January 9, 2013 | ARLnow.com

Howell Introduces Bill to Restore Hotel Tax Surcharge

Published January 9, 2013 at 3:55PM | Updated January 16, 2018 at 2:44PM

The surcharge expired on Jan. 1, 2012 after Del. Tim Hugo (R), of Fairfax County, blocked a renewal bill in retaliation for Arlington’s lawsuit against high occupancy toll lanes on I-395. The Hotel General Managers’ Committee of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce has been calling for the Virginia General Assembly to reestablish the taxing authority, which brought in nearly $1 million per year to fund tourism promotion efforts.

A bill proposed by Howell today would allow Arlington County to reinstate the tax surcharge on hotel rooms, and extends the taxing authority in perpetuity. The bill has been referred to the state Senate’s Committee on Finance.

News

Crime Report: Husband Stabbed in Arm

By ARLnow.com

Published January 9, 2013 at 3:15PM | Updated January 9, 2018 at 3:31PM

For the second week in a row, a woman has been arrested and accused of stabbing her significant other.

Police say the woman, an Arlington Heights neighborhood resident, stabbed her husband with a folding knife. From this week’s Arlington County crime report:

Opinion

Independent’s Day: An Introduction

By ARLnow.com

Published January 9, 2013 at 2:30PM

Editor’s Note: This weekly column is written by Jason Howell, former independent candidate for U.S. Congress. This is the second of three weekly opinion columns that ARLnow.com will be publishing in 2013. The columns, from local thought leaders across the political spectrum, are intended to introduce fresh ideas and spark community conversations about issues of local and state interest.

Beginning today, thanks to your thoughtful editor, ARLnow.com will host a regular column that pays tribute to the independent minded viewpoint founded in all of us. This column is called “Independent’s Day” and will celebrate one day a week when we can tackle local issues without partisanship. Unlike the 4th of July, which celebrates our independence as a country, on these published days we will celebrate our independence as citizens. Each is our day, hence the intentionally possessive title of the column.

Feature

Arlington Pet of the Week: Atlas

By ARLnow.com

Published January 9, 2013 at 1:15PM

Our Arlington Pet of the Week this week is Atlas, a 5-year-old miniature goldendoodle described by owner Michaela Hackner as “pretty much the mayor of Arlington.”

Atlas’s larger-than-life personality seems to match his name, if not his stature. Hackner writes:

Events

Capitol Steps to Perform at Yorktown High

By ARLnow.com

Published January 9, 2013 at 12:00PM

The group — which was formed when a group of Senate staffers set out to satirize their employers — has been poking fun at Washington politics for more than 30 years. They are regularly featured on National Public Radio and have made appearances on network TV.

The Steps will be performing at the Yorktown High School Auditorium (5200 Yorktown Blvd) from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 13

Events

Registration Open for Mardi Gras Parade

By ARLnow.com

Published January 9, 2013 at 10:30AM

The parade — the largest in the D.C. area — will kick of at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12, and run up Wilson Boulevard from N. Barton Street to Washington Boulevard. The parade will be preceded by a pre-party at Bayou Bakery (1515 N. Courthouse Road) at 5:00 p.m.

Those interested in participating in the parade or volunteering as a parade marshal can now register online.

News

Fire at Four Mile Run Drive Condo Building

By ARLnow.com

Published January 9, 2013 at 9:45AM

File photo

The fire was reported around 9:00 a.m. in a top floor apartment of the 12-story building. Heavy smoke was seen coming from the apartment upon emergency responders’ arrival. Described as a natural gas-fed kitchen fire, the blaze was quickly knocked down once Arlington County firefighters reached the apartment.

The fire did not spread to other apartments, but smoke did spread to at least two other units. Firefighters are ventilating the smoke now.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published January 9, 2013 at 8:45AM | Updated January 9, 2013 at 11:14AM

Arlington’s ‘Bicycle Man’ Dies — Arlington resident Randy Lokke, 62, died late last month. Lokke was known as a prolific follower of local high school sports, riding his bike to games in and around the District. Lokke was a graduate of Wakefield High School. [Georgetowner]

Ovie Returns to Arlington — Alexander Ovechkin and his Washington Capitals teammates are back on the practice ice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Ballston. The Capitals and other NHL teams are expected to begin a 48-game regular season on Jan. 19. [Washington Post]