side of the bridge, over the GW Parkway and the Mt. Vernon Trail. It was likely just a few feet away from falling off the side of the bridge and onto the trail.

Police described it as a single-vehicle crash. U.S. Park Police officers and Arlington firefighters were among those to respond to the scene. No information on injuries or the cause of the crash was immediately available.

The inbound lanes of the bridge were closed to traffic for a time after the crash but have since reopened.

Memorial Bridge underwent an extensive, two-year rehabilitation project that wrapped up in 2020. The work included cleaning, repairing and reinstalling the bridge’s “historic granite balustrade.”

It appears that the truck smashed through one of those sections of balustrade. Repairing it may take awhile.

More on the balustrade work from a 2019 Washington Post article:

Hunks of curbing, benches and hundreds of ornate 80-pound balusters, for the balustrade, or stone railing, were scattered across a large Lorton Stone company work yard in Upper Marlboro, Md., like pieces of a huge puzzle.

There, they were being power-washed and repaired, if needed, said National Park Service spokesman Jonathan Shafer.

Many of the pieces have been stained by rust over the years from passing cars and nicked by snowplows, said Lindy Gulick, a Park Service architectural conservator.

Missing parts are being replaced by new pieces that are glued in place and sculpted to fit.

The original balusters were handcrafted from stone cut in a quarry in Mount Airy, N.C.

Replacements for the few that could not be repaired are being made with the help of a computer and with stone from the same quarry, Gulick said.

More on the crash via social media:

JUST IN: Maryland man arrested in case of woman pushed out of SUV

By ARLnow.com
The woman who was injured after being pushed out of an SUV near Ballston (via GoFundMe)

(Updated at 2:40 p.m.) An arrest has been made in the case of a woman who was pushed out of a moving SUV near Ballston.

Maryna Kapovska, 25, suffered severe injuries in the May 15 incident, which happened on Wilson Blvd just west of N. Glebe Road. She has been undergoing rehabilitation, including for a traumatic brain injury, according to a GoFundMe page that has raised $50,000 to cover Kapovska’s expenses.

Arlington County police announced this afternoon (Wednesday) that a man has been arrested in the case, following a “thorough investigation,” though there’s still no word on an exact motive.

Willie Clements, a 59-year-old Maryland resident, is now facing several felony charges after being taken into custody on Friday by Arlington County Police Department tactical officers. Police say the victim entered his black SUV while waiting for a rideshare driver in D.C. around 3 a.m.

Clements “was not employed as a rideshare driver and was not operating in a for-hire status,” according to police.

More from an ACPD press release:

The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is announcing the arrest of a suspect following an aggravated malicious wounding investigation in the Bluemont neighborhood. Willie James Clements, 59, of Upper Marlboro, MD is charged with Aggravated Malicious Wounding, Grand Larceny and Hit and Run. He is being held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.

At approximately 3:06 a.m. on May 15, police were dispatched to the area of Wilson Boulevard at N. Vermont Street for the report of trouble unknown. The reporting party stated she was driving in the area when she observed a black SUV swerving and traveling at a high rate of speed. The passenger door to the vehicle then opened and the victim was pushed out onto the roadway. Responding officers located the female victim in the roadway and medics transported her to an area hospital with serious injuries.

The investigation revealed that earlier in the morning, the victim requested a rideshare service from the 800 block of Florida Ave NW, Washington D.C. to her residence in Arlington. While waiting for her driver to arrive, the suspect approached, the victim entered his vehicle and he drove away. The suspect was not employed as a rideshare driver and was not operating in a for-hire status.

Arlington County Police Department detectives conducted a thorough investigation including witness interviews and the review of crime scene and other evidence. The review resulted in additional information that led detectives to identify Willie James Clements as a suspect. Officers assigned to the department’s TAC Unit took the suspect into custody without incident on the afternoon of September 2.

This remains an active criminal investigation. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4180 or [email protected]. Information may also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage tells ARLnow that the crime scene was “less than a mile” from where the victim lived. She was unable to say why the victim might have entered the suspect’s vehicle.

“This remains an active criminal investigation and to ensure the integrity of the prosecution, no additional details are available at this time,” Savage said.

Kapovska is originally from Ukraine and was quoted in news stories in February just before the Russian invasion.

“Our dad is defending our homeland while our mom had to flee the war to Germany,” her sister noted on the GoFundMe page.

Prior to the March incident, the 25-year-old attended a Ukrainian Orthodox church in Montgomery County weekly, sang in the choir, and posted regularly on Instagram to show support for her homeland, said a Montgomery County Media story.

As her rehabilitation continues — it’s expected to take 6-12 months, according to the GoFundMe page — she returned to Instagram two weeks ago after a long hiatus.

“Happy days,” Kapovska wrote in a post, with a photo from prior to her injuries. “Life divided into before and after. This is before, looking forward to after.”

Morning Notes

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

VHC Expanding Beyond Arlington — “As part of its expansion efforts, VHC Health will add several new healthcare locations throughout Northern Virginia – physician practices, imaging centers, outpatient surgery facilities and a free-standing emergency department. In 2023, VHC Health will open a $250 million Outpatient Pavilion, and over the next two years, VHC Health Physicians will open more than 20 additional service locations throughout the region.” [Press Release]

Library Opens Zoom Room — “There is a new option for Arlington residents and visitors who need an internet connection and privacy for virtual meetings. Arlington Public Library will open The Teleconnect Space at Columbia Pike Library, in partnership with the Arlington County Department of Community Planning, Housing, and Development (CPHD) and the Department of Technology Services (DTS).” [Arlington County]

Food Scrap Program ‘Underutilized’ — “Grabowsky, who does his own composting at his South Arlington home, acknowledged that the program ‘is underutilized,’ perhaps 40-45 percent of homes, according to audits. The county ‘would like to see it reach the same’ participation rate as general recycling, 85-90 percent. When he spotted a neighbor putting her small caddy on the curb empty, as if to get rid of it, Grabowsky tactfully placed a composting brochure on her door. ‘We just have to do a consistently better job of educating the public.'” [Falls Church News-Press]

Marymount Sees Application Surge — “Leading up to the Fall 2022 semester, a total of 3,551 applications were submitted from prospective students – a 44 percent jump from the 2,462 applications that the University received prior to the 2021-2022 academic year. This data represents both the largest total number of applications that Marymount has received as well as the highest year-to-year growth percentage in applications received over the last 16 years of recorded admissions data available.” [Press Release]

Church Near Ballston Turns 150 — “First Presbyterian Church of Arlington kicked off its sesquicentennial celebration with a picnic and concert on the church grounds on Aug. 28, and has additional events in the pipeline to celebrate 150 years of service to parishioners and the community.” [Sun Gazette]

Payphone Down in Pentagon City — From @CartChaos22202: “The old ⁦@Verizon⁩ pay phone outside of ⁦@FashionCtrPC⁩ + the ⁦@RitzCarlton⁩ Pentagon City has been toppled.” [Twitter]

HS Football Roundup — “The Yorktown Patriots bounced back with a lopsided victory in high-school football action the night of Sept. 1, while the Washington-Liberty Generals and Wakefield Warriors lost the same evening. All three games were non-district contests.” [Sun Gazette]

It’s Wednesday — Updated at 7:55 a.m. — Overcast throughout the day with some rain showers. High of 76 and low of 69. Sunrise at 6:44 am and sunset at 7:31 pm. [Weather.gov]

Wakefield junior dies after SUV vs. scooter crash in Alexandria

By ARLnow.com
Miguel Angel Rivera (image via GoFundMe)

(Updated at 11:15 p.m.) A Wakefield High School junior has died in the hospital after being struck by a driver while riding a scooter.

Miguel Angel Rivera suffered what were described as “massive injuries” after being struck while returning from work on an electric scooter.

On Monday, his parents said on a GoFundMe page that Rivera had died at a hospital in Fairfax County.

With heavy hearts, we want to announce that our Miguelito has passed as of early this morning, 9/5/2022. He is now in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ and will forever be remembered. He is now an angel looking down on us all.

We are in awe of the amount of love, support, and generosity that is being shown to help the family during this time of unimaginable sorrow and heartbreak. Miguel Angel was loved by so many, please keep the prayers coming for those closest to him that that they find peace, comfort, and healing.

The GoFundMe page, which has raised nearly $20,000 for medical and funeral expenses, does not detail what happened. A community leader who shared the page on social media said over the weekend, and again on Monday, said he did not have additional information about the crash.

ARLnow hears that the crash happened just over a week ago in Alexandria. Police there issued a press release about a crash that happened just after 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27 along Beauregard Street, west of the Mark Center.

From APD:

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a traffic crash that occurred on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at the intersection of North Beauregard Street and Sanger Avenue.

At approximately 10:17 PM, police responded to the area for a scooter struck at the intersection of North Beauregard Street and Sanger Avenue. Preliminary investigation suggests the victim, 16 years of age, was making a left-hand turn onto Sanger Avenue from the southbound lane of North Beauregard Street when he was struck by a Black Toyota RAV-4 traveling northbound on North Beauregard Street. The victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.

The […] driver of the Black SUV, remained on the scene.

APD’s Crash Reconstruction Team is investigating the crash. The investigation is ongoing.

As of Tuesday afternoon school administrators had not yet sent an email to WHS families about Rivera’s death and, we’re told, were awaiting permission from the teen’s family to do so.

NBC 4 reported Tuesday night that Rivera was just minutes from his father’s house when he was struck. He died after being taken off life support at the hospital.

There’s still no word on whether the driver of the SUV will face any charges.

More Honda airbag thefts and a bizarre brandishing along the Pike

By ARLnow.com
Arlington police car at night (file photo courtesy Kevin Wolf)

Just days after the last reported series of airbag thefts in Arlington, police are investigating another.

Arlington County police say a thief or thieves smashed windows on and stole airbags from three Honda vehicles on the 900 block of S. Rolfe Street, near Towers Park.

Dozens of similar thefts — mostly involving Hondas and Acuras — have been reported so far this year, including a series of four less than a week ago.

From ACPD:

LARCENY FROM AUTO (Late, Series), 2022-09050059, 900 block of S. Rolfe Street. At approximately 6:41 a.m. on September 5, police were dispatched to the report of a late larceny from auto. Upon arrival, it was determined between approximately 11:30 p.m. on September 4 and 6:41 a.m. on September 5 the unknown suspect(s) smashed the driver’s side windows of three vehicles and stole the airbags. All vehicles involved are Honda models. There is no suspect description at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

Also in the latest ACPD crime report, police say a man pulled out and loaded a gun inside a business along Columbia Pike — and then walked away without making any threats or demands.

The odd situation played out Friday night on the 2900 block of the Pike, which is home to a Domino’s Pizza and a CVS, among other businesses. Arlington police typically do not reveal the identities of people or entities that have been the victims of crimes.

More via ACPD:

BRANDISHING, 2022-09020220, 2600 block of Columbia Pike. At approximately 8:49 p.m. on September 2, police were dispatched to the report of a brandishing. Upon arrival, it was determined that at approximately 8:43 p.m., the unknown male suspect entered into the business, approached the counter, removed a firearm and magazine from his waistband and loaded it before fleeing the scene on foot. The suspect did not make any demands or threats. No injuries were reported and no items were reported stolen or damaged. Responding officers canvassed the area yielding negative results.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Rain as seen through the windows of Compass Coffee in Ballston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

County Sued for Park Project — “Arlington County withheld nearly $1 million from a contractor that renovated a popular park in the East Falls Church area, the company has alleged. McDonnell Landscape, which filed the suit against the County Board in Arlington Circuit Court on Aug. 17, had been hired to carry out long-awaited upgrades to Benjamin Banneker Park, a 12.5-acre facility along Four Mile Run that includes a major trailhead, a dog park and athletic facilities.” [Washington Post]

Church’s Multi-Million Dollar Reno — “Bishop Michael F. Burbidge dedicated a new altar for St. Agnes Church in Arlington Aug. 31. The celebration was the culmination of a multi-million dollar renovation that changed and improved a number of aspects of the building. The church now has a newly paved parking lot, a new entryway and narthex. Inside the church, there is a new altar, tabernacle, baptismal font, ambo and new marble flooring in the sanctuary.” [Arlington Catholic Herald]

WaPo Profiles Flip and Flipper — “Transformed Arlington, Va., house for sale for $2.3 million…  A 1954 rambler was expanded into a six-bedroom, six-bathroom, 3,800-square-foot home.” [Washington Post]

More 7000 Series Trains Coming — “Metro is returning more of its newest, most reliable trains to service starting Sept. 12. This marks a significant step in the restoration of all 7000-series railcars, which is key to Metro’s plan to improve train frequency for customers. With the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission’s approval, Metro’s updated return to service plan allows the agency to safely operate up to 20 of its 7000-series trains per day, up from the current limit of eight trains.” [WMATA, WMATA]

It’s Tuesday — Rain in the morning, then drying out with some showers in the afternoon. High of 79 and low of 71. Sunrise at 6:44 am and sunset at 7:33 pm. [Weather.gov]

Arlington and immediate D.C. area under Flood Watch overnight

By ARLnow.com
Flood Watch graphic (Photo via National Weather Service/Twitter)

Arlington County, D.C. and its immediate neighbors are under a Flood Watch starting early Monday morning.

Heavy rain is expected overnight and during the morning commute. The soaking rainfall may cause isolated flooding.

More from the National Weather Service:

…FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM EDT TUESDAY THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON…

* WHAT…Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

* WHERE…Portions of DC, Maryland and northern Virginia, including the following areas: in DC, District of Columbia. In Maryland, Anne Arundel, Carroll, Cecil, Central and Southeast Howard, Central and Southeast Montgomery, Frederick MD, Northern Baltimore, Northwest Harford, Northwest Howard, Northwest Montgomery, Prince Georges, Southeast Harford and Southern Baltimore. In northern Virginia, Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria, Eastern Loudoun, Fairfax and Western Loudoun.

* WHEN…From 4 AM EDT Tuesday through Tuesday afternoon.

* IMPACTS…Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– An area of low pressure is expected to develop along a slow moving boundary draped across the region Tuesday morning through early Tuesday afternoon. Heavy showers and a few thunderstorms are expected to drop 2 to 3 inches across much of the watch area, with isolated higher amounts up to 5 inches possible in the heaviest cells.
– http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

More via social media:

Photo via National Weather Service/Twitter

UPDATED: Police conducting apparent death investigation in Ballston

By ARLnow.com
1/2

(Updated at 10:20 p.m.) Arlington County police are conducting a death investigation after an apparent fall from a high-rise condo in Ballston.

Numerous police units could be seen Monday afternoon and evening around The Continental condo building at 851 N. Glebe Road, near the Westin hotel and the P.F. Chang’s restaurant. A photo sent by a reader shows a tent set up by police in an alley next to the building.

Police first responded to the scene shortly after 3:30 p.m. Initial reports suggest that someone had died and an investigation was underway on the ground and on the 17th floor of the building.

“ACPD is conducting a death investigation in the 800 block of N. Glebe Road,” police department spokeswoman Ashley Savage confirmed Monday night to ARLnow. “This appears to be an isolated incident and the preliminary investigation has not revealed an ongoing threat to the community. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.”

Savage also confirmed a report that someone had been led away in handcuffs, but said it was on a drug charge.

“An adult female was arrested on a narcotics charge,” she said. “Officers remain on scene investigating.”

No other details were immediately available. A resident of the building said they were kept in the dark about what exactly was happening.

“They are not telling residents anything,” the resident told ARLnow.

Most-read Arlington stories of the week: Aug. 29-Sept. 2

By ARLnow.com
Excavating continues at the former Rouse Estate site along Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Labor Day weekend is here so let’s get right to it.

For what’s supposed to be a pretty slow pre-holiday week, this week actually turned out to be quite busy, readership-wise. Here are the most-read stories since Sunday:

  1. Boy stabbed, seriously injured on the Custis Trail near Ballston
  2. NEW: Car stolen from Rosslyn with child inside found in D.C.
  3. Group from Chicago arrested after catalytic converter thefts
  4. New CVS has a large blank wall facing Wilson Blvd, upsetting some locals
  5. Revamped Clarendon Ballroom is back open, after a management 180
  6. Fourteen upcoming fall activities in Arlington and around the region
  7. NEW: Woman pushing stroller struck by driver along Military Road
  8. Arlington Public Library is hosting “1619 Project” author next month
  9. Lease may be drying up for local watering hole Thirsty Bernie
  10. Texas woman facing charges after stabbing in Courthouse
  11. Solar panels are rising in Arlington thanks to a county program and federal incentives
  12. Suspect arrested after attempted armed carjacking in Pentagon City

Feel free to discuss those stories or anything else of local interest in the comments. Have a relaxing and enjoyable long weekend, Arlington!

Oh, and a quick reminder… trash WILL be picked up on Monday for those who receive the county’s collection service.

Open houses in Arlington this weekend

By ARLnow.com
4890 Old Dominion Drive (via Google Maps)

Welcome to September! It’s another weekend with a new round of open houses.

There are currently 599 homes for sale in Arlington. Of those homes for sale, 342 are condos, 208 are detached homes and 49 are townhomes, according to Homesnap.

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

  • 4605 26th Street N.
    6 BR/6.5 BA Single-family home
    Noteworthy: Four levels, floating staircase, wine cove
    Listed: $3,595,000
    Open: Sunday, 1-4 p.m. (Tom Francis – Keller Williams Realty)
  • 4890 Old Dominion Drive
    4 BR/2.5 BA Single-family home
    Noteworthy: New roof, fireplace, patio
    Listed: $1,295,000
    Open: Saturday, 12-2 p.m. (Bob Mathew – MXW Real Estate)
  • 4624 4th Road N.
    3 BR/3.5 BA Townhouse
    Noteworthy: Walk-out basement, hardwood floors, breakfast nook
    Listed: $925,000
    Open: Saturday, 1-3 p.m. (Matthew Ferris – Redfin Corporation)
  • 6215 23rd Street N.
    3 BR/2 BA Single-family home
    Noteworthy: Back porch, patio, wood burning fireplace
    Listed: $850,000
    Open: Sunday, 1-4 p.m. (Elizabeth Twigg – McEnearney Associates)
  • 4404 34th Street S.
    3 BR/3 BA Townhouse
    Noteworthy: Updated and remodeled, fenced in patio
    Listed: $795,000
    Open: Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Lex Lianos – Compass)

See all Arlington open house listings here.

Want your open house to appear here? You can now submit sponsored listings.

4890 Old Dominion Drive image via Google Maps

TRAFFIC ALERT: GW Parkway blocked in Arlington after crash

By ARLnow.com
Major backup after GW Parkway blocked by crash (via Google Maps)

The northbound lanes of the GW Parkway were Friday afternoon blocked after reports of a “major” crash near the second scenic overlook.

The Arlington County Fire Department is among those that responded to the crash, south of Chain Bridge in Arlington. So far there’s no word on injuries nor the exact nature of the crash.

Northbound traffic was diverted onto Spout Run Parkway, but a significant number of drivers may have gotten stuck in the backup after Spout Run.

Drivers on the southbound GW Parkway were also seeing delays near the crash scene due to the emergency response.

Update at 1:50 p.m. — All lanes have reopened, according to U.S. Park Police.

Photo via Google Maps

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