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.

Reminder: Two Arlington Metro stations to close starting Friday for weekend track work

By ARLnow.com
Passengers board at the Rosslyn Metro station (file photo)

The Rosslyn and Courthouse Metro stations will close starting tomorrow (Friday) for a weekend of track and other infrastructure work.

The closures will run through Monday and prompt buses to replace trains between D.C. and Arlington stations — Foggy Bottom on the D.C. side, Clarendon and Arlington Cemetery on the Arlington side.

The work coincides with the extended Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday weekend.

More, below, from a Metro press release.

Metro today announced travel alternatives to help customers plan for track work and maintenance over the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend that will close a portion of the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines on Friday, Jan. 12 through Monday, Jan. 15.

During the four-day closure, buses will replace trains with no rail service between Foggy Bottom-GWU and Arlington Cemetery on the Blue Line; and between Foggy Bottom-GWU and Clarendon on the Orange and Silver lines. The Rosslyn and Court House stations will be closed. Customers traveling through the work zone should expect significant delays and allow at least 30 minutes of additional travel time to account for shuttle buses.

Work crews will replace rail, rebuild concrete grout pads that support the rail, run fiber-optic cables, install platform edge lighting, and other maintenance activity. Without the closure, the work would have caused major disruptions over multiple weekends, as trains would single track every 26 minutes or with truncated service.

Metro will continue to run normal service on the Yellow and Green lines, and supplement Blue Line service between Foggy Bottom-GWU and Downtown Largo and on the Silver Line between Ashburn and Clarendon.

During the winter months, Arlington Cemetery Station typically closes at 7 p.m. to align with Arlington National Cemetery’s hours. However, Metro will keep the station open through closing during the four-day construction project to accommodate shuttle bus customers.

Shuttle buses will be available for connections to the last trains on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. Last train times may be adjusted with some inbound trains departing the end of the line earlier than normal, and the last outbound trains may arrive later than normal.

Metro service impacts during MLK Day weekend (via WMATA)

On Monday, meanwhile, Metro will operate on a Saturday schedule — in addition to the above service changes — due to the holiday.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
View from the new VHC Health Outpatient Pavilion (staff photo)

Axios Near Top of Glassdoor List — “Fourteen Greater Washington companies and organizations landed a coveted spot on Glassdoor’s lists of best place to work this week, with Arlington-based Axios HQ leading the way. Axios, an offshoot of the news startup founded by Jim VandeHei that focuses on brevity in communication, ranked No. 3 on the national list of 50 small- and medium-sized companies with less than 1,000 employees.” [Washington Business Journal]

MLK Day Event This Weekend — “Arlington will commemorate the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a special tribute event on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, from 5-6:30 p.m. at Wakefield High School. The celebration will include a vibrant mix of music, dance, and spoken word performances.” [Arlington County]

Towing Fee Changes? — “A member of the House of Delegates has submitted legislation creating a state advisory panel to propose trespass-towing fees across the commonwealth, and as part of the bill would increase the maximum allowable fee for towing vehicles that are parked improperly.” [Gazette Leader]

Towing Board Wants More Autonomy — “The county’s Trespass Towing Advisory Board on Jan. 3 voted 2-0 to recommend that the county government support efforts in Richmond this year that would remove current language prohibiting Arlington from imposing a permit process for towers that simultaneously are located in, and store vehicles in, the county.” [Gazette Leader]

No Changes in Voter Dropboxes — “Arlington voters will have access to nine 24/7 ballot dropboxes for the 43 days preceding each of this year’s three elections. That was the net result of discussions held at the Jan. 9 Electoral Board meeting, where one of the two Republican members couldn’t get his colleagues to back a reduction in either the number of overall dropbox locations, or the number of days they will be available.” [Gazette Leader]

It’s Thursday — Today will be sunny with temperatures reaching a high near 50 degrees, accompanied by a southwest wind blowing at 5-11 mph. As for Thursday night, expect mostly clear skies with lows settling around 33 degrees. [Weather.gov]

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Jan 10, 2024

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 — Jan 10, 2024.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Thursday’s forecast

The weather will be sunny with a high near 51 degrees and a light south wind turning southwest at 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with the temperature dropping to around 33 degrees, and a west wind at approximately 6 mph becoming calm after midnight. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“If you can dream it, you can do it.”
– Walt Disney

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

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

Listing of the Day: 4532 39th Street N.

By ARLnow.com
1/10

Address: 4532 39th Street N.
Neighborhood: Golf Club Manor
Type: 6 BR, 6 (+1 half) BA single-family detached — 6,653 sq. ft.
Listed: $3,287,000

Noteworthy: California Modern New Construction Home For Sale in Arlington!

The stunning Cali model by Classic Cottages in Golf Club Manor offers a perfect blend of style, comfort, and convenience. With its spacious layout, modern amenities, and desirable location, this home is an ideal choice.

Situated in the highly sought-after Golf Club Manor, this home is conveniently located near major highways and provides easy access to Washington, D.C. The house boasts a contemporary design with clean lines, 10′ ceilings on the main level, large windows, and an abundance of natural light. The exterior features a combination of brick and Hardie siding, adding to its curb appeal. The home offers generous living spaces throughout, including a bright and welcoming great room with a fireplace, an elegant formal dining room, and a cozy screened porch, perfect for gathering with friends and family.

The kitchen is a chef’s delight, featuring BlueStar stainless steel appliances, ample cabinet space, a large center island, and quartz countertops. The Butler’s Pantry includes an ice machine and wine cooler to make entertaining a breeze. The property boasts 6 bedrooms, each designed with comfort and relaxation in mind. The primary suite is a private retreat, complete with a balcony to enjoy your morning coffee, spacious custom walk-in closets and a luxurious bathroom.

The home also features a two-car garage, laundry room, ample storage space, and finished basement with a recreation room, media room, home gym and wet bar with 80 bottle wine cooler.

Take a virtual tour today!

Listed by:
Michelle Lynch — Urban Living Real Estate, LLC
[email protected]
(571) 366-3324

Police investigating ‘mob’ attack at local high school

By ARLnow.com
Police at Washington-Liberty High School in Sept. 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 4:45 p.m.) A “mob” of seven boys is facing serious charges after allegedly attacking another teen at Washington-Liberty High School.

The fight happened around 3:15 p.m. — five minutes after school dismissal — on Tuesday but police were not called until an hour later. A tipster tells ARLnow that it took place inside the school.

The victim went to a hospital on his own, with a non-life-threatening laceration, according to Arlington County police. ACPD is seeking “Malicious Wounding by Mob” charges against the attackers.

Washington-Liberty’s principal sent the following email to families about the incident this afternoon.

Dear W-L Community,

During dismissal yesterday at approximately 3:15 p.m., several W-L students were involved in a significant verbal and physical altercation with another student. Our staff responded to break up the group of students and contacted law enforcement.  We have been in communication with the families of the students involved and have applied appropriate disciplinary consequences.

The initial police report is provided below. Washington-Liberty is collaborating with the ACPD on its investigation and continues to talk with other students not directly involved who may have additional information.

MALICIOUS WOUNDING BY MOB (late), 2024-01090125, 1300 block of N. Stafford Street. At approximately 4:19 p.m. on January 9, police were dispatched to the late report of an assault. Upon arrival, it was determined at approximately 3:15 p.m., a verbal dispute occurred between a group of juveniles, during which the juvenile male victim was allegedly assaulted by a group of approximately seven juvenile male suspects. The victim sustained a laceration and self-reported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Petitions are pending for the juvenile suspects for Malicious Wounding by Mob.  

We take these incidents very seriously and will continue to take all necessary steps to keep students and staff safe. These actions do not reflect our core values and beliefs at Washington-Liberty and under no circumstances do we condone this type of behavior. Please talk to your student about the consequences of their actions if they get involved in an altercation like this.

I apologize for the delay in updating the broader W-L community regarding this incident, as my immediate focus was on communicating with the students and families directly involved and cooperating with the ACPD on its investigation.

If you have any questions or further information about this incident, please contact me 703-228-6202.

ARLnow asked police about a motive for the attack and whether it was captured on video.

“A verbal dispute preceded the assault and the circumstances of the incident remain under investigation,” said ACPD spokeswoman Alli Shorb. “During the course of the preliminary investigation, evidence was recovered. To ensure the integrity of the investigation and prosecution, there are no additional details to provide at this time.”

Video: Crash at Clarendon intersection knocks out traffic signal

By ARLnow.com
Just before the crash at 10th Street N. and N. Highland Street (video via Safetyvid)

The traffic signal at the intersection of 10th Street N. and N. Highland Street in Clarendon is out after a crash.

The crash happened around 11:30 a.m. and was caught on camera.

The video, above, appears to show a driver on 10th Street running the red light and getting t-boned by a driver on Highland. So far, there’s no word on injuries, though firefighters and medics quickly arrived on scene from nearby Fire Station No. 4.

N. Highland Street is closed and the traffic light is out, according to an Arlington Alert message. The video shows the light staying on red while flashing yellow after the crash, potentially as the result of ground-level signal equipment being damaged.

Suspect in custody after reported sexual assault on Metro train near Virginia Square

By ARLnow.com
Metro Transit Police SUV (file photo)

A woman was sexually assaulted Monday night on a train near the Virginia Square station, according to Metro.

“At approximately 10 p.m. [Monday], Metro Transit Police responded to a report of a sexual assault aboard a train near Virginia Square Station,” a Metro spokesman tells ARLnow. “An adult female victim was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A male suspect was stopped by MTPD officers at Metro Center Station a short time later.”

The incident was first reported online by local public safety watchdog Dave Statter.

The suspect was identified by Metro as 18-year-old Saiquan Jackson of Northeast D.C. He’s expected to be charged with attempted rape and strangulation, the spokesman said last night.

A man of the same age, name and quadrant was reported missing by D.C. police last month. The report noted that he “may be in need of medication.” He was also reported missing as a teenager in 2018.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Flags flying in the wind at Arlington County’s justice center in Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Flyover Planned This Morning — From AlertDC: “The US Military will be conducting a flyover at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday January 10, 2024, at 9:05 AM.”

New Popeye’s at Mall — From Chris Slatt: “Building permit filed for a new Popeye’s at Pentagon City Mall, if that’s your kind of thing.” [Twitter]

Buzzer Beater Against YHS — A McLean High School student’s winning half-court buzzer beater in overtime against Yorktown High School is up for the “National Play of the Week in high school boys basketball,” which is decided by an online poll. [Sports Illustrated, Instagram]

De Ferranti to Chair NVTC — “Arlington County Board member Matt de Ferranti will chair the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission for the coming year.” [Gazette Leader]

New Eagle Scouts Honored — “Seven members of Boy Scout Troop 638, sponsored by Little Falls Presbyterian Church in Arlington, ascended to Eagle Scout rank during a court-of-honor ceremony held Jan. 7 at the church.” [Gazette Leader]

Exhausted Bat Rescued — “A wildlife center in Arlington announced Monday that they rescued their first bat of the year last week by sharing a video. Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) said the big brown bat arrived at their Wildlife Resource Center after it was found crawling across the street in a local neighborhood. When the bat was found, officials said he was dehydrated and exhausted.” [WUSA 9, Twitter]

It’s Wednesday — Expect partly sunny skies and a high of around 49 degrees accompanied by a breezy west wind blowing at 17 to 22 mph, and gusts reaching up to 39 mph. As for Wednesday night, the sky will be mostly clear with a low temperature of about 32 degrees. The southwest wind will be blowing at a speed of 5 to 13 mph, and gusts may reach up to 18 mph. [Weather.gov]

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Jan 9, 2024

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 — Jan 9, 2024.

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌤️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect partly sunny skies and a high near 49, accompanied by a breezy west wind of 17 to 22 mph, gusting up to 39 mph. Wednesday night will be mostly clear with a low around 32, while southwest winds blow at 5 to 13 mph, occasionally gusting up to 18 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

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

JUST IN: Flood Warning issued for Arlington

By ARLnow.com
Heavy rain in Clarendon on Jan. 9, 2024

(Updated at 5 p.m.) Arlington County is now under a Flood Warning as heavy, wind-driven rain continues across the region.

The National Weather Service issued the warning, below, around 3:30 p.m. It’s in addition to the earlier High Wind Warning, which is in effect until 1 a.m.

Local streams have been rising throughout the day and ponding can be seen on local roads. Among the first reports of significant flooding, Columbia Pike was being closed near the Pentagon as of 4 p.m. due to reported high water.

Forecasters say conditions will continues to get worse.

…FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 1130 PM EST THIS EVENING…

* WHAT…Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.

* WHERE…Portions of DC, including the following , District of Columbia, central Maryland, including the following county, Montgomery, and northern Virginia, including the following counties, Arlington, City of Alexandria, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church, City of Manassas, City of Manassas Park, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William.

* WHEN…Until 1130 PM EST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS…Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– At 327 PM EST, Doppler radar indicated a broad area of moderate to heavy rainfall. Flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the warned area. Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. Given moist soil conditions due to recent rains, rivers are responding quickly and rising towards flood stage.
– Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area.

Officials have been cautioning residents to avoid driving into flooded streets and to stay home, if possible, until the storm passes.

Earlier, Arlington Public Schools cancelled after-school and evening activities.

Only minor power outages have been reported in Arlington so far this afternoon, though several thousand homes and businesses are currently without power in neighboring Fairfax County.

At Reagan National Airport, meanwhile, flight delays are building as the storm makes its way up the East Coast.

Theft suspect who fled into Metro tunnel charged with trespassing, fare evasion

By ARLnow.com
Pentagon City Metro Station on Dec. 13, 2023 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A man fleeing from officers after a theft in Pentagon City ran into a Metro tunnel, prompting service to be shut down in the area, police say.

The incident happened Monday morning, as police responded to a shoplifting call on S. Hayes Street.

After running into a Metro tunnel at the Pentagon City station, the man emerged and was arrested at the Crystal City station, police say. In addition to a theft charge, he has also been charged with trespassing and fare evasion.

More, below, from today’s Arlington County Police Department crime report.

PETIT LARCENY (Significant), 2024-01080073, 1200 block of S. Hayes Street. At approximately 10:16 a.m. on January 8, police were dispatched to the report of a larceny just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect entered the business, collected merchandise, allegedly left the store without payment and fled into the Pentagon City Metro. A lookout was broadcast and responding officers located the suspect in the Metro and gave him commands, which he disregarded, and fled onto the train tracks. Metro service in the area was temporarily suspended and the suspect subsequently exited the train tracks at the Crystal City Metro station where officers took him into custody. The preliminary investigation determined the suspect did not pay a fare upon entering the Metro. No injuries were reported. [The suspect], 37, of Washington, DC was arrested and charged with Petit Larceny, Trespassing on a Railroad Track and Failure to Pay Fares.

Some of the response to the incident was captured on video.

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