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.
The County Board meeting scheduled for tonight is being delayed by one day.
The Board’s annual new year organizational meeting serves mostly as the appointment of a new chair and vice chair, and an opportunity for members to give speeches about their goals for the year ahead.
The meeting has been rescheduled “due to inclement weather.” It’s now set to be held Tuesday night, along with a scheduled meeting with the Arlington Civic Federation.
“The Organizational Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 6:00pm, followed by the Meeting with the Arlington Civic Federation,” the county announced Monday morning.
A police car on a snow-covered road in Shirlington
Traffic map is a sea of red (via Google Maps)
Snow plow on S. Glebe Road near I-395 ramps
WB Columbia Pike blocked at N. George Mason Drive
Snow plow on N. Courthouse Road in Courthouse
Car struggling to get up a ramp to I-66
(Updated at 12:25 p.m.) In the battle between the snow plows and the snow in Arlington, the snow is currently winning.
Heavy, accumulating snow covers roads around Arlington, outpacing the rate by which it can be cleared. Snow crews were reportedly unable to pretreat roads, due to the storm starting as rain.
The traffic map around Arlington is a sea of red, with numerous crashes, cars stalled out on hills and other drivers moving slowly even on main thoroughfares.
“Today’s snowfall is likely to be heaviest in late morning, with low visibility and rapid accumulation,” the county said in an Arlington Alert message just after 9 a.m. “Please stay home if you can and stay off the roads.”
Even Route 50, I-66 and I-395, a focus of VDOT plow crews, remain largely snow-covered with several reported crashes and slow traffic. Shortly after 10:15 a.m., Arlington County police were told by dispatchers to avoid I-395 entirely, due to “gridlock.”
Among the places where problems are being reported:
Police are blocking westbound Columbia Pike at N. George Mason Drive, prior to the hill
Westbound Route 50 is reportedly impassable at the hill past Courthouse and again at N. Park Drive, where cars are stuck “all over the road”
The steep hill on N. Courthouse Road itself is said to be “fubar”
“A bunch of cars sideways” on N. Glebe Road between Military Road and Chain Bridge, which is now closed. There’s also a report of a downed tree.
Cars having trouble getting up the hill on S. Glebe Road near Shirlington Road
Police have also been requested to Shirlington Road and Arlington Mill Drive in the Shirlington area. Shirlington Circle may be shut down, according to scanner traffic.
The intersection of N. Rhodes Street and 14th Street N. is reportedly “littered with cars” that have been abandoned by drivers who got stuck on the hill
S. Arlington Ridge Ridge Road is blocked between 23rd and 28th streets due to two large trees down across the roadway
Numerous issues have been reported along Langston Blvd (Route 29) including a stuck tractor trailer at N. Scott Street
The Arlington County Fire Department has declared a snow emergency, according to scanner traffic, affecting how it responds to calls.
Trash and recycling collection was “suspended due to deteriorating conditions” as of 7 a.m. ART service, meanwhile, was suspended just after 9 a.m. Metrobus service was temporarily suspended around 9:30 a.m.
A brief power outage was reported in at least one portion of the county. More outages are possible with heavy wet snow potentially toppling branches and trees.
More via social media:
Best advice: Stay off the roads during a storm unless absolutely necessary. Your safety matters and crews need their time and space to ensure that. https://t.co/DuInmBchJWpic.twitter.com/yHWI6ZnJVV
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) January 3, 2022
Scenes from the Clarendon-Courthouse corridor. Main roads are NOT yet cleared. Driving looks difficult at the moment. cc: @ARLnowDOTcompic.twitter.com/4M7W0Um7fX
Federal Offices Are Closed, Too — From the U.S. Office of Personnel Management: “Federal offices in the DC area are CLOSED. Emergency and telework-ready employees must follow their agency’s policies.” [Twitter]
Metro on ‘Severe Snow Service Plan’ — “Metrobus will operate on a severe snow service plan [on] Monday, January 3. Bus service will be limited to major roads only. Delays and increased wait times are likely, and travel is strongly discouraged unless absolutely necessary. Customers traveling when a severe snow service plan is in place should be aware that Metrobus may have to suspend all service if road and weather conditions worsen and travel becomes unsafe. Consider Metrorail as an alternative when possible. No weather-related impacts to Metrorail are anticipated at this time.” [WMATA]
ACFD Asks for Help With Hydrants — “Ahead of our first anticipated snowfall of 2022 (didn’t take long) we are asking for your help this season to keep fire hydrants clear. When seconds count, having a clear hydrant allows our firefighters to quickly get additional water to the scene.” [Twitter]
Big Response to NYE Chain Bridge Standoff — From Alan Henney, early Saturday morning: “Person threatening to jump from bridge being held by father. Lots of police, fire and EMS on scene, boats and Eagle helicopter. Negotiations in progress… update: The person threatening to jump is safely in custody. Bridge should be reopened to traffic.” [Twitter, Twitter]
Amazon Building New Tech Team at HQ2 — “Amazon.com Inc. is recruiting a new software and tech development team to its second headquarters to flesh out the technical backbone for its global delivery operations. The new team, dubbed Project Nazaré, will build systems to manage the financial processes for Amazon’s Global Engineering Service, which oversees its global network of fulfillment-related facilities, according to a job posting for the team’s senior product manager, set to be based in the company’s HQ2 campus in Arlington.” [Washington Business Journal]
Barcroft Apartment Purchase Complete — “Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners, a leading owner and developer of mixed-use properties and attainable housing in the DC metro area, today announced the acquisition of Barcroft Apartments, the 1,334-unit, garden style apartment complex located along Columbia Pike in Arlington, VA. Jair Lynch purchased the 60-acre site, including two commercial parcels with 34,000 square feet of retail from the DeLashmutt family who built the complex in 1939 and have owned it since.” [PRNewswire]
It’s 2022 — The first weekday of the new year will also be first snow day of the season. The storm, which started out as rain, will transition to snow, possibly mixed with sleet after 5 a.m. Low around 30. Any mixed precipitation should become all snow after 7 a.m. The snow could be heavy at times, before tapering off in the late morning to afternoon. High near 35, with a north wind 10 to 14 mph, and gusts as high as 28 mph. Snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 7 inches is expected today. Sunrise at 7:27 a.m. and sunset at 4:58 p.m. Tomorrow it will be sunny, with a high near 37. [Weather.gov]
(Updated at 6 p.m.) Arlington Public Schools will be closed Monday, the school system announced Sunday evening.
The closure decision was made as Arlington is under a Winter Storm Warning, with heavy snow expected to start falling early Monday morning. Some 3-7 inches of accumulation is possible, according to the National Weather Service
More from an APS email to families:
Due to the Winter Weather Warning and based on the anticipated snowfall beginning in the early morning hours through midday, all APS schools and offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. Unless otherwise directed by their supervisors, custodial and maintenance staff should report to work at their scheduled time, and all custodians should report to work at 6 a.m. Extracurricular activities, games, team practices, field trips, adult education classes, and programs in schools and on school grounds are canceled. For updates about Pool Operations, go to www.apsva.us/aquatics. For information about Arlington County programs and operations go to www.arlingtonva.us.
Among other major D.C. area school systems, Fairfax County, Prince William County and Alexandria also announced this evening that they would be closed tomorrow for in-person classes, though Alexandria public schools will be open for virtual classes.
Forecasters say travel will be especially tricky around the time when students would have been going to school on Monday morning.
Period of greatest concern for snow Monday between about 5-11a when it could fall heavily w/ temps falling below 32. Travel could become very difficult. Best to plan to stay home if possible. Forecast radar (subtract 5 hours for eastern time): Details: https://t.co/GFJz5yHoa9pic.twitter.com/EdcrpNYSYu
Update at 3:15 p.m. — Both Arlington County and VDOT say snow crews are preparing for the storm.
“Throughout overnight hours, crews and about 2,200 trucks will be staged and ready to treat roads and plow snow where needed,” VDOT said Sunday afternoon. “Crews will begin to plow once two inches of snow have accumulated.”
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) January 2, 2022
Update at 2:50 p.m. — The earlier Winter Storm Watch has been updated to a Winter Storm Warning. The forecast still calls for 3 or more inches of snow falling Monday morning.
233 PM EST Sun Jan 2 2022
…WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 4 PM EST MONDAY…
* WHAT…Heavy snow. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 7 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.
* WHERE…The District of Columbia, portions of central Maryland and northern Virginia.
* WHEN…From 1 AM to 4 PM EST Monday.
* IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
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.
Earlier: Arlington and the D.C. area could get the first significant snowfall of the season tomorrow.
Heavy snow with up to 3-6 inches of accumulation is possible Monday, starting late tonight, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a Winter Storm Watch for Arlington County and other parts of the region early this morning.
Arlington is just on the northern edge of the Winter Storm Watch, meaning that southern parts of the county may get more snow than northern parts.
More from NWS:
428 AM EST Sun Jan 2 2022
…WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON…
* WHAT…Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches possible.
* WHERE…Portions of The District of Columbia, central and southern Maryland and central and northern Virginia.
* WHEN…From late tonight through Monday afternoon.
* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
Rainbow behind the Iwo Jima memorial (photo courtesy Mark T.)
Double rainbow on the Mt. Vernon Trail near Reagan National Airport (Flickr pool photo by Erinn Shirley)
Double rainbow on Oct. 22, 2019 by Sandra P.
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Covid cases in Arlington as of Dec. 30, 2021 (via Virginia Dept. of Health)
(Updated at 1:55 p.m.) A brief downturn in reported Covid cases in Arlington after Christmas was just that — brief.
With people returning from their holiday trips and testing locations back open, the Virginia Dept. of Health reported a new local record today for the seven-day moving average of daily cases.
There were 633 new cases reported in Arlington today, the second-highest single day total of the pandemic, after the 687 cases reported on Christmas Day. That brought the seven-day average to 424 daily cases, a new record.
About 1.25% of the Arlington population has tested positive for Covid over the past week, a number that does not include those who are sick but testing with at-home kits or skipping getting tested altogether amid huge lines and shortages.
Arlington Public Library ran out of its latest supply of 2,000 at-home test kits within 20 minutes of beginning distribution today, while the county is advising residents getting tested at county-sponsored testing booths that they must be in line at least an hour-and-a-half before closing time.
Update Dec. 30, 12:20 p.m. All Arlington Public Library locations are currently out of COVID-19 Test Kits. Please check back after Jan. 3 for updates on when more kits will be available. Additional opportunities for testing can be found at @VDHgovhttps://t.co/uEUAxheqc0pic.twitter.com/fp0fGVjRre
The good news is that reports of serious illness from the current Omicron variant wave remain low in highly-vaccinated Arlington County. The seven-day moving average of new Covid-related hospitalization ticked up slightly today to around 1.5 per day.
Hospitalizations in Arlington as of Dec. 30, 2021 (via Virginia Dept. of Health)
Five Covid deaths were reported on Tuesday, but the state health department said those were mostly attributable to backdated reports of Arlington residents who died from Covid while out of state. Excluding those, two Covid deaths have been reported over the past week.
The county’s test positivity rate, meanwhile, continues to climb, suggesting that the increase in cases is not just due to higher levels of testing. As of today the test positivity rate was up to 16.2%, after rising every day since hitting 3.3% on Dec. 3.
Test positivity rate in Arlington as of Dec. 30, 2021 (via Virginia Dept. of Health)
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) said in a statement yesterday that the big rise in cases is “not a reason for panic.” He and other elected leaders continue to urge vaccination as a way to avoid the worst health impacts of a Covid infection.
Vaccines *drastically* reduce your chance of hospitalization or death if you get Covid. The third (booster) dose gives you even better protection, especially against Omicron.
The COVID case numbers are a reason for concern, but not a reason for panic. It’s important to understand why.
We have all studied the “number of cases” for many months now, but this data point means something different today, compared to this time last year.
One year ago, vaccines had just become available, so nearly no one had gotten a shot. Today, more than 14 million shots have been given in Virginia. Only nine states have given more shots, and those states are all larger than Virginia. That’s good news, and it’s thanks to a lot of hard work by Virginians.
Vaccinations are keeping people safe, even as the omicron variant spreads. Data from around the world show that if people have gotten vaccinated, and then get COVID, then symptoms are likely to be minor. That’s how the vaccines are designed to work, and it’s more good news.
As the virus becomes endemic, it’s now time to study not only the number of cases, but also the severity of symptoms and the number of people going to the hospital.
The data are clear: Nearly everyone going to the hospital with COVID is unvaccinated. This is entirely avoidable, if everyone gets their shots.
This is really important, because people working in hospitals are exhausted–nurses, doctors, and everyone. They have worked tirelessly for months to care for people who have gotten sick. Please go to the hospital only if you believe you really need to. It’s not fair to put even more pressure on hospital workers to care for people whose hospitalization is avoidable.
Arlington County says more test sites are coming soon, given high demand. The county is strongly encouraging residents to make appointments for testing.
Geese clean themselves in Boundary Channel (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Hotel Redevelopment Plan Paused — “The redevelopment of one of Arlington’s oldest hotels looks to be on hold indefinitely, as the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic disrupt the hospitality-focused project. Grant Investment Properties is asking county planners for more time to complete its overhaul of Rosslyn’s old Best Western Iwo Jima, now known as the Red Lion Hotel Rosslyn Iwo Jima, at 1501 Arlington Boulevard. A site plan for the project projected that it would be finished by March 2022, but the Chicago-based firm filed papers last week to ask for an extension through March 2025.” [Washington Business Journal]
Proposed APS Changes Questioned — “Based on feedback from the Arlington School Board, the Arlington Public Schools system is focusing on what they call more equitable grading practices. The preliminary proposal calls for: No late penalties for homework… No extra credit… Unlimited redoes and retakes on assignment… No grading for homework.” [WJLA, Washington Post]
Hit and Run Crash in Bluemont — From yesterday afternoon: “Several lanes of Wilson Blvd and N. George Mason Dr are closed after a reported hit-and-run crash in the intersection. Police and Fire Dept. on scene.” [Twitter]
Video: Crash on I-395 — From Dave Statter: “Watch: Another left turn in the middle of an interstate ends badly. 1p, I-395S at Rt 1. Third one recorded at this spot in the last month.” [Twitter]
Toby’s May Be Expanding to Vienna — “Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream, which saw a boost in sales over the summer thanks to the debut of its cicada sundaes, appears to be branching out. The Arlington-based shop, located along a Washington Boulevard in the Westover neighborhood, plans to open a new location at the Cedar Park Shopping Center in Vienna, according to Fairfax County permit data.” [Washington Business Journal]
Nearby: Fire and EMS Staffing Stretched — ” Fairfax County saw its largest-ever increase in coronavirus cases among fire and emergency medical responders this month, mirroring a surge in case rates compared to 2020. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department data shows that there are 53 positive cases and 14 in quarantine, all staying at home to curb the spread of COVID-19.” [FFXnow, DCist, Twitter]
Crash and Arrest Block the Pike — Columbia Pike was blocked at S. Greenbrier Street yesterday evening after a crash in which one of the drivers reportedly refused police commands to exit the vehicle and was later tased. [Twitter]
It’s Thursday — There will be drizzle and possible fog before 2 p.m. on an otherwise cloudy day, with a high near 55. Sunrise at 7:26 a.m. and sunset at 4:54 p.m. Tomorrow, on New Year’s Eve, expect mild weather, with cloudy skies, a high near 60 and a low around 51. [Weather.gov]
A crash led to the closure of the exit from Lynn Street to the GW Parkway (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
A crash led to the closure of the exit from Lynn Street to the GW Parkway (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
A crash led to the closure of the exit from Lynn Street to the GW Parkway (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
The busy exit from northbound N. Lynn Street in Rosslyn to the GW Parkway may remain closed to start the new year.
The lanes that allow drivers to exit onto the Parkway just before the Key Bridge are closed after a crash that took out a traffic signal, just before Christmas.
LOCATION: NB Lynn St exit to NB GW Parkway INCIDENT: Traffic Collision IMPACT: Due to a traffic signal outage caused by a traffic collision the ramp from NB Lynn St to NB GW Parkway is closed until at least Monday, December 27. pic.twitter.com/VeCMmqow7N
Arlington’s public works department was hoping to have a temporary pole up today or tomorrow, allowing the exit to reopen, but a lack of staffing around the holidays may foil those plans.
“The signal pole might not be up until Monday [Jan. 3] because, among non-technical issues, contractor staffing is thin as a result of the holidays and Covid,” said Arlington Dept. of Environmental Services spokesman Peter Golkin.
“The permanent pole, equipment cabinet and related items were completely knocked out by a driver last Thursday so it’s not a simple repair job,” Golkin noted. “The temporary fix will have to be replaced at some point for new permanent equipment.”
Arlington police have not had much of a holiday break.
An eventful weekend has given way to a busy week, with three additional notable incidents over the past couple of days, each involving knife-wielding suspects.
The first happened near Crystal City on Monday night, when police say a drunk man with a knife injured two people.
MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 2021-12270168, 2900 block of S. Eads Street. At approximately 9:45 p.m. on December 27, police were dispatched to multiple reports of an individual armed with a knife attempting to enter a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers located the suspect and detained him without incident. The investigation determined that the victim observed the male suspect in the parking lot of a business with a knife in his hand. The victim entered his vehicle and was approached by the suspect, who allegedly struck the rear window with the knife. The suspect began to yell at the victim, then shattered two of the vehicle’s windows. The victim then exited his vehicle to find safety inside a nearby business, when the suspect approached and struck him in the face. The victim sustained minor injuries and later declined the treatment of medics. The suspect then approached another business in the 2800 block of S. Eads and attempted to gain entry. When he was refused entry by an employee, the suspect allegedly threatened him with the knife and continued to yell and act disorderly. While attempting to restrain the suspect with the help of an additional witness, the employee sustained minor lacerations that did not require the treatment of medics. [The suspect], 41, of Oxon Hill, Md., was arrested and charged with Malicious Wounding (x2), Attempted Malicious Wounding, Destruction of Property, Attempted Carjacking, and Drunk in Public. He was held on no bond.
Then, just before noon on Tuesday, a person with a knife allegedly threatened a food delivery driver in Westover.
ROBBERY, 2021-12280065, 5800 block of Washington Boulevard. At approximately 11:56 a.m. on December 28, police were dispatched to the report of an assault just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim was delivering food items to the suspect’s residence when the suspect opened the door and allegedly produced a knife and demanded that the victim leave the items. The victim placed the items on the ground and left the scene before contacting dispatch. Warrants were obtained for the suspect. The investigation is ongoing.
A motive for the first two incidents was not immediately clear.
Finally, last night an 18-year-old suspect was arrested after a fight that led police to surround a home in the Virginia Square area. Police say the suspect injured two officers while being taken into custody.
ASSAULT ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, 2021-12280160, 1400 block of N. Lincoln Street. At approximately 8:47 p.m. on December 28, police were dispatched to the report of an assault with a knife in progress. Upon arrival, officers heard noise consistent with an active fight occurring inside the residence, established a perimeter and gave commands for the occupants to exit. A short time later, the victim exited the home, followed by the suspect. Officers gave the suspect lawful commands and attempted to take him into custody, however, he began to act disorderly and fight officers, striking two officers multiple times. A brief struggle ensued, and the suspect was subsequently taken into custody without further incident. The two officers sustained minor injuries and did not require the treatment of medics. [The suspect], 18, of Fredericksburg, Va., was arrested and charged with Assault & Battery on Police (x2) and Obstruction of Justice. He was held without bond.
Give a big welcome to the newest Adoptable Pet of the Week, Dolce. This 10-year-old Yorkshire Terrier is an easygoing and lovable guy according to his friends at Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation.
Dolce’s friends had a few more things to say about him:
Dolce is a sweet 10-year-old silky terrier looking for his forever home. He’s taken on the nickname Dooley and he’s small enough to easily tuck into your arms.
He loves being outside and will prance around, sniffing everything, for as long as you let him! Once inside, he’s a little less curious and is content to curl up by your side for a good nap. He loves getting and giving kisses while being hugged.
Dolce is fully house trained and well behaved. He doesn’t bark or beg. He would do best in a home where he’s the only dog or where the other dogs are the same size and temperament as him as he can be a little fearful of bigger dogs.
If you’re looking for a quiet, cute, and lovable little companion, Dolce would like to apply for that position! He’s an easygoing guy and if you open up your heart and home he will jump right in!
