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.

There was an Arlington Powerball winner — of $50,000

By ARLnow.com
Powerball lottery ticket (file photo)

The big winner from Wednesday’s $1.73 billion Powerball drawing might be in California, but there was a decidedly smaller-scale winner in Arlington.

Someone bought a $50,000 winning ticket at the 7-Eleven store at 2815 S. Wakefield Street, just down the hill from the Fairlington neighborhood, according to the Virginia Lottery.

One $1 million winning ticket was sold in nearby Alexandria and, including the Arlington winner, five $50,000 winning tickets were sold statewide.

“In Wednesday’s drawing alone, more than 145,000 Virginia Powerball tickets won prizes ranging from $4 to $1 million,” Virginia Lottery said.

“During the 36 drawings of the jackpot run that began in July and ended with the $1.725 billion drawing Wednesday night, sales of Powerball tickets in Virginia generated an estimated $30.3 million in profit,” the lottery noted. “The profit from every Powerball ticket bought in Virginia goes to K-12 public education in the Commonwealth. In Fiscal Year 2023, the Lottery raised more than $867 million for K-12 education, making up approximately 10 percent of Virginia’s total K-12 school budget.”

ARLnow has previously reported on $1 million winning Powerball tickets sold in Arlington in 2012, 2014 and 2016.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Rosslyn from the Marine Corps War Memorial (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Time for a Tax Hike? — “Arlington’s County Board chairman says 2024 may end up being a year where homeowners could expect to face a taxation double-whammy: higher home assessments coupled with an increased tax rate. ‘It’s time,’ Christian Dorsey said of a rise in the existing real-estate tax rate of $1.03 per $100 assessed valuation.” [Gazette Leader]

Dems Statement on Middle East — “Arlington Democrats stand in solidarity with all our Jewish community members and all those affected by Hamas’s reprehensible attack on Israeli civilians. We echo President Biden’s words: ‘There is no place for hate in America. Not against Jews, not against Muslims, not against anybody.’ We are committed to fighting hatred in all its forms and to creating a safe and welcoming community for Arlingtonians of all faiths.” [Twitter]

Extra Vigilance Today — “Police in the Washington region will have an increased presence at places of worship, and some schools plan to close Friday after a former Hamas leader called for supporters to come out for a day of rage, the militant group’s standard call for demonstrations.” [Washington Post]

Free Donuts This Morning — “Dunkin’, the official coffee and donut of the Washington Capitals, is celebrating the return of hockey with a home opener pep rally at the Arlington Dunkin’ at 3300 Wilson Blvd. on Friday, October 13. Starting at 8:00 a.m., the first 100 guests will receive their choice of a free ALLCAPS Donut or Spider Donut! From 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., fans are invited to enjoy free giveaways from the Dunkin’ prize wheel, music and special appearances from Dunkin’ mascot Cuppy and the Capitals In-Arena Host Mike Ploger.” [Threads]

Scrutiny of Traffic Stop Law — “Local government representatives who make up the Virginia Municipal League voted this week in support of a statement calling for a review of a 2020 criminal justice reform law that limited law enforcement’s ability to make traffic stops for minor vehicle equipment issues.” [Virginia Mercury]

It’s Friday — Sunny skies and a high temperature near 70 degrees, with a gentle north wind of 5 to 7 mph. By Friday night, expect increasing cloud coverage and a low temperature around 51 degrees. [Weather.gov]

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Oct 12, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Thursday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Oct 12, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

☀️ Friday’s forecast

The forecast predicts a sunny day with a comfortable high temperature near 70 degrees and a gentle north wind at 5 to 7 mph. As the evening approaches, expect an increase in cloud coverage and a low temperature around 51 degrees, with a light east wind blowing throughout the night. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.”
– Aldous Huxley

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

Most and least expensive condos sold in Arlington (September 2023)

By ARLnow.com

Here in Arlington, real estate is a spectator sport. Let’s take a look at some of the most and least expensive condos sold last month (September 2023).

Most expensive condos sold

  1. 1201 N Nash St Unit 601 — Rosslyn — $2,152,000 (3 beds | 2.5 baths | 2,374 sq. ft.)
  2. 1881 N Nash St Unit 1503 — Rosslyn — $1,600,000 (2 beds | 2.5 baths | 1,803 sq. ft.)
  3. 1111 19th St N Unit 1802 — Rosslyn — $1,037,500 (2 beds | 2.5 baths | 1,239 sq. ft.)
  4. 1418 N Rhodes St Unit 114 — Clarendon/Courthouse — $969,500 (2 beds | 2.5 baths | 1,708 sq. ft.)
  5. 1300 Crystal Dr Unit PENTHOUSE 14 — Crystal City — $895,000 (2 beds | 2.5 baths | 2,036 sq. ft.)

Least expensive condos sold*

  1. 2055 N Woodstock St Unit 101 — Waverly Hills — $206,000 (1 beds | 1 baths | 565 sq. ft.)
  2. 4241 Columbia Pike Unit 206 — Barcroft — $210,000 (1 beds | 1 baths | 719 sq. ft.)
  3. 2030 N Woodrow St Unit 11 — Waverly Hills — $210,000 (1 beds | 1 baths | 588 sq. ft.)

*Minimum home value of $200,000 set to exclude certain land sales, retirement condos, properties with expiring ground leases, etc.

Amazon delivery driver arrested for alleged assault in Penrose

By ARLnow.com
1/5

An Amazon delivery driver is facing charges after allegedly beating up a man in the Penrose neighborhood.

The incident happened Wednesday afternoon in a private townhouse development across the street from Penrose Square.

“At approximately 3:07 p.m., police were dispatched to the 2300 block of 9th Street S., for the report of an assault with injury,” Arlington County police spokeswoman Alli Shorb told ARLnow. “Upon arrival, it was determined the suspect, a delivery driver, was making deliveries in the area when he became involved in a verbal dispute with the male victim over a parking issue that escalated to a physical altercation during which the suspect allegedly assaulted the victim.”

”A witness separated the suspect and victim, who both remained on scene. The victim sustained minor injuries,” Shorb added.

Scanner traffic suggests that the victim was found bleeding and was evaluated by medics. Shorb said the suspect, a 30-year-old resident of Capitol Heights, Maryland, has been charged with assault and battery.

Colleagues of the driver resumed his deliveries after the arrest. One who spoke to ARLnow claimed the driver — who was operating an unmarked white delivery van — was harassed by a resident who questioned what he was doing in the private community.

Staff photographer Jay Westcott contributed to this report

UPDATED: Police searching for suspect after slashing in Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com
Response to slashing incident on 19th Street N. in Rosslyn

Update on 10/13/23 — Arlington County police have released the following crime report about the incident. The suspect remains at large.

MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 2023-10120097, 1800 block of N. Lynn Street. At approximately 10:56 a.m. on October 12, police were dispatched to the report of trouble unknown. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect and male victim were involved in a verbal dispute, during which the suspect allegedly struck the victim with a knife, resulting in a laceration. Responding officers located the victim in the 1000 block of 19th Street N. and immediately began rendering emergency medical assistance. Medics transported the victim to an area hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. The suspect fled the scene following the assault and a canvass of the area for the suspect yielded negative results. The suspect is described as a white male with a slim build, approximately 25-35 years old, 5’9”-6’0” tall with black facial hair and wearing all black clothing. The investigation is ongoing.

Earlier: Arlington police and medics are on scene of a slashing incident in Rosslyn.

A victim suffered a severe arm injury after a man slashed him with a knife, initial reports suggest. It happened around 11 a.m. and the victim was found near the intersection of 19th Street N. and N. Kent Street.

Police applied a tourniquet to the victim’s arm and he’s now being transported via ambulance to a local hospital, according to scanner traffic.

ACPD is also investigating a report that a knife-wielding man — perhaps the same suspect — chased another victim in the area. That victim reportedly fled into the McDonald’s on N. Lynn Street and hid in the bathroom prior to police arrival.

While officers sort out what happened they requested that the H-B Woodlawn building in Rosslyn be placed in “secure the school” mode, according to scanner traffic.

Peter Chang’s NiHao expects to open this winter in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com
1/2

(Updated at 11:30 a.m.) Famed chef Peter Chang is set to open his second Arlington restaurant in Crystal City this winter.

NiHao “will serve modern Chinese eatery with small ‘tapas’ size dishes with an emphasis on quality and convenience,” spokesperson Molly Hippolitus tells ARLnow. “It is now realistically looking like January 2024 for the opening.”

It was reported earlier this year that the restaurant was coming to a Crystal Drive space next to the Alamo Drafthouse. From our prior coverage:

The initial plan was for NiHao to be a bit different from the chef’s other local Arlington location, in the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center. It would focus on a modern approach to Szechuan cuisine while providing an “introduction” to authentic Chinese food, Chang told DCist in February, much like the Baltimore location with the same name.

A rendering provided to ARLnow shows outdoor counter seating and a retractable window next to the restaurant’s entrance, in addition to the indoor seating area. The total number of seats is anticipated to be in the 40-50 range, Hippolitus said.

Another Peter Chang restaurant, meanwhile, is set to open today in McLean.

“The eponymous restaurant from the prolific Chinese chef will open at 6715 Lowell Avenue… on Oct. 12,” our sister site FFXnow reported last week. “Located under Tachibana in the former House of Fortune space, Peter Chang will serve a variety of Chinese dishes, including Peking roast duck, dim sum, wagyu beef lo mein, Amish honey ribs and more.”

The McLean restaurant is the chef’s 11th, according to Hippolitus.

Video: Woman, 22, leads police on wild chase around Pentagon grounds

By ARLnow.com
1/2

A 22-year-old Centreville woman is facing charges after allegedly leading police on a chase around the Pentagon reservation.

The wild incident happened early in the morning of Sunday, Oct. 1 and ended in a crash. It all was captured on video by local public safety watcher Dave Statter.

“On Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, at approximately 1:20 a.m., the Pentagon Force Protection Agency observed a vehicle driving in the Pentagon South Parking lot with sparks emanating from the front of the vehicle,” Pentagon police spokesman Chris Layman tells ARLnow.

“The driver’s side of the vehicle included heavy damage and a front wheel was missing. Pentagon police signaled the driver to stop several times, and she eventually crashed into a bollard at the Pentagon Transit Center lower bus platform.”

“Police officers extinguished a fire that had developed, and the Arlington County Fire Department responded,” Layman continued. “The driver… was taken to the Virginia Hospital Center by Arlington County for evaluation. After evaluation, she was returned to the Pentagon where she was cited for disregarding a signal by a law-enforcement officer to stop and driving while intoxicated. She was released at approximately 6:58 a.m.”

Layman said the vehicle involved was a 2002 BMW. The woman had no prior criminal record in Arlington County, according to court records.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Pedestrians navigate Ballston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Marine Killed in WWII Interred — “When a representative from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency told Cheryl Cronin that her uncle, Marine Pvt. First Class Lawrence E. Garrison had been positively identified 80 years after his death in battle, she was overwhelmed… On Oct. 5, 2023, Cronin and a handful of family and friends laid Garrison to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.” [Arlington National Cemetery, Washington Post]

Podcast: Missing Middle and Real Estate — On our latest podcast episode, ARLnow real estate columnist Eli Tucker of the Eli Residential Group discussed the current state of the Arlington real estate market, in light of high mortgage interest rates, as well as the impacts of new Missing Middle policies and Amazon’s HQ2. [Apple Podcasts]

It’s Thursday — A mostly sunny day with a high near 74 degree. Partly cloudy at night, with temperatures dropping to around 53 degrees accompanied by a light north wind. [Weather.gov]

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Oct 11, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Wednesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Oct 11, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

☀️ Thursday’s forecast

The weather forecast predicts mostly sunny conditions throughout the day, with an expected high temperature of around 74°F. A calm wind will pick up from the south at around 5 mph in the afternoon. By Thursday night, the sky is expected to be partly cloudy with a low temperature of approximately 53°F and a light north wind. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
– Maya Angelou

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

Dorsey: We ‘unequivocally… condemn all of the violence that has been targeted at non-combatants’

By ARLnow.com
Arlington County Board Chair Christian Dorsey speaks at a work session on Oct. 10 (via Arlington County/YouTube)

Arlington’s first public statement on the Israel-Hamas war came during a County Board work session Tuesday afternoon.

Arlington County Board Chair Christian Dorsey spoke about the latest Middle East violence — which has left more than 1,000 dead on both sides of the Gaza border after starting with a surprise Hamas attack on Israeli civilians — at the start of a work session on commercial resiliency.

Dorsey’s full statement is below.

I should also note before we begin our work session this afternoon, we convene under the specter of escalating violence and war in the Middle East. We know that that is something that personally affects many in this community. And while this is not the time or the forum to get into a deeper discussion on factors that are concerning the Middle East, we can say unequivocally that we condemn all of the violence that has been targeted at non-combatants and civilians that has caused many to be kidnapped and many to be murdered, and we hope that the violence de-escalates quickly without further loss of significant life to civilian populations there. That’s all I’m prepared to say at this point, and unfortunately, there’s no great segue to talking about our subject matter today.

Last night the mayors of neighboring D.C. and Alexandria posted photos of a bridge and city hall, respectively, lit up in blue in solidarity with Israel.

Asked whether extra security measures are being put in place in light of the Middle East conflict, Arlington County police spokeswoman Ashley Savage said the department is monitoring the situation.

“There are currently no known threats in Arlington County and our officers are on duty conducting proactive patrols throughout Arlington,” Savage told ARLnow. “We have been, and will remain, in contact with Jewish faith-based communities in Arlington regarding any public safety needs or concerns they may have.”

“Our department continues to monitor the conflict and remains connected with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners on information sharing,” she continued.

View More Stories