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.
Makeshift closed sign on Amazon Fresh store in Crystal City (courtesy anonymous)
The Amazon Fresh store in Crystal City is closed, though the company says the closure is temporary.
ARLnow first received a tip about the closure on Saturday. Subsequent tips fretted about whether the closure might be more than temporary.
“I asked an Amazon associate… and she said no one knows why and management has not said why,” a tipster said. “Residents are worried it was shuttered, it’s our only easily accessible grocery store in the heart of Crystal City.”
But fret not, says an Amazon PR staffer, it will reopen.
“I can confirm that our Amazon Fresh grocery store in Crystal City is temporarily closed,” wrote Amazon’s Jessica Martin. “We regret the inconvenience to customers, and look forward to re-opening the store soon.”
She was not able to clarify a timeframe for reopening nor why the store closed.
“I don’t have any additional details to share at this time,” Martin wrote.
Amazon Fresh opened at 1550 Crystal Drive in Crystal City, a few blocks from the company’s Pentagon City HQ2, in July 2022. It’s the only full-service grocery store in Crystal City, though there are a pair of Harris Teeter stores and an Amazon-owned Whole Foods just outside of the neighborhood’s boundaries.
Amazon was rumored to have been planning to open a Fresh store on Columbia Pike, but that grocery tenant — whether Amazon or otherwise — ultimately fell through, delaying a planned redevelopment. Amazon has been “rethinking” its strategy for Fresh and other brick-and-mortar stores, according to various reports.
Overturned vehicle on N. Henderson Road (photo courtesy John F.)
Overturned vehicle on N. Henderson Road (photo courtesy Alan Seraile and Ray Payton)
Overturned vehicle on N. Henderson Road (photo courtesy Alan Seraile and Ray Payton)
Overturned vehicle on N. Henderson Road (photo courtesy Alan Seraile and Ray Payton)
A crash ended in a vehicle overturned this morning near Ballston.
The wreck happened in the Buckingham neighborhood, on N. Henderson Road near the intersection with 4th Road N., around 7:15 a.m. That’s about a block from Barrett Elementary School.
It’s unclear what led to the crash, but the vehicle — a small Honda SUV — ended up on its roof in the middle of Henderson Road, blocking it for a period of time.
According to initial reports, the driver — who was the only occupant — was able to self-extricate from the flipped vehicle and was subsequently evaluated by medics for a possible head injury.
Traffic safety has been a recurring theme in this area over the past few months. The nearby intersection of N. George Mason Drive and N. Park Drive has been flagged as hazardous, set for safety improvements. Meanwhile, another nearby intersection where a mother pushing a stroller was struck by a driver, has received new stop signs and enforcement. And, earlier this month, a vehicle overturned on N. George Mason Drive near 4th Street N.
This morning’s crash has since been cleared and the road reopened, but it delayed at least one ART bus route for about an hour.
Please be advised that ART Route 72 has detour, at N. Glebe rd. and Henderson Road due to Police Activity. Thank you for your understanding.
Lights and shops at Ballston Quarter (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
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Manchin Opposes DCA Changes — “Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is speaking out against [proposed] changes to the perimeter and slot rules at Reagan National Airport (DCA) that currently limit how many flights go in and out of the airport as well as the distance of those trips.” [The Hill, PDF]
Chair Toss Leads to Jail Visit — “The suspect was walking in the area when he became involved in disputes with other individuals. As the suspect continued walking on Clarendon Boulevard, he allegedly picked up a folding chair and threw it at an unrelated vehicle traveling in the area. A responding officer took the suspect into custody on scene. The passengers inside the vehicle did not report any injuries and the vehicle remained operational once the folding chair was removed from the vehicle’s wheel well.” [ACPD]
Video: Teens Struggle With Police — “Four teenagers were detained after struggling with Arlington County Police Department officers across from the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. This occurred Saturday afternoon. [YouTube]
New Fitness Center Offers Offices — “James O’Reilly, president of Life Time Work, said much of the concept’s appeal is found in its proximity to the health club, which makes it easier to find time to exercise, get work done and socialize with fellow members. Life Time hopes to expand the coworking concept in Greater Washington, he said, with Clarendon as its anchor.” [Washington Business Journal]
DJO Athlete Signed — From Bishop O’Connell Athletics: “Congratulations to DJO alum Jake Berry ‘20, who was signed as an Undrafted Free Agent with the Cleveland Guardians of the MLB!” [Twitter]
Local Camera Store Profiled — “Amid the cascade of changes in once-sleepy Crystal City —the latest being Amazon’s opening of two new office buildings and the Queen City public art at Metropolitan Park—one longtime institution stays true to its roots. Metro Camera has been manned by Jack Levonian in the Crystal Underground for 51 years. The veteran photographer of presidents now navigating the shoals of change took me on a look-back at the photo industry and Arlington’s most happenin’ neighborhood.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Free Chicken Today — “Nando’s PERi-PERi will honor its South African roots on Tuesday July 18th by celebrating Mandela Day and remembering South African leader and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela. To commemorate Mandela’s fight for social justice, Nando’s will give away free meals to customers who bring back-to-school supplies for under-served area youth. The event will run from 4pm to 7pm local time at all Nando’s US locations.” [Nando’s]
It’s Tuesday — There’s a possibility of showers and thunderstorms primarily after 5pm today with widespread haze starting to clear before noon. The day will mostly be sunny with temperatures hovering around 92, complemented by a west wind at 3 to 8 mph. The chance of rainfall is 30%. For Tuesday night, showers and thunderstorms continue to be expected, mostly before 8pm. The sky will be partly cloudy with the low temperature near 71. Winds from the west at about 6 mph will calm by evening with a 30% chance of precipitation. [Weather.gov]
There’s a chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly after 5pm today, with widespread haze expected before noon. It’ll be mostly sunny with a high near 92, and a west wind of 3 to 8 mph. The chance of precipitation stands at 30%. As for Tuesday night, the possibility of showers and thunderstorms lingers mainly before 8pm. The night will be partly cloudy with a low around 71, and slightly windy at 6 mph, calming down in the evening. The chance of precipitation remains at 30%. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” – Native American Proverb
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
Air Quality Index reading as of 3 p.m. (via AirNow.gov)
The air quality in Arlington County has crossed into “Code Red” levels.
The county’s Air Quality Index (AQI), according to the federal government’s AirNow.gov website, was 151 as of 3 p.m., just past the 150 threshold for Code Red. That comes as a new round of Canadian wildfire smoke wafts into the area.
The AQI was in Code Orange levels earlier this afternoon. Code Red levels indicate that “some members of the general public may experience health effects,” while “members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects,” according to AirNow.
The smoke is expected to thin locally tomorrow, according to the Capital Weather Gang. But Tuesday is still forecast to be a Code Orange air quality day.
More, below, from a Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments press release.
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has forecast a Code Orange air day for the metropolitan Washington region tomorrow: Tuesday, July 18. Smoke coming from wildfires in Canada will contribute to the increased levels of fine particle pollution. The Code Orange levels mean the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups, including older adults, children, and people with heart or lung disease.
Sensitive groups like people with heart or lung disease like asthma or emphysema, older adults, and children should make outdoor activities shorter and less intense and watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.
On unhealthy air days, COG advises the following actions to improve the air:
Avoid lawn mowing or use an electric mower.
Use gas or electric grills instead of charcoal.
Fill your vehicle’s gas tank after sunset.
Take transit, carpool, or work from home.
Turn off lights and electronics when not in use and follow tips from your electric utility about how to use less electricity to cool your home.
COG provides air quality forecasts and current air quality conditions for metropolitan Washington. It also educates the public about voluntary actions people can take to reduce pollution and the health risks of bad air quality through its Clean Air Partners program, which is co-sponsored by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council.
Three Baltimore men are facing theft-related charges after being allegedly caught in a car with a stolen license plate and a stolen catalytic converter inside.
The arrest happened early Saturday morning, in the Douglas Park neighborhood, after police say the trio was seen stealing a catalytic converter from a car in the Buckingham neighborhood.
LARCENY FROM AUTO (Significant), 2023-07150061, 200 block of N. Piedmont Pike. At approximately 3:48 a.m. on July 15, police were dispatched to the report of a vehicle tampering. The reporting party advised they had observed three suspects allegedly steal a catalytic converter and flee the scene in a vehicle. A lookout was broadcast and responding officers located the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop in the area of 14th Street S. and S. Monroe Street. The investigation determined the suspect vehicle was displaying a stolen license plate and during a search of the vehicle, burglarious tools and a catalytic converter were recovered. [Suspect 1], 18; [Suspect 2], 21; and [Suspect 3], 20, all of Baltimore, MD, were arrested and charged with Entering a Motor Vehicle, Removal of a Catalytic Converter and Possession of Burglarious Tools.
This year has not had as many reports of catalytic converter thefts among ACPD crime reports as last year, when 172 thefts were reported by early October.
The car part, which reduces toxic vehicle emissions, is a popular target among thieves due to the valuable precious metals inside.
(Updated at 1:10 p.m.) A suspect fleeing from police ran onto the tracks at the Rosslyn Metro station shortly before 1 p.m., delaying some trains.
The suspect ran into a tunnel in the direction of Arlington Cemetery station, according to scanner traffic. It’s not immediately clear why he or she was running from police.
Arlington County police coordinated with Metro and Metro Transit Police to stop train traffic in the area while trying to locate the suspect.
Officers were in active pursuit of the suspect after he or she exited the tunnel, leading to their being taken into custody on Memorial Bridge shortly before 1:10 p.m., according to scanner traffic.
Orange/Silver/Blue Line Alert: Expect delays in both direction due to a trespasser on the track outside Rosslyn.
Double rainbow over Arlington on Friday evening (photo courtesy Craig Smith)
Double rainbow over Arlington on Friday evening (photo courtesy Craig Smith)
Double rainbow over Arlington on Friday evening (photo courtesy George Brazier)
Double rainbow over ACFD response to a lightning strike in Dominion Hills on Friday evening (photo courtesy Hannah Stopnicki)
Double rainbow over Arlington on Friday evening (photo courtesy Matt Sullivan)
Double rainbow over Pupatella pizza in Bluemont on Friday evening (photo courtesy Jillian Bentson)
Wild Saturday Night in Buckingham — From Dave Statter: “Glebe & Pershing a little wild tonight. @ArlingtonVaPD
handling a fight with 1 or 2 injured. A backup officer on foot was hit by a vehicle. Not hurt. Driver was stopped at Rt 50 & detained.” [Twitter]
Clarendon Fitness Center Opening — “Life Time (NYSE: LTH), the nation’s premier healthy lifestyle brand, today opened a one-of-a-kind athletic country club in Arlington, Virginia. The development also is home to Life Time Work, the Company’s premium coworking destination, which will open July 17. Combined, the new destination makes Life Time a main anchor at The Crossing Clarendon.” [PR Newswire]
More on Broyhill Brouhaha — “Another close-by neighbor, Vivian Kallen, tied it to the broader Missing Middle debate, calling the new development ‘sad, and hard to understand–it breaks my heart.’ She’s lived since the 1950s in an Arlington ‘that has always been a community that values beauty, nature, and trees, while decisions were made by called The Arlington Way,’ she said. ‘I think it’s gone from being a community to being a piece of real estate.'” [Falls Church News-Press]
Soccer Squad in Nat’l Championship — From Arlington Soccer: “We going to the ship! Congrats to 06 Boys Red on advancing to the national championship game of the ECNL Boys Regional League Finals! They will play Solar SC (Texas) in the final at 11:15 a.m. (EST) on Monday. Congrats fellas and good luck!” [Twitter]
Man Arrested for Loaded Gun at DCA — “A California man was arrested by police on Thursday after he was stopped by Transportation Security Administration officers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington with a loaded gun in his carry-on bag. The man’s 9mm handgun was loaded with 17 bullets, including one in the chamber, TSA said.” [Patch]
ACFD Recognized for Critical Care — “The Arlington County Fire Department has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold achievement award for its commitment to offering rapid, research-based care to people experiencing the most severe form of heart attack and stroke.” [Arlington County]
RIP Terry Serie — “Arlington civic leader Terrence ‘Terry’ Serie, who served on the Planning Commission and was active in a number of other roles, died July 8 after an extended battle with cancer. He was 74 years old. Series and his partner, the late Deputy County Commissioner of Revenue Ann Bisson, were something of a civic power couple, each having played active roles in the community.” [Gazette Leader]
No School Sales Tax Holiday — “Thousands of Virginia families on the lower income spectrum can no longer count on the three-day sales tax holiday — usually starting on the first Friday in August of every year — that they’ve come to depend on since 2006, when the General Assembly passed a landmark law waiving Virginia’s 5.3% sales tax and any local taxes on back-to-school supplies, clothes and shoes. ” [Cardinal News]
More Photos of Friday’s Rainbows — “You rarely get this level of intensity of color at BOTH tips of a #rainbow. Especially the “Indigo/Violet” part of the ROYGBIV. Looking at #DC from #Ballston.” [Twitter, Twitter, Twitter]
It’s Monday — Sunny with a high temperature around 92 during the day. The wind will be coming from the northwest at around 6 mph, shifting to southwest in the afternoon. In the evening, expect a slight possibility of showers and thunderstorms before 2am, with about a 20% chance of rainfall. The night will be partly cloudy and temperatures will drop to approximately 72. [Weather.gov]
Storms bring heavy rain, wind and flooding at night (file photo)
The possibility of a succession of storms tonight packing heavy rain has prompted a Flood Watch from the National Weather Service.
The watch is in effect until 4 a.m. for Arlington, the District and much of the Washington region. Forecasters say flash flooding may occur during prolonged downpours.
More from NWS:
…FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EDT SUNDAY…
* WHAT…Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. […]
* WHEN…Until 4 AM EDT Sunday.
* IMPACTS…Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– A seasonably moist airmass with ample moisture content ahead of an approaching frontal boundary will result in numerous showers and thunderstorms. These showers and thunderstorms will be capable of producing heavy rainfall with totals on the order of 1 to 3 inches with locally higher amounts where thunderstorms may train. These totals may result in flash flooding, particularly in urban areas and those that have observed recent heavy rainfall.
Another day, more heavy rain on the way. Be weather aware and stay alert for any warnings issued.
Be especially careful if you must be out as high water or flooding may be difficult to spot at night. As always, turn around, don’t drown. Be safe! https://t.co/Sbdj36kBWp
Janet Mary (Corcoran) O’Neil passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on Tuesday, the 27th of June in Richmond, Va. She lived most of her life in Arlington, Va., but hailed from Newton Lower Falls, Mass., as did her kith and kin. She was the daughter of Henry J. Corcoran and Mary Powers and had two brothers, Henry “Bud” Corcoran Jr., and Gerald Corcoran.
Born and raised on Moulton Street (“Corcoran Row”), she excelled in virtually every category. In athletics she was the only girl invited to pitch for the Newton Lower boy’s sandlot games and played tennis, basketball, and field hockey. She was a straight A student, winning a full scholarship to the Boston College School of Nursing. There, she served as president of the National Student Nursing Association and graduated magna cum laude.
In 1959, she married her high school sweetheart, Bill O’Neil, a Naval Aviator, before raising three children, all boys. She served as school nurse at Brussels American High School in Belgium, where her husband was deployed.
Following their divorce, she earned a master’s degree in social work from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. She worked many years in inner city social work at City Lights before retiring in Arlington.
Janet was continually active in local politics, serving as an Arlington County Democratic Precinct Captain and other volunteer positions over the years. She was a choir member at Our Lady Queen of Peace church in Arlington and a founding member of its meditation group.
She is survived by her three sons, Mark (Alessandra), John (Ginger), and Matthew, and grandchildren Giacomo, Erin, Jacqueline, and Lauren. She will be intensely missed by them and many others as she made many lasting, loving friendships throughout her lifetime.
There will be a Memorial Service at Our Lady Queen of Peace, 2700 South 19th Street, Arlington, VA 22204 at 11 a.m. on August 17.
There is a likelihood of showers and thunderstorms setting in after 2pm, despite the weather being partly sunny with a high temperature near 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The calm winds are forecasted to transition into a moderate south wind, blowing at a speed of 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon, with a 40% chance of precipitation. The same weather pattern of intermittent showers and thunderstorms is expected to continue into Saturday night, accompanied by a predominantly cloudy sky. Temperatures will lower to around 76 degrees Fahrenheit, with the south winds maintaining at around 8mph. Chances for precipitation will slightly increase to 50%. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” – Mark Twain
🌅 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. 👋
