September, 2010 | ARLnow.com

EXCLUSIVE: College Pro Painters Fined Following Electrical Accident

Published September 29, 2010 at 12:24PM | Updated July 12, 2017 at 2:23PM

A painter in his mid-20’s nearly died after the ladder he was using touched 19,900 volt power lines at a home on North Highland Street. The employee was burned and knocked back nearly 9 feet by the electrical shock. He was without a pulse when paramedics arrived on the scene, but was resuscitated and eventually transported to the MedStar burn unit in DC.

At the time, College Pro Painters president Rodney Larmand told ARLnow.com that the company was “deeply concerned” and was “investigating the circumstances” that led to the accident.

News

Arlington’s Unemployment Rate Remains Low

By ARLnow.com

Published September 29, 2010 at 11:05AM

Arlington’s unemployment rate dipped 0.1 percent to 4.1 percent in August, easily maintaining the county’s distinction of having the lowest unemployment rate in Virginia.

By contrast, the unemployment rate statewide remained steady at 7.0 percent, Alexandria increased slightly from 4.9 to 5.0 percent, and Fairfax County decreased slightly from 5.0 to 4.9 percent. Nationally, the unemployment rate dipped 0.2 percent to 9.5 percent.

News

Other County Board Actions Last Night

By ARLnow.com

Published September 29, 2010 at 10:03AM | Updated September 29, 2010 at 11:14AM

The board heard a presentation by County Manager Michael Brown regarding staff research into the proposed development plan for East Falls Church. Details are available on the county’s web site.

Funds for the design of a better Ballston beaver pond were approved unanimously. The $471,842 contract calls for a new design that will allow the pond to do a better job of treating stormwater while still providing a habitat for wildlife.

News

Board Passes Sweeping Plan to Redevelop Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

Published September 29, 2010 at 7:00AM

Then, with five “ayes,” the board set in motion a 40-year development process that will transform the dated, hodgepodge apartments and office buildings in Crystal City into a gleaming, high-density, pedestrian-friendly urban district.

Initially conceived as a response to Crystal City’s impending loss of thousands of jobs as a result of BRAC, the Crystal City Sector Plan is meant to ensure a bright future for the oft-maligned but economically-crucial neighborhood. On numerous occasions last night, speakers pointed out that Crystal City currently produces the lion’s share of commercial tax revenues for Arlington County.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 29, 2010 at 6:00AM

More on Southwest at Reagan National — Southwest Airlines’ deal to acquire AirTran Airways will likely result in Southwest taking over AirTran’s slots at Reagan National Airport. But Greater Greater Washington’s Rob Pitingolo argues that the long-awaited arrival of Southwest at DCA — should the deal go through — won’t have much of effect on fare prices, as some might hope.

Arlington’s Highways Clogged During Evening Commute — Dr. Gridlock reports that the Arlington stretches of I-395 and I-66 were each backed up 3-4 miles during last night’s commute.

News

County Manager Raises Specter of More Budget Cuts, Tax Hikes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 28, 2010 at 7:22PM

Brown told the county board that his preliminary forecast anticipates a combined $25-35 million shortfall for the county government and the school system. Brown projects a slight increases in real estate assessments and in tax and fee collections. However, he says expenses are rising due to increasing student enrollment, new school facilities and high county personnel costs.

“Current revenue projections could require program cuts and revenue increases,” Brown said. That’s in addition to the past two years of budget cuts and tax hikes.

News

BREAKING NEWS — County Board Votes to Withdraw from Immigration Enforcement Program

By ARLnow.com

Published September 28, 2010 at 5:38PM | Updated September 28, 2010 at 10:30PM

Following an impassioned presentation by board member Walter Tejada, and without further discussion, the board voted 5-0 to direct County Manager Michael Brown to formally notify Virginia State Police and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of Arlington’s intention to withdraw from the program, which Virginia implemented statewide earlier this year.

“This is something that was imposed on Arlington County and other jurisdictions,” Tejada said. “They didn’t ask our opinion, there was no public process.”

News

BREAKING NEWS — Woman Rescued from Flipped SUV on Columbia Pike

By ARLnow.com

Published September 28, 2010 at 3:48PM | Updated July 12, 2017 at 2:24PM

Bloodied but alert, the woman was placed on a stretcher and wheeled to a waiting ambulance. As she was freed, the crowd broke into applause.

As of 4:15 p.m, traffic was blocked on Four Mile Run Drive and on eastbound Columbia Pike near the accident. There were significant delays on westbound Columbia Pike approaching the accident.

News

Crystal City Development Plan Faces Vote Tonight

By ARLnow.com

Published September 28, 2010 at 3:09PM

The board is scheduled to vote on the Crystal City Sector Plan at its 6:30 p.m. meeting tonight. But Aurora Highlands urban planning committee chairman Ted Saks says the county was unable to deliver an updated version of the plan to the association’s emergency meeting last night, prompting the call for a delay.

Saks says a meeting with County Manager Michael Brown two weeks ago has produced positive changes, including pledges of a traffic monitoring plan, a citizen advisory board, and a study of ways to smooth the transition from the high-density development that will surround Route 1 and the single-family home neighborhood to the west.

News

Man Hurt on Cliff Near Chain Bridge

By ARLnow.com

Published September 28, 2010 at 1:37PM | Updated September 28, 2010 at 4:19PM

A man reportedly fell and injured himself on one of the rocky cliffs overlooking the Potomac near Chain Bridge this afternoon. The Park Police Eagle 1 helicopter and an Arlington County technical rescue squad were dispatched to the scene to help rescue the man after it was reported that he was trapped.

Paramedics are now walking the man to safety.

News

Power Outage in North Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published September 28, 2010 at 12:25PM | Updated September 28, 2010 at 2:16PM

Nearly 3,500 Dominion customers in North Arlington are without power this afternoon. The outage was possibly caused by a branch that hit a power line and caused a transformer to catch fire.

Police report that traffic lights on Glebe Road are out from I-66 near Ballston to Lee Highway. The outage at the busy Lee Highway and North Glebe Road intersection has the potential for a significant traffic impact.

Feature

Shameless Plug: Nominate Us for an ABBIE!

By ARLnow.com

Published September 28, 2010 at 11:16AM

Click here to go to the ABBIES nomination form and — if you think we’re doing a good job — write in “ARLnow.com” in the category for “Arlington’s Best Place to Learn Something New.”

With the long list of bars, bakeries and restaurants that have opened in the past 12 months, we couldn’t possibly expect to win a nomination for “Arlington’s Best New Business.” But hey, if you’re feeling inspired, we’re not going to stop you.