News

Man Pleads Guilty to Firing Bullets at Pentagon

By ARLnow.com

Yonathan Melaku, 23, of Alexandria, pleaded guilty to three counts of: damaging government property, using a firearm during a crime, and attempted injury to veterans’ memorials. Prosecutors and defense attorneys have jointly asked for a 25-year sentence.

As part of the plea, Melaku admitted that on or around the early morning of Oct. 19, 2010 he fired multiple 9mm rounds at the Pentagon building. He also admitted to firing bullets at the National Museum of the Marine Corps (twice), a Marine Corps recruiting sub-station in Chantilly, and a U.S. Coast Guard recruiting office in Woodbridge. The shootings took place between Oct. 17, 2010 and Nov. 2, 2010.

Go to Man Pleads Guilty to Firing Bullets at Pentagon Read more
Around Town

Ray’s the Steaks Expands with ‘Retro Ray’s’

By ARLnow.com

Ray’s the Steaks in Courthouse (2300 Wilson Blvd) has added an adjacent bistro dining area called “Retro Ray’s.” While sharing a kitchen with the larger Ray’s, the new bistro will be operated as a separate entity. It will not take phone reservations — opting instead to only serve walk-in patrons — and will only be open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday.

The menu for Retro Ray’s looks very much like that of Ray’s the Steaks. In fact, it is the Ray’s the Steaks menu — from 2005. The offerings and the prices match that of the old 1725 Wilson Boulevard Ray’s the Steaks, circa 2005, we’re told. That means your average steak will be about $3 cheaper than the same steak next door.

Go to Ray’s the Steaks Expands with ‘Retro Ray’s’ Read more
Events

Artisphere to Host Editorial Cartoon Exhibit

By ARLnow.com

Of course no one, not even the Mayans, can be 100 percent sure of the future. But today, at Artisphere, a group of political cartoonists will be giving soothsaying a shot.

Starting tonight, Artisphere (1101 Wilson Blvd) will be hosting a “pop-up exhibit” called “ApocalypToon 2012.” The exhibit will provide “a humorous outlook on the year to come [featuring] works, some created exclusively for this exhibition, by renowned editorial and political cartoonists.”

Go to Artisphere to Host Editorial Cartoon Exhibit Read more
News

ART Bus Ridership on the Rise

By ARLnow.com

According to statistics quoted by Hynes, ART is on track to serve 2.5 million riders for the 12 month period ending this June. That’s a marked increase from just seven years ago, when ART bus ridership was just under 800,000 during financial year 2005.

Hynes said 1.2 million passengers rode ART from July to the end of December 2011 — a 14.5 percent increase over the same time period in 2010. ART now serves more than 9,000 passengers every weekday, versus 8,000 a year ago.

Go to ART Bus Ridership on the Rise Read more
News

Work on Revamped Sign Ordinance Continues

By Katie Pyzyk

Last week Board members held a work session with County Manager Barbara Donnellan to give input on revisions they’d like to see to the proposal before the final version is inked. The latest draft was devised based on staff input and information gathered at public sessions last year.

One proposed change that all the Board members indicated support for was reducing the number of signs issues that require the Board’s attention. The hope is that by making the ordinance more clear and specific, fewer cases will need special approval.

Go to Work on Revamped Sign Ordinance Continues Read more
News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Artisphere Gets Exclusive Photo Exhibit — Artisphere has scored a bit of a coup by becoming the first and only venue in the United States to host an exhibit of the personal photos of famed Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. “These images reveal a little-known side of the artist and lifelong resident of Mexico City suburb and Arlington, Va. sister city, Coyoacán,” Artisphere said in a press release. “The collection of photographs in this exhibition reflect Kahlo’s tastes and interests, the experiences she shared with those close to her, and her complicated, but also thrilling, personal life.” [Artisphere]

General Assembly May Ban Motorcycle Checkpoints — State legislators are considering a bill that would ban police from setting up motorcycle-only safety checkpoints. Arlington is one of the jurisdictions cited as having conducted such a “discriminatory” checkpoint — during last year’s Rolling Thunder ride to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. [Virginian-Pilot]

Go to Morning Notes Read more
News

Crime Report: Female Escort Sexually Assaulted

By ARLnow.com

A female escort was held against her will and sexually assaulted in a Crystal City hotel room last week, according to the latest Arlington County crime report.

ABDUCTION WITH INTENT TO DEFILE / SEXUAL ASSAULT, 01/19/12, 2000 block of S. Jefferson Davis Highway. On January 19, around 8 pm, a female escort was held against her will in a hotel room while an unknown male sexually assaulted her. The suspect is a black male, 30-39, 170 lbs.

Go to Crime Report: Female Escort Sexually Assaulted Read more
Around Town

‘Horrible’ Local Sports Club Ad Slams Paula Deen

By ARLnow.com

Celebrity chef Paula Deen recently attracted some controversy when she revealed last week that she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes three years ago. But a health club ad apparently poking fun at Deen in a local newspaper is attracting some controversy of its own.

Today’s Washington Examiner contained an ad for Washington Sports Clubs that presumably references Deen, who’s known for her butter and sugar-laden recipes.

Go to ‘Horrible’ Local Sports Club Ad Slams Paula Deen Read more
Around Town

AWLA To Offer Discounted Spay and Neuter Service

By ARLnow.com

In recognition of World Spay Day, AWLA will be offering low-cost spays and neuters on four days: Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24. Participants must bring proof that their annual household income is $40,000 or less. The service will cost $25 for male cats and $50 for female cats and all dogs.

“Spaying cats and dogs eliminates the possibility of uterine and ovarian cancer, while neutering eliminates the possibility of testicular cancer,” AWLA noted in a press release. “Spaying and neutering reduces the potential for territorial marking, especially in your home, makes pets less likely to run away, and helps to reduce aggressive behavior, especially in dogs.”

Go to AWLA To Offer Discounted Spay and Neuter Service Read more
News

Large Tree Falls on Donaldson Run Home

By ARLnow.com

A large tree came crashing through the roof of a house in the Donaldson Run neighborhood this morning.

Firefighters and a building inspector responded this morning after a call from a neighbor. The badly-damaged house was condemned, but no injuries were reported. What exactly caused the tree to fall is unclear — today’s weather has been relatively calm.

Go to Large Tree Falls on Donaldson Run Home Read more
View More Stories