Barge Rams 14th Street Bridge
An 80-foot barge carrying equipment for the 14th Street Bridge construction project broke loose from its anchoring on the Potomac River and rammed one of the bridge’s columns Monday morning.
There’s no sign of significant damage to either the bridge or the barge, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. 14th Street Bridge traffic was not interrupted, and no injuries or fuel leaks were reported.
Boats from the Coast Guard and D.C. police and fire responded to the incident, which occurred just before 11:00 a.m. Flood waters from recent heavy rains and snow melt caused the barge to break loose, according to the Coast Guard.
Photos courtesy U.S. Coast Guard.
Arlington Man Charged With Murder in Pershing Drive Stabbing
Arlington resident Anner Rouben Hernandez-Estrada, 20, has been arrested and charged with a murder that occurred late Sunday in the Lyon Park neighborhood, police said Monday night.
Police have identified the victim as 20-year-old Cain Guevara-Estrada of Arlington. Investigators say Guevara-Estrada was found on a sidewalk in the 2800 block of North Pershing Drive, suffering from wounds to his upper body. He was pronounced dead a short time later.
A source tells ARLnow.com that Guevara-Estrada was stabbed to death. Police say they do not believe there is a connection between this crime and the stabbing death of Carl Diener on Dec. 29.
Hernandez-Estrada is currently being held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Center.
“This is another great example of our detectives pulling together info and locating a suspect of a seriously violent crime within one day,” Arlington police spokesperson Det. Crystal Nosal said, referring to the quick arrest of an abduction suspect earlier this month.
Photo courtesy Arlington County Police Department.
Del. Brink Hails Passage of Pro-Choice License Plate Bill
Arlington’s Del. Bob Brink (D) is hailing the passage of a bill that would create a pro-choice “Trust Women / Respect Choice” license plate option for Virginia drivers. The bill passed the Virginia House and the Senate over the weekend by votes of 64-30 and 22-15 respectively.
Brink, who introduced the original House version of the bill, called the vote “a victory both for reproductive rights and First Amendment principles.”
Brink says the bill will allow the state to “give equal treatment to the pro-choice position,” given last year’s creation of a “Choose Life” license plate.
The bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Bob McDonnell (R), who has said he doesn’t support Planned Parenthood, the organization that would receive revenue from the sale of the plates.
Four Courts Four Miler a Success Despite Rain
More than a thousand runners braved heavy wind and driving rain on Saturday to compete in the inaugural Four Courts Four Miler road race, part of an early St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
“How do you like this traditional Irish weather?” an organizer called out to the crowd just before the race began.
The race started at Ireland’s Four Courts in Courthouse and took runners along an out-and-back course down Wilson Blvd, through Rosslyn, and past the Memorial Bridge on Route 110.
The course made for a relaxed downhill first half with a tough uphill return including a steep quarter-mile hill just before the finish line.
“The climb from Rosslyn was incredibly arduous, but seeing the crowd at the final hill really inspired me to finish strong,” said race participant Elyssa Lacson.
The rain, which had been coming down in sheets before the race, relented to a light drizzle by the 9:00 a.m. start time. The initial deluge left participants soggy, but in good spirits.
Serious Accident Shuts Down Northbound GW Parkway
The northbound George Washington Parkway has been shut down at Spout Run due to a vehicle that skidded off the road and slammed into a tree.
One southbound lane is being blocked by a fire truck. Northbound traffic is being diverted onto Spout Run.
The closures are causing major traffic problems, prompting Arlington County to issue an email alert.
The prolonged closure, with accident investigators on the scene, is usually a sign that at least one person has died or is in grave condition.
Homicide In Lyon Park
Update at 10:15 p.m. — An arrest has been made.
We received a tip overnight about a stabbing on the 2800 block of N. Pershing Drive, near the Lyon Park Community Center. We’re told the stabbing is now being investigated as a homicide.
The Arlington Police Department issued the following press release.
The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is investigating a homicide that occurred on Sunday, March 14, 2010. Police responded to a call at 11:15 p.m. regarding an injured man lying on a sidewalk in the 2800 block of North Pershing Drive. They found a man suffering from upper body trauma. The victim was pronounced dead shortly afterward.
The investigation is ongoing. The victim’s information will be released as soon as possible.
Anyone who has information about this death or the identity of the suspect is asked contact Detective John Donaggio at (703) 228-4167. Det. Donaggio can also be contacted via e-mail at Jdonag (at) arlingtonva.us. Witnesses can also call the Arlington Police Tip-Line at (703) 228-4242.
Weekend News Roundup
Heavy Rains Bring Flooding – Persistent, often heavy rain made for a miserable weekend weather-wise. But the real misery is happening in nearby Alexandria, where part of Old Town is under more than a foot of water. More from NBC4.
Board Passes Temporary Snow Removal Ordinance — The Arlington County Board passed a 60-day emergency snow removal ordinance by a vote of 3-2. Dissenting board members Jay Fisette and Barbara Favola joined the Arlington Chamber of Commerce in questioning why an ordinance should be rushed into law, saying it will be difficult to enforce in the unlikely event that Arlington gets a significant snowfall between now and May.
Arlington Diocese Declares Monday a Day of Prayer — Bishop Paul Loverde says Arlington Catholics should pray and fast today (Monday) to ask God for passage of a health care bill that does not “come at the expense of the respect for life at all stages, from natural conception to natural death.” More from LifeSiteNews.
