Trash truck on fire in Penrose (photo courtesy @fbellavia)
A garbage truck that caught fire on 2nd Street S.
A garbage truck that caught fire on 2nd Street S.
A garbage truck that caught fire on 2nd Street S.
First responders on the scene after a garbage truck caught fire on 2nd Street S.
(Updated at 1:20 p.m.) A trash truck caught fire near the Syphax Education Center in Penrose early this afternoon.
Police and firefighters are on the scene, along 2nd Street S. at S. Wayne Street.
The Waste Management truck’s driver dumped its contents onto the roadway after the fire started, according to police on the scene. A hazmat team subsequently managed to contain the spill, and Waste Management will be arranging a clean-up effort, according to scanner traffic.
Police expect 2nd Street S. to be closed in both directions for the next few hours. Fire marshals are currently investigating how the fire started.
#Alert: Crews putting out trash truck fire at 2nd St S and S Wayne St. Fire out. Hazmat containing run off. Intersection will be closed for about 2 hrs. 2nd St S closed btwn S Uhle St & S Wayne St. S Wayne St closed btwn S Courthouse Rd & S Wayne St #ArlTxpic.twitter.com/CkgD9o0TXP
(Updated at 9:05 a.m.) Arlington County Police are actively searching for a stabbing suspect in the Westover area.
Initial reports suggest that a woman stabbed a man in the shoulder in an apartment building on the 5700 block of Washington Blvd. His injuries are not reported to be life-threatening.
As of 8:45 a.m. Friday, Washington Blvd was closed between Patrick Henry Drive and N. Kenilworth Street due to the emergency response.
The suspect was described over police radio as a white female with red hair, between 5’5″ and 5’8″ and 130 lbs. She was wearing gray sweatpants and a sweatshirt at the time. Officers and a K-9 unit are canvassing the area looking for her.
POLICE ACTIVITY: ACPD is responding to the report of a stabbing between known individuals in the 5700 block of Washington Blvd. Suspect is still outstanding, one victim transported to the hospital. This is an ongoing investigation and police remain onscene.
Water rescue at Columbia Island Marina (photo courtesy @ArlingtonVaFD)
Water rescue at Columbia Island Marina (photo courtesy @ArlingtonVaFD)
Water rescue at Columbia Island Marina (photo courtesy @ArlingtonVaFD)
Water rescue at Columbia Island Marina (photo courtesy @ArlingtonVaFD)
A man is in critical condition after being rescued from a submerged car at the Columbia Island Marina.
Rescue personnel from Arlington, D.C. and Reagan National Airport were dispatched to the marina at 9 a.m. for a report of a vehicle in the water. Within minutes they rescued the man through the car window, treated him on the scene and rushed him to George Washington University Hospital, said an Arlington fire department spokeswoman.
The submerged vehicle was located near the marina’s boat ramp. There’s no word yet how it ended up in the water.
Divers searched but did not find any other victims. They were aided in the search by the D.C. fire boat and the U.S. Park Police Eagle 1 helicopter.
Rescue personnel are currently working to remove the car from the water.
One firefighter suffered an injury during the rescue operation and was treated on scene by medics. Access to the marina’s parking lot has been restricted due to the emergency response.
Update at 10:25 a.m. — The vehicle has been removed from the water, per scanner traffic.
Update at 5:35 p.m. — The man who was pulled from the submerged car has died, WTOP is reporting. It is still unclear as to how the car wound up in the water.
(Updated at 3:20 p.m.) A man is now in critical condition after first responders say he jumped in front of a train at the East Falls Church Metro station.
Metro Transit Police believe the person was struck by a train after jumping on the track intentionally. Rescuers have since rushed him to a local hospital after removing him from under the train.
Orange and Silver line trains are single-tracking between the East Falls Church station and Ballston, and Metro is warning riders to expect delays in both directions.
Orange/Silver Line trains are single tracking btwn East Falls Church & Ballston due to a person struck by train. Some trains will not service these stations to avoid congestion. Please listen for announcements. #wmata
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of self-harm, call 911 or the Department of Human Services’ emergency services line at 703-228-5160. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
(Updated at 12:10 a.m.) Dozens — if not hundreds — of adoring fans flocked to Clarendon tonight (June 8) to welcome home the Washington Capitals as they brought home the Stanley Cup.
The team gathered for a private celebration at Don Tito along Wilson Blvd, and fans congregated on both sides of N. Hudson Street to cheer and offer their thanks. Players arriving at the restaurant early on included T.J. Oshie, Tom Wilson and Philipp Grubauer.
Wilson even got the chance to hoist the Cup and show it off to the assembled crowd.
The Caps returned from Las Vegas earlier this afternoon, after besting the Golden Knights in five games to win D.C. its first major sports title since 1992.
ARLnow broadcast the staggered arrivals of players and the Stanley Cup on Facebook Live. The Cup can be seen in the beginning of the video.
Caps star, Conn Smythe Trophy winner and one-time Arlington resident Alexander Ovechkin arrived after our live feed ended. Later Ovi brought the Cup down from the party to show screaming, smartphone-wielding bar-goers, as seen in the video below.
Despite a brief summer thunderstorm rolling through — and Thursday’s excitement putting a slight damper on Clarendon’s Friday nightlife — the line to get into Don Tito’s remained relatively long as of 11 p.m.
More social media posts from the celebration, after the jump.
Arlington Fire Chief James Bonzano is retiring in a few months, ARLnow.com has confirmed.
The county will formally announce Bonzano’s retirement this afternoon. A job posting, seeking his replacement, was recently published on the county careers website.
Bonzano will have served as chief for about three years when he retires, capping a 34-year career with the Arlington County Fire Department that included service as EMS branch director at the Pentagon following the Sept. 11 terror attacks. He was appointed acting chief following Chief James Schwartz’s ascension to deputy county manager in 2015 and was subsequently named the permanent fire chief in 2016.
In a statement, County Manager Mark Schwartz lauded Bonzano’s commitment to the Arlington community.
“Jimmy has dedicated his career and his life to Arlington County and the people who live and work here, and I thank him for all he has done in his more than three decades of service,” said Schwartz. “His commitment to strong and progressive leadership has ensured the safety of our community.”
Bonzano, who was born in Arlington, said that “it has been my privilege to serve the community I love for 34 years.”
“The time has come to slow down and spend time with my family,” he said in a statement. “I am honored to have led the dedicated men and women of the Arlington County Fire Department, and I am proud of what we have achieved together.”
“I offer my sincere thanks to Mark Schwartz, the executive leadership team, the men and women of the fire department, and the citizens of Arlington County for providing me the opportunity to be their Fire Chief,” he continued. “It has been a remarkable experience I will always cherish.”
The fire department has been facing staffing challenges amid retirements, though the new county budget seeks to address that via increases in first responder pay. A new recruit class of 28 firefighter/EMTs, just sworn in last week, will also help “make the department’s staffing numbers whole.”
An exact retirement date has not been confirmed, but a fire department spokesman said that Bonzano will retire at the end of the summer.
The county is currently in the process of looking for a new chief. The full text of the job posting for the position is below, after the jump.
Map of police-involved shooting location (via Google Maps)
Police involved shooting scene (image capture via NBC 4)
Jessica Lary (photo courtesy ACPD)
Police involved shooting scene (image capture via NBC 4)
Police involved shooting scene (image capture via NBC 4)
Update at 2:05 p.m. — The police department just issued a press release about the shooting.
At approximately 8:11 p.m. on May 3, 2018, Arlington County Police officers conducting surveillance in the area of 12th Street S. and S. Edgewood Street attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by a male driver and a female passenger with outstanding warrants for probation violation. When officers approached the vehicle on foot, the male suspect ignored their verbal commands and struck police vehicles in an attempt to flee the scene. At that time, shots were fired by two officers, injuring the male driver.
Following the shooting, the suspects fled the scene by vehicle. While fleeing, the suspect vehicle struck and damaged a parked vehicle in the 2800 block of 12th Street S. Arriving officers established a perimeter and located the unoccupied suspect vehicle in the area of 13th Street S. at S. Irving Street. During a canvas, officers located the male suspect hiding underneath a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers performed life saving measures before Arlington County Fire Department medics arrived on scene and transported the male suspect to Inova Fairfax Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. Steven Best, 51, of No Fixed Address was arrested and charged with three counts of Attempted Malicious Wounding of Law Enforcement Officer.
Officers observed the female suspect hiding behind a bush in the 3200 block of 13th Street S. Officers provided lawful commands to the suspect and when she refused to comply, a K9 was deployed. The female suspect was then taken into police custody. She was transported to Virginia Hospital Center with minor injuries. Jessica Lary, 40, of Annandale, VA was held in the Arlington County Detention Facility on no bond for the outstanding warrants.
Three Arlington County Police officers were transported to Virginia Hospital Center for evaluation.
This is an ongoing and active investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective J. Trainer of the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4185 or [email protected]. Information may also be provided anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
Earlier: Arlington County Police are on scene of an officer-involved shooting a block from Columbia Pike.
The shooting was first reported around 8:30 p.m.
Police say the incident started at the intersection of 11th Street S. and S. Edgewood Street, near the Rite Aid pharmacy, when officers tried to pull over a vehicle with a man and a wanted female suspect inside.
The suspect vehicle did not stop and subsequently struck a police car, said ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage. That is when the shooting happened.
“During the incident officers discharged weapons,” Savage said.
The man was shot and transported to the hospital in critical condition, according to Savage, while the female suspect was apprehended and also taken to a local hospital for an as-yet undisclosed “minor” injury.
Initial scanner reports suggest that at least one person had been shot multiple times in the stomach, while another person suffered a dog bite. Medics were initially dispatched to the intersection of 13th and S. Irving street.
At least two police officers were also taken to a local hospital for evaluation, though their injuries were not reported to be serious.
Television news footage showed a white cargo van, identified as a the suspect vehicle, being towed from the scene.
Savage described the current scene as an “active and fluid investigation” and said that investigators will be in the area “for a significant period of time.” Edgewood Street near the Rite Aid is currently closed.
It is unclear at this point how many shots were fired, where exactly the shots were fired nor what the female suspect was wanted for.
POLICE ACTIVITY: ACPD is investigating an officer-involved shooting at 11th Street S. at S. Edgewood Street. Two suspects have been transported to area hospitals. There are no outstanding suspects. ACPD remains on scene investigating.
(Updated at 2 p.m.) Baby food and products company Gerber is moving its headquarters from New Jersey to Rosslyn and creating 150 jobs, officials announced Monday afternoon (April 16).
The company, a Nestlé subsidiary acquired in 2007, will invest $5 million in the relocation.
The announcement comes a little over a year after Nestlé announced its move to Arlington to a 250,000 square foot office space at 1812 N. Moore Street.
Gov. Ralph Northam made the announcement at Nestlé’s Rosslyn headquarters, noting that his excitement in announcing the move partially stemmed from his 30 years as a pediatrician.
“We want to be the most business-friendly state in the country,” said Gov. Northam at the relocation announcement.
A line of elected officials at the state and local level praised the relocation at a brief media event, including Rep. Don Beyer, Del. Rip Sullivan, and County Board Chair Katie Cristol.
Esther Lee, Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce and Trade, who also spoke at the event, was quoted in a press release saying that “gaining the headquarters of the iconic Gerber brand is an important win for Arlington County and the Commonwealth.”
At the event, Cristol presented a key to the county to Steve Presley, Nestlé’s chief financial officer.
More from the press release regarding funding:
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Arlington County Economic Development to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Northam approved a grant in the amount of $862,500 from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist the County with the project. The company is also be eligible to receive a Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit.
Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) has vetoed legislation that would have dramatically reduced Arlington County’s tax revenue from two country clubs.
HB 1204 would have reduced the tax bills for Army Navy Country Club and Washington Golf and Country Club, but would have cost the county’s coffers nearly $1.5 million annually.
The state legislature will now have an opportunity to override the veto.
More from an Arlington County press release:
“We are grateful to Governor Northam for vetoing HB 1204,” Arlington County Board Chair Katie Cristol said. “The governor, by his action to keep authority over local property assessments in the hands of local government, and not in Richmond, has shown real leadership. This legislation had major implications for all localities across the Commonwealth.”
Arlington encourages all local governments to unify and ask their legislators to sustain the veto when the General Assembly reconvenes April 18 at the State Capitol, Cristol said.
“We are committed to resolving the assessment issue with the golf courses, and we are confident that we can find an equitable solution,” she said. “I want to thank our Arlington delegation for standing strong with us throughout this process.”
In his veto message, Northam says that he expects Arlington and the clubs to reach a compromise soon. The clubs are suing the county, fighting back against what they say is an unfair way to assess what is essentially open space — treating the many acres of golf courses as developable land.
The governor’s veto message is below.
Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 1204, which requires the County of Arlington to assess two private country clubs within its boundaries as land dedicated to open space rather than its current method of highest and best use.
This is a local dispute over a local government’s method of assessing land for property taxation. As such, the solution to this dispute should be reached on the local level without the involvement of the state.
I have been assured that an agreement acceptable to both sides of this dispute is close to being reached. I encourage the parties to continue negotiations to find a solution so that similar legislation will not be necessary in the future.
A smoldering pile of trash is currently blocking 1st Road S., two blocks from Thomas Jefferson Middle School.
The trash fire was first reported around 10:30 a.m., at the intersection of 1st Road and S. Oakland Street, on the west side of S. Glebe Road. A private garbage collection crew reported that it had dumped its load of trash in the road after the trash caught on fire.
Firefighters are currently dousing the trash pile with water while using tools to move the pile around to find hot spots.
After the fire is completely extinguished, the trash collection company is then expected to start the cleanup process.
The Arlington County Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred in the 4100 block of 11th Place N. on Friday, March 16, 2018.
At approximately 7:35 p.m. on March 16, police were dispatched to the report of a possible death. Upon arrival, it was determined that following a check on the welfare, the male victim was located deceased inside the residence. This remains an active investigation and cause of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective R. Munizza at 703-228-4171 or [email protected]. To report information anonymously, contact the Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866.411.TIPS (8477).
This is the first homicide in Arlington County this year.
