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A man was stabbed multiple times and robbed of his wallet along Columbia Pike early Saturday morning.
The stabbing happened on the 2300 block of the Pike, the same block as Bob & Edith’s Diner, William Jeffrey’s Tavern and Xsport Fitness. Police say the man suffered serious injuries but is expected to be okay.
More from an Arlington County Police Department crime report:
ROBBERY, 2021-08280042, 2300 block of Columbia Pike. At approximately 2:47 a.m. on August 28, police were dispatched to the report of trouble unknown. Arriving officers located the victim with multiple stab wounds and began to render aid. The victim was transported by medics to an area hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries. The investigation determined that at approximately 2:30 a.m., the victim was walking to his vehicle when the suspect approached him from behind, began to assault him, produced a knife and stabbed him multiple times. The suspect then reached into the victim’s pocket and stole his wallet, containing credit cards and an undisclosed amount of cash, then fled on foot prior to police arrival. The suspect is described as a Black male, 20-30 years old, with a lean and muscular build, approximately 5’11”, with a short afro that had a red hue, wearing a blue shirt, and dark pants. The investigation is ongoing.
A long-time neighborhood restaurant serving the Cherrydale and Maywood communities is closing.
Portabellos: An American Cafe is set to serve its last meals on Saturday, Sept. 25. The restaurant, located within a small, one-story shopping strip at 2109 N. Pollard Street, has been open under its current ownership for 15 years.
In an email to customers, a version of which was also posted on its website, the restaurant cited pandemic-related business challenges and said it was “unable to come to an agreement with the landlord on how to move forward.”
To All Our Valued Guests
it is with great sadness that we announce the closing of Portabello’s an American Cafe. Our lease expired last year in June 2020 and this year we were unable to come to an agreement with the landlord on how to move forward both during and after the pandemic. We want to thank all of our wonderful guests and employees for supporting us over the last 15 years. What began as a little 54 seat restaurant on the corner of North Pollard street, tucked away grew into a place that had welcomed many guests that became like family to us . We are extremely humbled that so many embraced our restaurant and that we were able to succeed as long as we had. For a restaurant to survive and thrive right outside Washington, Dc for 15 years is an accomplishment of which we can be proud. We could not have done it without all of you! THANK you all for your love and support! We will be Officially close on Sept 25th, so please come through!
Nothing but LOVE for Arlington and the surrounding area!
Sincerely,
MJ, William, Jackie, Belldo, Mariono
A GoFundMe page, meanwhile, has been established by a local community member to help out the restaurant owner.
The pandemic “wiped out all of his savings,” says the fundraising page, which so far has raised more than $5,000 from 50 donors.
The extra cash could “lift spirits there a bit and help out,” notes a post promoting it on a local Facebook group.
More from the GoFundMe campaign:
Portabello’s has been around for 20 years and MJ has owned it for about 15 years. The Covid 19 pandemic, however, has taken it’s toll and the restaurant can no longer keep going. MJ Hussein says it has been very challenging during the Covid 19 pandemic and it wiped out all of his savings. He has not been able to pay his lease. The lease ran out last July and he and the landlord decided it’s best for them to part ways.
When MJ took over Portabello’s his youngest daughter was 6 month old and now she’s in 10th grade. He wants to spend time with his daughters and work on his mental health after a very trying 17 months. He is so thankful for Arlington and especially Cherrydale and Maywood, who have been like a family to MJ and his staff.
He mentioned he was going to try to sell the restaurant and would share the proceeds with his loyal staff who have been with him for many years.
I am skeptical he would find a buyer in the current climate of Covid. This GoFundMe is a gesture of good will to a restauranteer many of us have appreciated and enjoyed. MJ always made an effort to get to know his customers. He knew what people generally ordered and would stop by the tables to chat.
This GoFundMe page will be available until September 25, 2021.
Hat tip to Smiley456. Photo (2) via Google Maps.
(Updated at noon) The remnants of Hurricane Ida are heading our way, and forecasters are already warning of potential flooding.
Ida has ravaged portions of Louisiana and Mississippi since making landfall as a Category 4 storm Sunday afternoon. It knocked out power to more than a million homes and businesses, including the entire city of New Orleans; interrupted 911 service; and caused catastrophic flooding, prompting numerous water rescues.
Now a tropical storm, Ida is on a northeasterly track that is expected to put its remnants squarely over the D.C. area starting Wednesday.
Two days ahead of Ida’s arrival, the National Weather Service this morning issued a Flash Flood Watch, to take effect from 11 a.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Thursday. Some 2-5 inches of rain could fall during that time.
Forecasters are also warning of the potential for severe weather or even tornadoes spawned by Ida.
“Heavy tropical rainfall could result in considerable flash flooding,” NWS wrote. “A few severe thunderstorms are possible Wednesday into Wednesday night. Damaging wind gusts and a brief tornado are the main threats.”
More from NWS:
…FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING…
The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a
* Flash Flood Watch for portions of DC, Maryland and Virginia…
* From Wednesday morning through Thursday morning.
* The remnants of Ida will interact with a stalled front, resulting in a prolonged period of heavy rainfall beginning Wednesday morning and continuing through Wednesday night. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected, with localized amounts up to 6 inches possible.
* This amount of heavy rainfall will not only result in the potential for considerable flash flooding of creeks, small streams, and urban areas, but also the potential for river flooding on the main stem rivers.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Strong storms are also possible tonight (Monday), with the arrival of a cold front that will end our stretch of sweltering weather and temperatures in the 90s.
“Isolated damaging wind gusts are possible this afternoon and evening,” NWS wrote. “An isolated instance of flooding is also possible.”
Just before noon, a Flash Flood Watch was issued for Monday afternoon.
1148 AM EDT Mon Aug 30 2021
…FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING…
…FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING
THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING…The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a
* Flash Flood Watch for portions of DC, Maryland and Virginia…
* Until 10 PM EDT this evening.
* Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are likely this afternoon and evening, some of which may produce a few inches of rain in a short period of time.
* Heavy rainfall in a short period of time would result in rapid rises of water in small streams and creeks, and in urban and poor drainage areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
A Flash Flood Watch is in effect from 2pm this afternoon through 10pm this evening. Showers and strong thunderstorms will develop and push eastward across the region. Aside from gusty winds and hail, this activity will bring heavy downpours which could lead to flash flooding. pic.twitter.com/LvK8ySuDtp
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 30, 2021
Local Real Estate Market Slowing — “When it comes to housing prices and sales, red-hot Arlington County cooled a bit last month compared to last summer — a modest slowdown that the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors says was typical throughout the region. NVAR reports the median price of a home that sold in Arlington County last month was 9% lower than a year ago, and the average number of days on the market, or how long it took to sell a home, was up 35% compared to last July.” [WTOP]
County Board Still Opposes Gondola — “This week, all five members of the Arlington County Board confirmed to the Washington Business Journal their position hasn’t changed. Even the two new Democrats to join the board since it penned that 2017 letter — current Chair Matt de Ferranti and Takis Karantonis — said in interviews that they remain unconvinced, despite the proponents’ recent success in pushing the District to budget $10 million toward the purchase of a potential D.C. landing site near the Key Bridge.” [Washington Business Journal]
Review of Pentagon City Irish Eatery — “Armstrong’s talented hand again showed itself when I sank my teeth into the corned beef. The chef says that each brisket takes three weeks of preparation before it’s ready for diners. He adds that corned beef is more of an Irish-American food than an Irish one, owing to a fusion of influences that met in New York or Boston. His version certainly owes a debt to Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Arlies Voting: Urgent Care Clinic — Voting on the latest Arlies category ends Tuesday afternoon. Let us know about your favorite local urgent care clinic. [ARLnow]
Breakthrough Covid Cases Underreported? — “Virginia’s breakthrough case numbers are likely an undercount. Issues with data reporting made it difficult to report and verify cases among vaccinated people.” [Virginia Mercury]
Nearby: Car Swept Away in Flood Waters — “Here’s what can happen when a huge amount of rain causes flash flooding. A reader sent this photo of a car in the Upper Long Branch Stream between the cul-de-sacs at 6th Street and Glen Forest Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads.” Arlington County firefighters responded as mutual aid on this water rescue call, per scanner traffic last week. [Annandale Blog]
It’s been a hot, humid and rainy week and we can expect more of the same over the weekend and for the start of next week.
No wonder 68% of respondents to an ARLnow poll on Tuesday said they were ready for fall weather to start ASAP.
https://twitter.com/NRMorrow/status/1430976303952498696
Let’s forget about the miserable weather for a moment and take a look at the most-read articles of the past week.
Though she has mostly been focused on reporting on our Reston and Tysons sites, we’d like to take a moment to recognize the efforts of Hannah Foley, who has been interning with us since early this year. It’s Hannah’s last day here before she heads back to school. Thank you for your hard work!
Feel free to discuss the stories above or anything else of local interest in the comments. Have a nice weekend!
Update at 4:20 p.m. — A Flood Warning has now been issued for part of Arlington.
BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
411 PM EDT FRI AUG 27 2021THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
* FLOOD WARNING FOR URBAN AREA AND SMALL STREAM IN… NORTHWESTERN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… NORTHWESTERN PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… NORTHWESTERN ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… NORTHEASTERN FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE NORTHEASTERN CITY OF FAIRFAX IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…
* UNTIL 715 PM EDT.
* AT 411 PM EDT, DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED HEAVY RAIN DUE TO THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING IS ONGOING OR EXPECTED TO BEGIN SHORTLY IN THE WARNED AREA. BETWEEN 1 AND 2 INCHES OF RAIN HAVE FALLEN.
* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE… ARLINGTON… BETHESDA… ANNANDALE… COLLEGE PARK… FAIRFAX… LANGLEY PARK… VIENNA… FALLS CHURCH… MANTUA… PIMMIT HILLS… MCLEAN… FORT TOTTEN… POTOMAC… OAKTON… TYSONS CORNER… HYATTSVILLE… TAKOMA PARK… MERRIFIELD… ADELPHI… LAKE BARCROFT…
THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING FLOOD PRONE ROADS:
MILITARY ROAD AT 36TH ROAD AT GULF BRANCH…
18TH STREET AT UPTON STREET…
17TH STREET NORTH AT NORTH BUCHANAN ST…
BEACH DR FROM BROAD BRANCH RD TO PINEY BRANCH PKWY…
PICKETT RD AT ACCOTINK CREEK NEAR OLD PICKETT RD…ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 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.
LWX issues Flood Warning for District of Columbia [DC] and Montgomery, Prince Georges [MD] and Arlington, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church, Fairfax [VA] till Aug 27, 7:15 PM EDT https://t.co/6lbPIsR3LC pic.twitter.com/eABa3IadHm
— IEMBot LWX (@iembot_lwx) August 27, 2021
Earlier: Northern portions of Arlington County are under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning.
A strong storm that’s currently over Reston and parts of Montgomery County is moving east and may affect parts of Arlington. The strong is packing damaging winds up to 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
More from NWS:
BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
305 PM EDT FRI AUG 27 2021THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING…
* UNTIL 345 PM EDT.
* AT 304 PM EDT, SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM MONTGOMERY VILLAGE TO NEAR POTOMAC TO RESTON, MOVING NORTHEAST AT 20 MPH.
HAZARD…60 MPH WIND GUSTS.
SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED.
IMPACT…DAMAGING WINDS WILL CAUSE SOME TREES AND LARGE BRANCHES TO FALL. THIS COULD INJURE THOSE OUTDOORS, AS WELL AS DAMAGE HOMES AND VEHICLES. ROADWAYS MAY BECOME BLOCKED BY DOWNED TREES. LOCALIZED POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE. UNSECURED LIGHT OBJECTS MAY BECOME PROJECTILES.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… ARLINGTON, ROCKVILLE, BETHESDA, GAITHERSBURG, RESTON, OLNEY, HERNDON, LANGLEY PARK, VIENNA, FALLS CHURCH, PIMMIT HILLS, MCLEAN, AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE, ASPEN HILL, POTOMAC, NORTH BETHESDA, OAKTON, MONTGOMERY VILLAGE, NORTH POTOMAC AND FAIRLAND.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Silver Spring MD, Rockville MD, Bethesda MD until 3:45 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/JyHEZbEKYS
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 27, 2021
If you’re in the market to buy a home, Arlington has a good amount of inventory right now.
This weekend, find more than 120 open houses across the county, according to Homesnap. These run the gamut — from six-bedroom, multi-story homes to the classic 3 BD/2 BA home to luxury condos with rooftop decks.
We rounded up a few open houses in Arlington this weekend. Take a look:
Image via Google Maps
Get ready for another stormy afternoon — and possible flooding.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for Arlington and the immediate D.C. region. The watch, which takes effect at 1 p.m., cautions that heavy rain which can cause dangerous, rapid flooding is expected this afternoon and evening.
Yesterday’s afternoon thunderstorm toppled trees around Arlington and knocked out power to several thousand homes and businesses. No significant flooding was reported locally, but the storm left the ground waterlogged and thus increased the chances of flooding today.
More from NWS:
A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for areas along the I-95 corridor this afternoon into tonight. Showers and thunderstorms are likely to bring heavy rainfall, which could lead to instances of flash flooding, especially in urban areas. pic.twitter.com/8TRQXYpqgA
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 27, 2021
…FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THIS EVENING…
The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a
* Flash Flood Watch for portions of DC, central Maryland and northern Virginia, including the following areas: in DC, District of Columbia. In central Maryland, Central and Southeast Howard, Central and Southeast Montgomery and Prince Georges. In northern Virginia, Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria and Fairfax.
* From 1 PM EDT this afternoon through this evening.
* Numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening. Average rainfall amounts are expected to be between one half to one inch. However, thunderstorms will be capable of producing very heavy rainfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour, causing localized amounts of 2 to 4 inches possible. While storms are possible any time this afternoon through this evening, the most widespread thunderstorm activity is most likely to be late this afternoon through early this evening.
* Heavy rainfall amounts in a short period of time may result in rapid rises on streams and creeks as well as the potential for flash flooding in urban areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Arlington might not be as hard-hit as places with lower vaccination rates, but the delta variant of the coronavirus is still infecting dozens of people a day in the county.
The latest data from the Virginia Dept. of Health shows the seven-day trailing average of new infections in Arlington ticking up from 32 to 36 cases per day since Tuesday.
With elevated infection rates but relatively low hospitalization rates in Arlington, we’re wondering whether locals have started taking more precautions over the past month or so.
Have you been more diligent about masking up, social distancing, or avoiding crowds since cases started rising two months ago? Or have you gone about your daily life much as before, putting trust in the vaccine and its ability to protect against infections or against serious illness in the event of breakthrough cases?
Let’s find out where the community currently stands.
(Updated at 10:35 p.m.) A “large amount” of residents have been displaced after a fire at The Buchanan apartment building in Crystal City.
The fire on the 300 block of 23rd Street S. was reported around 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The Arlington County Fire Department said crews “found a fire in a 3rd floor apartment with significant smoke conditions.”
Smoke from the blaze could be seen from a distance, rising above Crystal City. Police closed 23rd Street for more than two hours while firefighters worked to extinguish the flames and remove smoke from the building.
One person was injured and taken to the hospital but is expected to be okay, according to ACFD. No firefighters were hurt. There’s no word yet on how the fire started nor for how long residents of the building may be displaced.
More via social media:
#Update – Crews arrived on location and found a fire in a 3rd floor apartment with significant smoke conditions. Majority of the fire is extinguished, crews are working on salvage and overhaul operations. pic.twitter.com/bJOVsls0F7
— Arlington Fire & EMS (@ArlingtonVaFD) August 27, 2021
#Final – Property management is coordinating with the fire prevention office to determine which units can be occupied. 1 civilian was transported from the scene with NLT injuries. 0 firefighters injured.We thank the residents for their patience during this prolonged incident.
— Arlington Fire & EMS (@ArlingtonVaFD) August 27, 2021
Two-alarm fire on the 3rd floor of the Buchanan on 23rd Street. https://t.co/9qL5toUpWX
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) August 27, 2021
Building on fire in Crystal city! @ARLnowDOTcom @NationalLanding @ArlingtonVaFD #putitout pic.twitter.com/DWOMzKB9qa
— Will Wiard (@WillWiard) August 26, 2021
Fire in Crystal City 👀 @ARLnowDOTcom #arlingtonva pic.twitter.com/KsZC3XNWNZ
— David (@SoWhat_WhoCares) August 26, 2021
