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.

Coronavirus Hospitalizations in Arlington Reach Nearly Three Month High

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 10:20 a.m.) The rate of new coronavirus hospitalizations in Arlington has climbed to the highest point since early June.

The Virginia Dept. of Health has reported 18 new COVID-related hospitalizations in the county over the past week, the highest seven-day total since June 9.

Though Arlington has seen a jump in hospitalizations, the number of hospital beds occupied by COVID patients across Northern Virginia has not seen a significant increase lately; it currently stands at 267.

The rate of new coronavirus cases in Arlington is currently around 22 per day. That trailing seven-day average has held relatively steady since Friday. The county’s seven-day test positivity rate is 5.0%, down from 5.2% one week prior.

Mike Silverman, Virginia Hospital Center’s ER chief, said in his weekly public Facebook post that the hospital has seen noticeable increases in COVID numbers recently.

“Similar to what has been reported in the news, we saw an increase in the amount of COVID positive patients that we took care of over the past week and an increase in our percent positive rate when testing symptomatic patients,” Silverman wrote. “Our total number of COVID isolation patients was actually relatively similar to last week but higher than the first half of August.”

Arlington’s cumulative total of coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths as of Monday morning is 3,555, 467 and 138, respectively.

Silverman encouraged people to get a flu shot this year and to prepare for what could be a rough fall.

“The experts are certainly expecting a surge in COVID cases throughout the fall and this may be one of the most important years to get your flu shot before flu season gets here,” Silverman wrote. “In reality, the flu never goes away and patients can get the flu at any time of the year. However, it clearly starts to increase throughout the fall typically hitting a peak in winter. I can remember getting the flu when I first became an attending physician and not having the energy to get off the couch for about 2 days… I have not missed a flu shot since that year.”

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Groups to Review Arlington’s Form of Gov’t — “Two citizen engagement groups have launched exploratory projects that delve back in Arlington’s racial history. The Arlington Civic Federation last month assembled a task force to review that and other questions about modernization — such as whether the county manager should be elected. And a new group called the Arlington Alliance for Representative Government is planning to boost political participation through ‘education, policy development, advocacy and innovation.'” [Falls Church News-Press]

Latest on Intel Official’s Death — “The wife of a high-ranking CIA operative who shot and killed himself two weeks after their wedding has claimed that he was intending to murder her and ‘take me to the afterlife.’ Sara Corcoran, 46, said that Anthony Ming Schinella, the most senior military affairs analyst in U.S. intelligence, was suffering from PTSD after being involved in four wars, and after almost 30 years in the CIA. Schinella, 52, died on June 14 in Arlington, Vi”rginia.” [Daily Mail]

Dove Rescued from Car Grille — “This very lucky dove is safe thanks to Officer Byrnes! The dove was hit by a car and got stuck in the grille. Officer Byrnes was able to safely remove her and transported the dove to a local wildlife rehabber, who will release her back into the wild when she’s feeling better.” [@AWLAArlington/Twitter]

More on Prosecutor’s Supreme Court Petition — “Dehghani-Tafti’s motion is supported by an amicus brief from 62 prosecutors around the country, including the district attorneys in New York City, San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago. It’s also supported by Jeff Haislip, the Fluvanna County, Va., prosecutor who is chair of the Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Services Council, and the prosecutors in Alexandria city, Fairfax and Loudoun counties.” [Washington Post]

APS Modernizing Black History Teachings — “Glad to see @APSVirginia will join 15 other school divisions in teaching a new African American History course this fall. Through 1970s VA was using textbooks with images like this, teaching a false narrative about the reality of Black Virginians. Time to tell the true story.” [@AdamEbbin/Twitter]

APS Going Back to School Next Week — “Arlington Public Schools will start the 2020-2021 academic year with all-virtual learning for all students. The school will continue with online-only education until at least early October, midway through the first quarter of the school year, at which time officials will assess the possibility of reopening based on public health data.” [Washington Post]

ACPD: Man Arrested After Early Morning Shooting on Columbia Pike

By ARLnow.com
1/2

(Updated at 9:20 a.m.) Arlington County Police have announced an arrest following a double shooting along Columbia Pike early this morning.

Police said two adults were shot on the 3100 block of Columbia Pike and “are being treated for injuries that are considered non-life threatening.” Photos of the scene show numerous evidence markers and crime scene tape around the parking lot of Purple Lounge at 3111 Columbia Pike.

A helicopter was brought to “assist with the search and recovery of evidence in this case,” Arlington County Police said, adding that the “preliminary investigation indicates there is no ongoing threat to the community.”

Around 4:45 p.m. Sunday, police revealed more information about the shooting and announced that one of those shot has been charged in the shooting. He was shot by security guards and lightly wounded after opening fire on a crowd in the parking lot around 5 a.m., police said.

From a police press release:

The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is investigating a shooting that took place on Columbia Pike in the early morning hours of August 30, 2020.

At approximately 5:04 a.m., police were dispatched to the report of a shooting in the 3100 block of Columbia Pike. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to an area hospital with injuries that are considered non-life threatening.

The preliminary investigation indicates security guards were clearing the parking lot of a business when the suspect drew a firearm and discharged towards the crowd. Two security guards, licensed by the Commonwealth and authorized to carry firearms, then returned fire. The suspect fired additional rounds before fleeing the scene in a vehicle prior to police arrival.

A lookout for the vehicle was broadcast. Responding officers located and stopped the vehicle at the intersection of 9th Street S. at Walter Reed Drive. The suspect was transported to an area hospital for treatment of a superficial wound. Once medically cleared, Yared Denbu, 33 of Dundalk, MD, was arrested and charged with Attempted Malicious Wounding, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, and Reckless Handling of a Firearm. He is being held in Washington D.C. pending extradition to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

This appears to be an isolated incident between the parties and there is no known threat to the community related to this incident. This remains an active criminal investigation and anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4180 or [email protected]. Information may also be provided anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

The Arlington County Board revoked Purple Lounge’s live entertainment permit last year after a man was shot in the leg in the nightlife venue’s parking lot in September.

“The Arlington County Police Department has noted ongoing issues and violations at this establishment that have created a public disturbance and violate the conditions of the live entertainment use permit,” a county staff report said at the time.

A man was fatally shot a block away from today’s shooting scene, on the 3000 block of Columbia Pike, in June. Two were arrested last month in connection to the shooting and charged with murder.

Photos courtesy @lavvra/Twitter

ARLnow Weekend Discussion

By ARLnow.com

The weekend is here and the first day of September is within sight.

If the idea of the calendar flipping to the most self-assured month of the year conjures up fears of summer ending imminently, don’t worry — you have another 3+ weeks to go. According to our admittedly unscientific poll from earlier this week, a slim plurality of ARLnow readers believe the Autumnal Equinox on Sept. 22 to be the true start of fall.

Now, here are the most-read Arlington articles of the week:

  1. Late September Opening Eyed for Ballston’s Mosaic Park
  2. ACPD Investigating Midday Carjacking in Crystal City
  3. Police Investigating Robbery by Knife-Wielding Suspects in Virginia Square
  4. Bob and Edith’s Opening Monday on Lee Highway
  5. Before Working in the White House, Kellyanne Conway Did Some Work for Arlington Public Schools
  6. Police to Start Enforcing Sidewalk Crowding Ordinance
  7. Crystal City Legal Sea Foods in Questionable Waters
  8. School Board Adopts First Ever APS Equity Policy
  9. Arlington to Open Five Early Voting Centers ‘In Anticipation of Unprecedented Demand’

Feel free to discuss those or anything else of local interest, or to just argue about politics as usual, in the comments.

UPDATED: Storm and Flood Warnings and Watches Issued for Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Update at 10:15 p.m. — Another Flash Flood Warning has been issued, covering portions of Arlington south of I-66.

Update at 7 p.m. — Perhaps as a result of the storms, a large power outage has been reported in the Fairlington area. Dominion is reporting 1,258 customers currently without power in Arlington County, in addition to those without power across the border in Alexandria.

Updated at 6:55 p.m. — A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for portions of Arlington County along and south of Lee Highway. The warning is in effect until 10:45 p.m. Those walking or driving should avoid flood waters, which could rapidly rise as a result of heavy rain.

Update at 6:20 p.m. — A Flood Warning has now been issued and is set to remain in effect until just after midnight.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD WARNING FOR… THE NORTHWESTERN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… NORTHEASTERN FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…

* UNTIL 1215 AM EDT.

* AT 616 PM EDT, DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING HEAVY RAIN WHICH WILL CAUSE FLOODING. UP TO ONE INCH OF RAIN HAS ALREADY FALLEN. ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF ONE TO TWO INCHES ARE POSSIBLE.

* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE… ARLINGTON, ALEXANDRIA, ANNANDALE, SPRINGFIELD, VIENNA, FALLS CHURCH, HUNTINGTON, MANTUA, PIMMIT HILLS, AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE, REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT, MCLEAN, ROSSLYN, CRYSTAL CITY, POTOMAC, BURKE, OAKTON, LINCOLNIA, TYSONS CORNER AND FRANCONIA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

Update at 5:50 p.m. — A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was just issued for all of Arlington County until 6:30 p.m. A storm with high winds and possible hail is now rumbling into the county.

Update at 5:40 p.m. — A Flash Flood Watch has also been issued for Arlington and much of the area.

…FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EDT SATURDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH…

* UNTIL 4 AM EDT SATURDAY

* SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THIS EVENING INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS. SOME OF THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL PRODUCE HEAVY RAINFALL, WITH LOCALIZED AMOUNTS BETWEEN 2 AND 4 INCHES LIKELY.

* POTENTIAL IMPACTS INCLUDE RAPID RISES OF WATER, FLOODED ROADS, AND FLOODING OF STRUCTURES IN LOW LYING AREAS NEAR STREAMS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

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

Earlier: Strong storms are possible this evening, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Arlington and the region through 8 p.m.

Forecasters say storms may pack quarter-sized hail, damaging wind gusts and frequent lightning.

Some flooding is also possible. More from NWS:

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM FOR A MAJORITY OF THE WASHINGTON AND BALTIMORE METROPOLITAN AREAS. THE PRIMARY THREAT IS DAMAGING WINDS.

THUNDERSTORMS MAY ALSO PRODUCE ISOLATED INSTANCES OF FLOODING THROUGH THIS EVENING.

ACPD: Man Pulled Gun on Tow Driver, Ran from Police

By ARLnow.com

A 29-year-old D.C. man is behind bars after police say he pulled a gun on a tow truck driver early this morning.

The incident happened just before 3:30 a.m., near the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Walter Reed Drive. Police say a tow truck driver was about to tow a car when the suspect approached, brandishing a gun and demanding the car be released. He then drove off.

The suspect and his car were later spotted a few blocks away, in Alcova Heights. Police say he took off on foot, tossed the gun and tried to scale a fence, but was tased by officers and taken into custody.

The suspect is now facing a battery of charges, including robbery, reckless driving and weapons violations.

More from an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

ARMED ROBBERY, 2020-08280038, S. Walter Reed Drive at Columbia Pike. At approximately 3:21 a.m. on August 28, police were dispatched to the report of a brandishing. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim had finished securing the suspect’s vehicle prior to towing it when he was approached by the suspect, who allegedly brandished a firearm, threatened the victim and demanded the release of the vehicle and items of value. The victim complied and the suspect fled in his vehicle. Arriving officers located the suspect vehicle parked and unoccupied in the area of 9th Street S. and S. Monroe Street and observed the suspect walking in the area. As additional officers arrived on scene, the suspect fled on foot and a brief foot pursuit ensued, during which the suspect discarded the firearm he was carrying. The suspect ignored lawful commands of officers and attempted to flee over a fence. An officer successfully deployed their taser and he was taken into custody without further incident. Drake Anthony, Jr., 29, of Washington, D.C., was arrested and charged with charged with Robbery, Brandishing a Firearm, Reckless Handling of a Firearm, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, Obstruction of Justice, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and Reckless Driving, and held on no bond.

Week-Long Drop in Coronavirus Cases Reverses

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 11 a.m.) For a week, new reported coronavirus cases in Arlington were trending down. That trend has since reversed.

The Virginia Dept. of Health has reported 57 new cases and 6 new hospitalizations in the county over the past two days. The trailing seven-day total of new cases is now 156, up from 142 on Wednesday. Ten coronavirus hospitalizations have been reported in the county over the past seven days.

The cumulative total of cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Arlington since the start of the pandemic currently stands at 3,492, 458 and 137, respectively, according to VDH.

Despite some peaks and valleys, the overall trend in new cases in Arlington has been up since late June, with a preponderance of cases among those in the 18-29 age range — as noted by Arlington Public Health Director Dr. Reuben Varghese during a County Board meeting earlier this week.

“We’ve been seeing emergency room visits also going up for COVID-like illness,” Varghese said. “You look at the overall picture and this has not being going in the right way, and that’s why I’ve been imploring people: stay at home as much as possible.”

The timing of the uptrend roughly coincides with the lifting of state-imposed restrictions, as Virginia entered Phase 2 and the current Phase 3 of its reopening, following more stringent orders during the spring.

In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among those waiting in line outside popular Clarendon bars, Arlington County police are set to start enforcing the county’s emergency sidewalk crowding ordinance tonight.

One question on the mind of some is how the start of college might affect Arlington’s numbers among young people.

Ryan Hudson, spokesman for the county’s Public Health Division, said that students from Arlington attending school elsewhere would most likely not count in Arlington’s numbers, while those attending college and residing in the county — Marymount students, for instance — would, in fact, count as an Arlington case.

“Lab reports for a COVID-19 test are reported to the local health district dependent on the residence of the patient,” Hudson explained. “So, if a student and/or school records a dorm, apartment, etc. in Arlington as their residence, then Arlington County Public Health Division could receive the lab report. If the student’s test lists a permanent home address that is outside of Arlington County, the result would go to that local health district.”

“Typically, public health will ask for the residence where a patient is currently living, as that will be more indicative of where transmission took place,” Hudson continued. “So, for college students, they would likely be reported as residents of where the college is when it is in session.”

JUST IN: Arlington to Resume Yard Waste Collection

By ARLnow.com

Yard waste collection is set to resume next week in Arlington, after a four-month hiatus.

Residential waste collection customers have had to do without the weekly collection of organic material since early May, when the county suspended it on account of increased trash volumes during the pandemic over-stretching collection crews.

Arlington County announced this morning that the service is set to resume this coming Monday, Aug. 31.

“During the first week of service restoration, limit yard waste to the green cart and up to five paper organics bags. This will help ensure collection crews are not overwhelmed and can complete routes on schedule,” the county urged.

Overall, the volume of trash collected from residential waste customers — mostly those living in single-family homes — has increased by more than 30% during the pandemic, as people stay home from work, school and other activities. Arlington’s waste collection contractor “continues to experience staffing issues” and delays as a result of the increased workload and other pandemic-related challenges, according to the county.

Arlington opened two drop-off sites for organic waste during the collection suspension, which were utilized both by homeowners and a cottage industry of enterprising students hauling yard waste for a fee. The drop-off sites will be closing next Friday at noon.

To compensate for the lack of yard waste collection, the county says it will be crediting $10.77 back to those who pay the household solid waste fee.

The full county press release is below.

(more…)

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Israeli Company Opening Arlington HQ — “An Israeli renewable energy company now plans to open its first-ever U.S. headquarters in Arlington County. Energix Renewable Energies Ltd. announced Thursday that it will set up shop at 2311 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington’s Courthouse neighborhood. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said state officials managed to win the new headquarters over pitches from North and South Carolina.” [Washington Business Journal]

Official’s Death Raises Questions — “One of the nation’s highest-ranking intelligence officials died by suicide at his home in the Washington, D.C., area in June… Ashley Savage, a spokesperson for the Arlington County Police Department, said the department’s investigation of the Schinella case remains open. She said the Arlington police notified the CIA about Schinella’s death, and that the Arlington police provided assistance to the CIA.” [The Intercept]

W&OD Project in Falls Church Underway — “In a preview of what could be to come in Arlington, regional officials on Aug. 26 broke ground for a 1.5-mile upgrade to the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Regional Trail in the city of Falls Church. The effort, expected to be completed next summer, represents “the most visionary development on the W&OD in a generation.” [InsideNova, WTOP]

Police to Start Enforcing Sidewalk Crowding Ordinance

By ARLnow.com
1/10

(Updated at 3:15 p.m.) Starting tomorrow, standing in the wrong place with the wrong number of people could land you a warning from police.

Arlington County says it will begin enforcing its emergency sidewalk crowding ordinance — which makes standing in a group of more than three in designated zones a traffic infraction — on Friday.

This weekend verbal and written warnings will be issued. After that, police will start issuing fines of up to $100.

“We are serious about this,” Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz told members of the County Board on Tuesday. “I remain deeply frustrated with what I’m seeing in the community… This is not a game when you’re dealing with the public’s health.”

At issue is groups of young, often maskless bargoers bunched up in lines, waiting to enter popular — but capacity constrained — nightlife spots in Clarendon. Photos and first-hand accounts of the lines have circulated on social media, leading to an outcry that the Board responded to with an emergency ordinance passed on July 31.

The ordinance limits groups standing in line to no more than three people, spaced at least six feet apart from other groups and people in line, in certain areas.

The first phase of implementation includes four line-prone stretches in which the distancing will be enforced, identified via the county’s online social distancing complaint form, county staff said. There will be additional phases in the coming weeks to add new areas, including in portions of Crystal City, Schwartz said.

Police are placing signs and sidewalk markers in areas where the ordinance is being enforced, the County Board was told.

Thus far, efforts to get those in lines to distance to the county’s specifications have been met with mixed results: some compliance and some defiance.

“We have have seen quite a bit of defiance and hostility towards the security staff and officers, who are being flat out ignored,” said Arlington County Police Department bar and restaurant liaison Jim Mastoras. “We’re trying our best to keep the lines apart and keep people separated, as they need to be.”

Mastoras noted that businesses have been trying to comply with the rules. Outdoor beer garden The Lot, a frequent subject of photos of alleged overcrowding this summer, has two employees just assigned to monitoring the line, he said.

In addition to pandemic-era capacity restrictions, Mastoras said that lines have become an issue due to a rush of patrons into the Clarendon area between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., which may or may not be linked to the fact that D.C. and Montgomery County have stopped alcohol sales after midnight and 10 p.m., respectively.

“Over the past few weeks, we have seen an influx of patrons into the Clarendon area,” he said.

The ordinance is not without its critics, who question its implementation and prioritization over other public health risks.

“The ordinance appears to criminalize common behaviors: A plain reading of the ordinance would appear to prevent a family of four from walking down one of these signed sidewalks together without maintaining 6′ of distance between all family members, including small children,” wrote Arlington Transportation Commission Chair Chris Slatt earlier this month.

Schwartz called that line of criticism a “red herring,” suggesting that is not how the ordinance will be enforced.

The Arlington Chamber of Commerce, meanwhile, is calling for the ordinance to be scrapped, citing concerns about enforcement and equity.

“The hastily developed ordinance has led to confusion and presents enforcement challenges,” the Chamber wrote this week. “The Chamber will continue to advocate that the County Board abandon this ordinance and find alternative, more constructive ways to promote social distancing.”

On the health side, experts agree that standing in line outside presents a risk, though it’s a risk that’s lower than equivalent behavior indoors.

Why, one may ask, are groups of more than three standing outside now prohibited, while larger groups are able to dine and chat maskless around a table inside restaurants? The latter is widely considered to be riskier behavior, albeit behavior that’s less likely to be photographed by those walking by.

(more…)

Chick-fil-A, Chase Bank Under Construction in Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com
1/4

Two new businesses are setting up shop right next to an entrance to the Pentagon City Metro station

As previously reported, chicken nugget and sandwich purveyor Chick-fil-A is coming to the ground floor of the new Whitmer apartment building at the corner of S. Hayes Street and 12th Street S. The space is currently under construction.

Also coming to 710 12th Street S. is a new Chase bank branch. Construction workers could be seen inside the future bank this morning.

There is no word yet on when either will open. Chick-fil-A previously refused to confirm that it was coming to Pentagon City, even after “Chick-fil-A coming soon” signs were put up. (They were later removed.)

The Chick-fil-A and Chase will joining the recently-opened Wiseguy Pizza on the ground floor of the apartment building, which is directly adjacent to the Metro station’s eastern entrance, across from the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City mall and two blocks from Amazon’s under-construction permanent HQ2.

Hat tips to @KalinaNewman and @Calebfiles

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