Plane Headed to DCA Makes Emergency Landing
(Updated at 11:30 p.m.) An American Airlines jet heading from Miami to Reagan National Airport made an emergency landing this afternoon.
According to a television station in Charleston, S.C., the plane landed at Charleston International Airport after experiencing severe turbulence.
Two passengers and a flight attendant were treated for minor injuries in Charleston, news outlets reported.
File photo
Favola, Areizaga-Soto to Attend AGLA Forum Tonight
Democratic arch-rivals Barbara Favola and Jaime Areizaga-Soto will both attend an Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance candidates forum tonight.
The forum, which will start at 7:00 p.m. at the NRECA building in Ballston (4301 Wilson Blvd), will give Favola, Areizaga-Soto and other Democratic candidates (there’s no contested Republican primary in Arlington this year) a chance to woo a group of largely Democratic voters just 14 days before the Aug. 23 primary.
House of Delegates candidates Stephanie Clifford and Alfonso Lopez are both expected to attend the forum. Other invited candidates include Adam Ebbin, Libby Garvey and Rob Krupicka (30th state Senate District) as well as Theo Stamos and David Deane (Commonwealth’s Attorney).
UPDATED: Bank Robbery Reported on Lee Highway
(Updated at 5:00 p.m.) Police are investigating a robbery at the United Bank at 5335 Lee Highway.
The bank was robbed just before 2:15 this afternoon. The suspect is being described as a 5’9″ white male, possibly of “Hispanic or Middle Eastern background,” about 50 years of age. The suspect implied, but did not display a weapon.
Armed police officers surrounded the bank for a few tense minutes while they awaited word on whether the suspect was still inside the bank. As it turns out, the suspect fled on foot before police arrived on scene.
The bank is located at the corner of Lee Highway and N. Harrison Street, next to a Harris Teeter supermarket and two blocks from a BB&T bank that has been robbed twice this summer. This is the seventh bank robbery in Arlington since the beginning of June.
Arlington Police issued the following statement about the robbery this afternoon.
ARLINGTON, VA. – The Arlington County Police Department’s Robbery Unit is seeking the public’s help to identify a man who robbed an Arlington bank this afternoon.
The suspect entered the United Bank in the 5300 block of Lee Highway at approximately 2:10 p.m. on Tuesday, August 9, 2011. He implied that he had a weapon and demanded money. After receiving cash, the suspect fled on foot.
The suspect is described as a white male, possibly of Hispanic or Middle Eastern background, brown hair, approximately 50 years old and 5’9” with a thin build. At the time of the robbery he wore a dark striped polo shirt, khaki pants, a light colored “driving” hat and sunglasses.
Anyone who has information about this robbery or the identity of the suspect is asked to call the Arlington County Police Department Tip Line at 703 228-4242, or Detective Donald Fortunato at (703) 228-4197. Det. Fortunato can also be reached by email at dfortunato@arlingtonva.us.
Arlington Ranks as Safest ‘City’ for Driving
Arlington is by far the safest place to drive in the country — at least among cities and census-designated places with a population over 150,000.
According to recent federal accident data compiled by CNBC, Arlington has only 0.48 traffic fatalities per 100,000 population. The data includes vehicle occupant and pedestrian fatalities, but does not factor in the raw number of accidents or non-fatal injuries.
The next-safest city has more than twice the fatality rate. Vancouver, Wash. has 1.23 traffic fatalities per 100,000 population. The “most dangerous” city in the country is Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where each year 22.39 people die in accidents for every 100,000 people.
(The accident pictured took place this morning on George Mason Drive near N. 10th Street. Two minor injuries were reported.)
Hat tip to Matt Leighton
Rosslyn Jazz Fest Returns with All-Star Lineup
The annual Rosslyn Jazz Festival is one month away, and this year’s lineup includes a trio of acclaimed performers.
The festival headliner for 2011 is Dee Dee Bridgewater, who won a Tony Award for her acting performance in ‘The Wiz’ and who has also snagged two Grammy Awards for ‘Best Jazz Vocal Performance’ and ‘Best Arrangement Accompanying a Vocal.’ In addition to her musical and acting accomplishments, Bridgewater hosts the weekly NPR jazz program ‘JazzSet.’
Also on the bill is New Orleans native Henry Butler, an eight-time W.C. Handy ‘Best Blues Instrumentalist – Piano’ award nominee. Blind since birth, Butler not only is a musical chameleon — mixing jazz, Caribbean, classical, pop, blues and R&B influences — but he’s also an accomplished photographer whose work has been displayed at exhibitions.
Rounding out the lineup is rising jazz star Grace Kelly. A saxophonist, singer, composer and arranger, Kelly has already amassed an impressive array of awards and accolades at the age of 19.
The Rosslyn Jazz Festival will take place from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, in Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway). D.C.’s own Al Williams Quartet and guest vocalist Juanita Williams will kick off the event, which is free and open to the public.
Photo via Rosslyn BID
WaPo Covers Arlington’s ‘Karaoke Cab’
Have you ever hopped in a Red Top Cab at night and realized that it wasn’t just a taxi, it was a karaoke parlor on wheels?
If so, you’ve probably met Joel Orbina Laguidao, the subject of an amusing Washington Post Style section feature this week.
A former truck driver, Laguidao started driving a cab shortly after moving to Virginia from the Philippines. After becoming bored with just driving all the time, he installed a karaoke machine.
The Post recently rode shotgun as Laguidao hauled bar-goers from Clarendon back to their apartments in Ballston, Pentagon City and elsewhere. Intrepid reporter Dan Zak bore witness to the looks of disbelief on the faces of first-time riders, and to the loud, terrible drunken singing that serenades Laguidao during his workday (that is, when Laguidao is not on the mic himself).
Morning Poll: What’s Your Favorite Thing About August?
The second month to be named after a Roman emperor (the other is July), there’s a lot to like about August.
It’s sort of like summer’s grand finale — when folks begin packing in the remaining warm weather fun on their ‘To Do’ list before the arrival of shorter days and cooler nights.
What’s your favorite thing about this month?
Morning Notes
Clarendon Boulevard Reopens — Clarendon Boulevard has reopened in Rosslyn after being closed for nearly 36 hours due to a collapse at an apartment construction site.
Photos of Dog Friends — “Dogs love people, but they also love other dogs.” [The A-Town Dog Blog]
‘Lost Dog’ Anniversary — The Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month. The foundation says it has rescued more than 17,000 pets since its inception in 2001. Supporters will celebrate the milestone at the Stray Cat Cafe (5866 Washington Blvd) on Friday, August 26. [Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation]
Power Restored in S. Arlington — About 1,500 Dominion customers in South Arlington — including in the Pentagon City area — lost power last night. As of this morning, power had been restored.
Photo courtesy Valerie Crotty
