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.

Morning Poll: Allergies Worse Than Usual This Year?

By ARLnow.com

It’s not a good year to be an allergy sufferer.

“Allergy season in North America has been the lengthiest and the most severe in decades,” Axios reported yesterday. A number of factors are making allergies worse, from climate change lengthening the pollen-producing season to an overabundance of pollen-producing male trees in urban areas.

That’s not to mention added air pollution from western wildfires and the pandemic potentially leading to more outdoor activity.

Today, we’re asking how this year compares with last year those with seasonal allergies in Arlington. Is it worse, better, or about the same?

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Beyer Lauds Vaccine Mandate for Feds — “Requiring vaccinations for the full federal workforce is the right thing to do for the health of the workforce and the nation they serve. Including all civilian federal employees and contractors in this mandate is huge, it will mean this covers a very large number of workers. This policy rightly prioritizes federal workers’ health.” [Press Release]

No Mask Mandate in Va. So Far — “Virginia recommends that even vaccinated individuals wear masks indoors in certain circumstances, but with different locations experiencing different levels of COVID-19 transmission, the state has stopped short of issuing a mandate.” [Tysons Reporter]

Mask Mandates for Pentagon and D.C. — “Effective immediately, the Department of Defense has ordered that masks must be worn at all Pentagon facilities, regardless of vaccination status.” “Masks will again be required indoors in D.C. beginning Saturday, Mayor Muriel E. Bowser ordered, in a reversal of recent policy driven by new federal guidelines that recommend indoor masking in areas where coronavirus transmission is high.” [InsideNova, Washington Post]

Reports of Sick Birds Decreasing — “After Virginia and other states began receiving reports of a mysterious illness sickening or killing birds in late May, reports are starting to go down. However, the cause of the birds’ illness and deaths remains unknown.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources provided the update on the bird mortality event Wednesday.” [Patch]

Bus Bay Closures Start Sunday — “To make way for the Ballston-MU Multimodal Improvements Project, the Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) will be temporarily closing several Metrobus bays near the Metrorail station. Starting Sunday, bus bays A,B,C,D, and J will be closed, which will impact a number of Metrobus routes. The changes will also cause many detours as the buses alter their routes to access the new bays.” [Patch]

Local Diver Wins Another Title — “A triple-crown high-school diving champion from the winter season has added another title to her 2021 resume. Dominion Hills diver Ellie Joyce won the oldest-age senior girls age group with a 227.75 point total at the Divisional 4 championships of the Northern Virginia Swimming League. During the high-school campaign as a sophomore for Washington-Liberty, Joyce won Liberty District, 6D North Region and Class 6 state championships for the Generals.” [Sun Gazette]

Keep an Eye to the Skies Amid Severe Weather Threat Today

By ARLnow.com
Tree down near Bishop O’Connell High School after last night’s storms (photo courtesy Chris Farley)

(Updated at 3:10 p.m.) It’s overcast and muggy right now, but it could be stormy later today in Arlington.

A strong storm toppled trees and knocked out power to more than 2,000 homes and businesses last night in parts of Arlington — primarily around the East Falls Church area — and another round of severe weather is possible later this afternoon and evening.

Forecasters are uncertain about the extent to which the storms, which are expected to be most widespread north of the metro area, will extend south into Arlington, D.C. and elsewhere.

“Scattered severe thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts, large hail and isolated tornadoes are possible late this afternoon and this evening,” the National Weather Service said this afternoon. “Additionally, isolated occurrences of flash flooding are also possible.”

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was just issued for Arlington and surrounding areas, warning of the possibility of frequent lightning, ping-pong-sized hail, and damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph. A Tornado Watch has also been issued for areas to the north and east.

More from NWS:

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Manafort Home Up for Sale — A house in the Clarendon area that was once sought as a forfeiture to the federal government as part of the case against Paul Manafort is now up for sale. The house is owned by Manafort’s daughter, though the feds once argued that it was paid for by Manafort with money transferred from a shell company in Cyprus. The 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home is listed for $2.35 million. Manafort was pardoned by President Trump late last year. [Realtor.com]

Northam Announces Mental Health Funding — “Governor Ralph Northam today announced that the Commonwealth will commit $485 million in federal and state funding to address pressing challenges in Virginia’s behavioral health system. The plan includes targeted investments to alleviate pressure on state mental health hospitals, strengthen community-based services, and increase support for substance abuse treatment and prevention programs. The Governor made the announcement at the Arlington County Community Services Board and was joined by Senator Adam Ebbin and Delegates Mark Sickles, Patrick Hope, and Alfonso Lopez.” [Press Release, Twitter, Twitter]

Nearby: Route 1 Fight Brewing in Fairfax Co. — “There’s another fight brewing over a Route 1 redesign, this time in Fairfax Co. Neighbors feel VDOT has once again sought to make the road too wide for it to be walkable, posing safety issues.” [Twitter, Washington Business Journal]

What $1 Million Can Get You in Northern Virginia Real Estate

By ARLnow.com
(via Google Maps)
2318 N. Dinwiddie Street, Arlington (via Google Maps)

With the constant chatter about the hot real estate market here in Arlington, we became curious: What will $1 million get you these days?

In the past, it seemed like $1 million listings were reserved for multi-level mansions, complete with elevators, spa bathrooms and resort-style pools. These days, stumbling across a $1 million listing is the norm.

Let’s take a look at some area homes that recently sold for (or around) $1 million. We’ll start here in Arlington and work our way to other parts of Northern Virginia.

Arlington

2318 N. Dinwiddie Street

Specs:

  • Built: 1925
  • 3 BD/3.5 BA single-family home
  • 0.09 acres; 1,800 square feet
  • Features: Completely renovated, in-ground pool, hardwood floors, two fireplaces

Sold: $1,000,000 (under contract after four days on market)

Alexandria

5 W. Del Ray Avenue

(via Google Maps)

Specs:

  • Built: 1920
  • 3 BD/2.5 BA single-family home
  • 0.11 acres; 1,490 square feet
  • Features: Primary suite addition, walk-out basement, large driveway

Sold: $1,000,000 (under contract the same day it hit the market)

Reston

1399 Park Lake Drive

(via Google Maps)

Specs:

  • Built: 1985
  • 6 BD/3.5 BA single-family home
  • 0.93 acres; 3,864 square feet
  • Features: In-ground pool, cul-de-sac location, new HVAC

Sold: $1,000,000 (under contract after three days on market)

Vienna

200 Ceret Court SW

(via Google Maps)

Specs:

  • Built: 1978
  • 4 BD/2.5 BA single-family home
  • 0.3 acres; 2,729 square feet
  • Features: Recent updates, hardwood floors throughout main level, two-car garage

Sold: $982,000 (under contract after four days on market)

Ashburn

21011 Rostormel Court

(via Google Maps)

Specs:

  • Built: 2000
  • 6 BD/5 BA single-family home
  • 0.49 acres; 5,614 square feet
  • Features: Walk-out basement, large rec room, two-story deck, cul-de-sac location

Sold: $1,040,000 (under contract after three days on market)

Fairfax

10617 Regent Park Court

(via Google Maps)

Specs:

  • Built: 2002
  • 5 BD/5.5 BA single-family home
  • 0.15 acres; 3,345 square feet
  • Features: Fully fenced yard, new hardwood floors, rec room, workout room

Sold: $1,000,000 (under contract after three days on market)

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

UPDATE: Power Outages in Arlington After Strong Storm

By ARLnow.com

Power outages after storm, as of 11 p.m. (via Dominion)

Update at 11:05 p.m. — Dominion is currently reporting 2,050 customers without power in Arlington, mostly in northern and western parts of the county. More than 19,500 customers are also without power in Falls Church and Fairfax County after the powerful storm.

Earlier: Arlington County is under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning.

A line of strong storms packing gusty winds is moving through the county from north to south. Expect power outages and the possibility of downed trees and power lines.

As of 10:35 p.m., the strongest part of the storm was over parts of western Arlington County including East Falls Church.

https://twitter.com/WashingtonianWx/status/1420567773504282624

BREAKING: Police Investigating Serious Bike Crash Near Yorktown HS

By ARLnow.com

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(Updated at 2:20 p.m.) A bicyclist has suffered potentially life-threatening injuries after a crash 2-3 blocks from Yorktown High School.

The crash happened around 1 p.m. on the 2700 block of N. George Mason Drive, just south of Yorktown Blvd. Initial reports suggest the front wheel of the bike somehow came off and the cyclist flipped over the handlebars, suffering a possible head injury.

The detached wheel could be seen next to the bike, which appeared to have a motor that powered it. A pool of blood was nearby, in the middle of the bike lane.

The cyclist was rushed to a local trauma center for treatment. So far there are no reports of any vehicles being involved in the crash.

“ACFD arrived on the scene of a single-bicycle crash in the 2700 block of N. George Mason Drive,” Arlington County Police Department spokeswoman Ashley Savage said. “The bicyclist was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. Police were dispatched to the area and remain on scene investigating the crash.”

Drivers should expect the northbound lanes of N. George Mason Drive to remain closed while police document the scene and investigate the crash.

Arlington Pet of the Week: Full-Time Frankie

By ARLnow.com

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This week’s Pet of the Week is Full-Time Frankie, a snuggly Lab mix who recently turned 1. This pup gets his name from 1.) His human’s love for alliterations, and 2.) The wholehearted way he approaches life.

Learn more about Frankie and his life here in Arlington:

Hi everyone. Meet Frankie! (You can find him @fulltimefrankie on Instagram.)

Named Frankie as a result of my infatuation with alliterations and his status as a foster, this nameless black-and-white lab mix puppy was brought home on August 8, 2020. “Frankie the Foster” wasn’t in the best of health for the first few weeks of his life, but he couldn’t have had a brighter or more snuggly demeanor. Fast forward a few weeks and Frankie quickly wagged his way to a more permanent part of the family as “Full-Time Frankie.”

Ironically, Frankie truly fits the bill when it comes to being full time. Whatever he does, he puts his whole heart (and extremely long tail) into it. He’s a quick learner and the most curious pup you will ever meet. Crying baby? Flat tire? Frankie will stop in his tracks in order to fully assess the situation, making sure everyone is OK, before we can continue our way.

Frankie adores just about everyone that he meets! He loves long walks, drinking from the spigot, just about any treat there is and running through the creek at the dog park with his friends. He’s a big bundle of energy, but at the end of every day, he’ll find his way into my lap for a cozy nap before bed.

If you see us around, make sure you say hello! If you’re with your pup, chances are, Frankie will be crouched down looking very adorable while waiting for you to walk by.

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!

We are also looking for local pets who look like their owners or like celebrities. Email us photos of your pet and their doppelgänger, explaining the resemblance and whether it has been noticed in your neighborhood.

Coronavirus Cases Still Rising in Arlington Amid Renewed Focus on Masks

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 11:05 a.m.) Earlier this summer, new coronavirus cases were reaching new lows. Now cases remain on the rise across the county, Commonwealth and the country.

In Arlington today another 18 cases were reported, bringing the seven-day trailing average up to 16 cases per day, the highest point since May 5.

Thanks to vaccinations, serious complications from Covid remain at relatively low levels. Over the past two months, two Covid-related deaths and 20 new hospitalizations have been reported in Arlington.

But the more contagious Delta variant of the virus is in some cases infecting even those who have been fully vaccinated. A new metric published by the Virginia Dept. of Health reports 1,377 known “breakthrough” cases, resulting in 114 hospitalizations and 37 deaths.

“Over 99% of COVID-19 cases in Virginia have occurred in people who were not fully vaccinated,” State Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver was quoted as saying in a county press release Tuesday. “I continue to encourage everyone who is able to get vaccinated to do so.”

Arlington’s health department has now administered more than 150,000 vaccine doses, the press release notes.

“As of Monday (July 26), the Arlington County Public Health Division has given more than 150,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses!” the county said. “Overall in Arlington, a total of 264,500 doses have been administered and 132,000+ people are fully vaccinated. The vaccines are free, safe and still the best protection against COVID-19.”

As cases rise, talk of mask and vaccine-related requirements have heated up in recent days.

Students at Montgomery County and Fairfax County public schools will be required to wear masks inside schools this fall regardless of vaccination status, the school systems announced this week. Arlington Public Schools has yet to make a formal announcement of its mask policy for the fall; Virginia is strongly recommending that all elementary school students, teachers and staff wear masks.

President Biden is expected to announce tomorrow that all federal employees must be vaccinated or face “repeated testing mandates,” the Washington Post reports. Fairfax County is also mulling a vaccination requirement for its municipal employees.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meanwhile, updated its mask guidance yesterday to recommend that even vaccinated people wear masks in indoor, public settings where prevalence of the virus is elevated. There is some disagreement among experts as to whether the mask guidance will make a substantial difference in combating the spread of the virus, in part because many are likely to ignore the guidance.

JUST IN: Firefighters Respond to Medical Emergency at Construction Site

By ARLnow.com

Arlington firefighters conducted a rescue operation this morning in Virginia Square after someone fell seriously ill at a construction site.

The incident happened this morning around 8 a.m., near the intersection of Washington Blvd and N. Kirkwood Road, where a seven-story residential building is being constructed.

According to the fire department, the stricken individual was removed from the construction site and rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. No additional details were given about the nature of the medical emergency.

Washington Blvd was blocked in both directions as a result of the emergency response.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

New Rosslyn Food Hall Nears Opening — “American Real Estate Partners is nearly ready to take the wraps off Assembly, the food hall atop the Rosslyn Metro station, a project that’s been more than two years in the works and was thrown a curveball by the Covid-19 pandemic. Assembly at Rosslyn City Center, a 29,000-square-foot space spread over two levels at 1700 N. Moore St., is slated to open this week for a sneak peak for tenants and next week to the wider public.” [Washington Business Journal]

Northam Announcement in Arlington Today — “Gov. Northam will announce a ‘budget proposal for federal American Rescue Plan funding’ at the Arlington County offices in Sequoia Plaza on Wednesday afternoon, per a press release.” [Twitter]

Bonds Likely to Be on Ballot — “Arlington County Board members on July 20 formally requested the placement of four local-bond referendums on the Nov. 2 ballot, which if approved by voters – as seems likely – would lead to a further increase in the government’s debt-service payments… the following bonds will go to voters: $38.7 million for transportation and Metro. $23.01 million for schools. $17.035 million for community infrastructure. $6.8 million for local parks and recreation.” [Sun Gazette]

ART Buses Lifting Capacity Restrictions — “Starting August 1, rider capacity restrictions will be lifted on all ART buses. Seats inside the buses will no longer be blocked off.” [Twitter]

Ceremony Held for Urban Garden — “Project HUG revitalizes underused land at Virginia Highlands Park and illustrates how marginalized space in National Landing’s urban environment can be transformed into vibrant, sustainable, food producing ecosystems. This pilot project serves as a model of modern sustainable agricultural practices to demonstrate how community-driven farming can address food insecurity by leveraging partnerships across public, private, civic, and non-profit communities.” [Press Release]

Va. Unemployment System Struggling — “As the embattled Virginia Employment Commission has been scrambling to move through a massive backlog of unemployment claims, thousands more cases have been pouring in from jobless residents. Staff who review disputed claims have been leaving the agency, and the General Assembly’s watchdog has sounded alarms about measures being taken by the commission to hasten the process in response. Many unemployed Virginians say the commission’s unresponsive call center has stopped picking up the phone.” [Washington Post]

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