October 11, 2011 | ARLnow.com

Published October 11, 2011 at 6:42PM | Updated October 11, 2011 at 7:41PM

The station was packed with passengers after Orange Line trains were halted for a person struck by a train at the Clarendon Metro station. Firefighters at the station requested a mass casualty response when several people reportedly requested medical attention while trying to climb the station’s long escalators, which were all out of service. Firefighters and paramedics from Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County and Ft. Myer were dispatched to the station, according to emergency radio traffic.

Paramedics reportedly treated at least one person suffering an asthma attack. It’s not clear how many others were treated. Crowds at the station have thinned out since Orange Line trains started running again, according to firefighters on the scene. Most of the emergency response has been put back in service.

News

BREAKING NEWS — Person Hit By Train At Clarendon Metro Station

By ARLnow.com

Published October 11, 2011 at 5:27PM | Updated October 11, 2011 at 8:27PM

(Updated at 6:30 p.m.) A person has been hit by a train at the Clarendon Metro Station.

Emergency vehicles have surrounded the station, shutting down N. Highland Street and partially blocking Clarendon and Wilson Boulevards. Public access to the station has been cut off.

Opinion

Two Views on Artisphere

By ARLnow.com

Published October 11, 2011 at 4:04PM

Depends who you ask.

Artisphere turned one year old yesterday, but the young venue has yet to become a consistent draw or even a household name. Instead, scenes of young people having fun at an Artisphere birthday bash over the weekend contrast with the cold, hard numbers from a recent Washington Post article: attendance 70 percent below expectations, operating expenses more than 25 percent over budget. Although Arlington County taxpayers helped front Artisphere’s $6.7 million build-out cost, only 28 percent of visitors are actually from Arlington.

Around Town

Electronic iPark Devices Available Again

By ARLnow.com

Published October 11, 2011 at 3:08PM

The iPark is an electronic gadget that allows you to pay for parking in Arlington by pressing a button and hanging the device from your rear view mirror. The big advantage is the ability to pay for parking by the minute, without having to guess how long you’re going to be in a spot and without having to carry coins or fiddle with those multi-space parking meters.

The county stopped selling iParks last winter, after the company behind the device encountered some financial difficulties. Those problems have since been cleared up, apparently, and the county has started offering iParks to citizens once again.

Schools

Student Film Nominated for Award

By ARLnow.com

Published October 11, 2011 at 2:27PM

A film made by a group of students from Yorktown High School and the Arlington Career Center was nominated for an award at a local film festival over the weekend.

The film, “Not Yet,” examines an important decision some high school students face: whether to apply to college or stay home and help one’s family.

Around Town

Penrose Square to Get $2 Million Public Park

By ARLnow.com

Published October 11, 2011 at 12:27PM

Over the weekend, the Arlington County Board will vote on whether to approve a construction contract and a public art contract for a “Penrose Square Public Plaza” at 2503 Columbia Pike. The 17,360 square foot plaza will be a central focus of the revitalized Columbia Pike “town center,” and will serve “as a meeting and gathering spot in the Corridor’s new urban fabric.”

The construction contract, worth some $1.6 million, will create “a tree-covered terrace with movable tables and chairs; an inner plaza with a water feature… an inscription of historical significance of the site; and a grass mound area shaded with trees for informal seating.” The water feature will be made sustainable “by collecting, treating and then reusing water from the fountain again to minimize daily water consumption.”

News

Low Water Pressure After Main Break in Shirlington

By ARLnow.com

Published October 11, 2011 at 11:00AM | Updated October 11, 2011 at 3:18PM

The break happened near the intersection of Walter Reed Drive and Arlington Mill Drive in Shirlington yesterday. Crews have been unable to fully fix the rupture because the size of the water main — 14 inches — is “rare” and the nearest replacement part that the county was able to find was four hours away.

Much of Fairlington and parts of Shirlington are currently experiencing low or no water pressure. Most Shirlington businesses, however, are “in good shape,” according to Arlington County Department of Environmental Services spokeswoman Myllisa Kennedy.

Around Town

Photos: ‘Top Dog’ Contest in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

Published October 11, 2011 at 10:10AM

Fox 5 Morning News anchor Steve Chenevey, 94.7 Fresh FM morning show host Tommy McFly and an Arlington County K-9 police officer were among the guest judges at the ‘Top Dog’ talent contest in Crystal City last week.

The contest was held by the pet-friendly Residence Inn Arlington Capital View, in order to select a new canine mascot for the hotel. Pooches were put through a series of “American Idol”-style challenges, complete with commentary from the judges after each pair of performances.

Around Town

Changes Along Washington Blvd in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published October 11, 2011 at 9:10AM

Clarendon residents have taken note of two big, recent changes along Washington Boulevard.

About a week ago, a set of new traffic signals at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and N. Garfield Street were switched on. The traffic lights are helping to bring some order to what was previously a somewhat tricky intersection for Garfield Street traffic.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 11, 2011 at 7:55AM | Updated October 11, 2011 at 9:11AM

Construction to Begin on Rosslyn Office Project — The long-stalled Central Place office project may finally be moving forward. Developer JBG says construction on a new 390-foot office tower, adjacent to the Rosslyn Metro station, will likely begin in the second quarter of 2012. The project will be competing with the nearby 1812 N. Moore Street project for the title of tallest skyscraper in the D.C. area. [Washington Post]

Taxi Fee Increase in the Works — The Arlington County Board is expected to advertise public hearings for a possible increase in two fees charged by taxi cabs. County staff is recommending the initial base taxi fare (the “drop fee”) be raised from $2.75 to $3.00, while also recommending the extra-passenger charge be hiked from $1.00 to $1.50. All fees charged by Arlington-based taxis are set by the county. [Sun Gazette]