Fireworks over the National Mall, viewed near the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Rosslyn (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Lester Johnson plays guitar while his wife Lauren Johnson enjoys it while they wait for fireworks in Rosslyn (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Emily and Phil play badminton near the US Marine Corps War Memorial in Rosslyn (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
People head to the US Marine Corps War Memorial and Netherlands Carrilon to view the fireworks over the National Mall, in Rosslyn (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
The Capitol as seen from the US Marine Corps War Memorial on a hazy summer day (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Fireworks over the National Mall, viewed near the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Rosslyn (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Fireworks over the National Mall, viewed near the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Rosslyn (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Missed the fireworks on the National Mall last night? Or just want to relive the Fourth of July grandeur?
ARLnow staff photographer Jay Westcott brought his cameras to the Marine Corps War Memorial near Rosslyn to capture the show and some of those watching the show.
Unlike past years when weather resulted in extra haze that obscured the fireworks, the 2023 edition benefited from clear skies and relatively pleasant temperatures.
The fireworks viewing was not the only Independence Day celebration of note in Arlington. Neighborhood events were held throughout the county, including the annual parades and block parties in places like Barcroft and Douglas Park.
Celebrating #4thofJuly in Barcroft #ColumbiaPike. Everybody was out on the parade – Great reminder btw. how awesome a car-free street can be! -taken over by ‘rebellious’ walking/cycling neighbors. A little rebellion now and then sure is a good thing! pic.twitter.com/p8H0UQOmJ8
— Takis Karantonis (@TakisKarantonis) July 4, 2023
Happy 4th of July, Arlington! Thank you for inviting us to celebrate with you at community parades across the County! ACPD wishes you a fun and safe holiday! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/f84Jv3xDpW
Arrest for Assaulting Police — “1200 block of S. Courthouse Road. At approximately 7:14 p.m. on June 30, police were dispatched to the report of trouble unknown. Upon arrival, the reporting party advised a possibly intoxicated individual was located in the stairway of a residential building. As the arriving officer was attempting to take the suspect into custody, he allegedly became combative, resisted arrest and struck the officer. With the assistance of additional police units, the suspect was taken into custody, during which he struck and headbutted a second officer.” [ACPD]
Fire in Crystal City — Construction debris reportedly caught fire on an upper floor of an under-construction building on the 1900 block of Crystal Drive over the weekend. [Twitter]
Crash on I-395 — From Dave Statter: “Vehicle stops on I-395S 8A ramp across from the Pentagon, backs up, crosses over to the Pentagon ramp, causes another driver to run off the road knocking down a sign, and then drives away. It was 7:10 pm. Hope someone got the tag.” [Twitter]
Local Bank to Close — “Alexandria’s Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Co. is planning to close its full-service branch in Crystal City and is looking to replace it with a smaller location somewhere between Amazon.com Inc.’s second headquarters in Pentagon City and Virginia Tech’s forthcoming Innovation Campus at Potomac Yard. The $3.7 billion-asset bank recently put its 1,217-square-foot space at 500 23rd St.” [Washington Business Journal]
YHS Tennis Star Places in State Tourney — “Rayan Elkhalifi… moved to Arlington for the 2022-23 school year from Morocco, where he did not play high-school tennis as a freshman, sophomore or junior. For Yorktown, Elkhalifi won Liberty District and 6D North Region tournament singles championships, then finished second in the Virginia High School League’s Class 6 state tourney.” [Gazette Leader]
Pornhub Now Blocking Va. Users — “Pornhub is pulling out … of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The wildly popular smut purveyor shut down access to amorous Dominion state residents to protest a new law requiring age verification.” [New York Post, Virginia Mercury]
Code Orange Alert Today — “The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert Wednesday for Northern Virginia. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups.” [Weather.gov]
It’s Wednesday — A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Light and variable wind becoming north around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%. At night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. [Weather.gov]
Address:1404 N Herndon Street Neighborhood: Lyon Village Type: 4 BR, 4 (+1 half) BA single-family detached – 3991 sq. ft. Listed: $2,575,000
Noteworthy: Stunning Lyon Village Modern Masterpiece.
Stunning modern masterpiece designed and renovated in 2016 by acclaimed Moser Architects, seamlessly blending cutting-edge design with refined comfort. Nestled in sought-after Lyon Village, this home offers a light-filled, open layout that exudes sophistication and warmth. Every detail reflects the vision of the current owner, a talented interior designer who curated the interiors with an elevated sense of style. Upon entry, soaring ceilings, white oak flooring, and Italian lighting by Artemide set the tone for contemporary elegance. The striking dining room features Schumacher wallpaper, custom cabinetry, and Scandinavian lighting by Louis Poulsen, while a stylish home office with built-ins complements the design. Along the hall, a custom mural by NYC’s Calico Wallpaper leads to the mudroom and powder room, accented by Kelly Wearstler Visual Comfort lighting and Scalamandre wallcoverings. The open-concept living area, wrapped in walls of windows, centers around state-of-the-art kitchen by Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens with Canadian Elmwood cabinetry, Dekton countertops, walk-in pantry, butler’s pantry with beverage center, and custom banquette upholstered in Christopher Farr Cloth. Upstairs, the primary suite includes two custom-designed walk-in closets and a luxurious spa-inspired bath with an oversized shower and bench seating. Three additional bedrooms, two full baths—one showcasing a Scandinavian light fixture by &Tradition—and a convenient laundry room complete the upper level. The lower level includes a recreation room with 9-foot ceilings, guest suite, full bath, second laundry, and garage access. Outside, professional landscaping and a private flagstone patio provide a serene retreat just two blocks from Clarendon Metro, shops, and dining.
Intersection of S. Walter Reed Drive and S. Dinwiddie Street (via Google Maps)
(Updated at 6:15 p.m.) A vehicle with three people inside crashed into a tree along S. Walter Reed Drive early this morning, killing the 23-year-old driver and a 21-year-old passenger.
The July 4 crash happened around 2 a.m. at the intersection with S. Dinwiddie Street — a few blocks from Route 7 and from Wakefield High School. The force of the crash caused the vehicle to catch fire.
The circumstances leading to the crash are currently unclear. Arlington County police are asking anyone with information about it to contact investigators.
At last check, there was one surviving passenger with critical injuries, being treated at a local trauma center.
ACPD said Tuesday evening that a passenger, originally listed in critical condition, had died.
“The driver has been identified as 23-year-old Furkan Avkan of Alexandria, VA,” the police department said. “A passenger in the vehicle passed away at the hospital. She has been identified 21-year-old Habiba Harbaoui who was visiting the area from Tunisia.”
The initial ACPD press release is below.
The Arlington County Police Department is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that occurred in the early morning hours of July 4, 2023.
At approximately 2:06 a.m., police were dispatched to S. Walter Reed Drive at S. Dinwiddie Street for the report of a vehicle fire. The preliminary investigation indicates the occupants were traveling southbound on Walter Reed Drive when the vehicle left the roadway, entered the median, struck a tree and caught fire.
The adult male driver was located unresponsive inside the vehicle and pronounced deceased on scene. The two passengers, both adult females, were removed from the vehicle and transported to area hospitals in critical condition.
The identity of the driver is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Detective T. Parsons at [email protected] or 703-228-4172. Information may also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). For additional community resources and contact information, visit our website.
Storm clouds moving in over Westover (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Arlington and the D.C. area are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch Monday afternoon and evening.
The watch is in effect until 10 p.m.
From the National Weather Service: “A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 10pm. Scattered severe storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and large hail are possible through this evening. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. There is also an isolated threat for flash flooding during this time.”
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 10pm for all locations along & east of I-81. Wind & hail are the primary threats along with an isolated tornado. Mariners on the bay & tidal Potomac beware as these storms push east over the next 2-4 hours. #MDwx#VAwx#WVwx#DCwxpic.twitter.com/KrBoEfwLj0
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) July 3, 2023
Traveling today ahead of #July4th? Severe #storms are possible this PM, especially along/east of I-95.
