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.

Large teen gatherings after Yorktown and W-L football game prompt police response

By ARLnow.com
1/3

The Washington-Liberty Generals narrowly defeated the Yorktown Patriots last night.

The Thursday night, cross-county game at Yorktown’s Greenbrier Stadium ended with a score of 21-18, the Gazette Leader reported. But the night’s drama did not stop there — large groups of teens leaving the game gathered at a local shopping center and a local fast food restaurant.

Police responded to at least two locations: the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center just down the street from the stadium and further up Langston Blvd at the McDonald’s.

At least three police units responded to the shopping center, where dozens if not more than 100 teens were gathered in the parking lot, prompting a call to police about rowdy behavior and cars being blocked.

“I was working at Lee Harrison Shopping Center last night and HUNDREDS of Yorktown students flooded the area,” an anonymous tipster wrote to ARLnow, claiming that they were “screaming at each other and threatening patrons.”

The crowds could be seen in traffic camera images, above, but video reviewed by ARLnow did not show any destructive behavior.

The same could not be said about a large group that gathered at the McDonald’s at 4834 Langston Blvd last night around the same time. Police responded to the fast food joint for reports of kids inside destroying things.

“At approximately 9:51 p.m. on September 14, police were dispatched to the report of disorderly conduct,” Arlington County ploce spokeswoman Ashley Savage told ARLnow. “Upon arrival, it was determined a large group of juveniles entered a business, damaged property and stole a poster. There are no suspect(s) description. The investigation is ongoing.”

Savage, responding to a follow-up question from ARLnow, noted that the damaged items were all posters — not the life-sized Ronald McDonald figure that some teens allegedly tried to steal just before the start of the school year.

On the Lee-Harrison gathering, Savage said that “police were dispatched to the report of a large group of juveniles in the parking lot allegedly acting disorderly.”

“Officers responded to the area and the group subsequently dispersed,” she added.

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Ike

By ARLnow.com
1/3

Age is just a number and this furry senior knows it. Meet Ike, the newest Adoptable Pet of the Week!

This black and white Shih Tzu is currently in foster through the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.

His foster had this to say about him:

He’s an absolute GEM who has so much love and companionship to give! Although Ike may be a senior dog, age is just a number for this little guy!

For starters, he loves to get outside and walk. Even though his back legs are a tad wobbly and he appreciates a lift on stairs, he loves to stroll, check out new smells, and meet other humans… followed by a long nap!

More than anything, Ike LOVES to keep up with his people. Whatever you are doing — cooking, laundry, watching TV, hanging out with friends — Ike wants to be nearby chillaxing. He has snoozed through many work calls, so we can vouch for his performance as a good employee!

Just know that Ike is HOPING you might eat something yummy that you’ll be eager to share (hint hint). If you’re looking for the sweetest, low-maintenance buddy, you’ve found him!

Ike’s favorite things are: COMPANIONSHIP. Ike wants to be your bestie, and he wants to look into your eyes and know that you feel the same way! EATING. He lives for food, and a variety of flavors really gets him going! COZINESS. He loves a comfy bed, with clean bedding being especially exciting as he paws it into a state of perfection before flopping down with a contented sigh!

If Ike was an ice cream flavor, he would be: Cookies and cream. Let’s state the obvious, he looks like cookies and cream — heavy on the cookie! He’s sweet and comforting, but still upbeat and guaranteed to make you feel happy!

And don’t forget his best friend Kiki! Ike and Kiki are two seniors living their best life and need to stick together. Learn more about Ike by reading his entire profile!

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with 2-3 paragraphs about your pet and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Puffy clouds over the Air Force Memorial (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Ballston Office Building Sold — “JLL has arranged the sale of Ballston One, a 239,678-square-foot office building located at 4601 N. Fairfax Drive in Arlington, a suburb of Washington, D.C. Penzance purchased the building from UBS Realty Investors LLC for an undisclosed price.” [Rebusiness Online]

YHS Senior Earns Int’l Medals — “Thanks to high finishes at the recent world championships, Eleni Guerrera recently added even more significant power-lifting medals to her already impressive collection. The Yorktown High School senior earned four individual medals – three silvers and one bronze – in her Sub Junior (ages 14-18) 125-pound weight category at the world power lifting championships held in August in Romania.” [Gazette Leader]

APS Wants Portion of Road — “What’s a few square feet – 131, to be exact – among friends? That’s the question that goes to the Arlington County Board later this month, as their School Board counterparts are asking county officials to trim a sliver off South Walter Reed Drive to make way for construction of the new Arlington Career Center. The slice of right-of-way is located between 7th and 8th streets South.” [Gazette Leader]

Local Nat’l Merit Scholars — “Sixteen high school students from Arlington have been named 2024 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, taking the first step in securing a scholarship in the competitive program. On Wednesday, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced approximately 16,000 semifinalists, representing less than 1 percent of high school seniors in the U.S.” [Patch]

Odd Crash on I-395 — From Dave Statter: “Exit 8C never disappoints. It’s always something that has you go WTF! Today at 10:00 a.m.” [Twitter]

Lots of Migrating Birds Overhead — The website BirdCast estimates that 529,100 crossed Arlington Wednesday night into Thursday morning. From former School Board member Barbara Kanninen, in response: “Bigger night! Turn your outside lights off at night to help them stay on course.” [BirdCast, Twitter]

Minn. Judge Blocks MM-Like Zoning — “A Minneapolis zoning plan praised by supporters of Missing Middle Housing in Arlington has been struck down by a state judge in Minnesota, who ruled the city’s implementation of the plan is an ongoing violation of the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act. The zoning plan, called the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, eliminated single-family zoning in Minneapolis as a way to create greater housing density within city limits.” [Patch]

It’s Friday — Expect a sunny day with a high temperature near 76 degrees accompanied by north winds blowing at 9 to 11 mph. Later in the evening, skies will remain clear while the temperature drops to a low of around 55 degrees. [Weather.gov]

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Sep 14, 2023

By ARLnow.com

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

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Sep 14, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Friday’s forecast

The forecast for the day is sunny conditions with a high temperature near 76 degrees and a north wind blowing at 9 to 11 mph. The night will remain clear, with temperatures dropping to around 55 degrees and the north wind slightly decreasing to 6 to 8 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

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

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

By ARLnow.com

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

Most expensive condos sold

  1. 1781 N Pierce St Unit 2601 — Rosslyn — $3,800,000 (3 beds | 2.5 baths | 2,564 sq. ft.)
  2. 1615 N Queen St Unit M502 — Rosslyn — $1,200,000 (2 beds | 2 baths | 1,691 sq. ft.)
  3. 1418 N Rhodes St Unit 128 — Clarendon/Courthouse — $925,000 (2 beds | 2.5 baths | 1,832 sq. ft.)
  4. 1201 N Garfield St Unit 609 — Clarendon/Courthouse — $835,000 (2 beds | 2.5 baths | 1,487 sq. ft.)
  5. 1805 Crystal Dr Unit 606S — — $765,000 (3 beds | 2 baths | 1,515 sq. ft.)

Least expensive condos sold*

  1. 4501 Arlington Blvd Unit 615 — Buckingham — $215,000 (1 beds | 1 baths | 533 sq. ft.)
  2. 1200 N Nash St Unit 508 — Rosslyn — $215,000 (– beds | 1 baths | 485 sq. ft.)
  3. 4306 N Pershing Dr Unit 3 — Buckingham — $220,000 (1 beds | 1 baths | 699 sq. ft.)

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

Wine robber arrested on bus after allegedly threatening employee with bottle

By ARLnow.com
File photo

A suspect is in custody after police say a store in Virginia Square was robbed and one of its employees threatened.

The unidentified store on the 3400 block of Washington Blvd — the same block as the Giant supermarket — was robbed of several bottles of wine Tuesday afternoon, according to scanner traffic. The thief then used a wine bottle to threaten a store employee before boarding a Metro bus, police said.

Police tracked down the bus and took the suspect into custody.

More, below, from the latest Arlington County Police Department crime report.

ROBBERY, 2023-09120186, 3400 block of Washington Boulevard. At approximately 3:41 p.m. on September 12, police were dispatched to the report of a larceny just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect entered the business, collected merchandise and allegedly exited the store without payment. An employee followed the suspect out of the store, during which the suspect threatened the employee with a wine bottle before boarding a Metro bus. Officers located the bus with the suspect on board and took him into custody without incident. [The suspect], 35, of No Fixed Address was arrested and charged with Robbery. He was held without bond.

Morning Poll: How do you feel about duplexes?

By ARLnow.com
1/6

Last week, ARLnow reported that neighbors successfully dissuaded a developer from building a duplex in the Tara-Leeway Heights neighborhood.

Their concerns included traffic and parking challenges on the street, writing that the “proposed development will only exacerbate this, endangering residents, including the many children who live on the block.”

While the neighbors were able to leverage a restrictive deed covenant from 1938 to scuttle the duplex and convince the developer to build a single-family home instead, more duplexes are on the way following the Arlington County Board’s approval of the “Missing Middle” zoning changes earlier this year.

According to real estate agent Natalie Roy’s latest EHO Watch newsletter, one duplex has been approved under the new “Enhanced Housing Options” process, another is nearing approval, and two more were recently submitted for review.

Notwithstanding a successful legal challenge to Missing Middle — a lawsuit by a group of residents is set for a court date next week — Arlington residents are likely to see more duplexes, alongside 3-6 unit EHO projects, in the coming years.

Given that, we were wondering how ARLnow readers feel about duplexes specifically, given that they’re perhaps the most palatable to those otherwise skeptical of higher density projects. Yes, duplexes are now allowed countywide thanks to “Missing Middle,” but our poll questions asks if you are in support of that.

Do you think duplexes should be allowed to be built in most or all residential neighborhoods in Arlington — assuming that current EHO restrictions, including only being able construct the same size building as that allowed for single-family homes, remain in place?

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
The setting sun as seen from Minor’s Hill, the highest elevation in Arlington County (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington Rent Stays at No. 2 Regionally — “We at Zumper have just published our latest D.C. Metro Report… This month, Arlington ranked as the 2nd most expensive city to rent. The price of one bedroom units fell 2.1% to $2,340, while two bedroom units dropped 0.6% to $3,110.” [Zumper]

APS Vending Policy Change — “Arlington School Board members on Sept. 21 are expected to formally rescind the school system’s policy governing vending machines in schools. The reason? Schools haven’t had vending machines in them since 2014, when they were phased out. Technically, county schools haven’t had operating vending machines since 2014. A number of machines remain in schools but are not in use.” [Gazette Leader]

Yet Another Exit 10C Crash — From Dave Statter: “This is at least the 6th crash in 24 days on I-395N Exit 10C. All caused by drivers trying to get to the exit at the last second. This driver did not come from the GW Parkway.” [Twitter]

Courthouse Cafe Expanding to D.C. — “Our first location of Simona Café is currently opened in Arlington and we are planning on opening our second location in NoMa the third week of September.” [PoPville]

Bike Trail Repaving — “Bike Trail Over 66 Is Paved #Ballston.” [Twitter]

Reporter Discusses Crisis Team — “New program in Arlington County works to tackle homelessness Arlington Now’s James Jarvis has been reporting on Arlington County’s new Mobile Health Crisis Team.” [Fox 5]

New Committee Assignment for Favola? — “Arlington may start 2024 with the same number of legislators on the powerful state Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations as it has in 2023. State Sen. Barbara Favola said she has a good shot at ending up on the committee after the dust settles from the Nov. 7 election.” [Gazette Leader]

Metro Mulling Map and Sign Changes — “Metro is looking at ways to improve the customer experience on buses and trains by changing signage across the system, including the possibility of renaming and numbering its rail lines. Metro’s Chief Experience Officer Sarah Meyer, who recently took the job after spending time at New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, says Metro is now studying transit agencies around the world.” [NBC 4]

It’s Wednesday — There is a 60% chance of showers and potential thunderstorms in the morning, followed by mostly sunny skies and a high of 79°F. Winds will be from the northwest at 6-8 mph. In the evening, expect partly cloudy skies with a low of 61°F. [Weather.gov]

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Sep 12, 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 12, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Wednesday’s forecast

There is a 60% chance of showers and a possible thunderstorm before 8am, followed by intermittent showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. Gradually, skies will become mostly sunny with a high temperature of around 79°F and a light northwest wind at 7 mph. Expect less than a tenth of an inch of new rainfall, although higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy with a low of around 61°F and a north wind at 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.”
– Helen Keller

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

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

ARLnow sees highest readership in three years

By ARLnow.com
ARLnow logo over the Rosslyn skyline

August is generally a slow month for news, but ARLnow saw the highest readership since the height of the pandemic.

The site recorded 1,542,873 pageviews for the month of August, according to Google Analytics. That’s the highest readership in three years, following a massive readership spike in the first half of 2020. Our all-time record remains 2.5 million monthly views at the beginning of the pandemic.

Our sister sites also had strong months, each near record post-pandemic readership levels. ALXnow saw nearly a half million monthly views in August and FFXnow — along with its subsites in Reston and Tysons — recorded about 625,000 views.

Despite the very real struggles in the local news business — primarily tied to the secular decline of print-based business models — ARLnow and its locally-owned, Arlington-based parent company remains modestly profitable. ARLnow gets most of its revenue through local advertising but is also supported by readers via the ARLnow Press Club.

Covid cases on the rise in Arlington, but so far lower than last year

By ARLnow.com
Covid cases in Arlington over the past three months, as of 9/12/23 (via Virginia Dept. of Health)

Don’t look now but Covid cases are on the rise in Arlington.

As of today, the Virginia Dept. of Health is reporting a seven-day average of just over 21 daily cases in the county. That’s the highest point since this past February.

Of course, there are some caveats. First, Covid cases are not getting reported to health departments as consistently as earlier in the pandemic, thanks in part to the availability of at-home tests. On the other end of the equation, cases are still much lower compared to this time last year, then there were more than 50 average daily cases in Arlington reported to VDH.

And then there’s the matter of Covid being a respiratory virus with seasonal spikes — like the flu — so an increase in September is not unexpected.

Covid cases in Arlington over the past year, as of 9/12/23 (via Virginia Dept. of Health)

Nonetheless, there are anecdotal indications that Covid is making the rounds locally. Several D.C. area employees of ARLnow’s parent company, which is a primarily remote workplace, recently were diagnosed. And some schools in the region have been reporting outbreaks.

That’s not to mention what has been characterized as a “late summer surge” nationally.

Arlington Public Schools no longer reports cases via an online dashboard, as in previous years, but an APS spokesman told the Washington Post that the school system is monitoring for outbreaks.

In nearby Arlington County, spokesman Frank Bellavia said the school district, which has been in class for only five days, is not tracking cases this year, but it will be monitoring for an influx of cases and will provide notice of an outbreak as it would for other communicable diseases.

Meanwhile, the FDA just approved updated Covid vaccines. From CNN:

The US Food and Drug Administration gave the green light Monday to updated Covid-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech amid rising cases and hospitalizations.

Both vaccine manufacturers have said testing shows that their vaccines are effective against EG.5, the currently dominant strain in the United States.

Two Covid-related deaths have been reported so far this year in Arlington, according to VDH.

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