News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Snow day in Arlington (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Police Chase Ends in Arlington — ” Multiple people are in custody early Friday morning after a Virginia State Police (VSP) pursuit ended in Arlington County. VSP officials said troopers were pursuing a vehicle that had been reported stolen when it finally came to a stop near S. Adams Street and S. 26th Street. Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) officials said their officers responded to assist VSP in the search for suspects around 3:21 a.m.” [WJLA]

Home Sale Prices Rise — “Average home-sales prices across Arlington increased year-over-year in all three segments of the market – single-family, attached and condominiums – but the whopper increase countywide in December requires an explanation. A significant bump up in the number of single-family homes in the overall sales mix helps to explain some of that large increase, which saw the average overall sales price in Arlington rise 25.3 percent from $728,349 to $919,508.” [Gazette Leader]

Another Towing Bill in Richmond — “Tow-truck drivers across the commonwealth would be required to obtain a state operating certificate, complete a drug test and take educational courses before being allowed to hook up vehicles, under a bill introduced by a member of the House of Delegates.” [Gazette Leader]

Buzz for Bee Bill — “If a local member of the General Assembly gets his way, the noble and environmentally vital honeybee will be named Virginia’s official state pollinator. Del. Patrick Hope (D-Arlington) has introduced HB 117, which will add the honeybee (Apis mellifera) to the roster of the Old Dominion’s official this-and-thats.” [Gazette Leader]

Student Rep Bill Returns — “It didn’t get very far in 2023, but a local member of the General Assembly has brought back a proposal requiring all school systems across the commonwealth to have a student representative. The bill, HB 958, is patroned by Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington), and is similar in scope to one he introduced in last year’s session.” [Gazette Leader]

New Swim Coach at Country Club — “Evan Stiles will be the new head coach of the perennial champion Washington Golf & Country Club Lightning team in the top division of the summertime Country Club Swim & Dive Association. The Lightning have won nine straight league championships at the top division. Stiles is well known on the swimming coaching circuit. He’s also the current longtime head swim coach of the year-round Arlington Aquatic Club program.” [Gazette Leader]

First Inch of Snow in Two Years — From the D.C. area National Weather Service office: “It’s official! Over 1″ of snow so far in DC & Baltimore, first time in approx. two years we’ve had this much snow!” [Twitter]

It’s Tuesday — Expect snow until 1 pm, followed by cloudy skies and a high of 33 degrees. The northeast wind of 5-15 mph will shift to the northwest in the afternoon, with possible gusts reaching 22 mph. There is a 50% chance of precipitation. For Tuesday night, the weather will be mostly clear and feature a low of 16 degrees, with a northwest wind of 9-13 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. [Weather.gov]

Weather

JUST IN: Winter Storm Warning issued for Arlington

By ARLnow.com
Snow in Rosslyn on a traffic camera just before 11 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2024

(Updated at 12:40 a.m.) Arlington is now under a Winter Storm Warning, with total snowfall expected to reach 4-6 inches.

The National Weather Service upgraded the previous Winter Weather Advisory around 10:30 p.m. The snow accumulation is making travel difficult, prompting Metro and Arlington Transit to implement severe snow plans for buses.

The snow is also delaying and cancelling flights at National Airport — and reportedly stranding several flights on the tarmac for extended periods of time. The GW Parkway remains closed between Spout Run and the Beltway, due to the snow.

From NWS:

URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
1028 PM EST Mon Jan 15 2024

…WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST TUESDAY…

* WHAT…Heavy snow, possibly changing to light freezing rain or freezing drizzle along the Interstate 95 corridor toward morning. Total snow accumulation of 4 to 6 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze.

* WHERE…Portions of central Maryland, The District of Columbia and northern Virginia.

* WHEN…Until 10 AM EST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday morning commute.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Moderate to heavy snow this evening and overnight may produce snow of one half to one inch per hour and reduce visibility to one half mile or less at times. Snow intensity will taper off toward morning.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

When venturing outside, watch your first few steps taken on steps, sidewalks, and driveways, which could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.

Arlington Public Schools has canceled classes tomorrow and the county government will, as of now, open on a delay.

Federal government offices are also closing for the day.

Metro, meanwhile, issued the following press release Monday night about its operating status. Metro — along with Arlington Transit — is operating limited bus service due to the snow.

For the rest of the evening on Monday, Jan. 15, and early morning on Tuesday, Jan. 16, Metrobus will be operating under its Severe Snow Plan with approximately 40-plus bus routes operating.

Under a Severe Snow Plan, bus service is limited to major roads, with additional snow detours possible based on road conditions.

Customers are advised to travel only if necessary, as snow and ice may create hazardous conditions, causing delays and increased wait times. If snow is blocking the curb, wait on the sidewalk instead of the street until the bus arrives.

Metro is deploying resources throughout the system and across the region to monitor road conditions and keep parking lots, walkways, and stations clear of snow. Customers should build in additional travel time and use caution on platforms, escalators, parking lots, and other areas that may be slippery.

Metrorail is running regular service, though service may change based on weather conditions and staffing availability.

MetroAccess is running regular service, but customers are encouraged to travel only if necessary. Some trips may experience delays due to road conditions. If door-to-door service is not possible, curb-to-curb service will be provided instead.

The decision to reduce bus service was made to support the safety of our customers and employees. The plan was developed in conjunction and coordination with our jurisdictions and regional partners.

Metro will re-evaluate weather conditions throughout the day Tuesday and we aim to return to normal bus service as soon as conditions allow.

Customers are encouraged to sign up for MetroAlerts text and email messages to receive the latest service updates. You can also visit the Status and Alerts page and check Metro’s social media channels @wmata@MetrorailInfo and @Metrobusinfo.

Sponsored

Police investigating gunfire that damaged window in Green Valley

By ARLnow.com
Police car at night (file photo courtesy Kevin Wolf)

Arlington County police are investigating shots fired in the Green Valley neighborhood.

The gunfire rang out around 10 p.m. Friday night near The Shelton apartment complex. No injuries were reported but a bullet damaged a window in a nearby residential building.

More, below, from an ACPD crime report.

SHOTS FIRED, 2025-10100198, 3200 block of 24th Street S. At approximately 10:01 p.m. on October 10, police were dispatched to the report of possible shots heard in the area. During the course of the investigation, officers recovered evidence confirming shots had been fired in the area and property damage to the window of a residential building was located. No injuries were reported. There are no suspect(s) descriptions. The investigation is ongoing.

The same block was the scene of a shooting in November 2024. The teen victim of that shooting survived his serious injuries.

Schools

NEW: Tuesday is a snow day for Arlington Public Schools

By ARLnow.com
An Arlington Public Schools employee clears snow from in front of Barrett Elementary School in 2015 (file photo)

(Updated at midnight) There will be no classes for Arlington Public Schools students Tuesday.

The snow day means at least a four-day weekend for students, when combined with today’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. APS made the announcement around 6 p.m.

Tue, Jan. 16, 2024: Code 1 – All APS Schools & Offices Closed  

CODE 1: All APS schools and offices will be closed tomorrow, Tue, Jan. 16, 2024. Unless otherwise directed by their supervisors, custodial and maintenance staff should report to work at their scheduled time. Extracurricular activities, games, team practices, field trips, adult education classes and programs in schools and on school grounds are canceled. For updates about Pool Operations, go to www.apsva.us/aquatics. For information about Arlington County programs and operations go to www.arlingtonva.us.

Nearby Alexandria, Fairfax County, D.C. and Montgomery County have also announced snow days. The area is, as of 11 p.m., under a Winter Storm Warning, with a couple of additional inches of accumulation expected overnight.

Arlington County government offices and courts, meanwhile, will open at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, while libraries are set to open at noon, the county announced Monday night. The federal government will be closed.

At Reagan National Airport, the FAA is reporting, as of midnight, a Ground Stop due to snow and ice.

NBC 4 chief meteorologist Doug Kammerer said on social media that he arrived on an flight that’s now stranded on the tarmac at DCA while snow is cleared from runways. There are numerous other reports on social media of passengers stranded on planes at the airport.

 

As snow continues to fall tonight, local roads are getting treacherous.

One crash near Rosslyn caused by the snow tonight was caught on video, below.

Announcement

Grief+Loss Therapy: Now Available

By Sarah Moore

This week, we are thrilled to welcome Jane Lowery to our women’s therapy practice. Jane specializes in grief+loss therapy and she’s forming a support group for young adults who have lost a parent.

Grief work is personal for Jane. She’s a host with The Dinner Party, a national non-profit reducing the isolation & stigma for grieving 20 & 30-something’s with live and virtual sit-down dinners.

Go to Grief+Loss Therapy: Now Available Read more
Weather

Winter Weather Advisory issued, part of GW Parkway closed due to expected snow

By ARLnow.com
MLK Jr. Day 2024 snowfall (Flickr pool photo by Tom Mockler)

Update at 11 p.m. — The Winter Weather Advisory has been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning.

Earlier: Arlington and the immediate D.C. area is under a Winter Weather Advisory, with several inches of additional snow accumulation expected.

The advisory from the National Weather Service was issued this morning. While light snow is currently falling, adding to the dusting from overnight Sunday into Monday, heavier snowfall is expected later this afternoon and tonight.

From NWS:

URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
1011 AM EST Mon Jan 15 2024

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST TUESDAY…

* WHAT…Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 3 inches.

* WHERE…Portions of central and southern Maryland, The District of Columbia and central and northern Virginia.

* WHEN…Until 7 AM EST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the afternoon and evening commute.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…There will be a brief lull in snow intensity this morning before picking back up again this afternoon. The snow is expected to continue through the night, before winding down just prior to daybreak Tuesday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

When venturing outside, watch your first few steps taken on steps, sidewalks, and driveways, which could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.

Drivers are being encouraged to take it slow as some local roads remain slick and snow-covered. The National Park Service, meanwhile, has closed the GW Parkway from Spout Run in Arlington to the Beltway — where construction has been taking place.

The closure is “until further notice,” due to safety concerns during the snow.

From NPS:

The George Washington Memorial Parkway, from 495 to Spout Run, is closed due to the forecasted severe winter weather in the area. This closure is necessary to ensure the proper treatment of the roadway and to restore the parkway to safe travel conditions. Crews will work diligently to treat the road for safe passage of drivers. Drivers should anticipate delays in reopening the northern section of the parkway as crews are required to use smaller equipment than usual to accommodate the lane widths and configurations. Please plan to use alternate routes.

A follow-up alert will be distributed once the parkway has reopened. Thank you in advance for your patience.

Flickr pool photo by Tom Mockler

Announcement

Mieza Blendery open

By Mieza Blendery

Mieza Blendery Open in Alexandria’s West End

Mieza Blendery, located at 109 Clermont Avenue off Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria, was founded by Alex Lynch, a DC native, who fell in love with brewing Saison and Sour beer after college. As a home brewer he bought his first wine barrel in 2011 and has been brewing professionally ever since.

Go to Mieza Blendery open Read more
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