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
Softball near Washington-Liberty High School (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Memorial Day in Arlington — “President Joe Biden lauded the sacrifice of generations of U.S. troops who ‘dared all and gave all’ fighting for their country and called on Americans to ensure their ‘sacrifice was not in vain’ in Memorial Day observances at Arlington National Cemetery. Biden was joined at the traditional wreath-laying ceremony by first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Harris’ husband, Douglas Emhoff.” [Associated Press]

Fmr. County Board Candidate Assaulted — “My friend Dan Alban and I are creating this fundraiser for our dear friend Adam Theo, who was assaulted the night of May 28th. Theo, as he likes to be called, tells the story: ‘This evening when walking home I passed a young guy arguing w/ (I presume) his girlfriend in Clarendon. He starts getting violent with her – pushing her around and trying to rip off her clothes. I intervened… and got the s*** beat out of me.'” [GoFundMe, Twitter, WUSA 9]

Wrong-Way Driver Hits ACPD Cruiser — “At approximately 3:50 a.m. on May 26, an officer driving in the area of Wilson Boulevard and N. Edgewood Street observed a vehicle driving the opposite direction down a one-way street. The officer activated her emergency equipment and as she attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver, and sole occupant, exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot. The suspect vehicle continued to roll and struck the occupied cruiser head-on.” [ACPD, Twitter]

South Block Expansion Plan — “Arlington-based smoothie and juice bar chain South Block is planning a major expansion that could see its local footprint more than triple over the next few years. The company, founded in 2011 by Amir Mostafavi, has kicked off a capital raise aimed at increasing the number of stores in the D.C. area from 15 to 50… Further out, Mostafavi hopes to strike out into new markets outside Greater Washington, potentially to include Richmond.” [Washington Business Journal]

Arlington No. 2 in Va. for Wealth — “Arlington ranks second in Virginia in a new ‘wealth index’ compiled by SmartAsset.com. Counties across the nation were ranked based on per-capita income, investment income and property value. The highest scoring community (San Mateo County, Calif.) had its result set at 100, with all other communities ranking below it. With an overall wealth index of 64.86, Arlington ranked below the city of Falls Church (72.89) among Virginia locales.” [Gazette Leader]

New Commander at Fort Myer — “Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall welcomed the new joint base commander, Col. Tasha N. Lowery, and bade farewell to Col. David D. Bowling, during a change of command ceremony May 25 at Conmy Hall. Welcome to JBM-HH, Col. Lowery!” [Twitter]

New Arlington Monopoly Game — “Arlingtonopoly, a one-of-a-kind Arlington-themed board game produced by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, will hit store shelves later this year… The game is expected to go on sale in fall 2023 and will cost $40.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Local Student in Nat’l Spelling Bee — “Ruby Kadera is one of 231 competitors in the Scripps National Spelling Bee this week! Opening ceremony tonight. Spelling begins tomorrow.” [Twitter]

It’s Tuesday — Cloudy in the morning, then turning sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind around 10 mph. At night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 55. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph. [Weather.gov]

Photos: Memorial Day weekend in Arlington

By ARLnow.com
1/34

It’s Memorial Day weekend in Arlington.

The flags are in at Arlington National Cemetery, ‘Rolling to Remember’ participants are rolling up to local hotels, and the 35% of locals who say they’re traveling for the weekend have been keeping National Airport busy.

ARLnow staff photographer Jay Westcott has been out and about over the past day or so, documenting some of the scenes around the county. Providing an assist is Army photographer Elizabeth Fraser, whose photos of the “Flags In” event were published online by Arlington National Cemetery.

This was the 75th annual Flags In at the cemetery. More, below, from the U.S. Dept. of Defense.

An honored tradition.

Soldiers assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” and other service members placed American flags at headstones at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., in advance of Memorial Day.

This was the 75th anniversary of “Flags In,” during which service members adorn gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery to honor the nation’s fallen heroes.

UPDATED: Man with rifle stolen from police car arrested at Pentagon City mall

By ARLnow.com
1/6

(Updated at 5:30 p.m.) A ballistic-vest-wearing man armed with a rifle that was allegedly stolen from a police car was arrested this morning at the Pentagon City mall.

The first call came in shortly after 9 a.m. for reports of a man armed with a long gun who was “waving it around” and walking up and down 12th Street S., near the Pentagon City Metro entrance.

Callers told 911 dispatchers that he was wearing a red plaid shirt, tan cargo pants, and a ballistic vest with federal agency markings, while holding a rifle. Subsequent dispatches suggested he was walking in the direction of the mall after trying to drop off a bag he was carrying in the lobby of the apartment building at 710 12th Street S.

Eventually, an officer radioed that she had the suspect stopped in the mall parking garage and requested backup to take him into custody.

No one was hurt. The rifle — allegedly stolen from an Arlington County police cruiser that was parked nearby — was recovered from the 21-year-old suspect.

“At approximately 9:06 a.m., police were dispatched to the 700 block of 12th Street S. for the report of a person with a gun,” Arlington County Police Department spokeswoman Alli Shorb tells ARLnow. “The preliminary investigation indicates the suspect forced entry into an off-duty officer’s parked police vehicle using a shovel and removed a secured rifle and other items.”

“With the assistance of community members contacting 911 to report a suspicious male walking in the area with a rifle and non-ACPD ballistic vest, responding officers quickly located and took the suspect into custody without incident,” Shorb continued. “The suspect was taken into custody in the parking garage and officers recovered the rifle which he was in possession of… No injuries were reported and charges are pending.”

The incident comes 20 days after a man armed with a rifle opened fire at an outlet mall in Allen, Texas, killing eight people, including children.

More, below, from an ACPD press release issued Friday evening.

The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) is announcing the arrest of a suspect armed with a stolen rifle in the Pentagon City area on the morning of May 26, 2023. Tyler Rodriguez-Hernandez, 21, of No Fixed Address, was arrested and charged with Grand Larceny, Petit Larceny, Receiving Stolen Goods, Destruction of Property, Wearing Body Armor in the Commission of a Crime and Unlawful Wearing of Police Insignia. He is being held in the Arlington County Detention Facility on no bond.

At approximately 9:06 a.m., police were dispatched to the 700 block of 12th Street S. for the report of a person with a gun. A perimeter was established and a lookout for the suspect was broadcast. Officers located the suspect in possession of a stolen rifle and wearing a non-ACPD ballistic vest with police insignia inside a parking garage in the 1100 block of S. Hayes Street and took him into custody without incident.

The preliminary investigation indicates the suspect entered a parking garage in the 700 block of 12th Street S. and discharged a fire extinguisher before he forced entry with a shovel into an off-duty officer’s parked police vehicle and removed a secured rifle and other items. The suspect then ran across the street, briefly entered a shopping mall and exited into the parking garage where he was located and apprehended by responding officers. The rifle was recovered on scene and no injuries were reported.

Today’s quick apprehension was aided by the proactive involvement of community members who immediately reported the suspect’s suspicious behavior by calling 911. This remains an active criminal investigation and anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Detective A. Barnickle of the Criminal Investigations Division at 703-228-4342 or [email protected]. Information may also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Police: Man with guns arrested after trying to evade fare at Metro station

By ARLnow.com
Pentagon City Metro station entrance (staff photo)

A simple fare evasion offense led to serious charges Thursday in Pentagon City, police say.

According to Metro Transit Police, a 24-year-old D.C. man tried to enter the Metro gates without paying. He was detained and “failed to comply with citation and ID check,” then was arrested and “found to be in possession [of two] semi-automatic handguns and brass knuckles,” police said.

The man is now facing gun and other charges.

The public announcement of the arrest comes as Metro steps up enforcement of fare evasion. The transit agency’s police force resumed issuing tickets to fare jumpers in November. In March, Metro revealed that 13% of riders are not paying their fare while touting new, taller faregates that are harder to hop.

Last month, Metro CEO and General Manager Randy Clarke told WTOP that “we need to gain control of the system back and we’ve got to bring a sense of orderliness.”

“Not everyone that fare evades commits criminal activity on our system,” Clarke told the radio station. “But, almost universally… 99.9% of people that commit criminal acts in our system fare evade.”

Neighboring D.C. decriminalized fare evasion in 2018, with supporters of the move arguing that its enforcement in the city was racially disproportionate. Fare evasion remains a crime in Virginia and Maryland, but in all three jurisdictions the punishment is a fine.

Listing of the Day: 1824 N. Inglewood Street

By ARLnow.com
1/6

Address: 1824 N. Inglewood Street
Neighborhood: Tara
Type: 6 BR, 4 (+1 half) BA single-family detached — 3,800 sq. ft.
Listed: $1,475,000

Noteworthy: Expanded with 4 bedrooms upstairs, 2 main level bedrooms, 2 garages and a carport

A delightful combination of character and space, this expanded home is well sited on an 11,000 square foot lot in the leafy Tara neighborhood.

Renovated kitchen with center island flows into sun-filled breakfast room, dining room and living room with fireplace. A laundry area with pantry opens to the carport, making it convenient to bring packages directly into the home. Two bedrooms are on the main level along with both a full and half bath. Upstairs, the primary bedroom has a vaulted ceiling, two walk-in closets, a bathroom with double vanity, soaking tub, and separate shower. Three other bedrooms on this level have architectural detailing, large closets, and are served by a hall bathroom.

The lower level features a rec room with 10 foot ceilings, tall windows, built ins, and areas for media, play, and relaxing. A door leads to the patio and well landscaped back yard. A gym, second laundry room, workshop, and storage room complete this level.

Located between Westover Village and Lee-Harrison Center, the home is near parks, bike path, and amenities. Glebe Elementary School, Swanson Middle School, and Yorktown High School are nearby.

Listed by:
Betsy Twigg
[email protected]
(703) 967-4391

Most and least expensive homes sold in Arlington (Apr-May 2023)

By ARLnow.com

This past week saw 47 homes sold in Arlington.

The least expensive condo, single-family home or townhouse sale over the past seven days was $199,900 while the most expensive was $2,527,343.

Over the past month, meanwhile, a total of 88 single-family homes were sold. Let’s take a look at some of the most and least expensive homes sold over the past month.

Most expensive homes sold

  1. 3401 N Peary Street — $3,250,000 (6 Beds | Baths | 7,084 SQ FT)
  2. 5608 33rd Street N — $2,800,000 (7 Beds | 7.5 Baths | 7,470 SQ FT)
  3. 1629 N Stafford Street — $2,527,343 (6 Beds | 6 Baths | 5,000 SQ FT)
  4. 5040 36th Street N — $2,525,000 (5 Beds | 5.5 Baths | 7,429 SQ FT)
  5. 2527 N Vermont Street — $2,475,000 (5 Beds | 4.5 Baths | 4,936 SQ FT)

Least expensive homes sold

  1. 3133 S Glebe Road — $550,000 (2 Beds | 2 Baths | 1,026 SQ FT)
  2. 3126 17th Street S — $650,000 (1 Bed | 1 Bath | 690 SQ FT)
  3. 5887 2nd Street S — $658,500 (3 Beds | 1 Bath | 1,226 SQ FT)

Arlington man arrested after attacking employees at hospital

By ARLnow.com
File photo

An Arlington man is in jail after police say he seriously injured two employees at a business.

The alleged incident happened just after 11 a.m. Wednesday, on the 1600 block of N. George Mason Drive. Scanner traffic suggests that the attack happened at a medical office in Virginia Hospital Center and that at least one of the employees was knocked unconscious.

Arlington County police said in a crime report that two employees suffered serious injuries.

MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 2023-05240117, 1600 block of N. George Mason Drive. At approximately 11:10 a.m. on May 24, police were dispatched to the report of an assault in progress. Upon arrival, it was determined the suspect physically assaulted two employees of the property. He was taken into custody without incident by responding officers. The two employees sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries and were evaluated on scene. [The suspect], 46, of Arlington, Va. was arrested and charged with Malicious Wounding (x2). He was held without bond.

Arlington ranks as 10th priciest rental market in U.S.

By ARLnow.com
The RiverHouse apartments at 1111 Army Navy Drive in Pentagon City (staff photo)

Arlington is the tenth priciest market for rental housing in the United States, according to an updated set of rankings.

Rental website Zumper released its latest national rent report, which lists Arlington at No. 10 and neighboring D.C. at No. 9. New York City tops the list.

Zumber notes that Arlington rent grew at a faster pace over the past month than the national median, though its place in the rankings held steady.

“Zumper’s National Index showed one-bedrooms increasing 0.6% to $1,504, while two-bedrooms rose 0.8% to $1,856 in May. Both bedroom types are up about 6% year-over-year,” a spokesperson told ARLnow. “The price of one bedroom units in Arlington increased 1.3% to $2,300 last month, while two bedroom units grew 2.6% to $3,100.”

On a year-over-year basis, median one- and two-bedroom rents in Arlington are up 4.5% and 5.8%, respectively, this month.

Continued rent growth in Arlington contrasts with the falling rents earlier in the pandemic.

The report, meanwhile, notes that some less-expensive interior U.S. cities — like Columbus, Ohio and Colorado Springs — are seeing a surge in rental interest from those moving from more expensive coastal areas of the country.

Top 10 markets for median rental prices in May 2023 (via Zumper)

Arlington resident to compete on Jeopardy! this week

By ARLnow.com
Host Mayim Bialik and Arlington resident Alice Ciciora on the set of Jeopardy! (courtesy Jeopardy Productions, Inc.)

The long history of Arlingtonians competing on “America’s Favorite Quiz Show™” continues.

Alice Ciciora — a political scientist and researcher who lives in Arlington after moving here from Berkeley, California — is set as a contestant on Friday’s (May 26) episode, with host Mayim Bialik. She will compete against fellow challenger Diandra D’Alessio, a technical writer from Montreal, and the to-be-determined returning champion.

Jeopardy! is now in its 39th season and has featured a number of local residents over the years. The most recent was attorney Luigi de Guzman, who won the last episode of season 38 before losing in the first episode of season 39.

The quiz show airs locally at 7:30 p.m. on WJLA (ABC 7), after Wheel of Fortune.

Rolling Thunder will rumble back into Arlington this weekend

By ARLnow.com
Motorcycle riders during Rolling Thunder 2018 (Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman)

Cookouts, a dip in the pool and the sound of a thousand motorcycles cruising down the highway. Yes, Memorial Day weekend in Arlington is almost here.

If you’re not among the approximately 35% of locals traveling for the holiday — at least according to our recent poll — you can expect the return of motorcycle-riding military veterans on Friday.

The annual Rolling Thunder rallies officially ended in 2019 but were quickly succeeded by Rolling to Remember, a nearly identical annual event focused on POW/MIA advocacy and organized by the group AMVETS. At the same time, the Rolling Thunder branding has lived on in parallel, with that group organizing a Thunder Alley vendor area near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in D.C.

Rolling to Remember, like Rolling Thunder before it, refers participants to a number of Arlington hotels, meaning that those in Crystal City and Pentagon City, as well as Rosslyn, can expect more rumbles of motorcycle engines throughout the weekend. The event has typically used the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City as its home base.

As in the past, bikers will rally in a Pentagon parking lot Sunday morning. The rally typically results in some rolling road closures in the area, as participants ride from the Pentagon, across Key Bridge and into D.C. around noon for a demonstration “to bring awareness and accountability for POWs and MIAs left behind.”

Arlington drops in ‘ParkScore’ rankings

By ARLnow.com
The new, public Metropolitan Park in the first phase of Amazon’s HQ2 in Pentagon City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

After reaching No. 3 among local park systems last year, Arlington County has fallen a couple of spaces in the national “ParkScore” rankings.

The county was ranked No. 3 in the U.S. on the Trust for Public Land’s ParkScore index in 2022, after several years of being stuck at No. 4. This year, the county is No. 5.

A PR rep for the Trust for Public Land said the change was less about Arlington and more about two other park systems.

“It’s mostly because Irvine and Minneapolis opened new parks that pushed them ahead — not because of problems in Arlington,” said Matthew Kagan.

D.C. repeated as No. 1 in the nation this year. St. Paul, Minnesota is No. 2.

Last year, after ranking in the top 3, the county touted that 99% of Arlington residents live within a 10-minute walk to the park.

“Our parks and recreation opportunities are a key contributor to quality of life in Arlington County,” Arlington County Board Chair Katie Cristol said in 2022. “From livability, bikeability, fitness, health and more, our community benefits from our parks.”

Arlington got lower marks, however, for overall and median park acreage.

2023 ParkScore rankings (courtesy Trust for Public Land)

The full press release about this year’s rankings is below.

(more…)

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