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.

After Lull, A Rise in Coronavirus Cases in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at noon) After a week that saw four days of single-digit growth in cases, COVID-19 is making a bit of a comeback in Arlington.

The Virginia Dept. of Health has reported 106 new cases in Arlington over the past four days. The seven-day trailing total of new cases is now 140, compared to 84 as of Friday.

Hospitalizations have also ticked up — 16 new hospitalizations over the past seven days, compared to eight hospitalizations over seven days as of a week ago.

That follows a week of large outdoor protests in Arlington and in D.C., and the start of Northern Virginia’s Phase 1 reopening on May 29, though it’s unclear what is actually behind the rising numbers. The seven-day trailing case total is still well below the most recent peak of 303, on May 30.

In all, VDH now reports 2,256 cumulative cases, 392 hospitalizations and 122 coronavirus-related deaths in Arlington County since the start of the local epidemic. Virginia Hospital Center — which serves Arlington and surrounding communities — has successfully discharged 792 COVID cases and brought 21 patients off ventilators, according to a sign in the lobby.

Statewide, there have been 51,251 cases, 5,143 hospitalizations and 1,477 deaths.

Testing in Arlington, meanwhile, appears to be trending in the right direction. The seven-day moving average of daily PCR-based tests is around 200 (it had previously plateaued around 150), and the seven-day average positivity rate is 8.7% (below 10% is considered by health authorities to represent an adequate level of testing).

Nearly 350 “testing encounters” were reported on Friday.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Petition for Intersection Improvements — “Last Friday, our life turned upside down when a car traveling upward of 40-50 mph mowed down our 10-year old daughter and puppy… We would like to see three simple measures put in place at each of these intersections – (1) stop signs, (2) crosswalk stripes on the asphalt and (3) curb extensions or mini-circles if deemed appropriate/necessary by County traffic experts.” [Change.org]

County: Support Civil Rights By Taking Census — “Census data on both race and origin are used to ensure civil rights protections including voting rights and fair housing. The data are also used to address employment discrimination, provide language services and fund schools, as well as many other programs and services.” [Arlington County]

Nearby: Foot Chase in Falls Church — “Police received two separate calls about two women who felt threatened by a man while they were walking near the 400 block of W. Broad Street. Police located the man and pursued him as he fled on foot. Officers attempted to communicate with the man, but he became aggressive. Officers gave warning, then used capsaicin or “pepper” spray… After officers consulted with one of the victims, no arrest was made and no charges were pressed at this time.” [City of Falls Church]

Photos: Thousands Participate in Saturday Marches in Arlington

By ARLnow.com
1/72

An estimated 3,300 people participated in a series of marches and protests in Arlington on Saturday, some later marching into D.C. and joining the more than 10,000 demonstrators in the District.

The protesters demanded justice for George Floyd and other victims of police violence. They also demanded policy changes and “meaningful and urgent reforms for racial justice.”

Marches held signs saying “Black Lives Matter” and “Stop Killing Us.” They braved the day’s heat and most wore masks to protect fellow marchers during the pandemic.

One march went from Columbia Pike to a protest event in Ballston, before continuing on to a larger event in front of county government headquarters in Courthouse, where county officials, activists and members of the local NAACP spoke. From there, many went on to march into D.C. via the Memorial Bridge, escorted along the way by Arlington County police.

ARLnow Weekend Discussion

By ARLnow.com

It was a historic week in Arlington, D.C. and across the country.

Missed any of our coverage? You can find it here.

Here are the most-read articles of the past week:

  1. Arlington Officers Ordered to ‘Immediately Leave D.C.’
  2. Black Lives Matter Protest Underway in Clarendon
  3. Virginia’s ‘Phase 2’ Reopening to Start Friday, But Will Exclude N. Va. for Now
  4. Protest Marches Planned in Arlington Through Sunday
  5. Teen to Be Charged in Hit and Run That Killed Dog
  6. D.C. Police Blocking Traffic from Key Bridge to Georgetown as Businesses Board Up
  7. County Leaders Defend ACPD Officers Who Were Recalled from D.C. Protests
  8. Arlington Sees Significant Drop in New Coronavirus Cases
  9. Photos: Peaceful Protest Marches from Shirlington to Ballston

Feel free to discuss those or any other topics of local interest in the comments.

Arlington Under Flash Flood Watch Tonight

By ARLnow.com

More heavy rain and storms are expected tonight (Friday).

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect until midnight, as slow-moving storms and an additional 1-3 inches of rain could send creeks and streams over their banks. The storms are currently expected to arrive in the Arlington area around 6 p.m.

More from the National Weather Service:

…FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT… AREAS OF HEAVY RAIN FELL ACROSS THE WATCH AREA LAST NIGHT. ADDITIONAL HEAVY RAINFALL IS EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AS SLOW MOVING THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOP BY MIDDAY AND SLIDE EAST DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING. SOME AREAS COULD RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL 1 TO 3 INCHES OF RAIN, WHICH COULD RESULT IN 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. &&

Seven-Day Total of New Coronavirus Cases in Arlington Drops Below 100

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 11:25 a.m.) After rising above 300 to end the month of May, the rolling seven-day new coronavirus case total in Arlington has dropped precipitously.

A total of 84 cases have been reported over the past seven days — 12 per day, on average — according to the latest Virginia Dept. of Health data. Twenty-three new COVID-19 cases were reported overnight, only the second double-digit daily case count in Arlington since May 31.

One new hospitalization was reported overnight, for a cumulative total of 385, and one new death was recorded, for a total of 121. The seven-day rolling total of new hospitalizations currently stands at 13.

Arlington’s seven-day moving average test positivity rate is now just below 7%, while the daily testing average is continuing to fall — it’s now 282 — since last week’s free mass testing event boosted the county’s test counts.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Riot Cops Sued by ACLU — “Defendants John Poe 1 – 20 are officers of the Arlington County Police Department and other non-federal law enforcement officials who participated in the attack on peaceful protesters in and near Lafayette Square on June 1, 2020. They are sued in their individual capacities.” [Associated Press, Washington Post]

Washington Monument Struck By Lightning — As seen from the Crystal City / Pentagon City area, the Washington Monument took a direct lightning strike last night. [Twitter]

Marymount Apologizes for Removed BLM Tweet — “One specific concern we heard in the Listening Session referenced the removal of a social media post last Saturday which included the message, ‘Black Lives Matter.’ This was the wrong decision. We apologize and acknowledge the impact this decision has had on our Marymount community.” [Marymount University]

Arlington Unemployment Spikes — “The COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent government-imposed lockdown and resulting economic freefall cost nearly 17,000 Arlington residents their jobs between mid-March and mid-April, according to new state data… The county’s unemployment rate, which in March had been a miniscule 2.2 percent, ballooned to 7 percent, knocking the county off its longstanding perch of having the best jobs picture in the commonwealth.” [InsideNova]

Local Centenarian Gets Neighborhood Parade — “Right around 5 p.m. on her 100th birthday, her usually quiet neighborhood in North Arlington was shaken up by loud sirens and flashing lights. A caravan of vehicles blaring sirens, tooting horns and shouting greetings snaked down the street for several blocks. The parade of sorts was led by two Arlington County Police officers on motorcycles followed by countless police vehicles, Arlington County Fire Department engines, sheriffs’ vehicles and several private cars and trucks, one sporting an inflatable unicorn on its roof.” [Arlington Catholic Herald]

APS Welcomes New Superintendent — “This is Dr. Francisco Durán’s first week as Superintendent of Arlington Public Schools. Welcome aboard! As a reminder, there are several Virtual Town Halls scheduled this month for our community, students and staff to get to know Dr. Durán.” [Arlington Public Schools]

Trash Collection Still Facing Delays — “Arlington’s trash/recycling contractor continues to experience staffing issues due to COVID-19. As a result, some routes recently have not been completed on their scheduled day, requiring a follow-up run the next day. If trash and/or recycling is not collected on your service day, leave the carts at the curb the next day.  If carts have not been serviced by noon the second day, submit a missed collection ticket.” [Arlington County]

County Offers Mask Flyers — “If a business or residence needs ‘face coverings required’ signs (in multiple languages), we have flyers for download here.” [Arlington County, Twitter]

Flood Warning Issued for Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County is under a Flood Warning through 5:30 a.m.

Heavy rain overnight may cause flooding along streams and in flood-prone areas, forecasters say. D.C., Falls Church, Alexandria, and Fairfax County are also included in the warning.

More from the National Weather Service:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD WARNING…

* UNTIL 530 AM EDT FRIDAY.

* AT 1126 PM EDT, DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED HEAVY RAIN THAT WILL CAUSE FLOODING. UP TO ONE INCH OF RAIN HAS ALREADY FALLEN AND AN ADDITIONAL INCH OR TWO IS EXPECTED OVERNIGHT. THIS WILL CAUSE  CREEKS AND STREAMS TO RISE OUT OF THEIR BANKS AS WELL AS FLOODING IN URBAN AREAS.

* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE… ARLINGTON, ALEXANDRIA, CENTREVILLE, DALE CITY, BETHESDA, RESTON, ANNANDALE, SPRINGFIELD, COLLEGE PARK, SOUTH RIDING, HERNDON, FAIRFAX, LANGLEY PARK, VIENNA, GROVETON, FALLS CHURCH, HUNTINGTON, CORAL HILLS, BLADENSBURG AND MANTUA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS HARDER TO RECOGNIZE THE DANGERS OF FLOODING.

Arlington also remains under a Flash Flood Watch, which was issued around 11 p.m.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH…

* UNTIL 4 AM EDT FRIDAY

* REPEATING ROUNDS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAY PRODUCE LOCALIZED RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES IN A RELATIVELY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. THIS MAY CAUSE RAPID RISES OF WATER ON STREAMS AND CREEKS AND IN URBAN AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS.

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.

Photos: Hundreds Take to the Streets for Anti-Racism Protest

By ARLnow.com
1/21

(Updated at 11:15 p.m.) Hundreds — perhaps more than a thousand — braved 90 degree weather to march from Courthouse to Clarendon and back Thursday evening.

Police closed portions of Wilson and Clarendon boulevards at the marchers held signs and chanted slogans like “no justice, no peace.”

The demonstration started at 5 p.m. and was organized “in solidarity with those across the nation asking for justice for George Floyd and those who have been directed affected by systemic racism,” according to a social media post.

“This will be a peaceful march. If you feel as if you can’t express yourself in a peaceful manner, please just stay home,” organizers wrote. “We encourage all to make signs to express their feelings towards the injustices that have been going on throughout our country.”

Another large rally and march is scheduled to take place Courthouse on Saturday.

Protest Marches Planned in Arlington Through Sunday

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 10:40 p.m.) A number of peaceful marches against racism and in support of Black Lives Matter are planned in Arlington through Sunday.

The first will be taking place from 5-7 p.m. today (Thursday), marching from the county parking lot in Courthouse to Clarendon to demand justice for George Floyd “and those who have been directly affected by systemic racism.” Some county offices are closing early due to expected crowds.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-09s7pLtR/

Another is planned Friday evening, in memory of Breonna Taylor, who was fatally shot by Louisville, Kentucky police officers in March.

Demonstrators will march from Bob & Edith’s Diner on Columbia Pike to the county courthouse, starting at 6 p.m., according to social media posts.

The third march is planned Saturday from noon-5 p.m. and is expected to be a “large scale event.” The march will go from Courthouse to the White House, via Rosslyn and the Lincoln and MLK memorials in D.C.

From an event page on social media:

Arlingtonians are coming together to stand in solidarity in a peaceful protest against racial oppression.

We will convene at the Arlington Courthouse at noon on Saturday, June 6 and march together past the Iwo Jima Memorial and across the Memorial Bridge to the Lincoln Memorial and the Martin Luther King Memorial. From there, we will march up to Lafayette Park to join peaceful protests demanding meaningful and urgent reforms for racial justice.

All are welcome and loved. Bring a mask and join us!

The local branch of the NAACP will be participating, the group said in a statement. The marching will be preceded by a rally from noon-1 p.m. in front of county government headquarters at 2100 Clarendon Blvd.

“Elected officials and members from the Arlington Branch NAACP, community activists, and elected leaders will be in attendance,” the organization said. “This is expected to be a large scale event and expect 250-500 attendees.”

County Board members Christian Dorsey and Libby Garvey, along with 1776 co-founder Evan Burfield, are listed a co-hosts on the Facebook event page for the Saturday march.

https://www.facebook.com/eburfield/posts/10103190602284609

Prior to the rally, a march from the Columbia Pike Branch Library to Ballston and then Courthouse is planned, starting at 10 a.m. at Welburn Square in Ballston, marchers will pause “to say the names of those who have lost their lives at the hands of police brutality and hold space to reflect as a community.”

On Sunday, another protest march is planned from 5-7 p.m., starting at Green Valley Pharmacy (2415 Shirlington Road). The march will “support #BlackLivesMatter as well as gun violence awareness.”

UPDATED: Flash Flood Watch Issued for Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Updated at 11:10 p.m. — A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for Arlington and much of the region.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH…

* UNTIL 4 AM EDT FRIDAY

* REPEATING ROUNDS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAY PRODUCE LOCALIZED RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES IN A RELATIVELY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. THIS MAY CAUSE RAPID RISES OF WATER ON STREAMS AND CREEKS AND IN URBAN AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS.

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.

Update at 8:05 p.m. — The storm warning has been extended until 8:45 p.m. From the National Weather Service:

BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
801 PM EDT THU JUN 4 2020

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING…

* UNTIL 845 PM EDT.

* AT 800 PM EDT, SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM ADAMS MORGAN TO HUNTINGTON TO NEAR WOODBRIDGE, MOVING EAST 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, ALEXANDRIA, WALDORF, BOWIE, CLINTON, FORT WASHINGTON, FORT HUNT, GROVETON, FORESTVILLE, HUNTINGTON, LARGO, CORAL HILLS, BLADENSBURG, LA PLATA, FORT BELVOIR, NATIONAL HARBOR, UPPER MARLBORO, NATIONALS PARK, FEDEX FIELD AND HOWARD UNIVERSITY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING.

DAMAGING WIND AND 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.

Update at 7:55 p.m. — A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Arlington through 8:15 p.m.

(more…)

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