BREAKING NEWS — Truck Crashes into Building in Crystal City
Update on 5/1 — The driver of the truck was pronounced dead at the hospital. He is identified by police as 57-year-old Franklin Nalls of Alexandria.
A box truck crashed into the side of a building in Crystal City after the driver suffered some sort of medical emergency.
It happened at 3:17 this afternoon on the 1700 block of Crystal Drive. A witness said he heard a loud boom, then saw passersby performing CPR on the driver, whose face had turned blue.
The man was taken to the hospital in cardiac arrest.
No pedestrians were hurt, the witness said. The Dress Barn store the truck crashed in to suffered little apparent damage.
Volunteer Opp: Storm Drain Marking
Did you know that all of Arlington’s storm drains empty directly into local streams and waterways? Many people do not, which is part of the reason why 50-100 cases of stream contamination are reported each year.
To help reduce that number, Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment and Whole Foods are teaming up to put “Don’t Dump” markers on neighborhood storm drains.
The project is taking place this Saturday. Volunteers are asked to meet at the Clarendon Whole Foods (2700 Wilson Blvd) at 1:00 p.m. A light snack will be served at Whole Foods afterward.
Contact Jackie Zovko (jackie.zovko[at]wholefoods.com) for more information.
Suspect Nabbed After Foot Chase In Crystal City
A man who led a police officer on a foot chase through part of Pentagon City/Crystal City this morning is in custody. Police caught up with him in the parking lot of the Americana Hotel (1400 Jefferson Davis Highway) after a short chase just before 11:00.
Police say the man was intoxicated. He suffered a small cut to his face but refused medical treatment.
The suspect was transported to the Arlington County Detention Center and charged with Drunk in Public and Obstruction of Justice, according to police spokesman Lt. William Griffith.
Metro Warns of “Lengthy Delays” on Blue, Yellow Lines
Metro is warning Blue and Yellow Line riders to add a half hour to their travel time this weekend.
Track work, starting at 10:00 tonight and ending at midnight on Sunday, will force trains to single-track through parts of the system.
Metro says riders should expect trains to run about every 30 minutes on both lines.
As a reminder, those driving into the District may also face delays this weekend. Chain Bridge will be closed to all traffic starting at 9:00 tonight.
School Budget Passed, Planetarium Saved
By a 5-0 vote, the Arlington school board passed a $442 million FY 2011 budget Thursday night which reduced spending but restored some items that had been on the chopping block.
Notably, funding for the David M. Brown Planetarium was partially restored. Originally set to be closed and converted into classroom space for Washington-Lee High School, the planetarium will now be staffed part-time.
Instead of serving K-5 students five days a week, starting this fall the planetarium will serve K-2 students two days a week. There will also be some flexibility to hire a an hourly worker to open the planetarium on weekends.
The Friends of the Planetarium, a group that sprung up to protest the planetarium’s proposed closure and amassed more than 3,250 Facebook fans, will now begin the process of raising more than $300,000 for necessary upgrades to the 40-year-old facility. That process is expected to take 12-18 months.
“It’s a long road ahead, but we have an inspired group of people who aren’t about to quit,” group organizer Raphael Perrino said. “We kept the planetarium open… now it’s time to upgrade it and keep it open for many generations to come.”
In another development, board members grilled school security officials over a proposed new security system.
An entry security system for visitors, which would require people to present an ID to get a visitor’s pass during class hours, was blasted by board member Dr. Emma Violand-Sanchez, who said it could scare immigrant parents away.
“This is not Arizona!” Dr. Violand-Sanchez exclaimed, referring to the state’s controversial new immigration laws. Other board members expressed concern about the system limiting parent access to schools.
Superintendent Dr. Pat Murphy defended the plan, which also calls for the installation of video cameras and a card access system by December 2010.
“I want to clarify that our schools will be welcoming places for all parents,” Dr. Murphy said.
BREAKING NEWS — Glebe Road Partially Closed After Accident
Update at 7:30 a.m. — The closed southbound lane of Glebe Road has reopened.
Glebe Road is partially shut down between Columbia Pike and 8th Street South after a van crashed into a utility pole.
The force of the collision splintered the pole. Crews from Dominion power are currently working to stabilize it.
Both northbound lanes of Glebe Road are expected to remain closed until noon.
BREAKING NEWS — Man Dies After Being Tasered By Police
A man has died after being Tasered by Arlington police and going into cardiac arrest.
It happened around 1:00 a.m. on the seventh floor of the Wildwood Park apartments, at the western end of Columbia Pike. Police were called for a psychiatric emergency and found a naked man inside an apartment.
Police called for backup shortly after arriving on the scene, saying the man was going “crazy” and they were having difficulty restraining him. Police officers then used a Taser on the man.
After a few minutes, police noticed the man was not breathing. Paramedics, who were already on the scene, performed CPR.
The man was rushed to Virginia Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Police have confirmed that a Taser was used and are now investigating the incident. It’s not known whether the Taser caused the man’s death.
This is the second time this year a person has died after Arlington County police used a Taser. A 36-year-old man from the District died on January 17 after being Tasered at the Pentagon City Metro station.
Investigators are awaiting a final cause of death determination from the medical examiner’s office in that case.
Update at 1:45 p.m. — Police have identified the deceased man as 32-year-old Adil Jouamai of Fairfax County. He was at the apartment visiting family at the time.
“This is a very unfortunate incident and we are certainly taking this loss of life very seriously,” police chief M. Douglas Scott said in a statement. “The Police Department Criminal Investigation Section and Internal Affairs Section are conducting simultaneous comprehensive investigations. Although it is very early in the investigative process, there is no indication at this time that the level of force used by the officers was excessive considering the level of resistance they encountered.”
Police describe Jouamai’s conduct as “uncooperative” and “combative with the officers attempting to assist him.”
To Do This Weekend
It’s expected to a be a beautiful, warm weekend, with temperatures reaching as high as 90 degrees. In other words, it’s the perfect weekend to head to a park, enjoy an outdoor movie, or go on a bike ride. See our events calendar for even more fun things to do.
Tonight
Author talk with Novella Carpenter — The author of “Farm City” talks about her experience creating a fully operational farm on a vacant lot next to her Oakland, Calif. apartment. From 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Arlington Central Library (1015 North Quincy Street).
Friday
Crystal City 5K Friday — Run in Crystal City’s last 5K Friday of the season. The race kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at 2121 Crystal Drive, and will be followed by an post-race party in a nearby apartment complex.
“I Love the ’90s” Rosslyn Outdoor Film Fest — Rosslyn will kick of its ’90s-themed film festival with the 1995 favorite “Clueless.” Takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Rosslyn Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway).
Fashion, Food and Music for the Cure — Join former Washington Redskin LaVar Arrington and his wife Trish for a fashion show at Caribbean Breeze restaurant (4100 North Fairfax Drive) benefiting the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Against Breast Cancer. There will be a musical performance by Jason Cerda followed by a runway show. Doors open to the public at 9:00 p.m.
Saturday
Tour des Bibliotheque — Join Arlington Public Library staff members for a bicycle tour of six of the county’s seven libraries. The tour will start at Central Library (1015 North Quincy Street). Meet on the Quincy Street side near the front doors at 9:30 a.m.
Shirlington Kentucky Derby Party — Help support Operation Homefront while sipping mint juleps and rooting on your favorite thoroughbred. The event, at The Bungalow (2766 South Arlington Mill Drive) will feature a Derby hat contest, Derby food and a classic derby drink showcase. Post time for the race is 6:24 p.m., but the party kicks off at 4:00.
Sunday
Potomac Overlook Park Heritage Festival — A springtime tradition with fun for all ages. The event features music, entertainment, food, community exhibits, games, a maypole dance, and more. It takes place between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. at Potomac Overlook Regional Park (2845 North Marcey Road).
Mamma Mia Flash Mob – A “flash mob” style dance performance from the musical Mamma Mia is scheduled to take place at 3:00 p.m. at Ballston Common Mall (4238 North Wilson Blvd). The public is welcome to participate if they know the moves. Whether it’s truly a flash mob if it’s announced ahead of time is up for debate, but nonetheless organizers promise “a mob of synchronicity, choreography and fun.”
A Hero’s Tribute
A lone F-15C Eagle fighter jet flew over Arlington at noon today to honor eight airmen killed during World War II.
The crew’s B-24 Liberator bomber was shot down over the Republic of Palau on Sept. 1, 1944. For 60 years, the wreckage — and the crew’s remains — were lost to the sea.
Then, in 2004, the BentProp Project, a California-based group dedicated to finding military wreck sites in the western Pacific, located the lost bomber.
The remains of the eight service members recovered from the crash site were buried together today in Arlington National Cemetery’s section 60.
One of the crew members was navigator Second Lt. Frank J. Arhar, who was just two days shy of his 22nd birthday when the plane went down.
“To at least know that they found him and he’ll be buried and we can have peace… it means a lot to us,” Arhar’s younger sister, Theresa, told the Johnstown, Pa. Tribune Democrat.
Lindy Hopping at the Clarendon Ballroom
More than 60 swing dancers packed onto the Clarendon Ballroom dance floor Tuesday night as the Fabulettes — a trio of singers with polka dots and hair that would make Snooki jealous — sang hits from the ’50s and ’60s. Most of the dancers were members of the GottaSwing beginner and intermediate dance classes led by Tom Koerner and Debra Sternberg.
Each Tuesday, Tom and Debra teach a beginner’s class at 7:00 p.m. followed by an intermediate class at 8:00 p.m. and a dance open to the public at 9:00 p.m. Admission for dancers who are not attending a class is $10.
Note that the moves in this video of Tom and Debra are not necessarily covered in the beginner classes.
New classes start May 11. Tuition for the eight-week session is $125.
A live band performs every week — next week expect the Jeff Carmella Band to blast some rhythm and blues.
Both singles and couples are welcome, says Tom.
“We’ve had over 147 couples get engaged after meeting at one of our lessons or dances. Even if you’ve already got a significant other, nothing says ‘I love you’ better than committing to a relationship on the dance floor. You can always divorce your wife, but not your dance partner!”
McDonnell Pushes For HOT Lanes Despite Arlington Suit
Virginia’s governor wants to revive the effort to put toll lanes on Interstate 395.
Gov. Robert F. McDonnell said his administration has been working to breathe life into the plan to add High Occupancy Toll lanes to the highway after it was delayed last year, following a lawsuit from Arlington County officials, according to the Washington Examiner.
The suit, which last week won a federal judge’s approval to move forward, claims that during the waning days of the Bush administration state transportation officials were improperly granted a “categorical exclusion” allowing the toll lanes to be built without conducting required environmental impact studies.
County officials say the lanes will benefit mostly white residents from Stafford and Spotsylvania counties to the detriment of Arlington residents — including a high concentration of minorities — who live along the I-395 corridor.
In addition to resulting in more pollution from auto emissions, the county argues the lanes could bring more traffic to Arlington’s neighborhood streets.
Last year, then County Board Chair Barbara Favola warned traffic would inevitably back-up where the HOT lanes would end, at Eads Street, forcing drivers to exit early.
State transportation officials have long countered that argument, saying the project would bring with it the reconstruction of local intersections and would ease traffic.
Afternoon Notes: Capital Improvement Plan, New High School
Donnellan Proposes Capital Improvement Plan — Outgoing Acting County Manager Barbara Donnellan has proposed a six-year, nearly $1 billion Capital Improvement Projects plan. The plan would fund county projects, including critical maintenance at parks and aging county facilities, but it does not include funding for the new Wakefield High School (below). More from the Arlington County website.
New Wakefield High Moving Forward – The county board approved a use permit for the proposed new Wakefield High School. While the move theoretically clears the way for construction to begin, the county is still trying to figure out how to fund the project. More from the Sun Gazette.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Fundraiser Tomorrow — Restaurant 3 (2950 Clarendon Boulevard) is hosting a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society tomorrow from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Attendance is free but the purchase of a $10 raffle ticket is suggested.
As Temperatures Drop, Winter Shelter Remains Closed
Arlington’s Emergency Winter Shelter will remain closed tonight despite gusty winds and temperatures dropping into the upper 30s.
Kathy Sibert, executive director of the Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network (A-SPAN), says that illustrates the need for a year-round shelter. A-SPAN has been lobbying the county board for funding for such a shelter.
“Homelessness is not just a winter problem, it’s a problem that exists year-round,” Sibert said.
A-SPAN volunteers will distribute bus tokens to individuals who want to head to shelters in Alexandria, Fairfax County or the District tonight.
Anyone who sees someone experiencing a life-threatening emergency — because of the cold or for any other reason — should call 911, said Kurt Larrick, spokesman for the Arlington County Department of Human Services.
Virginia’s First Lady Cuts Ribbon For Glebe Reading Garden
Virginia First Lady Maureen McDonnell was at Glebe Elementary today as school, county and state officials helped to mark the opening of a new “reading garden.”
McDonnell used garden shears to cut a ceremonial ribbon as a crowd of about 50 adults and students applauded.
The reading garden was opened with the help of more than 100 parents, students, teachers and neighbors. It involved 200 planning hours, six dump truck loads of mulch and $22,000 in donations.
Joining McDonnell were state delegate Bob Brink, school board chair Sally Baird, superintendent Dr. Pat Murphy and county board members Barbara Favola and Mary Hughes Hynes.
Missing Yorktown High Grad Found in Fairfax County
A missing Yorktown High School grad and athletic standout has been found safely in Fairfax County. Mikey Pinkerton is back home in North Arlington after going missing on April 15, his father confirmed this afternoon.
Mikey’s father said he’s grateful to the friends, family and strangers who helped out during the nearly two week search.
“I would like to thank all the people for their prayers and concerns… and for helping us through a tough time,” Michael Pinkerton said.
There were a number of reported spottings of Mikey around the Washington area during the search, all of which turned out to be false.
