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.
Free Pet Food for Furloughed Feds — Kriser’s Natural Pet, which has stores in the Courthouse area and the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center, is giving a free bag of food for anyone affected by the shutdown who shows a government ID. [Tysons Reporter]
County Clears Trash from TR Island Lot — With National Park Service maintenance workers furloughed, Arlington County crews helped clear overflowing trash from the Theodore Roosevelt Island parking lot last week. [Twitter]
County Opens ‘Safe Haven’ for Families — “The Arlington County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Services Unit is pleased to announce the grand opening of its Safe Havens Supervised Visitation and Exchange Center. Located at the Department of Human Services at 2100 Washington Blvd., the program will serve families who have been affected by domestic violence.” [Arlington County]
McAuliffe Vs. Stamos — Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe has endorsed defense attorney Parisa Tafti over incumbent Theo Stamos in the race for Arlington Commonwealth’s Attorney. All three are Democrats, but McAuliffe is still upset that Stamos “joined Republicans in arguing to the state Supreme Court that his mass rights restoration was unconstitutional.” The endorsement has earned a rebuke from Alexandria’s former Commonwealth’s Attorney, who called it “sad.” [Washington Post, Washington Post]
More Money Woes for Arlington Startup — “Danny Boice, the CEO and founder of private investigation company Trustify Inc., allegedly used company money to pay for personal expenses, including $600,000 for a documentary film about him and his wife, Jennifer Mellon, according to a new lawsuit filed by former Trustify employees seeking back pay and other damages.” [Washington Business Journal]
Forum to Discuss Dementia — “A community forum on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. at Shirlington Library.” [InsideNova]
Bus stuck on hill near Courthouse (photo courtesy Kelly R.)
Snowy north Arlington neighborhood
Snowy scene in Lyon Park
Snowy scene in Lyon Park
Snowy scene in Lyon Park
Dominion map showing large power outage as of 6:30 p.m. Sunday
Update at 10:25 p.m. — Arlington County government will be closed Monday. As a result, there will be no curbside trash pickup Monday; service will resume when the county government reopens. Arlington snow crews are also reverting back to “Phase 2” of the county’s snow plan, meaning plows will stop treating neighborhood streets and will resume treating primary and secondary arterial streets only.
Arlington County government offices, courts, & facilities are closed tomorrow Monday, 01-14-2019. If possible, stay off the roads while snow removal efforts continue throughout the day. pic.twitter.com/gf3lrIabKr
The extra burst of snow Sunday evening has caused problems at local airports. There are reports of extensive delays, extended waits on the tarmac and frustrated passengers at Reagan National Airport.
Another impact of the extra burst of snow Sunday evening: Arlington Transit Service.
“Due to inclement weather, ART will begin service on Monday, Jan. 14 at 8:00am with *Severe* service on ART 41, 51, 55 and 87,” ART said Sunday night. “Service on ART 77 will remain suspended until further notice.”
Update at 9:45 p.m. — The federal government — the parts of it that are not furloughed, at least — is closed Monday, according to the Office of Personnel Management. Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall is also closed. Among other closures, earlier today Arlington Public Schools announced that Monday will be a snow day, with all classes and activities cancelled.
Earlier: This weekend’s snowstorm isn’t done yet.
A prolonged period of steady snow is blanketing local roads after an afternoon lull that saw Arlington snow crews move their focus from arterial roads to neighborhood streets. The burst of snow has caused treacherous conditions in parts of the county and prompted a number of road closures.
“Many roads are becoming impassable due to weather conditions,” Arlington’s office of emergency management wrote shortly before 5:30 p.m. “Motorists are urged to stay off the roads to allow crews to treat the roadways. Conditions are expected to deteriorate as temperatures continue to drop.”
Around 7 p.m., all Metrobus service was suspended amid reports of buses getting stuck on hills. An hour and a half later, Arlington Transit announced that it was suspending service for the rest of the night.
Arlington County Police, Arlington’s Dept of Environmental Services and VDOT are all urging residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary tonight into Monday morning.
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until midnight tonight.
…WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT… * WHAT…PERIODS OF SNOW. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES EXPECTED. * WHERE…THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PORTIONS OF CENTRAL MARYLAND AND NORTHERN AND NORTHWEST VIRGINIA. * WHEN…UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS…TRAVEL WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT DUE TO SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY ROADS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL, KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT, FOOD AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. THE LATEST ROAD CONDITIONS FOR THE STATE YOU ARE CALLING FROM CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING 5 1 1. &&
Arlington appears likely to clock in at around 10 inches of snow accumulation by the time the flakes stop falling, though as much as a foot remains possible.
Among other trouble spots in Arlington, photos and video sent to ARLnow show cars and buses getting stuck on the hills around Rosslyn and Courthouse. And even emergency responders are having trouble; ACFD engine 108 reported around 6:45 p.m. that it had gotten stuck on a hill in the area of Rock Spring Road and 32nd Road N. and needed a tow truck.
Power outages have also been reported in Arlington. As of 6:30 p.m. just over 1,000 Dominion customers were in the dark around the county, primarily in the Tara-Leeway Heights, High View Park and Westover neighborhoods.
“Icy roads are possible as the snow melts on the roads then quickly refreezes,” the statement notes. “Conditions can deteriorate rapidly in winter weather situations. Be prepared for snow or ice covered roads. Slow down and allow extra time when traveling.”
From midnight through 5:30 p.m. today, troopers from Virginia State Police’s Fairfax Division responded to 68 crashes and 81 disabled vehicles around Northern Virginia. VSP responded to 324 crashes statewide so far today.
ACPD officers are hard at work to keep you safe and assist @ArlingtonDES crews. You can help by staying off the roadways unless absolutely necessary. https://t.co/3c5suvlaGx
The sun has gone down and the moon has come up… temps and visibility are continuing to drop. Pls stay off the roads tonight, but plan now for your commute tmrw. Telework or delay trips until the sun rises and temperatures increase. Roads will be slippery. #safetyalwayspic.twitter.com/QKvP9byVc7
Again, last line in "Chinatown" (1974) – "Get off the street!" A thousand plows would not make roadways driveable for the next several hours. Stay home. #ArlWXhttps://t.co/GJjNXnhqK2
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) January 13, 2019
6p: When it will end? We still have a few more hours of snow. May take until 9 or 10p until it really starts tapering. This means some areas will hit double digit totals. Forecast radar shown here. Latest update: https://t.co/2kxkRLOuzmpic.twitter.com/jtRaAJUaMf
The snow is sticking around and reducing visibility at the airport. Ground crews are working hard to clear the runway & get everyone on their way. As always, we recommend double checking flight status with your airline prior to coming to the airport. Thanks for your patience! pic.twitter.com/MgUtDG1pup
Plowed streets and snow near the Air Force Memorial
Wilson Blvd in Clarendon
23rd Street in Crystal City
Crystal Drive in Crystal City
Very light traffic on N. Glebe Road during the mid-way point of the snowstorm
Update at 3:30 p.m. — All Arlington Public Schools will be closed Monday, the school system just announced.
APS Alert: All APS schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 14. Essential personnel should report to work at their scheduled time. Extracurricular activities, games, team practices, field trips, adult education classes, and programs on school grounds are canceled.
Earlier: Arlington County snow removal crews have started plowing neighborhood streets as the snowiest D.C. area storm since 2016 starts to wind down.
The county’s Dept. of Environmental Services announced just before 1 p.m. that it had entered “Phase 3” of its snow response, during which crews are “working to widen passage on primary and secondary arterial” streets while “beginning to treat/plow residential streets.”
Crews across Northern Virginia worked throughout the night to keep roads drivable, though officials cautioned against unnecessary travel due to slick conditions.
Virginia State Police said troopers in its Fairfax Division, which includes Arlington, responded to 34 crashes and 52 disabled vehicles since midnight. Statewide, more than 230 crashes were handled by VSP during that timeframe.
“Drivers be advised — looks can be and are deceiving!” state police said. “Highways may appear to be clear, but slick and icy conditions still exist.”
“On the second day of winter weather across northern Virginia, drivers are asked to continue to avoid unnecessary travel for crews to safely clear accumulating snow,” VDOT urged.
In Arlington, all Dept. of Parks and Recreation classes and activities in county and school facilities were canceled today. All county fields and community centers were closed and all other activities at public schools were canceled. Arlington Transit buses, meanwhile, are operating on a limited schedule.
As of 2 p.m., Arlington Public Schools had not yet announced its status for Monday. Another 2-3 inches could fall between 1 p.m. today and just after midnight, according to the National Weather Service, and a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect.
Despite the hazards, the snow produced picturesque scenes around Arlington. More snowy scenes from around town, via social media:
A crash that happened as snow started falling, at the intersection of Lee Highway and N. Glebe Road (photo courtesy Risa Abraham)
Few crashes or major problems have been reported on Arlington roads so far today (Saturday), but this weekend’s snowstorm is only getting started.
Many streets around the county are becoming increasingly snow-covered, though traffic is light and many seem to be heeding advice to stay at home rather than go out.
Additionally, a number of events were canceled and some facilities closed early tonight. From Arlington County:
DPR league games and activities with start times of 5:30 p.m. or later this evening are cancelled.
The Family Skate Night and Teen Night at Thomas Jefferson Community Center are cancelled for this evening.
All Community Centers will be closing at 6 p.m. this evening.
The Arlington Gymnastics Competition scheduled this evening will proceed until completion.
Arlington is currently under a Winter Storm Warning, with 6-12 inches of snow expected through Sunday evening. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, meanwhile, declared a state of emergency Saturday night.
From a press release:
Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency today in advance of the anticipated effects of winter weather expected this weekend including snow, ice, and high winds throughout much of the Commonwealth. This will likely result in downed trees, power outages, and transportation impacts. The executive order is designed to help Virginia mitigate any damage caused by the winter weather event and to streamline the process that the Commonwealth uses to provide assistance to localities and communities impacted by storm effects.
“I am declaring a state of emergency in order to prepare and coordinate the Commonwealth’s response to anticipated winter storm impacts, including snow and ice accumulations, transportation issues, and power outages,” said Governor Northam. “Virginians should take precautions to stay safe as we begin experiencing winter weather effects.”
Arlington County snow removal crews are currently focusing their efforts on clearing primary roads and secondary arterial streets. After the snow starts tapering off Sunday, those crews will move on to start plowing neighborhood streets.
If more than six inches of snow falls, by county ordinance residents will be expected to clear the sidewalks in front of their homes within 36 hours of the last flakes. If less than six inches fall, that timeframe shortens to 24 hours.
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) January 12, 2019
VDOT handles several key roadways in Arlington including Glebe Road and parts of Washington Boulevard. https://t.co/axifQKiZ6I
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) January 13, 2019
ART Bus service impacts possible Sunday due to changing weather conditions. Please travel only if necessary. Check https://t.co/H2FCKX0Pak for updates.
The state legislature is now in session and among those representing Arlington in Richmond is Del. Patrick Hope (D).
In an interview over the phone from his office at the state capital, Hope discussed his decision to refuse donations from Dominion, the state incentives offered to Amazon, his bill to limit solitary confinement in state prisons, why the effort to rename Jefferson Davis Highway in Arlington is stalled, and more.
At the end, Hope surprised us with a very candid answer to the question of whether he’s running for reelection this year.
Update on 1/12/19 — Arlington is now under a Winter Storm Warning.
Winter Storm Warnings & Advisories are in effect for today into Sunday as snow overspreads from west to east. See images for details on start time, most likely snow amounts, & current advisories/warnings. For more, including probabilistic information, see https://t.co/t54l4ELo2o. pic.twitter.com/fQ6x1pW0BF
Earlier: Arlington County is under a Winter Weather Advisory starting Saturday afternoon.
Preparations are underway for the snow — 3-5 inches are expected — with county and VDOT crews pre-treating roads and gearing up for snow removal operations once the flakes start falling. Most of the immediate D.C. area is under the advisory, while points south are under winter storm watches and warnings.
More from the National Weather Service:
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM SATURDAY TO 7 AM EST SUNDAY… * WHAT…SNOW EXPECTED. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES EXPECTED. * WHERE…THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PORTIONS CENTRAL AND NORTH CENTRAL MARYLAND AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA. * WHEN…FROM 4 PM SATURDAY TO 7 AM EST SUNDAY. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS…PLAN ON SLIPPERY ROAD CONDITIONS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. EXPECT SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES, AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING. THE LATEST ROAD CONDITIONS FOR THE STATE YOU ARE CALLING FROM CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING 5 1 1. &&
Arlington’s emergency management office sent out an alert Friday afternoon, urging residents to stock necessary items early and prepare for difficult travel.
Do not wait to prepare! Grocery stores are known to run out of key items quickly. Have enough food and water for your entire family, including pets, to last for the weekend. Be prepared in case the power goes out. Find more preparedness info at ReadyArlington.com.
Winter weather conditions will make travel very hazardous or impossible. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. For info on the snow removal process, visit the Department of Environmental Services website at https://emergency. arlingtonva.us/weather/snow-ice/snow-removal-phases/.
Login at ArlingtonAlert.com ensure your information in your Arlington Alert profile is correct. For up to date information, follow Ready Arlington on Facebook and Twitter.
As always, only call or text 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency. For any non-emergency Police or Fire issues, dial 703-558-2222.
VDOT and other local officials are asking drivers to stay off snow-covered roads if at all possible, limiting trips to essential travel only. From VDOT:
Northern Virginia road crews are preparing for the first snow of 2019. VDOT asks that drivers plan travel around impending weather and avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.
What’s Happening Now
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the southern and western portions of our district, and a Winter Weather Advisory for the central and northern portions.
Crews pretreated roads throughout Northern Virginia on Thursday and Friday.
On Saturday afternoon, plow trucks will stage along roadways.
Follow us on Twitter @vadotnova for updates from the field.
VDOT Asks Drivers and Residents to:
Monitor weather closely, as forecasts can improve or worsen quickly.
Plan ahead to avoid driving during the storm and after until conditions have improved. Freezing temperatures are expected through the weekend.
Park in driveways or on the same side of the street to allow plows room to pass.
If you absolutely must drive, know the conditions, drive for the conditions and give plows plenty of room. Ensure enough gas, wiper fluid, proper tires, medication, and an emergency car kit.
More via Twitter:
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories have been issued for snowfall expected this weekend. Please visit https://t.co/FdluCAnbTi for the latest information. pic.twitter.com/N3bxISEy32
NEW NAM model runs just in suggest a bit more snow than we're currently projecting for DC area (see below). If additional models trend snowier, we may increase our snow forecast later tonight or early Saturday. Stay tuned. Here's our updated snow briefing: https://t.co/Ezc0aOOFDQpic.twitter.com/YR2Q7R5rCY
We are keeping an eye on the forecast for our first sn❄️w of the year! Our crews will be working hard to keep roadways and runways clear. Remember to check with your airline prior to coming to the airport for any flight changes. pic.twitter.com/bunzz3sk2O
H-B’s Rosslyn Home Has New Name — The new Rosslyn home for the H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program has a new name, after a School Board vote last night. The under-construction structure’s new name: The Heights Building. The vote came after the School Board voted to change the name of Washington-Lee to Washington-Liberty. [Twitter, Arlington Public Schools]
CPRO Gets New Interim Leader — “The Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization (CPRO) has named Karen Vasquez as its Interim Executive Director. Karen has spent the last fifteen years working in the field of economic development, creating compelling stories to help recruit and retain Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, hotels and more to Arlington, Virginia.” [CPRO]
Animal Welfare League Nabs Chicken — “AWLA’s 75th animal control case of our 75th year came in just a few days ago! We received a call about a chicken on 8th Rd S., and Officer Swetnam was able to catch the chicken, now affectionately called Henny Penny, and bring her back to the shelter. [Instagram]
Arlington Housing Costs Top D.C. ‘burbs — “Homes in Arlington had the highest per-square-foot costs across the Washington suburbs, according to new sales data, although most jurisdictions saw lower averages from a year before. Arlington’s per-square-foot cost of $435 led the pack but was down from $473 in 2017, according to figures reported Jan. 10.” [InsideNova]
Crews Pre-Treating Roads — Arlington County crews are pre-treating arterial streets with brine ahead of expected snow this weekend. The forecast currently calls for “light to moderate snowfall,” with perhaps 3-4 inches of accumulation. [Twitter, Capital Weather Gang]
Long-Time Resident Marries in Family’s Cemetery — Austin Thomas, an 11th generation Arlingtonian, wed real estate agent Justin Kafka last summer in the rose garden of Arlington’s Columbia Gardens Cemetery, which Thomas’ family owns. [Arlington Magazine]
County Unveils New Visitors Guide — “The Arlington Convention and Visitors Service introduced the 2019 Arlington Visitors Guide, Meeting Planner Guide and tear-off pad map Tuesday, distributing initial supplies to attractions as well as the County’s 45 hotels and residential buildings in several neighborhoods. With a sleek, magazine-style cover featuring Arlington’s newest attraction, The Observation Deck at CEB Tower, the guides highlight ‘The New View from Arlington.'” [Arlington County]
‘Meet the Chair’ Event Next Week — “Leadership Center for Excellence in conjunction with co-host George Mason University, and supporting partner, Arlington Chamber of Commerce, will hold its annual Meet the Chair event on Thursday, January 17” from 6:30-8 p.m. at GMU Founders Hall at 3351 Fairfax Drive. “This free event will be one of the first opportunities for community members to connect with newly elected Arlington County Board Chair, Christian Dorsey.” [Leadership Center for Excellence]
Dorsey Elected COG Vice Chair — “Arlington County Board Chair Christian Dorsey today was elected vice chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Board of Directors. COG, an independent, non-profit association, brings together 300 elected officials from 24 local governments, the Maryland and Virginia state legislatures, and the U.S. Congress to develop solutions to regional challenges.” [Arlington County]
This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Dunkin, a pug with a coffee-centric name.
Here’s what Dunkin’s owner, Scott, had to say:
My name is Dunkin’ and I’m named after Dunkin’ Donuts, that being a favorite coffee spot for my family. I like seeing my name at shops all around town!
Born in July in Fauquier County, I’m glad my family brought me to Arlington. I enjoy time with my “brother Pug” George, who’s 9. I keep him good company and on the run around our house, and think I’ve livened him up! We share many toys, including some given to us for the holiday season. My favorites include a Koala bear, a turtle, a football, and, of course, a strawberry donut! I like watching television, especially when I see other dogs and when there’s music on the screen.
We enjoyed having our picture taken with Santa, and look forward to a busy 2019!
Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email[email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Please don’t send vertical photos, they don’t fit in our photo galleries!
Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care is the winner of six consecutive Angie’s List Super Service Awards, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year and a proud supporter of the Arlington County Pawsitively Prepared Campaign.
Becky’s Pet Care provides professional dog walking and pet sitting in Arlington and all of Northern Virginia, as well as PetPrep training courses for Pet Care, CPR and emergency preparedness.
Snow Coming This Weekend — Gas up the snowblowers: accumulating snow is likely this weekend. By county ordinance, all snowfall under 6 inches must be removed from sidewalks within 24 hours of the last flakes. That gets bumped up to 36 hours for 6 or more inches of snow. [Capital Weather Gang]
AWLA Dog Featured in People Magazine — “One of our AWLA alums, Lucy, is featured in People Magazine this week! Here’s the online article about her weight loss journey after being adopted — her owner helped her go from 26 lbs to 14 lbs.” [Twitter, People]
Case of the Disintegrating Coffee Cups — On four separate occasions, a Washington Business Journal reporter had a coffee cup from Compass Coffee in Rosslyn start to disintegrate and leak in her hand. The company says they were sent a bad batch of paper cups and are working to remove all of the faulty cups from their cafes. [Washington Business Journal]
Va. Legislature to Consider Housing Bills — “A new surge in development in parts of Northern Virginia could come next year under a proposal to overhaul 2016 proffer legislation in this year’s General Assembly… Another proposal would ban discrimination by local governments through land use decisions against low-income or other specific types of development.” [WTOP]
Power Issue at Ballston Metro Station — There are reports that power was out at the Ballston Metro station this morning, meaning no working elevators, escalators or fare kiosks, and only minimal lighting. [Twitter, Twitter]
Car fire on Route 50 service road at N. Pershing Drive (photo courtesy Alyssa M. via Facebook)
Car fire on Route 50 service road at N. Pershing Drive
Car fire on Route 50 service road at N. Pershing Drive
(Updated at 3:15 p.m.) Firefighters battled an intense vehicle fire today in front of the Arlington Assembly of God Church, along Route 50 in the Arlington Forest neighborhood.
Initial reports suggest that a food truck caught fire, though the vehicle was later reported to be a work van. A traffic camera showed flames and a thick column of smoke coming from the van as firefighters arrived on scene. The smoke could be seen from as far away as Crystal City.
The fire was extinguished after a few minutes and no one was injured. The fire marshal’s office is investigating the cause.
Engine 109 arrived to find this work van fully involved in the 4700 block of Arlington Blvd this morning. No injuries were reported. Fire Marshals are investigating the cause. Consider keeping a #FireExtinguisher in your vehicle safety kit. You never know when you may need one. pic.twitter.com/Dg6xyYGZxu
