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.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Cemetery Flyover Planned Today — Expect to see a military flyover today around 1:45 p.m., in support of a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. [Twitter]

Grant to Pay for Reforestation — “Arlington County government officials will accept about $9,700 in federal funds to restore nearly four acres of riparian buffer along Four Mile Run. The grant will fund purchase of more than 1,000 tree and shrub seedlings to be planted in areas that have been treated for removal of invasive plants.” [InsideNova]

Arlington Man Convicted of Murder — “On Friday, April 13, 2018, a Charles County jury, after a 5 day trial, convicted Bryan Javier Aquice, 25, of Arlington, VA. of the First Degree Murder of Michael Beers.” [Southern Maryland News Net]

Disgusting Discovery Prompts Call to Police — A woman called police after she reportedly found a used condom on the hood of her car in Arlington’s Douglas Park neighborhood. [Twitter]

Nearby: New Company HQ in Falls Church — Investment firm Kiddar Capital will be relocating its headquarters to a new office building in the City of Falls Church. [Washington Business Journal]

Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman

Girl Scouts Launch Campaign Against Plastic Straw Use

By ARLnow.com
1/3

Though National Skip The Straw Day already passed this year, three local Girl Scouts are asking their fellow students not to use plastic straws for a week.

The Claremont Immersion School students presented their research on the effect that plastic straws have on the environment to third through fifth grade science classes last week.

The project is part of a Girl Scouts bronze award project, in which junior level scouts tackle a project that they believe will “create a long-lasting change in their community.”

The trio, all members of Arlington Troop 4594, hopes to have at least 300 students sign the pledge and use paper, silicone, bamboo or steel straws — or no straws at all.

According to one of the girls’ parents, Levi Novey, the girls also intend to approach two restaurants, pitching a plastic straw-free dining area.

According to Novey, the three girls are being advised by two mentors: Kate Ceste, the Arlington County Solid Waste Bureau’s contracts manager, and Elenor Hodges, executive director of Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment.

Photos courtesy of Levi Novey

Two Arrested for ATM Skimming Scheme in Shirlington

By ARLnow.com

Two Florida residents have been arrested after police say they were seen using a card “skimming” device on an ATM machine in Shirlington.

Gheorghe Cosmin-Dacian and Cristian Roman, both 35 years old, were arrested during a subsequent traffic stop and now face multiple charges.

More from an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

FRAUD (Significant), 2018-04100224, 2700 block of S. Quincy Street. On April 10, police were conducting a follow-up investigation after a skimming device had been located on an ATM in the 2700 block of S. Quincy Street earlier that day. Officers observed one of the suspects, who had been previously captured on surveillance, approach the ATM multiple times. The suspect then fled the scene in an awaiting vehicle. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and the two occupants were taken into custody. Gheorghe Cosmin-Dacian, 35, and Cristian Nicola Roman, 35, both of Jacksonville, Florida were arrested and charged with identity theft, credit card theft, credit card forgery and unlawful use of payment card scanning devices. The suspects were held without bond.

Update at 6:40 p.m. — The photo above has been corrected. Police inadvertently sent a photo of a different individual with the same name as one of the suspects.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash Closes Washington Blvd at Glebe Road

By ARLnow.com
1/4

Washington Blvd is currently closed to traffic due to a crash at the intersection with N. Glebe Road, near Ballston.

Initial reports suggest two vehicles — a car and a pickup truck — were involved in a T-bone crash. The driver of the car needed to be extricated from the vehicle by firefighters.

Southbound Glebe is currently open to traffic but the northbound lanes are closed, as are all lanes of Washington Blvd approaching the intersection.

Ambar Back Open After Weekend Fire

By ARLnow.com

Ambar in Clarendon opened for lunch today (Monday), a day after a rooftop air handler caught fire and prompted a large fire department response.

“Ambar Clarendon passed inspection this morning and was able to re-open for lunch service today, two days sooner than expected,” a spokeswoman tells ARLnow.com. In a statement, the restaurant’s owners said that “we appreciate everyone’s support, and are grateful that we were able to reopen quickly.”

A fire department spokesman said that the fire was caused by excess grease in the air handling system.

Photo courtesy @DrRachael_09

BREAKING: Gerber Moving Headquarters to Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com
1/2

(Updated at 2 p.m.) Baby food and products company Gerber is moving its headquarters from New Jersey to Rosslyn and creating 150 jobs, officials announced Monday afternoon (April 16).

The company, a Nestlé subsidiary acquired in 2007, will invest $5 million in the relocation.

The announcement comes a little over a year after Nestlé announced its move to Arlington to a 250,000 square foot office space at 1812 N. Moore Street.

Gov. Ralph Northam made the announcement at Nestlé’s Rosslyn headquarters, noting that his excitement in announcing the move partially stemmed from his 30 years as a pediatrician.

“We want to be the most business-friendly state in the country,” said Gov. Northam at the relocation announcement.

A line of elected officials at the state and local level praised the relocation at a brief media event, including Rep. Don Beyer, Del. Rip Sullivan, and County Board Chair Katie Cristol.

Esther Lee, Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce and Trade, who also spoke at the event, was quoted in a press release saying that “gaining the headquarters of the iconic Gerber brand is an important win for Arlington County and the Commonwealth.”

At the event, Cristol presented a key to the county to Steve Presley, Nestlé’s chief financial officer.

More from the press release regarding funding:

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Arlington County Economic Development to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Northam approved a grant in the amount of $862,500 from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist the County with the project. The company is also be eligible to receive a Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit.

Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

Shopper in Pentagon City Confronts Alleged Dressing Room Peeper

By ARLnow.com

A shopper at a store in the Pentagon City mall confronted a man after she found a cell phone in her dressing room with its camera pointing upwards.

Police say the confrontation happened around 8 p.m. Wednesday. The man denied involvement and walked off.

“The investigation is ongoing,” police said.

More from the Arlington County Police Department:

UNLAWFUL FILMING, 2018-04110221, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street. At approximately 7:57 p.m. on April 11, police were dispatched to the report of a peeping tom. Upon arrival, it was determined that while the female victim was in a dressing room, she observed a cell phone on the floor with its camera pointing upwards. The victim confronted the male subject in the dressing room next to hers who denied involvement in the incident. The subject fled the scene prior to police arrival. The subject is described as an Asian male, approximately 5’9″, with a heavy accent, clean shaven with scars on his face, wearing a dark jacket, dark jeans, and carrying a backpack on his back. The investigation is ongoing.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Flooding Closes Roads, Prompts Warning — Updated at 8:45 a.m. — Many Arlington residents may be bleary-eyed this morning after being woken up twice overnight: once by thunder, and another time by a Flash Flood Warning that sounded on many phones. Heavy rain caused flooding that prompted the temporary closure of I-66 in Arlington and the HOV lanes of I-395 just before the 14th Street Bridge. A Flood Warning remains in effect until 11:45 a.m. as additional rain is expected this morning. [Twitter, Twitter, Twitter]

Crystal City ‘Makes Parking Garages Cool Again’ — Some national press for the Crosshairs Garage Races in Crystal City: “Unbeknownst to the few at street level, there’s a crowd gathering in a parking garage below an unremarkable office building. Inside, giant speakers blast rock music. Cow bells ring. There’s whooping and hollering, there’s pie and beer–and there are bikes everywhere.” [Citylab]

County Employee Recognized for Preventing Abuse — “Cheryl Fuentes, who has been working in the Arlington County government for more than a quarter-century changing the lives of parents and children, was honored as Arlington’s 2018 ‘Ally in Prevention’ by Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) of Northern Virginia.” [InsideNova]

APS Finalists for WaPo Awards — Hoffman-Boston principal Kimberley Graves and Thomas Jefferson Middle School teacher Timothy Wyatt Cotman, Jr. are among the finalists for the Washington Post Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year awards. [Washington Post]

ACPD to Hold Award Ceremony — “The Arlington County Police Department will hold its annual Principles of Government Service Awards (PGSA) Ceremony on Monday, May 7, 2018, at Kenmore Middle School, 200 S. Carlin Springs Road, at 7 p.m. The ceremony recognizes the achievements of police personnel in service to the community and highlights the Department’s dedicated pledge of duty, honor and commitment.” [Arlington County]

Photo courtesy Kathleen Branch

ACFD Battles Rooftop Fire at Ambar in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

The Sunday brunch scene at Ambar in Clarendon (2901 Wilson Blvd) was a bit too hot this afternoon.

A fire broke out at the popular restaurant today around 12:30 p.m. Initial reports suggest that a rooftop air handler caught fire; smoke and flames could be seen coming from the roof.

Wilson Blvd and N. Fillmore Street were shut down during the fire department response. Firefighters extinguished the blaze just before 1 p.m.

“Minor smoke conditions” were reported inside the restaurant, which also has a basement lounge called Baba. There was no report of injuries.

More via Twitter:

https://twitter.com/DrRachael_09/status/985563562285457408

House Fire in East Falls Church

By ARLnow.com
File photo

Firefighters extinguished a house fire in Arlington’s East Falls Church neighborhood tonight.

“Heavy fire” was reported in the rear of a home in the 2300 block of N. Quantico Street. Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames before the blaze could could spread to the interior of the house.

No injuries were reported.

This Week’s Deals & Events In Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Today we are highlighting select deals and events around Arlington, with help from Tim’s Arlington Directory.

Some require a coupon or have more instructions, so be sure to click the link for details and any additional requirements. If you find this list helpful and would like to see it more often, please leave a comment or email Tim @ [email protected]!

Saturday, April 14:

​Sunday, April 15:

(more…)

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