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: Should Plastic Shopping Bags Be Taxed?

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington County Board appears likely to consider a tax on plastic shopping bags later this year.

At the Board’s Saturday meeting, a volunteer from the group EcoAction Arlington spoke in favor of a five-cent tax on plastic bags, similar to that which has been implemented in D.C. and other cities, during the public comment period.

In response, Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz noted that state authorization for such a tax — a five cent tax on plastic bags from grocery stores, convenience stores and drugstores — was recently signed into law by Gov. Ralph Northam, but will not go into effect until Jan. 1, 2021. In the meantime, county staff are “working on” a proposal to bring to the Board in the fall, he said.

“We look forward to having a conversation,” Schwartz said.

The volunteer, Whitney Beer-Kerr, said that a per-bag tax helps to cut down on such bags — which take centuries to decompose — winding up in waterways and landfills. Revenue from the tax can also be used on a variety of environmental initiatives.

On the other hand, a key alternative to plastic grocery bags — reusable shopping bags — are being discouraged by stores for employee health reasons during the pandemic. And Schwartz said that charging extra money for plastic bags could raise “equity questions.”

Paper bags, however, remain a viable and more environmentally-friendly alternative, County Board member Katie Cristol said during the meeting.

What do you think?

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Changes at Prosecutor’s Office — Arlington Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti has announced a reorganization of her office to implement a “vertical prosecution” model. The new structure “requires that one prosecutor be assigned to each case from start to finish; it permits the assigned attorney to work early and closely with law enforcement, victims, witnesses, and defense attorneys.” The office has also recently stopped its courtroom involvement with certain types of minor traffic offenses. [Press Release, Twitter]

Man Pleads Guilty to Arlington Carjacking — “A Washington, D.C. man pleaded guilty today to his role in an armed robbery and carjacking that led to a high-speed police chase and resulted in injuries to two police officers. According to court documents, Jovan Doir Johnson, 30, together with another individual, obtained a stolen vehicle at gunpoint in Arlington and then used it to rob a 7-Eleven in Lorton.” [Dept. of Justice]

Board Approves CIP, Bond Referenda — “The Arlington County Board today voted unanimously to adopt a scaled-down $277.5 million one-year Capital Improvement Plan that focuses on continuing or completing projects already underway and beginning a 10-year program to improve the County’s stormwater infrastructure and flood resiliency… In a related action, the Board unanimously approved bond referenda totaling $144.454 million to be put before the voters on the November ballot.” [Arlington County, Washington Post]

Board to Hold Closed COVID Meeting — “Notice is hereby given that the County Board of Arlington Co., VA, on Thursday, July 23, 2020 at 5:30pm, or as soon thereafter as matters may be heard, in accordance with and for the purposes authorized by law will meet to discuss matters related to the County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.” [Arlington County]

Pandemic May Cause Hunger Crisis — “Up to a quarter of a million people in the Washington area could be thrown into hunger because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, according to a report by the Capital Area Food Bank, even as the amount of donated food and the number of distribution sites plummet precipitously.” [Washington Post]

Flickr pool photo by Vincent

Four Arrested, Charged With Violent Car Thefts

By ARLnow.com

Four men have been arrested following a car chase and a pair of alleged carjackings.

The violent incidents happened Tuesday afternoon and evening. Police say three of the men, who are all 18 years of age, first knocked a man unconscious in a Ballston parking garage and stole his Honda Civic.

While driving the stolen car, they later rear-ended a BMW on S. Glebe Road, in the Crystal City/Potomac Yard area, and then “began performing donuts in the roadway” before getting out, striking the female driver of the BMW in the head and stealing her car, according to police.

The stolen BMW was found crashed in D.C. The Civic was spotted by Fairfax County police and the four men were subsequently taken into custody after a brief car chase, Arlington County Police said.

In an unrelated car-related incident, an unattended vehicle was reportedly stolen on S. Eads Street this afternoon in the Crystal City/Pentagon City area — a crime similar to one reported near the Pentagon City Costco parking lot last month.

More from an ACPD press release:

Four suspects are facing charges following a series of auto-related crimes in which the vehicles were taken by force. Destiny Morris, 18, of Annandale, VA, Denali Goodridge, 18, of Washington D.C., Treshawn Taylor, 18, of Alexandria, VA and Ayinde Mason, 18, of Washington D.C. have been charged with carjacking. Additional charges are pending.

At approximately 2:37 p.m. on July 21, police were dispatched to the report of a robbery by force in the 4600 block of Fairfax Drive. Upon arrival, it was determined medics responded to the report of a man down. When the victim regained consciousness, he reported having been assaulted by three unknown male suspects while walking through the garage after parking his vehicle. Following the assault, the suspects stole the victim’s Honda Civic and personal belongings before fleeing the scene in his vehicle. The victim was transported by medics to an area hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

At approximately 6:06 p.m. on July 21, police were dispatched to the report of a hit-and-run crash at the intersection of Potomac Avenue and S. Glebe Road. Upon arrival, it was determined the victim was stopped at a red light when she was rear ended by the suspect vehicle, which was determined to be the Honda Civic previously reported stolen from the 4600 block of Fairfax Drive. The victim pulled over, called police and exited her BMW to assess the damage. The suspect then proceeded past her and began performing doughnuts in the roadway before driving back towards the victim and parking in front of her vehicle. Four suspects then exited the vehicle and surrounded the victim. One suspect struck the victim in the head, got into her vehicle and fled the scene with the Honda Civic following behind.

A lookout was broadcast to area law enforcement agencies for the stolen vehicles. The Metropolitan Police Department recovered the unoccupied BMW after it crashed, and the occupants fled the scene. The Honda Civic was located in Fairfax County and, following a brief pursuit by Fairfax County Police Department, the suspects were taken into custody.

This incident remains an active criminal investigation and the arrestees are suspects in additional auto offenses in Arlington. Anyone with information 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).

Safety Tips and Crime Prevention Measures

The Arlington County Police Department is sharing the following tips to help keep you safe when using and parking your vehicle:

  • Park in well-lit, high traffic areas
  • Exit your vehicle and continue to your destination promptly after parking
  • Be aware of your surroundings when entering and exiting your vehicle
  • If in doubt, don’t get out of your vehicle — drive away and park someplace else
  • Never leave your vehicle running unattended, even if you are making short trips
  • Limit your use of devices that may distract you, such as cell phones and headphones
  • Don’t leave items unattended or visible in your vehicle

The department’s efforts to prevent crime in Arlington County are enhanced by the active involvement of the public. If you observe suspicious activity or are the victim of a crime, contact police immediately by calling the Emergency Communications Center at 703-558-2222 or 911 in an emergency.

BREAKING: Thousands Without Power in Arlington After Storm

By ARLnow.com
1/3

Update at 7 p.m. — Outages in Arlington are now down to just over 3,000 power customers, according to Dominion’s website. Affected neighborhoods include Pentagon City, the Columbia Pike corridor near Penrose Square, the area around Wakefield High School, Lyon Park, Virginia Square, and Old Glebe.

Earlier: The worst of this afternoon’s severe storm has passed, leaving thousands without power in Arlington in its week.

While rain, lightning and thunder continues, the clean-up is getting underway. Dominion reported more than 10,600 customers without power in Arlington as of 4:30 p.m., with outages scattered throughout the county but concentrated in residential North Arlington.

The storm packed strong winds, with Reagan National Airport recording a 58 mile per hour gust.

Police and firefighters are responding to numerous reports of downed trees and wires, as well as sparking electrical transformers, including at:

  • 13th Street S. in the Douglas Park neighborhood
  • N. Utah Street in Waverly Hills
  • N. Irving Street near Clarendon
  • N. Manchester Street near Wilson Blvd
  • S. Utah Street in Fairlington

The power outages have also resulted in a number of calls for stuck elevators, including in Pentagon City. Multiple people are stuck in elevators in parts of the county, according to scanner traffic.

Among those currently without power: Rocklands BBQ in Virginia Square.

JUST IN: Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood Warnings Issued for Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Update at 4:30 p.m. — More than 10,000 Dominion customers are without power in Arlington after the storm.

Earlier: Arlington County is now under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning and a Flash Flood Warning.

Strong storms are nearing the county and could cause flooding and pack damaging winds.

More from the National Weather Service:

343 PM EDT WED JUL 22 2020

…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM EDT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA…SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY…WESTERN PRINCE GEORGES…ARLINGTON…AND EASTERN FAIRFAX COUNTIES…THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH AND THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA…

AT 342 PM EDT, SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM NORTH KENSINGTON TO NEAR DALE CITY, MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.

THESE ARE VERY DANGEROUS STORMS.

HAZARD…75 MPH WIND GUSTS AND QUARTER SIZE HAIL.

SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED.

IMPACT…EXPECT CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO TREES AND POWER LINES. YOUR LIFE IS AT SIGNIFICANT RISK IF OUTDOORS. IN ADDITION TO SOME TREES FALLING INTO HOMES, WIND DAMAGE IS POSSIBLE TO ROOFS, SHEDS, OPEN GARAGES, AND MOBILE HOMES.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… ARLINGTON, ALEXANDRIA, BETHESDA, BOWIE, ANNANDALE, CLINTON, SPRINGFIELD, COLLEGE PARK, FORT WASHINGTON, GREENBELT, FAIRFAX, LANGLEY PARK, BELTSVILLE, FORT HUNT, VIENNA, GROVETON, FORESTVILLE, FALLS CHURCH, HUNTINGTON AND CORAL HILLS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. MOBILE HOMES AND HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES ARE ESPECIALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO WINDS OF THIS MAGNITUDE AND MAY BE OVERTURNED. FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING. THESE STORMS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE.

CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THESE STORMS. MOVE INDOORS IMMEDIATELY. LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURE’S LEADING KILLERS. REMEMBER, IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER, YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

Arlington Seeking Online Feedback, Offering Virtual Walking Tour of Rosslyn Redevelopment

By ARLnow.com
1/20

A major redevelopment project is coming to Rosslyn and Arlington County is soliciting online feedback about it.

With the pandemic nixing in-person meetings, the county is piloting a virtual walking tour of the project, which will redevelop the former Art Institute building at 1820 N. Fort Myer Drive (also known as the Ames Center) into two new residential towers.

The current plan is for the new development — across Fort Myer Drive from the Rosslyn Metro station — to include 740 residential units, 574 parkings space, and about 8,000 square feet of ground floor retail space. It will also remove two pedestrian bridges, while adding a central plaza and pedestrian walkway that would act as an extension of the 18th Street corridor.

The existing Sunoco gas station and Arlington Temple United Methodist Church would remain and will be “rebuilt in place.” The towers will be 30 and 31 stories apiece.

The county is collecting online feedback on the project, from Arlington-based developer Snell Properties, through tomorrow (Thursday). It is expected to be considered for County Board approval this fall.

Flash Flood Watch Issued for Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Update at 3:35 p.m. — A Severe Thunderstorm Warning and Flash Flood Warning have been issued.

In addition to a Heat Advisory and a Severe Thunderstorm Watch, Arlington, D.C. and surrounding area are also now under a Flash Flood Watch.

The watch is in effect until 11 p.m. The National Weather Service says storms packing torrential rains may cause localized flooding.

More from NWS:

136 PM EDT WED JUL 22 2020

…FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH…

* UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING

* THUNDERSTORMS WITH LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE WATCH AREA THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. RAINFALL OF 1 TO 3 INCHES MAY FALL WITHIN AN HOUR, RESULTING IN LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING.

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.

Arlington Pet of the Week: Atticus

By ARLnow.com
1/6

Meet Atticus, a rescue cat who found a new home in Arlington after Hurricane Katrina.

Here is what Atticus’s owner had to say on his behalf:

They say a cat has nine lives, but I think it’s really more about being lucky.

Fifteen years ago, when I was a kitten, I got lucky and rode out Hurricane Katrina on a boat in Louisiana. After the storm, things got so bad that they transferred me to an emergency animal shelter in Mississippi with thousands of other homeless critters. There, I got lucky again when the Animal Welfare League of Arlington rescued me along with some of my other friends before we made the long journey north.

A few weeks later after overcoming a nasty respiratory infection, I got lucky yet again and found my forever home with Tom and Todd. They gave me my forever name: Atticus, after the hero in Too Kill a Mockingbird. It’s a mighty big name for an exceedingly small Southern cat, but I wear it very well because I’m brave, compassionate and respectful to all.

Some of my other names include Atticus Rex when I’m in attack mode, Atticus the Catticus when I shape shift and put on my Egyptian face or my old-man look, and Atty Atty Atty Catty when it’s dinner time or I’m hiding.

Not only am I incredibly sweet and spunky, but I’ve also got bunny-soft fur and often act more like a dog than a cat. It’s great when visitors come by the house, especially my friend Donna who’s my favorite pet sitter. I immediately run right up to everyone and ask for a pet.

Moreover, I am exceptionally good at chasing the fishing pole and reflected light on floors and walls. I’ll wait patiently for hours for a mouse to appear. And I have an innate ability to instantly levitate myself onto any surface no matter how high. I’m also infatuated with rubbing my nose against Tom’s nose and my chin against Todd’s whiskers. These are a few of my favorite things!

For the last 10 years, there’s been another pal in my life, my best friend Updike who also has black-and-white fur. Although he’s more than twice my weight, I can still take him down in a wrestling match. I also love to have Updike groom me, and I like to snuggle up with him for an afternoon nap.

Lately, things have been a bit tough. I’ve lost a bunch of weight because of some digestive issues, and I recently overcame a stroke. But with the help of the great doctors at the Cherrydale Veterinary Clinic, I wasn’t down for long. That’s because life is about being lucky, and I am one luck guy!

County Board Approves Five New Road Projects

By ARLnow.com
1/7

The Arlington County Board has approved road improvement projects on three arterial streets and two neighborhood streets.

The arterial street projects involve Americans with Disabilities Act improvements to bus stops and ramps, improvements to crosswalks, and other changes to S. Arlington Ridge Road, N. Carlin Springs Road and Military Road — at an estimated cost of $550,000.

More from a county staff report:

The work proposed for the intersection of South Arlington Ridge Road and South Lang Street will provide a safer pedestrian crossing to Gunston School and provide ADA compliant bus stops. The improvements at the intersections of North Carlin Springs Road and North Edison Street and North Wakefield Street will deliver ADA compliant bus stops and installation of a RRFB (rectangular rapid flashing beacon) at the North Edison Street intersection. The project planned for the intersections of 36th Road North and North Marcey Road with Military Road will include ADA compliant bus stops and realignment of the intersection for North Marcey Road for improved vehicle movement.

The Board also approved two “Neighborhood Complete Streets” capital projects, including:

  • New sidewalk, curb ramps, and paving along 13th Street S. between Walter Reed Drive and Glebe Road, in the Douglas Park neighborhood
  • Curb extensions and improved bus stops along 7th Road S. in the Arlington Mill neighborhood

The 13th Street project has the goal of a safer pedestrian experience on a street commonly used by cut-through traffic, with an incomplete sidewalk. The 7th Road S. project aims to create “pinch points” to reduce vehicle speeds, on a stretch where speeding and crashes are problematic. Both projects have an approximate cost of $600,000.

Hot Temperatures, Strong Storms on Tap for Wednesday

By ARLnow.com

Update at 3:35 p.m. — A Severe Thunderstorm Warning and Flash Flood Warning have been issued.

Arlington and surrounding areas are under a Heat Advisory from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., while forecasters caution about the possibility of strong storms later today.

The National Weather Service says damaging winds and flooding rains may cause for a wild weather evening. Around noon today, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch was issued for Arlington and the region through 7 p.m.

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING COULD PRODUCE ISOLATED DAMAGING WIND GUSTS, AS WELL AS HEAVY RAINFALL, WHICH COULD LEAD TO ISOLATED INSTANCES OF FLASH FLOODING.

Ahead of the storms, a combination of hot temperatures and high humidity could make for dangerous conditions for anyone exerting themselves outdoors. More from NWS:

751 AM EDT WED JUL 22 2020

…HEAT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING…

* WHAT…HEAT INDEX VALUES UP TO 109 EXPECTED.

* WHERE…THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, CENTRAL, NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN MARYLAND AND CENTRAL AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA.

* WHEN…FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING.

* IMPACTS…HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY MAY CAUSE HEAT ILLNESSES TO OCCUR.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS, STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM, STAY OUT OF THE SUN, AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS. YOUNG CHILDREN AND PETS SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT UNATTENDED IN VEHICLES UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN POSSIBLE RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHTWEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE. TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK, THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY! CALL 9 1 1.

CDC RECOMMENDS THAT IF YOU NEED TO GO TO A COOLING CENTER, WEAR A CLOTH FACE COVERING. WHILE YOU ARE THERE, WASH YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP, OR USE HAND SANITIZER, OFTEN. FACE COVERS SHOULD NOT BE USED BY CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 2. THEY ALSO SHOULD NOT BE USED BY PEOPLE HAVING TROUBLE BREATHING, OR WHO ARE UNCONSCIOUS, INJURED, OR CAN’T REMOVE THE MASK THEMSELVES.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

County Launches COVID Dashboard — “Just launched: Arlington’s COVID Data Dashboard with comprehensive information on cases by age, race and zip code; trends in % pos testing; date of symptom onset; and more. Track the course of the pandemic with us, here. And stay safe and mask up!” [Twitter, Arlington County]

Shirlington Parking Challenges — “Shirlington has significant amounts of surface and garage parking, but much of it is restricted during working hours to ensure employees have a place to park. (Many, though not all, of those spaces become available to the general public after 5 p.m.) ‘There’s lots of parking – [but] what’s there isn’t allocated very well,’ County Board Chairman Libby Garvey said.” [InsideNova]

Justice Reform Discussion Tomorrow — “The Arlington County Democratic Committee (Arlington Dems) and Arlington Young Democrats will host a Facebook Live forum at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 23, in advance of a special session of the General Assembly set to begin Aug. 18 that will largely be devoted to criminal justice reform.” [Arlington Democrats]

New Chief Race and Equity Officer Discusses Role — “This position focuses on leading, coordinating and overseeing county organizations and partnering with the community to advance racial equity. To me, this entails focusing on systems and our organizational structure and really how racism presents itself — in our policies, our practices, how we interact and engage with the community.” [Arlington Magazine]

New Office Tenants in Ballston — “CropLife America, The Fertilizer Institute and the Agricultural Retailers Association have signed a 15-year lease for 25,564 square feet to co-locate in Ballston Exchange, a 776,000-square-foot mixed-use office and retail mixed-use project.” [Commercial Observer]

Other School Systems Go Online-Only — Fairfax County, Loudoun County and Montgomery County public schools are joining Arlington in going online-only to start the semester. [DCist, WJLA, Loudoun Times-Mirror, Bethesda Beat]

Flickr pool photo by Jim Webster

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