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.

UPDATED: Storm brings strong winds, drops just over an inch of snow on Arlington

By ARLnow.com
1/2

Update at 3 p.m. — Snow is starting to taper off. Roads are mostly clear, after just over an inch of snow fell on Arlington.

Update at 9 a.m. — Snow continues to fall amid strong winds, reducing visibility and causing slick conditions on some paved surfaces. All lanes of westbound I-66 are currently closed at Spout Run due to a crash. It’s unclear whether the crash is weather related.

Earlier: Frozen precipitation is now falling on Arlington and forecasters warn that things are going to get a lot worse before they get better.

Rain is changing over to snow as temperatures fall and strong wind gusts whip up, thanks to a strong cold front and storm system making its way up the East Coast.

In addition to the earlier Winter Weather Advisory and Wind Advisory, the National Weather Service this morning issued a Special Weather Statement urging extra caution on the road if you absolutely must travel during the “near blizzard conditions” expected later this morning.

646 AM EST Sat Mar 12 2022

…RAPIDLY DETERIORATING CONDITIONS THIS MORNING…

Rain will change to snow over the Washington and Baltimore Metropolitan areas as well as northeastern Maryland by 9 AM this morning from northwest to southeast. Snowfall rates around one to two inches per hour are expected through late this morning along with rapidly falling temperatures below freezing. Despite the recent warm conditions, snow is expected to stick on many surfaces, causing travel disruptions.

Strong northwest winds with gusts around 45 to 55 mph are expected during this time, causing snow and possible blowing snow to reduce visibility below one-half mile at times. Near blizzard conditions are expected.

Please use extra caution if you have to travel.

More from the Capital Weather Gang:

JUST IN: Winter weather and wind advisories issued for Arlington

By ARLnow.com
Bob & Edith’s Diner in the snow (staff photo by Matt Blitz)

Get ready for a wintry and windy Saturday.

A Winter Weather Advisory and Wind Advisory, both of which take effect Saturday morning, were just issued for Arlington. Forecasters expect wind gusts up to 55 mph and snow accumulation of 2-4 inches as a storm system moves up the East Coast.

From the National Weather Service:

325 PM EST Fri Mar 11 2022

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 3 PM EST SATURDAY…

* WHAT…Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches. Northwest winds will gust around 45 to 55 mph.

* WHERE…Portions of central and northeastern Maryland, northern and central Virginia, and the District of Columbia, including most of the DC and Baltimore metros.

* WHEN…From 7 AM to 3 PM EST Saturday. Rain will change to snow between 7 and 9 AM early Saturday. The steadiest snow will be through Saturday morning.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Visibility may be reduced to below one- quarter mile at times. Brief near blizzard conditions are possible between 8 and 11 AM.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

When venturing outside, watch your first few steps taken on steps, sidewalks, and driveways, which could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.

Also from NWS:

326 PM EST Fri Mar 11 2022

…WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM SATURDAY TO 1 AM EST SUNDAY…

* WHAT…Northwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph.

* WHERE…Portions of northern and central Maryland, northern Virginia, and the District of Columbia including the DC and Baltimore metro areas.

* WHEN…From 6 AM Saturday to 1 AM EST Sunday.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down. Several power outages may result.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…A few gusts to around 60 mph are possible. Strong winds may persist into early Sunday morning.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects. Prepare for power outages.

The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang is a bit more measured in terms of its snow accumulation prediction for Arlington, calling for a coating to 2-3 inches of snow accumulation, with higher amounts north and west.

The storm is expected to start as rain before changing over to snow mid-morning. In such scenarios, snows crews typically do not pre-treat roadways as the treatment would be washed away by the time the frozen precipitation starts.

VDOT said Friday afternoon that its plow crews are ready to tackle the snowy onslaught, while asking drivers to stay at home if at all possible.

VDOT Northern Virginia crews are ready for winter weather that is forecast to impact the region Saturday. The forecast shows precipitation starting as rain and turning to snow. Residents should be ready for high wind gusts and below freezing temperatures.

As always, residents are asked to monitor forecasts and plan ahead to avoid nonessential travel during winter weather.

What’s Happening Now

  • See the Winter Weather Advisory from the National Weather Service for precipitation for Saturday. The forecast includes periods of rain and accumulating snow, as well as increased winds. Please continue to monitor forecasts closely as forecasts can improve or worsen quickly.
  • Crews will mobilize overnight to treat state-maintained roads. Please drive with caution around plow trucks as they are heavy and move slowly.
  • Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing, causing potential icy conditions. Treat anything that looks wet as if it could be icy, especially bridges, ramps, overpasses, and elevated surfaces. If there is snow or ice on roadways, travel is hazardous.

Open houses in Arlington this weekend

By ARLnow.com
134 S. Columbus Street

Happy Friday and don’t forget to set your clocks one hour forward this Sunday!

It looks to a cooler weekend ahead, but a good time to check out a few open houses across Arlington.

Currently, there are 384 homes for sale according to Homesnap. Of those for sale, 268 are condos. In the last 4 weeks, there have been 224 sales and 146 new listings. The median sales price is $641,250 and the median list price is $577,475 with an average of 68 days on market.

Open houses across Arlington this weekend:

  • 4015 N. Randolph Street
    6 BD/5 BA, 2 half bath single-family home
    Noteworthy: Seven car garages, heated pool, elevator
    Listed: $2,495,000
    Open: Sunday, 2-4 p.m.
  • 1401 N. Oak Street #608
    3 BD/2.5 BA condo
    Noteworthy: Two-levels, elevator, curved staircase
    Listed: $1,770,000
    Open: Saturday, 2-4 p.m.
  • 134 S. Columbus Street
    4 BD/4.5 BA single-family home
    Noteworthy: Custom slate walkway, private screened porch, rear deck
    Listed: $1,100,000
    Open: Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
  • 5985 10th Road N.
    4 BD/2 BA single-family home
    Noteworthy: Fenced back yard, sun porch, heated bath floors
    Listed: $850,000
    Open: Saturday, 1-3 p.m.
  • 2702 Langston Boulevard #2B
    2 BD/2.5 BA condo
    Noteworthy: Two balconies, private elevator entrance
    Listed: $769,000
    Open: Saturday, 1-4 p.m.
  • 901 N. Monroe Street #1109
    2 BD/2 BA condo
    Noteworthy: Re-designed kitchen, balcony, wood floors
    Listed: $659,000
    Open: Saturday, 1-3 p.m.

Homeowner and agents: want your open house to appear here? You can now submit sponsored open house listings.

Image via Google Images

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
A military helicopter flies along the Potomac River and National Mall, as viewed from near the Netherlands Carillon (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Wet, Windy, Snowy Saturday on Tap — “A powerful storm system will cross the region Saturday. We are likely to see winds gusting over 50 mph Saturday, along with very low wind chills by Saturday night. We remain uncertain about snowfall, as the cold air will be chasing the precip — a wide range remains possible.” [Twitter, Capital Weather Gang]

Firefighters Union Wins Vote — “For the first time in more than FOUR DECADES — a public sector union will have the right to negotiate a contract with Arlington County. And it wasn’t just a win — it was a BLOWOUT.” [Facebook, Twitter]

PSA: Don’t Leave Keys Inside a Parked Car — An auto theft near Upton Hill park: “At approximately 12:40 a.m., a witness observed three unknown suspects rummaging through a vehicle. The witness yelled and the suspects fled the scene on foot. The suspects then entered into the victim’s car, located the keys inside and drove away from the area. The vehicle is described as gray in color, 2015 Honda CRV bearing VA license plate VKX2844.” [ACPD]

Marymount Adding Wrestling Teams — “Marymount University is moving forward on plans to add both Men’s and  Women’s Wrestling as varsity sports, expanding the institution’s athletic offerings to 22 different varsity-level teams. Men’s competition will begin in the 2022-23 academic year, as Marymount currently searches for a head coach who will begin recruiting for the program immediately. Women’s competition will debut during the 2023-24 academic year.” [Marymount University]

How Arlington Landed HQ2 — “If you’re interested in how Amazon could reshape our region, it’s worth understanding what our region had to build to land them. It’s an underdog story that starts with a small team of local business-improvement officials who had neither the clout nor the cash of most of their competitors. Instead, they figured out what Amazon was really looking for and quietly began the process of shaping a city to fit those needs.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

An Irish Tale on a Local Stage — “Tis the time of the year that everyone wants to be Irish, if only for a wee while, and Encore Stage & Studio has joined the celebration of all things Eire with the world-premiere production of ‘Riley O’Brien and the Lost Leprechaun.’ While aimed at the younger set, the show is inventive in its conception and solid in its execution, making it a treat for all ages.” [Sun Gazette]

Fairfax County Local News — ARLnow’s latest sister site, FFXnow, is providing up-to-the-minute coverage of Fairfax County following its recent official launch. Sign up for the email newsletter or follow on Facebook or Twitter. [FFXnow]

It’s Friday — Sunny most of the day, then rain overnight. High of 59 and low of 37. Sunrise at 6:27 am and sunset at 6:13 pm. [Weather.gov]

JUST IN: Man stabbed outside Sequoia Plaza complex after fight on bus

By ARLnow.com
1/4

Update at 11:30 a.m. — Arlington County police just released the following account of what happened in the department’s daily crime report.

 At approximately 3:34 p.m. on March 10, police were dispatched to the report of a fight in progress. Upon arrival, officers located the suspect and took him into custody without incident. The investigation determined that the victim and suspect were on a bus when they became involved in a verbal dispute. The dispute escalated into a physical altercation, during which the suspect brandished a knife and struck the victim. The victim then deployed pepper spray. The victim sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment. The suspect sustained minor injuries and was treated on scene by medics. Marvin Mullins, 46, of Arlington, Va., was arrested and charged with Malicious Wounding.

Earlier: A stabbing has been reported outside Arlington County’s Sequoia Plaza office complex.

Initial reports suggest more than a dozen people were pepper sprayed, including a child, and a person was stabbed. Preliminary information from police indicates that the incident started as a fight on a bus around 3:30 p.m.

“It was determined that the victim and suspect were on a bus when they became involved in a verbal dispute,” Arlington County Police Department spokeswoman Ashley Savage tells ARLnow. “The dispute escalated into a physical altercation, during which the suspect brandished a knife, causing a laceration to the victim. The victim then deployed pepper spray.”

“The victim, an adult male, has been transported to an area hospital and is in stable condition,” Savage continued. “Police remain on scene investigating and there are no outstanding suspects related to this incident.”

In addition to police, two ambulances and some additional fire department units were dispatched to the scene. At least one person was reportedly transported to the hospital, while those who were pepper sprayed were treated on scene.

Sequoia Plaza, on the 2100 block of Washington Blvd, hosts the county’s Dept. of Human Services headquarters — including behavior healthcare, child welfare and public health offices — as well the Arlington Public Schools administrative offices, also known as the Syphax Education Center.

An ART bus and a large area just outside of the APS building has been cordoned off with police tape. A man can be seen in handcuffs nearby, according to ARLnow staff photographer Jay Westcott.

Morning Poll: Are you driving less due to high gas prices?

By ARLnow.com
A BP gas station near Shirlington (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Are rising gas prices having an effect on your driving habits?

Local gas prices have reached record-breaking levels, including $4.35 per gallon in D.C. and $4.20 per gallon in Northern Virginia, Axios reported yesterday.

The cause? Increased travel leading to rising fuel demand, while Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to sanctions and bans against Russian oil. And the pain at the pump may extend well into the summer, while oil production catches up with the new global realities.

With a $4 per gallon or higher price of gas looking like it’s here to stay, we’re wondering whether Arlingtonians are making any changes. Let us know in the poll how your driving habits are changing, broadly, and feel free to go into more detail in the comments.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Blossoms in bloom along Long Bridge Park in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Giant Spiders May Drop In — “An invasive species of spider the size of a child’s hand is expected to ‘colonize’ the entire East Coast this spring by parachuting down from the sky, researchers at the University of Georgia announced last week… Andy Davis, author of the study and a researcher at Georgia’s Odum School of Ecology, tells Axios that it isn’t certain how far north the spiders will travel, but they may make it as far north as D.C. or even Delaware.” [Axios, Fox 5, NPR]

Anti-Growth Group Decries Route 29 Planning — “On March 6, ASF wrote to the Arlington County Board expressing concerns that significant new land use and zoning plans will cause seismic shifts for the communities now lining Langston Blvd. We believe the process — which will soon produce a new Preliminary Concept Plan that likely will be fast-tracked like other county planning processes — will neglect or defer costs of critically-needed new infrastructure, will displace those earning 60% or less than the Area Median Income, and will make it difficult for local entrepreneurs to stay in business.” [Arlingtonians for Our Sustainable Future]

Polish Pike Pierogi Purveyor Praised — “‘Oh my god, it smells so good it’s driving me crazy!’ my husband reported after picking up a pierogi order from chef Ewa Fraszczyk, who shares kitchen space with La Cocina VA, selling her pan-fried Polish dumplings from the nonprofit’s Columbia Pike café every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Arlington chef’s pierogi, all delicate and delicious, come six to an order ($10-$12) in four varieties.” [Arlington Magazine]

Apartment Child Care Bill Advances — “House members voted unanimously on March 8 in support of a measure by state Sen. Barbara Favola (D-Arlington-Fairfax-Loudoun) to amend the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act and permit child-care facilities in apartment units. That followed earlier, also unanimous, support in the state Senate.” [Sun Gazette]

Teen Stabbed in Va. Square Area — “At approximately 6:28 p.m. on March 8, police were dispatched to the report of a fight involving a group of approximately 6 – 10 juveniles. Upon arrival, the juveniles were no longer on scene and officers canvassed the area and located evidence of an injury in the 500 block of N. Quincy Street. At approximately 7:14 p.m., the juvenile male victim arrived at Virginia Hospital Center for treatment of stab wounds suffered during the fight. The victim’s injuries are considered serious but non-life threatening.” [ACPD]

Bus Driver Nearly Causes Wreck on I-395 — From public safety watchdog Dave Statter: “Watch: A ‘professional’ driver does no better trying to quickly get across 4 lanes of interstate highway. This one almost takes out a car–twice!! Must have been a fun bus ride.” [Twitter]

Takeout for a Cause at Four Courts — From Ireland’s Four Courts: “Stop in or order takeout on Thursday for dinner. We are donating 20 percent of our food sales to @PathForwardVA help #endhomelessness in Arlington.” [Twitter]

It’s Thursday — Overcast throughout the day. High of 52 and low of 35. Sunrise at 6:28 am and sunset at 6:12 pm. [Weather.gov]

Most expensive Arlington homes sold in February

By ARLnow.com
6201 31st Street N. (via Google Maps)

Welcome to March!

It’s a new month which means it’s time to take a look back at some of the most expensive homes sold across Arlington in February.

Looking back, in February, there were 384 homes listed for sale across Arlington, according to Homesnap. Of those for sale, 268 were condos, 92 were detached homes and 24 were townhomes. Additionally, the median list price was $577, 475 with a median sales price of $641, 250.

Let’s take a look at some of the most expensive homes sold in February:

In the market? See properties that have been Just Listed and Just Reduced.

Image via Google Maps

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Old Lady

By ARLnow.com
1/4

Searching for an experienced doggy companion? Meet Old Lady who is an affectionate 10-year-old looking to spend her time with a loving forever home.

Her friends at Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation had a few things to say about her:

Old Lady is a sweet, affectionate and wise senior gal who simply seeks love and companionship.

She may not be a puppy anymore, but this will not sway her away from a healthy game of tug-of-war or a little fetch session. She will shamelessly turn on her puppy dog eyes when she’s ready for a meal or a few treats. Good luck turning her down… none of us have had success so far!

She has shown calmness around the children and dogs she’s met so far. Old Lady is very protective of her family and needs time to warm up to new people. She will need leash training. Old Lady is a great, sweet dog and needs someone who is patient and willing to work with her.

This sweet girl is sure to bring extra happiness to all of her future family’s days.

Is Old Lady the perfect match for you? Read her complete profile to learn more about Old Lady and how to adopt her.

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Please don’t send vertical photos — they don’t fit in our photo galleries!

Arlington’s test positivity rate nearing pre-Omicron levels

By ARLnow.com
Test positivity rate in Arlington as of 3/9/22 (via Virginia Dept. of Health)

Covid remains on a slow decline in Arlington, a week after mask mandates were lifted in Arlington County facilities, public schools and elsewhere.

As the deadly Omicron wave wanes, test positivity numbers have fallen to nearly pre-wave levels. The positivity rate in Arlington is currently 3.4%, the lowest it has been since the beginning of December when case numbers started their rapid rase.

An average of 1,275 daily PCR-based tests are being reported to the Virginia Dept. of Health, comparable to testing levels just before Thanksgiving and well below the nearly 4,000 tests per day being reported in Arlington around Christmas.

The county’s seven-day moving average of new cases currently stands at 27.6 per day, or 11.5 per 100,000 residents. The moving average increased slightly today after 54 new cases were reported, double yesterday’s number, per VDH data.

Arlington Public Schools, meanwhile, is also reporting generally declining cases on its public Covid dashboard.

A total of 43 positive student cases have been reported over the past seven days, compared to 66 over the previous seven-day period.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
A Ukrainian flag on display at a house in the Westover neighborhood (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Date Set for Yellow Line Work — “Yellow Line Tunnel and Bridge Rehab, beginning Sept. 10, 2022: This work will require a shutdown between Pentagon and L’Enfant Plaza stations, closing the Yellow Line crossing of the Potomac River for seven to eight months.” [WMATA]

No APS Boundary Change Drama — “With Arlington’s student enrollment now projected to be considerably lower in coming years than once anticipated, School Board members this week are likely to call off a planned elementary-school-redistricting process that had been slated for the fall. ‘Small boundary adjustments’ may still be needed, but a countywide look at elementary-school-boundary switcheroos would be off the table.” [Sun Gazette]

Concern for Missing Arlington Woman — “The Arlington County Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance locating a missing Arlington woman. Lindsey… 38, was last seen on February 28 in the 4100 block of Fairfax Drive. Police and family are concerned for her health and welfare. [ACPD]

It’s Wednesday — Rain in the morning and early afternoon. High of 48 and low of 38. Sunrise at 6:30 am and sunset at 6:11 pm. [Weather.gov]

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