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.

JUST IN: Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for parts of Arlington

By ARLnow.com
Lightning over Cherrydale (photo courtesy Kennedy Combs)

A strong storm is approaching Arlington from the west, prompting a Severe Thunderstorm Warning.

Fueled by today’s heat and humidity, the storms are packing potentially damaging winds, torrential rain and lightning. The current warning covers most of Arlington County, except the northernmost portion, through 7:30 p.m.

More from the National Weather Service:

The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for… The southeastern District of Columbia… West central Prince Georges County in central Maryland… Arlington County in northern Virginia… The City of Falls Church in northern Virginia… East central Fairfax County in northern Virginia… The City of Alexandria in northern Virginia…

* Until 730 PM EDT.

* At 653 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Lake Barcroft, or over Falls Church, moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
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, Annandale, Springfield, Fort Washington, Fort Hunt, Groveton, Falls Church, Huntington, Coral Hills, Pimmit Hills, National Harbor, Reagan National Airport, Crystal City, Nationals Park, Lincolnia, Franconia, Oxon Hill, Merrifield and Lake Barcroft.
HAIL THREAT…RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE…1.00 IN
WIND THREAT…RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST…60 MPH

Most and least expensive townhouses sold in Arlington (June 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 townhouses sold last month (June 2023).

Most expensive townhouses sold

  1. 2612 N Glebe Rd — Yorktown — $1,599,000 (4 beds | 5 baths | 3,749 sq. ft.)
  2. 1513 16th Rd N — Rosslyn — $1,560,000 (3 beds | 3.5 baths | 2,605 sq. ft.)
  3. 1554 N Colonial Ter — Rosslyn — $1,359,000 (3 beds | 2.5 baths | 2,642 sq. ft.)

Least expensive townhouses sold*

  1. 2117 S Pollard St — Nauck — $600,000 (3 beds | 2 baths | 1,323 sq. ft.)
  2. 2181 S Shirlington Rd — Nauck — $645,000 (3 beds | 2.5 baths | 1,332 sq. ft.)
  3. 3718 3rd St S — Alcova Heights — $675,000 (3 beds | 1 baths | 1,295 sq. ft.)

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

Arlington advises residents to avoid Four Mile Run after ‘dumping incident’

By ARLnow.com
Along Four Mile Run near Shirlington (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 4:25 p.m.) People and pets should avoid much of Four Mile Run for the next 2-3 days as a precaution, Arlington County says.

The advisory comes amid a scorching heatwave. The county says it’s due to a “dumping incident” near N. Ohio Street.

The affected portion of the stream runs along popular parks like Bluemont Park, Barcroft Park and the Shirlington dog park.

Arlington firefighters responded to the stream earlier today for a report of a milky substance — possibly paint — in the water.

“The matter is still under investigation but paint or something similar went into a storm drain from a roll-off dumpster being swapped out at a home where work is taking place,” Peter Golkin, spokesman for Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services, tells ARLnow.

“The spill was called in by neighbors,” Golkin added. “As we point out often, there are no filters on Arlington’s storm drains and whatever goes in comes out in our streams and the watershed. People need to be careful.”

Arlington under Severe Thunderstorm Watch tonight

By ARLnow.com
Storm clouds over Ballston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Thursday’s heat will help to fuel strong storms tonight, forecasters say.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was just issued for Arlington, the District, and other surrounding areas. It’s in effect until 11 p.m.

More from the National Weather Service:

A Heat Advisory is in effect for the entire outlook area from until 8 PM today.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 11 PM for the Washington and Baltimore Metropolitan areas. Elsewhere, scattered storms will be capable of producing damaging winds and large hail through this evening.

Police investigating series of car thefts in N. Arlington

By ARLnow.com
Police car at night (file photo courtesy Kevin Wolf)

Two cars were stolen and eight were rummaged through at some point overnight, according to Arlington County police.

The theft series happened in neighborhoods north of Langston Blvd, including the Old Dominion and Donaldson Run communities, between last night and early this morning.

Police have no description of the suspect or suspects.

More, below, from an ACPD crime report.

GRAND LARCENY AUTO, LARCENY FROM AUTO, VEHICLE TAMPERING (Series)(Late), 2023-07260060/2023-07260067/2023-07260075/2023-07260089/2023-07260092/2023-07260145, 2300 block of N. Columbus Street/2400 block of N. Utah Street/4800 block of 24th Road N./4800 block of 24th Street N./4600 block of 23rd Road N./2300 block of N. Stafford Street. The investigation determined between approximately 7:00 p.m. on July 26 and 6:30 a.m. on July 27, the unknown suspects entered approximately eight vehicles, rummaged through the inside and stole items of value. Additionally, two vehicles were stolen from the area. The stolen vehicles are described as a blue 2013 Lexus ES 300 with Virginia license plate… and a white Toyota Rav4 with Virginia license plate… There is no suspect description(s). The investigation is ongoing.

Excessive Heat Warning issued ahead of scorching Friday

By ARLnow.com
Hot weather amid a July 2021 heat wave (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

What had been an Excessive Heat Watch for Friday is now a warning.

The National Weather Service just issued the Excessive Heat Warning, cautioning against “dangerously hot conditions with heat index values around 110” tomorrow.

From NWS:

…HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING…

…EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM EDT FRIDAY…

* WHAT…For the Heat Advisory, heat index values around 105. For the Excessive Heat Warning, dangerously hot conditions with heat index values around 110 expected.

* WHERE…The Washington and Baltimore Metropolitan areas, southern Maryland, and portions of northern Virginia as well as the Virginia Piedmont.

* WHEN…For the Heat Advisory, until 8 PM EDT this evening. For the Excessive Heat Warning, from 11 AM to 8 PM EDT Friday.

* IMPACTS…Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.

Some outdoor Arlington events are being cancelled due to the heatwave, including a concert planned today in Pentagon City.

On top of it all, forecasters say strong storms are possible later today and on Saturday. A cooldown is expected on Sunday, as high temperatures dip back into the mid-to-upper 80s.

ACFD on scene of small fire at Lost Dog Cafe in Westover

By ARLnow.com
Fire response at Lost Dog Cafe in Westover

Arlington firefighters are investigating a reported fire in the ceiling at Lost Dog Cafe in Westover.

The fire started in the kitchen area and is said to be out, but firefighters are removing ceiling tiles to make sure there are no remaining hotspots, according to scanner traffic.

It’s unclear what sparked the fire, but accumulated grease in the kitchen ductwork is a common cause of fires at restaurants.

The local staple at 5876 Washington Blvd is best known for its wide selection of beer and sandwiches. There are other Lost Dog Cafe locations on Columbia Pike and in McLean, Dunn Loring and Alexandria.

At least one lane of Washington Blvd is currently blocked by the fire activity.

Report: Arlington has tenth-highest rent in the U.S.

By ARLnow.com
The RiverHouse apartments in Pentagon City (staff photo)

Arlington has the tenth-highest rent in the United States, according to a new report.

Rental website Zumper compiled median one-bedroom rents in localities across the U.S. and Arlington is No. 10 on the list. The good news, though, is that the county moved down a spot, after neighboring D.C. moved up to No. 9.

New York City is No. 1 on the list, meanwhile, followed by Jersey City — a frequent ranking rival (and doppelganger?) of Arlington — and San Francisco.

Arlington’s drop in the rankings may be a sign that the creation of new rental units is keeping pace with demand for housing in the area, we’re told.

“The price of one bedroom units in Arlington remained flat at $2,390 last month, while two bedroom units increased 0.3% to $3,130,” Zumper PR manager Crystal Chen noted to ARLnow.

“Arlington did drop a spot in our rankings to become 10th. However, that seems more to do with D.C.’s rent on the rise since Arlington had a stable month for both one and two-bedroom rents,” Chen continued. “Arlington overall seems to have a fairly balanced market as the year-over-year changes for both bedroom types are within 3%. This should signal that the available stock is meeting the current demand there.”

Nationally, Zumper says it is unlikely that rents will fall anytime soon.

“Though price increases have slowed dramatically, we don’t expect to see rents decrease anytime soon. In reality, prices are still correcting after astronomical pandemic-era rent hikes,” Zumper CEO Anthemos Georgiades said. “Renters hate uncertainty, and many are putting off moves until they’re more confident in the economy.”

July 2023 rental rankings (via Zumper)

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Fiery sunset over Westover (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Flyover Planned This Morning — From AlertDC: “The US Military will conduct a fly over in the National Capitol Region, at the Arlington National Cemetery, on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 9:10 AM.”

N. Va. Young Dems Blast Board — “The Northern Virginia Young Democrats organization is not happy with the somewhat more seasoned Democrats on the Arlington County Board. ‘Disappointing to see our leaders flip-flop on much-needed reforms like RCV [ranked-choice voting],’ the organization – the local affiliate of Virginia Young Democrats – said in a July 24 tweet.” [Gazette Leader]

Dunkin Awards Local Scholarships — “Dunkin’ held its second annual Dunkin’ Regional Scholarship this past spring, which awarded $125,000 in academic scholarships to high school and college students across the Washington, D.C., area. Three students from Arlington were among 50 students in the region who received a $2,500 academic scholarship to an accredited two- or four-year college or vocational technical school of their choice for the upcoming fall semester.” [Patch]

DCA Expansion Backers Not Done Yet — “Efforts to amend a pair of obscure aviation rules capping flights at Northern Virginia’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport foundered last week in the U.S. House of Representatives, although a group backing the change says ‘the fight is far from over.’ On Thursday, the U.S. House rejected an amendment to a bill… that would have allowed seven new round-trip flights to Reagan National every hour.” [Virginia Mercury]

Arlington Man Arrested for Bar Gunfire — “An Arlington man was arrested in Alexandria… Tuesday for a shooting incident that occurred in Bailey’s Crossroads earlier this month. Fairfax County police officers were called to the Lion’s Den Lounge at 5820 Seminary Road around 4 a.m. on July 16 after getting a report of gunshots being fired.” [FFXnow]

It’s Thursday — There is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm today, with sunny and hot conditions and a high near 98°F, feeling like 105°F. Southwest winds will blow at 11-15 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. Tonight, expect a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly between 8pm and 2am, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 75°F. South winds will be at 6-10 mph; new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half-inch are possible. [Weather.gov]

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Jul 26, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Wednesday 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 — Jul 26, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm, with mostly sunny and hot conditions reaching a high near 98°F and heat index values up to 105°F. Southwest winds will range from 10 to 14 mph, gusting to 24 mph. The chance of precipitation is at 60% with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, potentially higher during thunderstorms. Thursday night will see thunderstorms likely before 2am, followed by a slight chance of showers and a low of around 75°F. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.”
– Aristotle

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

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

Man escapes armed carjacking attempt near Potomac Yard

By ARLnow.com
File photo

A driver made a daring and successful — though some might say ill-advised — escape from armed carjackers early this morning.

The incident happened just before 2 a.m. on the 3400 block of Potomac Avenue, in the Crystal City area near Potomac Yard.

“The victim was inside his parked vehicle when the suspect vehicle pulled behind him and approximately three male suspects exited, brandished firearms and demanded the keys to the victim’s vehicle,” Arlington County police said in today’s daily crime report.

“The victim drove away and the suspects reentered their vehicle and briefly followed,” the crime report continues. “The victim was then able to return to the scene and speak to police. No injuries were reported.”

The suspect vehicle, described as a silver SUV, drove off and police were unable to locate it, despite searching the area.

“The investigation is ongoing,” ACPD said.

This is at least the third carjacking attempt in the Crystal City area over the past week, after groups of suspects carjacked BMWs this past weekend and earlier this week.

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