February 24, 2011 | ARLnow.com

Published February 24, 2011 at 3:58PM | Updated February 25, 2011 at 9:20AM

The proposed FY 2012 budget includes a step increase for teachers and other school employees that was not granted last year amid a serious budget crunch. It does not, however, include a cost of living (COLA) increase. COLA increases used to be granted nearly every year until Arlington’s budget difficulties began two years ago.

Senior employees and employees at the top of the pay scale — who together make up about 33 percent of the work force — are not eligible for a step increase. Dr. Murphy is proposing a one-time payment of $1,000 to those employees. The total cost of all pay raises is estimated at ~~$16.4~~ $7.9 million. (The original $16.4 million figure included benefit and retirement increases.)

Around Town

More Local Restaurants Falling Behind on Meals Tax

By ARLnow.com

Published February 24, 2011 at 2:31PM

A number of restaurants have fallen farther behind on their payment of Arlington County meals taxes. Such tax delinquencies are sometimes a sign of shaky financial health, as was the case for failed restaurants like Bebo Trattoria, Restaurant Vero and McGinty’s Public House, all of which still owe tens of thousands of dollars to the county.

The latest delinquency list shows that Front Page Restaurant in Ballston (4201 Wilson Blvd) ran up an additional $23,000 tab with the county between December and February. The restaurant now owes Arlington $46,531.82. As of August, it only owed $17,113.52.

News

Second Change-of-Government Defendant Pleads Guilty

By ARLnow.com

Published February 24, 2011 at 12:17PM | Updated February 25, 2011 at 1:50AM

Simmon’s guilty plea comes one week after another person hired to obtain petition signatures, William Cockerham, pleaded guilty to a similar voter fraud charge.

State law specifies that petition signatures must be witnessed by someone who is at least eligible to register to vote. As convicted felons, neither Simmons nor Cockerham were eligible.

News

Crime Report: Cell Phone Snapper Arrested

By ARLnow.com

Published February 24, 2011 at 10:05AM | Updated January 9, 2018 at 2:50PM

A man was arrested Monday afternoon after police say he took photos of a 13-year-old girl in a dressing room. According to police, the 34-year-old took the photos with a cell phone camera he stuck under the dressing room door.

UNLAWFUL FILMING-ARREST 02/21/11, Unit block S. Glebe Road. On February 21 at 3:30 pm, an adult male was found taking pictures of a 13-year-old girl in a dressing room. He was apprehended by police. Jose Cabrera Orozco, 34, of Arlington, was charged with Unlawful Filming of a Minor. He was held without bond.

Weather

High Wind Watch Issued for Friday

By ARLnow.com

Published February 24, 2011 at 9:46AM

Forecasters are warning of high winds that will be blowing into our area tomorrow morning and afternoon.

The winds come less than a week after Saturday’s wind storm, which knocked down large trees and power lines.

News

Cops Nab Cross-Dressing Shoplifting Suspect

By ARLnow.com

Published February 24, 2011 at 8:00AM

Just after 5:30 p.m., a call came in for two men chasing a woman down South Hayes Street. Later, the person being chased was described in police dispatches as a six-foot tall man dressed as a woman.

The man had allegedly stolen an item from a store in the Pentagon City mall, and the two men were identified as store employees.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 24, 2011 at 6:00AM | Updated July 12, 2017 at 2:16PM

Lee Highway McDonald’s Remains Closed — The McDonald’s at 4834 Lee Highway was still closed yesterday. An electrical fire broke out in the restaurant’s basement Saturday morning.

Arlington’s Most Accident-Prone Intersections — Following up on our Arlington’s Most Dangerous On-Ramps article, TBD has come out with a list of Arlington’s Most Dangerous Intersections, courtesy of data from the police department. The most dangerous intersection? Route 50 and Southbound Washington Boulevard, with 113 accidents. [TBD]