News | ARLnow.com

Beyer Blasts Trump Appointments

Published November 21, 2016 at 10:05AM

Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) says president-elect Donald Trump’s appointments thus far are an abdication of his duty to lead responsibly.

Beyer says the appointments of Sen. Jeff Sessions as Attorney General, Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as National Security Advisor, and Steve Bannon as Chief White House Strategist represent a “divisive course” and should be withdrawn.

Beyer, who represents Arlington on Capitol Hill, was a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton during the presidential race. The congressman’s office issued the following press release.

“I do not expect to agree with President-elect Trump on most issues, but I do expect him to lead responsibly. By appointing Senator Sessions and Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn to key positions on his administration’s national security team, he has abdicated that duty. His chosen advisors have expressed views attacking women, African Americans, Jews, Muslims, Hispanics and Latinos, immigrants and new Americans, and numerous other groups. I urge him to reconsider this divisive course and withdraw these appointments.”

Lt. General Michael Flynn, Trump’s choice for National Security Advisor, publicly stated that “fear of Muslims is rational.” Flynn’s financial ties to Russia and Turkey represent a significant potential conflict of interest as he leads the National Security Council. He also said just a month ago that “the Muslim faith itself” is a “political ideology, not a religion,” which is the source of an “existential threat on a global scale.”

Senator Jeff Sessions, nominated to be Attorney General, defended Trump’s proposed ban on Muslims entering the United States in an interview during which he also defended Trump’s attacks on the Gold Star family of Captain Humayun Khan. Sessions once referred to an African American attorney as “boy,” and said that civil rights groups like the ACLU, the NAACP, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference were “un-American” and were attempting to “force civil rights down the throats of people.” As Attorney General, Sessions – who has criticized the Voting Rights Act – would be in charge of enforcing civil rights laws and investigating police departments for incidents of racial profiling and race-based-violence. Sessions has also made his stance on immigration – which borders on nativism – the focus of many public statements.

Representative Beyer previously signed the letter led by Rep. David Cicilline urging President-elect Trump to reconsider his appointment of white nationalist Steve Bannon to the position of Chief White House Strategist.

He is the sponsor of a House resolution, H. Res. 569, “Condemning violence, bigotry, and hateful rhetoric towards Muslims in the United States.” He also proposed the Freedom of Religion Act, a bill which would bar the President from using religious beliefs to prevent travelers, refugees, or immigrants from entering the United States. The bill enjoys bipartisan support in the House as well as the backing of a coalition of civil liberties organizations and groups representing a broad spectrum of religious faiths.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published November 21, 2016 at 9:15AM

Windy, Dry Conditions = Fire Danger — The National Weather Service is warning of an elevated fire danger today due to windy conditions, with gusts up to 45 miles per hour, combined with dry vegetation. [Weather Channel]

Tree Fire in South Arlington — In what was likely a wind-fueled fire, several trees caught fire Saturday evening on the 600 block of 29th Street S., near Crystal City. Firefighters from Arlington and Alexandria were able to bring the fire under control within 10-15 minutes. [Twitter, Twitter]

Career Center Mannequin Challenge — The Arlington Career Center has produced a mannequin challenge video, highlighting the various skills taught at the center. [Vimeo]

Opinion Piece: Think Bigger Than Bus Parking — An op-ed published in the Washington Post criticizes the possible school bus facility proposed for land that the county is acquiring across from Washington-Lee High School, next to I-66. “This is not a NIMBY issue,” writes the author, a nearby resident. “But before taking the path of least resistance and plopping a bus garage into a residential neighborhood, Arlington should carefully consider its options and ‘think big.'” [Washington Post]

Flickr pool photo by Erinn Shirley

County Sheriff’s Office Reaches Settlement with Justice Dept.

By ARLnow.com

Published November 18, 2016 at 3:10PM | Updated November 18, 2016 at 4:15PM

The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office will pay a quarter million dollars to a deaf man after it failed to provide him with sign language interpreter services.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced a settlement agreement in the case under the Americans with Disabilities Act this afternoon.

“The settlement agreement also requires the ACSO to take remedial steps to bring itself into compliance with the ADA,” said a press release. “Significantly, the Arlington County Sheriff took several steps that improve the ADA compliance of the ACDF even before finalizing the settlement agreement.”

The full press release is below.

Today the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced a $250,000 settlement agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) that it failed to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services to an individual who is deaf.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office’s investigation began when it was made aware of allegations that during a 40-day incarceration at the Arlington County Detention Facility (ACDF), the ACSO, which operates ACDF, violated the ADA by failing to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including sign language interpreter services, to a former detainee who is deaf during complex communications with the ACDF’s staff and its medical contractor. Further, the complainant, who is unable to read and write in English, alleged that the ACDF’s staff failed to furnish him with a telecommunication device that would ensure that he could communicate with individuals outside the detention facility, including his counsel.

“People who are deaf or hard of hearing must be able to communicate clearly with law enforcement officials,” said Tracy Doherty-McCormick, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Through this settlement agreement, the Arlington County Sheriff has taken important steps to ensure that the operations of the Arlington County Detention Facility are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.”

Under the settlement, the ACSO will pay $250,000 to the aggrieved individual. The settlement agreement also requires the ACSO to take remedial steps to bring itself into compliance with the ADA, including the appointment of an ADA Coordinator who is familiar with the ADA’s requirements; providing ADA training to its staff; adopting specific policies and procedures to ensure that auxiliary aids and services are provided promptly to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing; procuring telecommunication devices usable by individuals who are deaf including videophones; providing hearing aid and cochlear implant processor batteries in the detention facility; ensuring that the ACSO responds promptly to disability related needs of its inmates; and adopting other policies consistent with the ADA. Significantly, the Arlington County Sheriff took several steps that improve the ADA compliance of the ACDF even before finalizing the settlement agreement.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Gordon, who is the Civil Rights Enforcement Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The Department of Justice has a number of publications available to assist law enforcement agencies in complying with the ADA on its web site, including “Communicating with People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: ADA Guide for Law Enforcement Officers,” at http://www.ada.gov/lawenfcomm.pdf. For more information on the ADA and to access this publication, visit http://www.ada.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD).

Update at 4:15 p.m. — Arlington County just released the following press release.

The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office has amended its policies and practices to ensure full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in its treatment of inmates with disabilities in a settlement reached with the Department of Justice.

The agreement settles a lawsuit brought by Abreham Zemedagegehu, a deaf Ethiopian immigrant who alleged that he was not provided appropriate accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act during a six-week stay in the County Detention Facility in 2014. The Department of Justice began an investigation in April 2015.

“The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office strives to treat all individuals committed to our detention facility with dignity and respect,” said Sheriff Beth Arthur. “These changes to our policies and practices will enable my staff to provide the means necessary for individuals with disabilities to benefit from all the programs and activities provided in our facility.”

Substantial changes already made

Arthur noted that the Sheriff’s Office began making substantial changes to its practices and policies in August 2015 to ensure compliance with the ADA. Technology in the detention facility has been upgraded to ensure that all individuals can communicate effectively. In the spring of 2016, the Sheriff’s Office completed extensive ADA training for all staff and contractors. Annual ADA training will be conducted to ensure that the Sheriff’s Office remains in compliance with the ADA.

New Comcast Franchise Agreement Reached, AIM Urges Members’ Support

By ARLnow.com

Published November 18, 2016 at 11:45AM

Arlington Independent Media, the local public access cable channel and media education center, is asking its members to support a new cable franchise agreement the county has reportedly reached with Comcast.

The franchise agreement is what allows Comcast to serve customers in Arlington, to the exclusion of other traditional cable providers. (Verizon’s FiOS service has its own franchise agreement in Arlington.)

Arlington County has been negotiating a franchise agreement renewal with Comcast since 2013, when its last long-term agreement expired. The County Board has continuously, temporarily extended the agreement until negotiations could conclude.

The specifics of the new agreement, which reportedly runs through Dec. 2021 and is expected to be considered by the County Board next month, were not immediately available. However, in an email to its members, AIM said the agreement would continue to fund the organization, with some notable changes.

Under the agreement, AIM would be upgraded to an HD channel on Comcast’s cable service. Meanwhile, the organization would “continue to receive approximately 1% of Comcast’s gross revenue as operating support,” according to the email, with the county contributing another 1% from its 5% communications tax in addition to an annual capital grant.

AIM’s current facilities in the Comcast building in Clarendon, however, would cease to be rent-free starting Jan. 1, 2018. That “presents AIM with a significant challenge and we will have to quickly figure out a way to remain viable under these conditions,” wrote AIM Executive Director Paul LeValley.

Overall, LeValley wrote, the agreement is “very positive for AIM and we are grateful to the County for negotiating its terms on our behalf.” The only change the organization is seeking is a provision requiring that Comcast list its programming on its on-screen guide.

It is “imperative that our full program schedule be included in Comcast’s digital program guide,” wrote LaValley. “Unfortunately, the draft agreement fails to make this requirement. We believe that inclusion of our program schedule would significantly improve our ability to attract and keep audiences for the many fine programs that you all work so hard to create for our community.”

The full email has been published on the AIM website.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published November 18, 2016 at 9:05AM | Updated June 29, 2018 at 11:10AM

ACFD Battles Fire in Fairlington — Firefighters from Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax together helped to battle a kitchen fire in a Fairlington condominium this morning, preventing it from spreading further. S. Abingdon Street near Abingdon Elementary was blocked for part of the morning as a result of the emergency response. [Twitter, Twitter]

ACPD Cracks Down on Fake IDs — An Arlington County Police Department campaign to crack down on fake IDs, in partnership with Clarendon bars, has netted more than 450 fakes since May. At one point this summer, according to a manager, Don Tito collected about 20 fake IDs per week. [WJLA]

Metro Pulls 4000 Series Cars — Metro has removed all 4000-series railcars from service to due safety concerns. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said he asked the agency to prioritize 8-car train service on the Blue Line while the railcars are out of service. Metro’s general manager “assured me there’d be very little impact to BL riders,” Beyer tweeted. [WMATA, Twitter]

Sietsema Lauds Ambar — Ambar’s new Clarendon outpost not only lured the Washington Post’s Tom Sietsema west of the Potomac River, but it received 2.5 out of 3 stars from the restaurant critic. Sietsema’s main gripe: too much noise. “Surely the same folks who dispense so much good will and satisfying food can solve a problem like disquiet,” Sietsema wrote. [Washington Post]

Post Profiles Old Dominion Neighborhood — The Washington Post’s continued anthropological study of Arlington’s neighborhoods in the real estate section has this week brought it to the Old Dominion community. A pair of recent homebuyers said they liked that Old Dominion “had a neighborhood feel and was also walkable.” [Washington Post]

Big Wins for Arlington at NAIOP Awards — Arlington County fared well at the 2016 NAIOP Northern Virginia commercial real estate awards on Wednesday. Among the local projects being recognized were the Bartlett in Pentagon City, WeWork/WeLive in Crystal City, Arlington’s Dept. of Human Services building along Washington Blvd and Opower in Courthouse. [NAIOP]

Photo courtesy Peter Golkin

Police Called for Man Cursing Up a Storm in Lyon Park Gun Store

By ARLnow.com

Published November 17, 2016 at 3:50PM

Police were called Wednesday afternoon after a man with mental health issues walked into the Lyon Park gun store and started yelling obscenities.

The incident was reported around 2:20 p.m. at Nova Armory (2300 N. Pershing Drive).

The man left before police arrived. He was later found but was referred to county social services and not charged with a crime.

This was at least the second time police were called to the store this fall. In September police investigated a potential burglary at Nova Armory; no guns were taken during the break-in.

From an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

At approximately 2:19 PM on November 16, police were dispatched to the 2300 block of N. Pershing Drive for the report of a male subject who entered the business yelling obscenities. The man had exited the business prior to police arrival but responding officers were able to identify and locate the man. After investigation, officers determined that no crime had occurred. The subject has a history of mental health issues and had been referred to county government services.

Suspect Sought in Bumbling Burglary Spree

By ARLnow.com

Published November 17, 2016 at 11:30AM

Arlington County Police are trying to find the man responsible for a series of four burglaries or attempted burglaries in the Long Branch Creek neighborhood, near Pentagon City.

A crime report (below) details the overnight burglary and break-in spree, during which the man accidentally woke up two residents while inside their homes and, at one point, apparently cut himself badly enough while trying to cut through a screen door that he left a blood trail.

The suspect did manage to steal “numerous items of value” in the process.

From an ACPD crime report:

BURGLARY(series), 2016-11160038, 1400 block of S. 28th Street. Between 3:15 a.m. and 3:20 a.m. on November 16, a male victim was awoken and discovered an unknown male subject inside his residence. The male victim confronted the suspect and the suspect fled the residence on foot causing the victim to contact police. Numerous items of value were reported stolen.

At approximately 3:23 a.m. on November 16, officers responded to the 2800 block of S. Meade Street for the report of a burglary in progress. A female victim awoke to an unknown male subject in her residence causing the male subject to flee on foot. The victim then contacted police. No items appeared to be missing from the residence.

At approximately 9:43 a.m. on November 16, officers were dispatched to the 2800 block of S. Glebe Road for suspicious circumstances. The female victim discovered blood on her front door and two large holes in her window screen. No entry was made into the residence.

At approximately 9:00 a.m. on November 16, officers responded to the 1400 block of S. 28th Street for a late burglary. The female victim attempted to enter her apartment and discovered it was secured by a deadbolt. Once the victim was able to make entry she discovered numerous items of value were stolen from the residence.

The suspect is described as an unknown age black male, approximately 6’0″ tall and weighed 200-215 lbs. He was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt. Officers on scene determined the subject made entry into the residences through unlocked windows. Investigation is ongoing.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published November 17, 2016 at 9:45AM

Thanksgiving Travel in D.C. Area — More than 1 million D.C. area residents are expected to leave town for Thanksgiving, and 9 out of 10 of them will be traveling by car. The worst day and time for traffic in the region is expected to be next Tuesday afternoon. [Washington Post]

Arlingtonians Spend Big for the Holidays — The average Arlington household is expected to spend $1,741 celebrating the holidays, according to a new survey. That’s the highest expected holiday spending in the region and the 13th highest in the U.S. [InsideNova]

GMU Renames Building in Arlington — George Mason University’s Metropolitan Building in Virginia Square has been renamed for one of the school’s Nobel Prize laureates. The building will be renamed Vernon Smith Hall in a ceremony tomorrow (Friday). The university-owned building, at 3434 Washington Blvd, also houses the new Virginia DMV office. [George Mason University]

Beer Coming to Donut Shop — It’s a combination that would make Homer Simpson drool. Sugar Shack Donuts on Columbia Pike has applied for a Virginia ABC permit to serve beer. The application was filed Nov. 7. No word yet on how soon the store may be offering cold brews to pair with its donuts.

Good Stuff Eatery Opening at DCA — Burger restaurant Good Stuff Eatery is opening a new location today in Arlington: specifically, at Terminal B of Reagan National Airport. [Good Stuff Eatery]

Students Win Video Contest — “A team of students from the Arlington Career Center has won the fifth annual student video challenge sponsored by the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA), taking home the top prize for the fourth year in a row.” [Arlington Public Schools]

Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf

Second Annual Jennifer Bush-Lawson Memorial 5K Race Planned This Weekend

By ARLnow.com

Published November 16, 2016 at 3:45PM

Now in its second year, a 5K race and festival is being held this weekend in memory of an Arlington mom killed by a passing truck while placing her children in a minivan.

The Jennifer Bush-Lawson Memorial 5K Race will take place on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. It will feature a 5K race, a kids fun run and a “Family Fun Day Festival.”

The festival will feature “music, food trucks, a beer garden, photo booth, rock climbing, ambulance and fire truck display, face painting, moon bounce, obstacle course, balloon animals and more.”

The event is being held at the Knights of Columbus (5115 Little Falls Road) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It benefits the Arlington Pediatric Center and the Virginia Hospital Center Outpatient Obstetrics Clinic, with a focus on prenatal and postnatal health services for underprivileged mothers and babies.

“Last year’s race raised over $100,000, and the goal for this year is to raise $150,000,” according to a press release.

A number of road closures will be in effect for the race. From the Arlington County Police Department:

The 2nd Annual Jennifer Bush-Lawson Memorial 5K Race will take place on Saturday, November 19, 2016. The Arlington County Police Department will conduct the following road closures from approximately 8:30 AM until 11:00 AM to accommodate this event:

Main Closures:

Little Falls Road: N. George Mason Drive to Yorktown Blvd.

Yorktown Blvd.: N. George Mason Drive to Williamsburg Blvd.

Williamsburg Blvd.: Yorktown Blvd. to N. Emerson Street

33rd Street: N. Emerson Street to N. George Mason Drive

George Mason Drive: N. 33rd Street to Yorktown Blvd.

Smaller closures exist within the race area

Any questions regarding the race can be directed to the Emergency Communication Center at (703) 558-2222. For day of information or emergencies, please instruct them to have the race supervisor (Lt. Ken Dennis) call you directly.

Photo via Facebook

Crime Report: Restaurant Burglary in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

Published November 16, 2016 at 11:20AM | Updated February 27, 2020 at 4:34PM

File photo

A restaurant in the Crystal City Shops was burglarized Monday night, according to Arlington County Police.

From an ACPD crime report:

BURGLARY, 2016-11150052, 1600 block of Crystal Square. Between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on November 14, an unknown subject entered a business and stole an undisclosed amount of cash. The investigation is ongoing.

It has been a rather slow week for crime in Arlington. The rest of the past week’s crime report highlights, including at least one that we’ve already reported, after the jump.

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published November 16, 2016 at 9:05AM

APS Receives Top Ranking — Arlington Public Schools is the top school division in Virginia and in the D.C. area, according to new rankings from Niche.com. All three comprehensive high schools in Arlington ranked in the top 10 in Virginia, according to the website. [Arlington Public Schools]

Alleged Racial Confrontation at Metro Station — A local man says a trio of older white men confronted him last week in the Courthouse Metro station, a few days after the election, and told him “good thing you’ll all be gone soon” — an apparent racially-motivated comment — and “it’ll be great again soon.” [Patch]

Remy Releases Post-Election Song — Arlington’s best-known libertarian comedian/musician, Remy, has released a new original song on the topic of Donald Trump’s election. [Twitter]

‘Isolated’ Schools in Arlington — Two schools in Arlington County, and 136 schools statewide, are considered “racially and economically isolated,” according to a new report from a liberal Richmond-based think tank. [Washington Post]

No Name Change Push for JD Hwy — Seeking a name change for Jefferson Davis Highway, the formal name of Route 1 in Arlington County, is not part of the county’s recently-approved legislative agenda. The chance of the Republican-dominated state legislature allowing the name change in its upcoming 2017 session was “all but nil.” [InsideNova]

Joint Meeting of N. Va. Jurisdictions — County Board and city council members from Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church held a joint meeting last night, in which they discussed ways to cooperate and save money. Together, the three inside-the-Beltway jurisdictions have about 500,000 residents, as compared to Fairfax County’s population of 1.1 million. [Washington Post]