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.

Fire Marshal’s Office looking for witness to car fire started with stolen fireworks

By ARLnow.com
“Possible witness” to June 17 vehicle arson (photo via Arlington County Fire Marshal’s Office)

Someone lit a car on fire near the Arlington border, using fireworks stolen from the Bluemont area.

That’s according to the Arlington County Fire Marshal’s Office, which today released surveillance photos of a “possible witness” to the June 17 incident just east of Seven Corners. Fire marshals are trying to identify the person in the photos.

More from the flyer released today:

The Arlington County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a Theft of Commercial Fireworks and Arson of a Vehicle and is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a possible witness. At approximate 9pm on June 17, 2023 the Fire Department responded to Patrick Henry Dr Falls Church/ Wilson Blvd & N. McKinley Rd Arlington for the report of a vehicle fire. The investigation determined the cause of the fire was ARSON and the suspect used fireworks stolen from a commercial fireworks stand in the 5100 Block of Wilson Blvd to burn the vehicle. The individual pictured above may have information regarding or have witnessed the crime.

Anyone with information about the crime or the possible witness is asked to contact Lt. John Crooke at (703)-228-4649 or [email protected].

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Sep 19, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Tuesday 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 — Sep 19, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Wednesday’s forecast

The forecast for Wednesday is mainly sunny with a high temperature close to 79°F and a light northwest wind of 3-6 mph. During the night, expect mostly clear skies and a low temperature around 60°F accompanied by a gentle northeast breeze. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
– Aristotle

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

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

Heads up: There’s a flaming pile of trash in the middle of Wilson Blvd

By ARLnow.com
1/4

Bad news for those going to the Eden Center this afternoon: you’ll have to contend with a smoldering pile of garbage in the middle of Wilson Blvd.

Firefighters from Arlington and Fairfax County were dispatched to the intersection of Wilson Blvd and Roosevelt Blvd — near the Eden Center and the border of Falls Church and Arlington — around 1:30 p.m.

Refuse in the back of a garbage truck reportedly caught fire, leading the driver to dump the load across the street.

As of 1:45 p.m. firefighters were working to douse residual fire within the stinky, steaming trash pile. Wilson Blvd was blocked in both directions as of publication time.

Dumping the flaming garbage appears to be standard procedure so that the truck itself does not go up in flames. Similar trash fires previously happened locally in May 2019 and August 2021.

NEW: Prestigious national honor for local middle school

By ARLnow.com
Williamsburg Middle School (photo via Google Maps)

Williamsburg Middle School has been named a National Blue Ribbon School for 2023.

The prestigious honor from the U.S. Dept. of Education has been presented to fewer than 10,000 schools since its founding in 1982. It honors “high-performing schools and schools that are making great strides in closing any achievement gaps between students.”

The National Blue Ribbon School designation was previously bestowed on a handful of Arlington public schools, including Arlington Traditional School in 2019, Patrick Henry Elementary in 2015 and Yorktown High School in 2002.

“This is an extraordinary achievement for our students, staff, and community,” Bryan Boykin, principal of Williamsburg Middle School, said in a statement. “Being recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School demonstrates the hard work of our educators and students, as well as our community’s continued commitment to supporting our schools and students. We are incredibly proud of the accomplishments of our students and the quality of our staff.”

More, below, from a press release.

The U.S. Department of Education today announced Williamsburg Middle School is one of 353 schools awarded National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023.

The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments. Williamsburg Middle School earned the prestigious award for Exemplary High-Performing Schools.

“This is an extraordinary achievement for our students, staff, and community,” said Bryan Boykin, principal of Williamsburg Middle School. “Being recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School demonstrates the hard work of our educators and students, as well as our community’s continued commitment to supporting our schools and students. We are incredibly proud of the accomplishments of our students and the quality of our staff.”

The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:

  • Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
  • Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students. Nominated schools also complete an extensive narrative application describing their school culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership structures, and parent and community involvement.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona praised all honorees in a statement:

“The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education. The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. As the Biden-Harris Administration partners with states and schools to accelerate academic success and transform educational opportunity in this country, we take tremendous pride in the achievements of these schools and their commitment to empowering educators, serving students, and engaging families.”

The award affirms and validates the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for – and attaining – exemplary achievement. National Blue Ribbon Schools represent the full diversity of American schools and serve students of every background.

National Blue Ribbon School leaders articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards. They demonstrate effective and innovative teaching and learning, and value and support teachers and staff. Data from many sources are used to drive instruction and every student strives for success. Families, communities, and educators work together toward common goals.

Past Arlington Public Schools Blue Ribbon Award winners include Arlington Traditional School in 2004, 2001 and 2019; Patrick Henry Elementary School (Alice West Fleet) in 2015; Yorktown High School in 2002; Ashlawn Elementary School in 1990; Oakridge Elementary School in 1986; and Washington-Lee High School in 1985.

Photo via Google Maps

Arlington man arrested in connection to Lyon Village hit and run

By ARLnow.com
1/4

An arrest has been made following a July crash in Lyon Village in which the driver allegedly fled the scene with two small children.

The crash happened around 10 p.m. on N. Bryan Street, in the aftermath of severe storms.

“Around 10:05 pm, a black Porsche SUV went screeching down N. Bryan St. in Lyon Village at a high speed,” a resident told ARLnow at the time. “[It] crashed into a light pole and took the entire pole down across N. Bryan, hit a stop sign which got attached to the undercarriage of the Porsche, then did a sharp left turn into 16th Street where the car came to a stop.”

“Then I heard a little girl screaming ‘Daddy, Daddy!’ It was heartstopping,” she continued. “I ran outside at the sound of the collision and heard the girl screaming. When I got there, the car was still running, all the doors were open, but no one was in it. Neighbors were pouring out of their houses to see what had happened.”

“At least three witnesses reported that the man got out of the Porsche and told his children (apparently 2 young children) ‘Run with me,’ she said. “Then they took off running down 16th Street towards Courthouse.”

Among the destinations that could be seen on the wrecked Porsche’s navigation system were Le Diplomate restaurant in D.C. and a home in Vienna, Virginia. Yesterday, ARLnow’s sister site FFXnow reported that a 42-year-old Arlington man is facing charges here and in Vienna for the crash and for allegedly making false statements to police.

From FFXnow:

The Vienna Police Department got a report on July 30 from a supposed resident who said his vehicle had been stolen out of his garage on Battle Street SE sometime between midnight on July 29 and 9 a.m. on July 30.

“A resident left his vehicle unsecured in the garage with the keys inside overnight,” police said in a summary from its recap of the week of Aug. 4. “Due to a storm and power outage, the garage door was unable to close. The following day, the resident discovered the vehicle was stolen.”

The VPD noted at the time that the vehicle was later located in another jurisdiction.

A subsequent investigation, however, linked the vehicle to a crash in Arlington County where the driver fled the scene with two children, according to an update in the VPD’s latest recap, which covers the week of Sept. 8-14.

“Investigation revealed the driver was the owner of the vehicle who made the stolen vehicle report the following morning,” Vienna police said.

Arlington County police spokeswoman Ashley Savage confirmed to FFXnow that the suspect is also facing charges here.

“As a result of the investigation into the circumstances of the crash, warrants were obtained on September 7 for [the suspect], 42, of Arlington, VA for Child Neglect (x2) and Hit and Run of Unattended Property (x2). He was taken into custody by the Town of Vienna Police Department.”

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Fallen leaves on the grass (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Pentagon Parking Redevelopment? — “Offsite Pentagon parking lots steps from Amazon.com Inc.’s second headquarters could be redeveloped with commercial mixed-use, according to proposed amendments to the Pentagon campus master plan. The three noncontiguous lots up for consideration sit on the north side of Army Navy Drive, immediately south of I-395, at Hayes, Fern and Eads streets. They’re currently used for tour bus drop-off and pick-up and parking for Pentagon permit-holders and visitors.” [Washington Business Journal]

Water Main Break in N. Arlington — Portions of northern Arlington lost water pressure briefly Monday after a sizable water main break. From Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services: “Crews are working on a broken main along the 4100 block of North River Street. The break has been isolated and pressure is believed to be restored. Traffic diverted around the work site.” [Twitter]

Cemetery Monument to VMI? — “Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin asked the Virginia Military Institute, the nation’s oldest state-supported military college and whose board members he appoints, to accept and place on property it owns 80 miles from campus a Confederate statue from Arlington National Cemetery that the Army has ordered to be removed by Jan. 1, according to a VMI spokesperson.” [Washington Post]

We’re No. 1 for Homebuyer Demand — “After lagging Alexandria for two months, Arlington is back on top in the latest Bright MLS T3 Home-Demand Index, released Sept. 12. Even so, the data suggest home-buyer interest in the Arlington market declined slightly from July to August.” [Gazette Leader]

Weekend DUI Arrests — “On Saturday evening, officers conducted a DUI Saturation Patrol, a detail designed to make our roadways safer by identifying, stopping and apprehending drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. During the detail, officers conducted 27 traffic stops which resulted in 3 DUI arrests, 4 other misdemeanor arrests and issued 20 traffic summonses.” [Twitter]

Development Approval Delayed — “Plans to raze Arlington United Methodist Church and replace it with an assisted-living facility will wait a month before consideration by Arlington leaders. Initially planned to be discussed at September meetings of the Planning Commission and County Board, the proposal has been pushed back to October.” [Gazette Leader]

Treasurer Prepping for Stormwater Change — “The Arlington County Treasurer’s Office isn’t waiting until the last minute in making preparations for a major switch in how property owners get charged for the county government’s stormwater efforts. ‘We are already up to our eyeballs with all things stormwater!’ Treasurer Carla de la Pava told the GazetteLeader.” [Gazette Leader]

Fall Foliage Prediction — “Using historical weather reports, tree species info, and user data, travel brand SmokyMountains.com put together 2023 foliage prediction maps of the U.S. In the Mid-Atlantic, leaves change colors by October 23. The Mid-Atlantic will likely be past its peak fall colors by the end of November.” [Axios]

It’s Tuesday — A sunny day with a high temperature near 76 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 7 to 11 mph. As for tonight, expect mostly clear skies and a low temperature of around 56 degrees. [Weather.gov]

Listing of the Day: 1864 Patrick Henry Drive

By ARLnow.com
1/6

Address: 1864 Patrick Henry Drive
Neighborhood: Tara Leeway Heights
Type: 4 BR, 3 BA single-family detached — 2,800 sq. ft.
Listed: $1,375,000

Noteworthy: Expanded, renovated home with garage in Cardinal Swanson Yorktown pyramid

Walk to Westover Village from renovated rambler with a “pop top” added in 2018.

The focal point of the living room is a wood burning fireplace, and the room flows into the dining room and kitchen that was renovated in 2016. The kitchen has abundant light wood cabinets, generous granite tops, stainless appliances, and a door leading to the driveway and oversized one car garage that was built in 2019. A second fireplace is in the den, and there are three more large bedrooms and two updated bathrooms on this level.

Upstairs, the primary bedroom has double closets and a private bathroom with large shower, and double sink vanity. The large family room has areas for media, play, and an office. A big walk in attic provides exceptional storage. Fresh paint, wood floors on the main level and plush carpeting upstairs enhance the homes appeal.

Enjoy the proximity to Westover Village’s library, shops, restaurants, services, and Sunday farmer’s market. Near Big Walnut Park and the tucked away Parkhurst Park, the W&OD bike path, and an ART bus to Ballston Metro. An appealing home in an enviable location.

Listed by:
Betsy Twigg — McEnearney Associates
[email protected]
(703) 967-4391

Tow truck driver cited, car owner arrested after Ballston incident

By ARLnow.com
File photo

(Updated at 5 p.m.) A Falls Church man is facing charges and a tow truck driver is facing a traffic citation after an incident Sunday evening in Ballston.

It happened around 5:30 p.m. in front of the Advanced Towing lot on the 4000 block of 5th Road N.

An officer was conducting a traffic stop of a tow truck, according to today’s Arlington County police crime report, “when the suspect, who is the owner of the towed vehicle, arrived at the location and began acting disorderly.”

“When an additional officer arrived on scene and began to converse with the suspect, he allegedly lunged at the officer,” the crime report says. “The officer then attempted to detain the suspect, during which he shoved the officer before fleeing the scene on foot. Officers initiated a foot pursuit and took the suspect into custody.”

The suspect, a 25-year-old Falls Church resident, “was arrested and charged with Assault on Police, Disorderly Conduct and Public Intoxication.”

The tow truck driver was cited for “a vehicle being towed without being properly secured to the tow truck,” said ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage.

Minutes before the incident, police were dispatched to the nearby Ballston Quarter mall for a report of a driver who parked his running car in front of the Ted’s Bulletin on Wilson Blvd to pick up food and came back to find it potentially stolen. Savage told ARLnow that call was not related to the tow truck incident.

Advanced Towing was back in the news earlier this month after ARLnow was the first to report that one of its drivers towed a car with two young children inside from in front of the Pentagon City mall.

Arlington man seriously hurt in fatal Beltway crash

By ARLnow.com
Virginia State Police vehicle (photo by John Calhoun/JC Photography)

An Arlington truck driver was seriously hurt after his tractor-trailer suffered a mechanical problem and was struck from behind.

The crash, at 12:30 a.m. last Tuesday along the Beltway near Eisenhower Avenue, killed the 51-year-old driver of the Mercedes that struck the truck.

More from a Virginia State Police press release:

At 12:30 a.m. Tuesday (Sept. 12, 2023), Virginia State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash in Fairfax County.

A tractor-trailer was experiencing mechanical issues that caused it to rapidly slow in speed while traveling east on I-495 near Exit 174. A 2003 Mercedes Benz traveling in the eastbound lane was unable to stop in time and struck the rear of the stopped tractor-trailer.

The driver of the Mercedes, Martin Warner Jr., 51, of Alexandria, Va., did not survive the crash. He was not wearing a seat belt.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 36-year-old Arlington, Va. resident, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of serious injuries. He was wearing a seat belt.

The crash remains under investigation.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Crows circle above Gold’s Gym and the Rosslyn Metro station (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Woman Detains Alleged Groper — “A woman detained a man on an electric bike who she says groped her while she was jogging. The woman says the man slapped her backside as he passed by at 14th and North Rolfe streets in the Courthouse area of Arlington, Virginia, Thursday afternoon… She finally caught up with him in Rosslyn and physically subdued him with a chokehold at Wilson Boulevard and North Lynn Street until police arrived.” [NBC 4, WJLA, Twitter]

Stolen Van Flees Traffic Stop — From Dave Statter: “A stolen Penske truck had @ArlingtonVaPD’s attention around 9:30 tonight. Spotted at Glebe & Columbia Pike an officer tried to stop it near George Mason & 50. They followed the truck into Fairfax County as it got onto the service roadway at 7 Corners where it was last seen.” [Twitter]

Murder Conviction for Pentagon Officer — “After a mistrial in February due to a deadlocked jury, an off-duty Pentagon police officer was convicted Thursday for fatally shooting two Takoma Park men on April 7, 2021, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office said… According to video surveillance footage of the parking lot, Dixon fired at the Lexus from behind, while it was leaving the parking lot. The charging documents said that Dixon fired his gun several times after the car passed him.” [MoCo360]

ACPD Scam Reminder — “SCAM ALERT: ACPD is sharing information on the Jury Duty Scam and ways to spot and avoid it. Scammers pose as local law enforcement and contact victims accusing them of failing to appear for jury duty and state a warrant for their arrest will be issued unless a fine is paid.” [Twitter]

More on Ballston Building Sale — “D.C.-based real estate firm Penzance has acquired Ballston One, a 1980s-era office tower in Arlington, for $25 million, which appears to represent a bargain. A Penance affiliate bought the 12-story, roughly 253,000-square-foot building at 4601 N. Fairfax Drive, a little less than half a mile west of the Ballston-Marymount University Metro station, on Aug. 30, per county property records… The $25 million sale price — roughly $100 a square foot — is notably less than the building’s current assessment and what it last sold for.” [Washington Business Journal]

Coming Soon: Coffee With a Cop — “In honor of National Coffee with a Cop Day on Wednesday, October 4, the Arlington County Police Department’s Community Engagement Division is inviting the public to two events to celebrate community/police relations. These morning and afternoon events are welcome to all and are a great informal engagement opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns, get to know neighbors, interact with the Community Engagement Division and meet officers from different sections of the department.” [Arlington County]

It’s Monday — Partly sunny with a high temperature around 75°F and a north wind ranging from 7 to 11 mph, gusting up to 18 mph. Monday night will be mostly clear with a low of approximately 58°F and a northwest wind around 8 mph. [Weather.gov]

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Sep 15, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Friday 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 — Sep 15, 2023.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. NEW: At long last, Astro Beer Hall to open in Shirlington next Tuesday (9367 views)
  2. Morning Poll: How do you feel about duplexes? (7014 views)
  3. Covid cases on the rise in Arlington, but so far lower than last year (5720 views)
  4. Arlington art teacher and parent learns to ‘walk with cancer’ after a diagnosis upended her life (5684 views)
  5. Listing of the Day: 309 N. Fillmore Street (5453 views)
  6. ACPD: Theft suspect throws fake gun at officers in Courthouse (4852 views)
  7. Construction on apartments next to Ballston Harris Teeter set to wrap up this year (3606 views)
  8. Public review of four major redevelopment projects could start up this fall (3154 views)
  9. Nottingham ‘swing space’ proposal puts cart before horse, says county-wide PTA (3131 views)
  10. Crystal Drive was closed for several hours yesterday due to utility company accident (2757 views)
  11. County Board, community leaders recommend tweaks to strengthen draft Plan Langston Blvd plan (2689 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

☀️ Saturday’s forecast

The weather forecast predicts a sunny day with a high temperature near 82 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 7 to 9 mph. Saturday night will be mostly clear and cool, with low temperatures around 58 degrees and a gentle west breeze. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.”
– Robert Frost

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋

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