weekend discussion

This week some signs of spring have started to poke through despite the wild and wintry weather expected tomorrow.

Blossoms have started to bloom and some residents are planning for peak season viewing later this month. With the seasonal changes also comes daylight saving time — don’t forget your clocks will jump ahead one hour this Sunday at 2 a.m.

Now, here are the most-read Arlington articles of the past week.

1. Theft suspect seriously injured after fall from Pentagon City mall garage
2. Man stabbed outside Sequoia Plaza complex after fight on bus
3. Vehicle overturns on GW Parkway, may be linked to Georgetown robbery
4. What Arlington, the ‘Hoboken of D.C.,’ can learn from the NJ city about pedestrian safety
5. Construction begins on revamped Crystal City Water Park and courtyard along Crystal Drive
6. Taqueria el Poblano is closing its Columbia Pike location this spring
7. Arlington’s test positivity rate nearing pre-Omicron levels
8. Part of Columbia Pike to close next year as cemetery expansion project ramps up
9. Japanese restaurant Yuraku planning to open next month in long-vacant Rosslyn space
10. As residential redevelopment plans in Crystal City take shape, community benefits may hit snags

Feel free to discuss these stories or anything else of local interest in the comments. Have a great weekend, Arlington!

TGIF, Arlington.

We hope you have a restful weekend and avoid any convoy protest-related delays. The latest update indicate that truckers and supporters in personal vehicles will arrive on Saturday, with the Beltway and the White House as possible destinations.

New from me:

I'm not excited to report this, but the trucker convoy is very real and headed to somewhere around D.C. tomorrow.

They've picked up dozens of semis and hundreds of cars. The JFK Jr. people joined them. Some might be going to the White House.https://t.co/qnm1bRHaSv

— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) March 4, 2022

Anyway, these trucker Telegram groups have hundreds of thousands in them combined. People are piling on overpasses to support them as they drive by.

They're headed to DC tomorrow.

Where exactly? Unclear.

To protest what? Also unclear.

Here's the story:https://t.co/qnm1bRpA0X

— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) March 4, 2022

At last check the convoy was in Hagerstown, Maryland and continuing to grow in size.

As we wait to see what impact, if any, the convoy has on Arlington, below are the most-read ARLnow articles of the past week.

1. Two arrested on Columbia Pike amid murder investigation
2. Youngkin vetoes Arlington police auditor bill
3. Catching a Friday fish fry near Arlington may require a penitential drive in traffic
4. A 34,000-square-foot Target is opening in Pentagon City in early April
5. Man receives life sentence for rape of massage therapist
6. Masks optional at Arlington Public Schools as of March 1
7. Don’t worry about that low-flying helicopter near the Alexandria border, Arlington County says
8. Video: Police perform PIT maneuver on carjacked car just before I-395 bridge
9. Arlington builds call system to divert people in mental health crises from jail
10. Covid cases and test positivity rate continue to fall in Arlington

Have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss those stories or anything else of local interest in the comments.

As the four-day work week winds down for most, we’re going into the last weekend in February.

One of the top stories of the month is also hopping in this week’s most-read list for the second week in a row. The article on the bunny that infiltrated the Pentagon was the second most-read of February, only followed by the coverage of the lockdown at Yorktown High School.

The bunny news followed a rogue chicken scoping out the Pentagon entrance on the first day of February, another well-read story. We’ll have to see if March brings more animal news.

Now, here are the most-read Arlington articles of the past week.

1. Don’t worry about that low-flying helicopter near the Alexandria border, Arlington County says
2. NEW: Arlington’s summer camp registration system melts down again, despite changes
3. A bunny has apparently infiltrated the Pentagon (published Feb. 14)
4. Historical Society to homeowners: please don’t tear down your old house
5. Busy Crystal City intersection closed after water main break, possible sinkholes
6. Arlington implementing new program to divert youth from criminal justice system
7. W-L students give away books they say could be ‘banned’ under new bill
8. Apartments proposed for vacant Wendy’s lot near finish line
9. EXCLUSIVE: Pike redevelopment project displaces tenants, sparking community outcry
10. A Ballston Mediterranean cafe is broken into for the second time in a year

Feel free to discuss these stories or anything else of local interest in the comments. Have a great weekend, Arlington!

We hope you are celebrating George Washington’s birthday with a three-day weekend. Most county services will be closed Monday and there are festivities abound in Alexandria for those who want to partake.

The week’s roundup of news included everything from updates to Covid mitigation strategies in schools to confirmation that an Amazon Fresh is coming to Crystal City.

Now, here are the most-read articles of the past week:

1. A bunny has apparently infiltrated the Pentagon
2. The original Five Guys was located in a strip mall along Columbia Pike
3. Man arrested after Clarendon bar fight allegedly turns into sidewalk knife fight
4. APS must make masks optional by March 1, will present new policy today
5. Amazon Fresh grocery store opening in Crystal City, company confirms
6. Part of Arlington has lost water pressure, officials say
7. County considers new definition of ‘family’ to prevent housing discrimination
8. Arlington’s test positivity rate drops below 5%
9. Jury convicts man of 2019 Rosslyn stabbing spree
10. New historic marker at Bluemont Junction Park speaks to impact of Jim Crow laws

Feel free to discuss those stories or anything else of local interest in the comments. Have a great long weekend!

We’ll assume many of you are courting your sweethearts locally this weekend ahead of Valentine’s Day, based on poll results earlier this week about Arlington’s date spots.

Or maybe you’re venturing out with a light jacket to enjoy Saturday’s unseasonably tepid weather before we’re reminded it’s still February on Sunday with some snow possible — more likely to just be a coating than accumulation.

Now, here are the most-read Arlington articles of the past week.

1. Anonymous threat prompts lockdown, evacuations at Yorktown High School
2. Ballston cafe with an, ahem, unusual logo is now shuttered
3. From the Pike to Dubai, Bob & Edith’s Diner wants to serve the world pancakes
4. Arlington animal control disputes ‘deer problem’ raised in study
5. An Arlington girls flag football team won an NFL championship this past weekend
6. NEW: Bill making masks optional for students passes Va. Senate
7. Morning Poll: Is Arlington becoming a better place to go out on dates?
8. Long-vacant restaurant space near Clarendon to become a daycare facility
9. Police make arrests after pair of weekend robberies in Crystal City
10. Wine bar and restaurant Pirouette Cafe opening this summer in Ballston

Feel free to discuss those stories or anything else of local interest in the comments. Enjoy the warm(er) weather, Arlington!

(Updated at 10:10 a.m.) There was no shortage of news this week, from lawsuits to fires to a violent incident at a local drive-thru.

Hopefully, this weekend is much quieter as Arlington stays safe inside following the snowfall Friday.

By the way, today is ARLnow’s 12th anniversary: on this date in 2010 ARLnow started publishing. Time flies!

Now, here are the most-read articles of the past week:

1. Two arrested after incorrect order leads to violence at local McDonald’s
2. Predatory towing targeted under new bill inspired by Advanced Towing case
3. These are the best-designed edifices in Arlington, according to the county
4. Fire breaks out above restaurant at Pentagon Centre shopping center
5. Arlington School Board sues to challenge Youngkin’s mask order
6. Grace Community Church to fill huge space in Ballston Quarter mall
7. Man found guilty in son’s 2020 murder in Green Valley
8. Covid cases still falling in Arlington, down 60% from peak
9. As apartments near County HQ go up, what’s next for Courthouse?
10. County Board signals support for Arlington schools in mask clash with state

Feel free to discuss those stories or anything else of local interest in the comments. Have a great weekend!

The snow melted away this week, allowing Arlington to venture back out between winter storms.

Schools returned from a bonus snow week of winter break, although many have been sent back home to isolate due to a rise in Covid cases in schools. With only one more snow day allotment left, students and teachers at least have MLK Day as a buffer from expected winter weather this Sunday night. Check back with us over the weekend to get the latest on road conditions and closures.

Now, here are the most-read Arlington articles of the past week.

1. Neighbors ask county to reconsider dense residential development planned for Pentagon City
2. Covid cases hit new record in Arlington, but test positivity rate starts to trend down
3. Today is the 40th anniversary of the 14th Street Bridge plane crash that killed 78 people
4. Police: Man armed with gun took cash from tip jar in Rosslyn
5. Trek to buy local bike shop Spokes Etc.
6. ACPD: Man fired gun during abduction of woman on Columbia Pike
7. School bus and cyclist collide near Yorktown High School
8. Community pushes back on renovations for new restaurant at former Green Valley Pharmacy
9. NEW: Hospitalizations on the rise as Arlington records yet another new Covid record
10. Utility pole still protrudes into Columbia Pike due to incomplete underground cable work

Feel free to discuss those stories or anything else of local interest in the comments. Stay safe this holiday weekend, Arlington!

It’s been a snowy week, and a veritable marathon for working parents with school-aged kids.

There are some snow lovers out there who have huge carefree smiles on their faces after two sizable snowfalls in one week. And there are others who — whether you generally like snow or not — will be falling asleep within 30 seconds of getting in bed early tonight

Now, here are the most-read Arlington articles of the past week.

1. Arlington teachers union press release gets national attention after local mom’s edits go viral
2. Winter Storm Warning issued for Arlington
3. Winter Weather Advisory issued ahead of Thursday night snow
4. APS closed Thursday, citing other school system closures
5. Arlington Public Schools closed Monday due to winter storm
6. Heavy snow making driving in Arlington very hazardous
7. Power outages building as snow accumulates and branches snap
8. Anti-vaccine mandate rally participants staying in Arlington
9. Serial hit and run suspect tased after Columbia Pike crash
10. Man rescued after car careens off GW Parkway, down embankment
11. One in four people getting tested in Arlington are positive for Covid
12. Arlington schools will be closed Tuesday, too

Feel free to discuss those stories or anything else of local interest in the comments. Have a great weekend and stay warm, Arlington!

Flickr pool photo by Wolfkann

It’s the afternoon before Christmas Eve and all throughout Arlington, things are getting quieter.

Whether you’re celebrating the holiday here, out of town or not at all (except perhaps the traditional Chinese takeout and movie evening), we hope you have a great holiday weekend. Also, we hope you booked your pie reservation early.

@ARLnowDOTcom, not a line for Covid tests, the line for pie. Pie Life. pic.twitter.com/EyJhhEKhF8

— David Johnson (@exponentialdave) December 23, 2021

Here are the most-read articles of the past few days:

1. Police investigating after two people found dead in apartment
2. Massive fire at former Va. governor’s Chain Bridge Road mansion
3. Crash in Clarendon critically injures pedestrian near Whole Foods
4. Police: Man who tried to enter gym without membership fights two officers, tries to take their guns
5. Covid cases rocket upward, shattering record, with hospitalizations low but growing
6. A new lobster roll eatery is rolling into Shirlington
7. New milestone reached in Virginia Hospital Center expansion
8. The Highlander Motel is being demolished with a CVS set to open in its place late next year
9. Photos: Some of the Arlington homes we’ve seen bringing holiday cheer
10. County seeks input on potential Clarendon parking lot redevelopment

ARLnow will be off tomorrow and for the weekend, but we’ll be back first thing Monday morning as usual. Have a merry Christmas, Arlington!

You would be forgiven for feeling that the end of this week has March 2020 vibes.

It’s of course different, given that most people are vaccinated and the health implications are not as nearly dire as the outset of the pandemic. But the continued drip of news about rapidly rising rates of new Covid cases and well-known people contracting the virus — whether the CEO of Southwest Airlines or any number of NFL players and coaches — definitely stirs up memories of the NBA, Tom Hanks and that fateful day.

Beyond significantly lower rates of serious illness, hopefully this time around there’s no shortage of toilet paper.

Now, here are the most-read articles of the past week:

1. EXCLUSIVE: Investigation underway after State Dept. contractor died at Arlington facility
2. Amazon and Arlington County to finance purchase of Columbia Pike apartment complex
3. NEW: ‘B Live’ coming to former Whitlow’s space in Clarendon
4. D.C. taqueria El Rey to open new Ballston location next week
5. How Arlington’s Richmond representation could change under proposed redistricting maps
6. Two men arrested after assaults on police in Clarendon
7. Police nab four after spotting stolen car near Courthouse
8. BREAKING: Covid case count in Arlington spikes amid Omicron worries
9. JUST IN: Large gas leak shuts down Columbia Pike
10. First responders facing possible job loss petition county to reverse vaccine mandate
11. Rooster on loose near Lubber Run Park, running afoul of the law
12. Locals push for dog park in Virginia Square

Feel free to discuss those stories or anything else of local interest in the comments. Have a great weekend!