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.

Police Ask for Help Finding Fugitive Accused of Clarendon Stabbing

By ARLnow.com
Fugitive Theodore Li (photo courtesy ACPD)

Arlington police are asking for the public’s help in locating a fugitive accused of a violent crime.

Theodore Li, 35, is accused of stabbing someone multiple times with a knife early on a Sunday morning in Clarendon’s nightlife district. He was arrested without incident by officers patrolling the nightlife district that night in December 2019, but was eventually released pending trial.

The Alexandria resident later failed to appear in court and a bench warrant was issued on April 6, 2020. The police department said it asked for public assistance yesterday, after more than a year of Li on the lam, because it has “exhausted all leads.”

“ACPD’s Warrant Unit… has exhausted all leads related to the whereabouts of Li and is seeking the public’s assistance in locating him,” department spokeswoman Ashley Savage told ARLnow. “Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s Warrant Unit at [email protected] and reference case number 2019-12150013. Information may also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).”

Savage said that Li’s release was “handled by the courts” and deferred to the court system for further comment on the circumstances surrounding his release.

The victim in the case suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Police Make Numerous DUI Arrests — From the Arlington County Police Department: “ACPD Officers are committed to making our roadways safer by identifying, stopping, and apprehending impaired drivers. Last week (September 12 – 18), officers made 16 arrests for Driving Under the Influence (DUI). Motorists are reminded that it is never okay to drink and drive.” [Twitter]

ACPD Warning of Tainted Cocaine — “Please take steps to protect yourself and others who may be in possession of cocaine purchased in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The nasal spray Narcan (also known as Naloxone) can save the life of someone who is overdosing from substances containing opioids, if given in time, and test strips can detect dangerous fentanyl-laced drugs before they are used.” [Arlington County]

Man Stabbed Near Columbia Pike — ” The investigation revealed that at approximately 1:15 a.m., the victim was walking in the area when he was pushed from behind by the unknown suspect and fell to the ground. The suspect then brandished a knife and demanded money from the victim before stabbing him and stealing his wallet. The suspect fled the scene on foot and the victim returned to his residence before determining he was in need of medical services.” [ACPD]

Gusty Storm Yesterday Afternoon — “A 39 mph wind gust was recorded at National Airport with the storm that passed through Arlington earlier this afternoon, per the National Weather Service.” [Twitter]

Power Outages After Wednesday’s Storm — “More than 1,000 homes and businesses are currently without power in Arlington. The largest outage is affecting the area around Kenmore Middle School.” [Twitter]

School Bond Funds New ‘Heights’ Entrance — “A new entrance to the Shriver Program, which is collocated with H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program in Rosslyn, is needed to make it easier for those with disabilities to access the building and the parking lot… More funds are need to permit ‘the completion of a design that we had intended in the first place – complete it the right way,’ Kanninen said. The $11.39 million project accounts for nearly half the proposed $23 million school bond that goes to voters on Nov. 2.” [Sun Gazette]

Klobuchar to Canvass in Arlington Sunday — “Join us for a Weekend of Action canvass in Arlington with Senator Amy Klobuchar & Governor Terry McAuliffe! We’ll be talking with our neighbors about the issues that are important to them — and why Terry McAuliffe, Hala Ayala, Mark Herring, and Alfonso Lopez are the right people to move Virginia forward in 2021.” [Mobilize]

Update to Metro Story — A report from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission suggests that the person who fell from a train while walking between railcars near the Clarendon station was the son of a WMATA employee. He was able to continue on to Tysons but suffered significant injuries, was bleeding heavily and was later hospitalized. [ARLnow]

Flood Warning as Heavy Rain Falls

By ARLnow.com

Update at 10:30 a.m. — The Flood Warning expired and the Flash Flood Watch, originally in effect until this afternoon, has been cancelled as the rain moves out.

Earlier: Arlington County is under a Flood Warning this morning.

The warning was issued shortly after 5 a.m. Already areas of minor flooding have been reported, including high standing water along I-66 between East Falls Church and Ballston, which closed all but one eastbound lane, according to the National Weather Service.

The warning is in effect until 7:45 a.m.

More from NWS:

509 AM EDT THU SEP 23 2021

…FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 AM EDT THIS MORNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY, ARLINGTON AND EASTERN FAIRFAX COUNTIES AND THE NORTHWESTERN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA AND THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH…

AT 509 AM EDT, DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THE FIRST AREA OF HEAVY RAIN HAS EXITED THE WARNED AREA. BETWEEN 0.5 AND 1.5 INCHES OF RAIN HAVE FALLEN, WHICH RESULTED IN SOME MINOR URBAN AND POOR DRAINAGE FLOODING. ADDITIONAL MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN IS EXPECTED TO MOVE ACROSS THE AREA OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO ADDITIONAL FLOODING.

SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE… ARLINGTON… ALEXANDRIA… GERMANTOWN… ROCKVILLE… BETHESDA… GAITHERSBURG… ANNANDALE… OLNEY… SPRINGFIELD… FORT HUNT… VIENNA… GROVETON… FALLS CHURCH… HUNTINGTON… FORT BELVOIR… PIMMIT HILLS… MCLEAN… AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE… ROSSLYN… CRYSTAL CITY…

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 0.5 TO 1.5 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE WARNED AREA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN WHEN ENCOUNTERING FLOODED ROADS. MOST FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN VEHICLES.

BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS HARDER TO RECOGNIZE THE DANGERS OF FLOODING.

https://twitter.com/WTOPtraffic/status/1440950239087763457

What $500,000 Can Get You in Northern Virginia Real Estate

By ARLnow.com
3347 S. Wakefield Street #B1 (via Google Maps)

In the past couple of months, we’ve highlighted what $1 million and $750,000 can afford you in real estate around Northern Virginia. For each roundup, we showcased recently sold single-family homes.

This month, we’re taking a look at what $500,000 can get you. However, as you may have guessed, finding a single-family home that’s sold for $500,000 in Arlington is a bit unrealistic these days. Instead, we’ll focus on condos sold in the past three months. It’s worth noting these prices do not include condo fees.

We’ll start here in Arlington and work our way to other parts of the area.

Arlington

3347 S. Wakefield Street #B1

Specs:

  • Built: 1940
  • 3 BD/2 BA condo
  • 1,290 square feet
  • Features: Recent renovations, open floor plan, nearby community pool and tennis courts

Sold: $500,000

Alexandria

5112 Donovan Drive #405

5112 Donovan Drive #405 (via Google Maps)

Specs:

  • Built: 2001
  • 2 BD/2 BA condo
  • 1,349 square feet
  • Features: Private balcony, underground parking, two-level vaulted ceiling, community pool and basketball court

Sold: $505,000

McLean

1641 International Drive #315

Specs:

  • Built: 1998
  • 2 BD/2 BA condo
  • 1,114 square feet
  • Features: Corner unit, recent updates, near Metro

Sold: $495,000

Reston

12001 Market Street #419

12001 Market Street #419 (via Google Maps)

Specs:

  • Built: 2003
  • 2 BD/2 BA condo
  • 1,224 square feet
  • Features: Two-level penthouse, balcony overlooking pool, two assigned underground parking spaces

Sold: $497,500

Sterling

45141 Kincora Drive

Specs:

  • Built: 2019
  • 3 BD/2.5 BA condo
  • 1,608 square feet
  • Features: Gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, wood floors

Sold: $500,000

Woodbridge

500 Belmont Bay Drive #301

500 Belmont Bay Drive #301 (via Google Maps)

Specs:

  • Built: 2004
  • 2 BD/2 BA condo
  • 1,786 square feet
  • Features: Waterfront views, den, community exercise room and walking paths

Sold: $510,000

Want to see more in Arlington real estate? Check out Just Listed and Just Reduced properties.

Photos: Did You Catch This Morning’s Purple and Pink Sky?

By ARLnow.com
1/4

For those who were up early enough to see it, Mother Nature gave autumn a grand entrance with this morning.

The purple-and-pink sunrise, coming on the heels of Monday night’s Harvest Moon, dazzled across the area.

The photos above were taken by reader John Antonelli near the Hatfield Gate gate to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, on the bridge over Washington Blvd. Below is from Rosslyn-based WJLA’s weather camera at Army Navy Country Club.

JUST IN: Flash Flood Watch Issued for Arlington

By ARLnow.com

A rainy night and morning are on tap for Arlington, leading the National Weather Service to issue a Flash Flood Watch.

D.C., Alexandria and points north and west are also included in the watch.

More from NWS:

146 PM EDT WED SEP 22 2021

…FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS EXPANDED THE

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH TO INCLUDE PORTIONS OF DC, MARYLAND AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS: IN DC, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN MARYLAND, CARROLL, CECIL, CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST HOWARD, CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST MONTGOMERY, NORTHERN BALTIMORE, NORTHWEST HARFORD, NORTHWEST HOWARD, NORTHWEST MONTGOMERY, SOUTHEAST HARFORD AND SOUTHERN BALTIMORE. IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA, EASTERN LOUDOUN AND FAIRFAX.

* FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

* MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF SHOWERS AND SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HEAVY RAIN ARE EXPECTED THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON. THE MOST WIDESPREAD HEAVY RAIN IS MOST LIKELY LATE TONIGHT THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY AFTERNOON. AVERAGE RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE EXPECTED, WITH LOCALIZED HIGHER AMOUNTS OF UP TO 4 INCHES POSSIBLE. HEAVY RAIN FALLING OVER INCREASINGLY SATURATED GROUND MAY RESULT IN FLASH FLOODING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

File photo

Arlington Pet of the Week: Pancake

By ARLnow.com
1/7

Give some love to Pancake, a 4-year-old Chihuahua/lab mix and Arlington’s latest Pet of the Week. You’ll often find Pancake curled up in a lap, begging for scratches.

Pancake’s mom sent along some more details about this sweet pup:

Pancake is a 4-year-old rescue I adopted right after some life-altering health issues. He is the absolute sweetest Chihuahua/lab (we think) mix and LOVES to sit in everyone’s lap while demanding butt rubs.

He was named after a children’s show, “Pancake Mountain,” which features punk rock musicians and a dog puppet. (Perfect, right?) Everyone knows him by name, and though he’s not the best guard dog, you can always count on him for extra kisses and snuggles!

Pancake recently became a big brother to my boyfriend’s two cats when we moved in together, and they’re all having the time of their lives! (Mostly, he barks at them, and they chase his tail, but it’s working!)

If you want to be friends or share some love, give Pancake a follow on Instagram!

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!

Poll: Fall Is Here… Which Seasonal Change Do You Dread the Most?

By ARLnow.com

Yes, fall is here and Mr. Autumn Man is again walking down the street with a cup of coffee, wearing his signature sweater over a plaid collared shirt.

Last month we found that after an especially warm and stormy summer more than two-thirds of poll respondents were “suffering summer fatigue” and ready for the start of fall. A few years ago we also established the kinds of autumnal things that readers most look forward to: the leaves changing color, fall festivals, playoff baseball and going to pumpkin patches and orchards.

Today, however, we’re asking about the things you’re not looking forward to as the season changes.

For one, it’s getting darker by the day.

Then there’s the colder weather, which will soon enough necessitate jackets, gloves and hats. And that’s not to mention leaf blower noise and leaf raking duties for those with yards.

Of those three things, which are you least looking forward to?

Early Morning Notes for Wednesday, Sept. 22

By ARLnow.com

Good morning, Arlington. Dana here. It’s Wednesday, September 22: Elephant Appreciation Day and Harry Potter actor Tom Felton’s 34th birthday.

This post is exclusively for ARLNow Press Club members. Not a member? Join here.

Members can sign in here.

JUST IN: Rider Fell onto Tracks While Walking Between Metro Trains in May

By ARLnow.com

(Updated on 9/22/21) A serious but previously unreported Metro incident in Arlington was revealed during a safety meeting on Tuesday.

The incident on Saturday, May 8 involved a Metro rider who ignored signs and tried to walk between railcars between the Clarendon and Courthouse stations, according to the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, which released details at its meeting this afternoon.

While between the railcars, the rider slipped and fell off the moving train, landing on the tracks, according to the commission. Somewhat miraculously, they were reportedly able to walk to the Clarendon station, avoiding the electrified third rail and passing trains, before getting back on a train and ultimately taking a bus to Tysons.

The commission noted during its meeting that Metro trains have a “stop” sign and the words “Do not open, emergency use only” on the doors between railcars.

Metro only became aware of what happened 11 hours later, around 9 a.m., when a family member of the rider called to report it. ARLnow could not find any tips or social media posts from the time that mentioned the incident.

An incident report from the commission suggests that the victim was the son of a WMATA employee and that he was seriously injured despite being able to make it to Tysons.

“The investigation identified the location where the person had fallen, and found a significant amount of blood in that area of the tunnel,” the report says. “Additional blood traces were found in the platform area where the injured person had been.”

Surveillance video showed the person in the Clarendon station about an hour after falling off the train. He “showed signs of being injured” in subsequent video at the Vienna and Tysons stations.

“The person was observed holding their right arm, did not have shoes on, and appeared in disarray,” the report says. He was later interviewed by Metro Transit Police Police at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where was treated for his injuries.

More from WMSC:

View More Stories