January 7, 2013 | ARLnow.com

Published January 7, 2013 at 6:15PM

Stukes has announced his retirement and his last day at the school system will be at some point later this month, APS spokesman Frank Bellavia told ARLnow.com. Bellavia said he did not know whether Stukes was taking a job with another school system.

As the top administrator in the Department of Facilities and Operations, Stukes is responsible for overseeing facilities planning, capital improvement programs, aquatics, building and grounds maintenance, custodial services, energy management, and transportation. In August, Stukes was caught up in a wave of parent anger over changes to enforcement of the school system’s busing policy.

Events

101-Year-Old Author to Talk at Arlington Public Library

By ARLnow.com

Published January 7, 2013 at 3:30PM

Martha Ann Miller (left) died last week at 106

She met President Calvin Coolidge. She helped with the desegregation of Arlington Public Schools. She authored an autobiography. And now she’s scheduled to discuss that autobiography, The First Century: And Not Ready for the Rocking Chair Yet,” at Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street).

Miller will be holding an author event at the library’s auditorium on Saturday, Jan. 12, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

News

Ballston Rebranding: ‘Where Minds Meet’

By ARLnow.com

Published January 7, 2013 at 1:45PM | Updated January 7, 2013 at 3:41PM

The BID, formed last year after the Arlington County Board approved its creation in December 2010, is busy shaping Ballston’s identity around the area’s strength in the science and technology sector. It’s emphasizing entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity as part of its new branding campaign.

“Ballston is home to an impressive roster of influential, innovative organizations including DARPA [Defense Advanced Research Project Agency], NSF [National Science Foundation], Accenture and Virginia Tech,” the BID said in a press release. “Ballston is the place where innovation and entrepreneurship converge. Where the best ideas are discovered and thrive with the support they need to flourish.”

News

BREAKING: Person Struck By Train at Ballston Metro

By ARLnow.com

Published January 7, 2013 at 11:35AM | Updated January 7, 2013 at 3:43PM

Update at 3:45 p.m. — Two-track service has resumed on the Orange Line between Virginia Square and East Falls Church, according to WMATA. The Ballston Metro station has reopened.

Earlier: Metro service has been suspended between Virginia Square and East Falls Church due to a person struck by a train at the Ballston Metro station.

Events

Arlington to Host Annual MLK Tribute

By ARLnow.com

Published January 7, 2013 at 10:00AM | Updated January 17, 2013 at 10:04AM

The event is being held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Washington-Lee High School (1301 N. Stafford Street). It will feature live music and dance, spoken word, a volunteer fair, and an “Arlington During the Civil Rights Era” photo gallery.

The keynote speaker will be Lehigh University Professor and Hip Hop Scholars, LLC founder James Braxton Peterson. Among the acts scheduled to perform are Grammy-nominated Progressive Hip-Hop artist Christylez Bacon and international dance collective Urban Artistry.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published January 7, 2013 at 9:15AM

State Legislators Hold Public Hearing — Arlington’s delegation to the Virginia General Assembly listened to nearly 50 speakers make the case for various legislative and funding priorities at a public hearing Friday night. Among the issues discussed were gun laws, mental health and disability funding, and Medicaid. [Twitter, Sun Gazette]

Rent Rises in Arlington — The average rent in Arlington in the third quarter of 2012 was $2,500.06, a 2.5 percent increase from a year prior. The average rent for single-family homes had the steepest increase — 4.4 percent — compared to apartments and townhouses. [Sun Gazette]