Fire on Ballston Sidewalk — Last night around 6:45 p.m., Arlington County police and firefighters responded to a fire on a sidewalk in Ballston, near the intersection of 9th and N. Stuart Streets. Initial reports suggested that a woman had deliberately set something on fire. No injuries were reported. [Twitter]
Metro Police Seeking Man Who Set Fire at Station — Metro Transit Police are looking for a man who lit something on fire in the Pentagon City Metro station Wednesday morning. The man is later seen on video boarding a train and displaying a sign. [WTOP]
Smoke Closes Pentagon City Station — Smoke in a tunnel near the Pentagon City Metro station prompted a large emergency response and a temporary closure of the station last night. The smoke was caused by an electrical issue. [Washington Post, Twitter, Twitter]
Urban Chicken Issue Still Clucking — The issue of whether Arlington should allow more households to raise egg-laying hens in their yards isn’t quite dead yet. The issue was raised briefly at an Arlington Civic Federation meeting and county staff say they’re willing to consider it if residents bring it up again. [InsideNova]
The incoming leader of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington today celebrated his first mass in the county since he arrived for the job.
Bishop Michael Burbidge had the mass at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More (3901 N. Cathedral Lane) a day after news of his appointment by Pope Francis became public.
He officially is set to succeed Paul Loverde as Arlington’s bishop on Dec. 6.
A diocese representative live-tweeted Loverde’s homily at the mass:
— Catholic Diocese of Arlington (@arlingtonchurch) October 5, 2016
Burbidge, a 59-year-old Philadelphia native, came to Arlington from Raleigh, N.C., where he led that city’s diocese since 2006. He previously was an auxiliary bishop at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from 2002 until 2006, overseeing the vicar for clergy and communications offices.
Some local Catholics have been pushing for a new bishop who will take the diocese in a different direction than Loverde. The 76-year-old bishop is a traditionalist who decried the Supreme Court’s decision on same-sex marriage and now will serve as the diocese’s “apostolic administrator.”
Burbridge was critical of North Carolina’s HB2 “bathroom” law, which was seen as anti-LGBT, though he was also against an anti-discrimination ordinance in Charlotte that HB2 was intended to undo.
At a news conference before the mass today, Burbridge said he has “profound respect and admiration” for Loverde.
“He is a treasured friend and be assured that you will always see the unity that is ours as brothers,” Burbridge said.
“Fresher” water now is flowing from Arlington taps after the completion of a $4 million project to update the Minor Hill Reservoir system, the county announced this week.
Arlington finished work on a new transmission pipeline to the reservoir this summer, increasing the system’s reliability and water intake. The upgrade increases the speed in which water cycles through the county’s pipes, improving tap water quality.
“Having that more reliable is going to improve the reliability of water for everybody in the county,” Dave Hundelt, the county’s chief support engineer for water, sewer and streets, told the county-produced Street Beat video segment.
The Minor Hill Reservoir is located in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Arlington, near the county’s western border. The reservoir has four underground tanks that hold 24 million gallons of water.
Countywide, the county’s water system can store up to 32 million gallons of water for distribution.
Arlington County Police say they’ve charged Arlington resident Shahed Quayum, 49, with DUI maiming. The crime is a Class 6 felony in Virginia, punishable by 1-5 years in prison and revocation of one’s driver’s license.
A restaurant manager who witnessed the aftermath of yesterday’s crash in front of Mad Rose Tavern (3100 Clarendon Blvd) told ARLnow.com that Quayum was very intoxicated and could barely stand after getting out of the vehicle. Photos from the scene show him being tended to by passersby while firefighters worked to free one of the victims, a Mad Rose Tavern employee, from underneath the SUV.
The employee, a woman, suffered multiple broken bones and internal injuries but is expected to survive. The other victim, who was struck in a crosswalk at the nearby intersection of Washington Blvd and Clarendon Blvd, suffered only minor injuries.
From an ACPD press release:
The Arlington County Police Department has taken into custody Shahed Quayum, 49, of Arlington VA, following yesterday afternoon’s pedestrian collision in the 3100 block of Clarendon Boulevard. Quayum has been arrested and charged with DUI Maiming.
On October 4, 2016, at approximately 2:52 p.m., officers were dispatched to an accident with injuries in the 3100 block of Clarendon Boulevard. An investigation by the Critical Accident Team determined that a vehicle traveling eastbound on Clarendon Boulevard drove on the sidewalk as it crossed Washington Boulevard, striking a pedestrian in the crosswalk and knocking down a light pole. The pedestrian suffered minor injuries and was transported to Virginia Hospital Center. The vehicle continued on the sidewalk, striking a second pedestrian and trapping her under the vehicle. The Arlington County Fire Department extricated the victim from under the vehicle and transported her to George Washington University Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
A man with a gun robbed a couple of people on N. George Mason Drive in the Bluemont neighborhood yesterday evening.
The crime happened close to the entrance to the Bluemont Junction Trail. Attempts by police to find the suspect were unsuccessful.
From an Arlington County Police Department crime report:
ARMED ROBBERY, 161004036, 700 block of N. George Mason Drive. At approximately 6:00 p.m. on October 4, officers responded to the report of an armed robbery. When on scene it was determined that a male subject approached the victims, brandished a firearm, and demanded money. The suspect then fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. A K-9 track was attempted with negative results due to the amount of pedestrian traffic in the area. The suspect is described as a black male in his twenties, approximately 6’0″ tall and weighed 225 lbs. He was wearing a blue t-shirt, dark pants, and had dreadlocks.
Also in this week’s crime report, a man with a gun was able to detain a suspect who allegedly broke into his Waverly Hills home and stole booze from his refrigerator.
BURGLARY, 160929016, 4300 block of N. Old Dominion Drive. At approximately 10:03 a.m. on September 29, officers responded to the report of a fight in progress involving a firearm. Upon arrival, it was determined that a male victim witnessed a male subject exit his apartment through a window. The victim retrieved his firearm, chased the subject and was able to hold down the subject until officers arrived on scene. The firearm was not discharged and there were no injuries. It was later learned that the suspect took alcohol from the victim’s fridge. Ben Houssen, 39, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with burglary, grand larceny, and identity theft. He is being held without bond.
The rest of the past week’s crime report highlights, including some that we’ve already reported, after the jump.
A man dressed in a green bodysuit was cursing at passersby in Shirlington yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon, but no arrests were made.
Police were called around 4:30 p.m. for a man dressed like “Green Man” — a green full-body outfit that also covered his face — who was yelling and accosting people near the Shirlington Branch Library and the Harris Teeter grocery store.
Officers responded but were unable to find anything warranting criminal charges.
“Police were dispatched to the 4200 block of Campbell Ave at approximately 4:32 p.m. for the report of a suspicious man screaming profanities,” said Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage. “Police responded to the area and after investigation determined that no crime had occurred.”
Bluemont Park Meeting — Arlington County is hosting a community meeting tonight about a suddenly controversial plan, approved earlier this year, to build a fenced-in baseball field in Bluemont Park. The county says it will “listen to community concerns and suggestions and share next steps.” Those next steps likely include building the field largely as planned: a temporary construction fence has already been placed around the site. [Arlington County]
More Details on Police Chase — Montgomery County Police last night released additional details about the police chase that started with a carjacking in Silver Spring and ended with a crash on Lee Highway in Arlington. Police say the suspect, 41-year-old Anthony Shade, stole the Toyota RAV4 from a gas station while its owner was filling up. He’s facing charges in Arlington and Montgomery counties. [Montgomery County Police]
Virginia Has Best Electoral Representation — Demographically, compared to all other U.S. states, Virginia’s voters most closely represent the overall population of the state, according to a new study. [WalletHub]
Del. Lopez Spotted on CNN — Arlington’s own Del. Alfonso Lopez (D) could be seen on the live TV coverage of last night’s vice presidential debate. [Twitter, Twitter]
Man taken into custody after SUV crash in Clarendon
Man taken into custody after SUV crash in Clarendon
Man taken into custody after SUV crash in Clarendon
(Updated at 4:15 p.m.) An SUV has crashed into the side of Mad Rose Tavern in Clarendon, trapping one person underneath the vehicle.
Police and fire department rescue units responded to the scene and within a half hour was able to free the person from under the SUV.
Witnesses tell ARLnow.com that an older man in an SUV drove through the intersection of Washington Blvd and Clarendon Blvd, struck a woman in the crosswalk, knocked down a light pole and drove down the sidewalk before the vehicle finally came to a stop next to Mad Rose.
A woman was trapped underneath the SUV and could be heard screaming for help, a witness said. She was transported to the trauma center at George Washington University hospital but is expected to survive, police say.
The woman was an employee of Mad Rose Tavern, a restaurant manager said. The restaurant’s popular sidewalk cafe along Clarendon Blvd was destroyed by the SUV, but was not open at the time of the crash.
Investigators have secured surveillance footage of the crash from the restaurant, we’re told. The driver had bloodshot eyes and appeared to be intoxicated, said the restaurant manager.
The woman struck in the crosswalk was spun around by the collision but did not appear to be seriously hurt, a witness said. She was transported to Virginia Hospital Center, according to a police department spokeswoman. A third person was being evaluated by paramedics on scene.
Another witness said he spoke with the driver, who appeared dazed and disoriented, immediately after the crash. The witness asked what happened and, according to him, the man said he had just picked up medication from a local pharmacy.
The driver was led in handcuffs to a police cruiser. So far there’s no word on any charges filed.
Washington Blvd is currently closed between Highland and Clarendon, while Clarendon is closed between Washington and Highland. A large number of emergency responders are on scene but are beginning to pick up and go back in service.
Police are currently expected to remain on scene for an extended period of time due to traffic impacts from the traffic lights at the intersection of Washington and Clarendon being knocked out by the crash. Drivers in the Clarendon area should expect heavy traffic during the evening rush hour.
A group of residents has started a Change.org petition to protest against the planned relocation of a small, 150-year-old graveyard near the Ballston Metro station.
The graveyard, which contains headstones and perhaps the remains of members of the Ball family, for which Ballston is named, is being moved to make way for a redevelopment of the Ballston Central United Methodist Church site.
The development will consist of a new church, 132 apartments and a daycare and preschool facility.
The petition, which has more than 215 signatures as of publication time, says “to remove the graves is to remove the center of the city, the center of the history of the community, the center of Ballston.”
“The Robert Ball Family Cemetery does not need to be moved,” the petition concludes. The full text from the petition is below.
The Robert Ball Family Cemetery is threatened by development, which proposes to remove the human remains and markers to an off site location. The Robert Ball Family Cemetery was set aside in 1866 as a burial ground for his family, when his land was divided among his children and families.
The town of Ballston was platted around 1900, entitled Central Ballston, with the graveyard in the exact center of the plat. The town was named for Robert Ball and his family. In 1906, a 1/4 acre of the original 11 acres was given to the Methodist Episcopal Church for use as a church, parsonage and such, and the church was to maintain the graves and markers accordingly. In 1922, the road was widened, but curved around the church and graveyard. The church and county considered the cemetery closed for additional burials.
The church has maintained the cemetery since 1906, now over 110 years. With development closing in from all sides, the church is under pressure to allow the removal of the graves, as the developer wants to build to the curb. The permit to remove the human remains filed with the Virginia Department of Human Resources states very clearly that even if relatives and concerned parties do not want the burials removed, the development can proceed without their permission because of the benefits to the public.
It is the very presence of the graves and graveyard in 1906 that allowed for the church site to receive the land from the Ball family. It is the land from the Ball family and their presence that the name Ballston was given to the community. The plat for the center of Ballston plotted the graveyard in the center of the plat for the Center of Ballston. Relatives still visit the site. To remove the graves is to remove the center of the city, the center of the history of the community, the center of Ballston.
No provision appears to have been made to incorporate the cemetery into the development design. The developers always thought they would move the graves. The cemetery is on the corner of the development and could be spared by simply building around it. A nice border wall already exists. The buildings could curve around the cemetery, and even curve or arch over it, allowing sunshine down. Signage could be added on how Ballston was formed and the pivotal role the graveyard and Robert Ball family had on the placement of the church and the community.
The Robert Ball Family Cemetery does not need to be moved.
Gun Store Has New Owner — Lyon Park gun store Nova Armory has reportedly been sold to one of its employees. Shawn Poulin, the store’s manager, says he is now also its majority owner. The previous owner, Dennis Pratte, at one point claimed that the store was actually owned by his 16-year-old daughter. Poulin says the store is profitable and he plans to expand it to a second floor, “with a showroom to feature rifles, tactical gear and an expanded clothing line.” [Washington Post]
New Bishop for Arlington — Updated at 9:25 a.m. — The Catholic Diocese of Arlington is getting a new bishop. Bishop Michael Burbidge, 59, is transferring to Arlington from Raleigh, N.C. Burbridge is scheduled to be installed as bishop on Dec. 6, replacing current bishop Paul Loverde, 76. Some local Catholics have been pushing for a new bishop who will take the diocese in a different direction than Loverde, a traditionalist who decried the Supreme Court’s decision on same-sex marriage. Burbridge was critical of North Carolina’s HB2 “bathroom” law, which was seen as anti-LGBT, though he was also against an anti-discrimination ordinance in Charlotte that HB2 was intended to undo. [Fox 5, InsideNova]
The Evolution of Ballston — GGW takes a look at the past, present and future of Ballston. The article notes that Ballston was once the end of the Orange Line and that ridership at the station fell in the 1980s when the line was extended to Vienna. [Greater Greater Washington]
Immigrant Women to Protest at DCA — Immigrant women and labor union allies are planning a protest at Reagan National Airport today. They’ll be protesting the treatment of immigrant women who work at the airport, claiming poor working conditions for immigrant mothers in particular. [Patch]
Update at 10:35 p.m. — The westbound lanes of Lee Highway are being reopened, according to scanner traffic.
(Updated at 11 p.m.) Lee Highway was blocked in the area of N. Highland Street in Lyon Village tonight due to a crash following a police chase.
The chase started in Montgomery County and made its way through D.C. before ending with the suspect vehicle crashing into another vehicle on Lee Highway around 9:45 p.m. NBC 4 reported that the chase started following a carjacking in Silver Spring.
An occupant from each vehicle was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage. Arlington police did not give chase, Savage noted.
A police helicopter circled overhead as the chase ended. Dozens of officers from Arlington County, U.S. Police Park and Montgomery County were on the scene.
Arlington County PD not involved in pursuit. ACPD remains on scene of vehicle crash at Lee Highway. Lee Highway closed in both directions https://t.co/Tv2IyEPLxT
