February, 2012 | ARLnow.com

EXCLUSIVE: Police Impersonation Home Invasion Has Bank Robbery Tie

Published February 28, 2012 at 10:32AM

Two men impersonating police officers with a search warrant forced their way into a home on the 300 block of S. Fillmore Street around 11:20 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, according to Arlington County police. One of the suspects held the residents — a woman and two children — at knifepoint in the living room while the second suspect, armed with a handgun, ransacked the house. In the end, the suspects made off with nearly $13,000 in cash and jewelry.

A police source has confirmed to ARLnow.com that the house targeted by the two armed robbers was that of Rafi Khan, 23, who was arrested in December and charged with two counts of bank robbery. Both robberies both took place in Arlington over the course of a week.

News

Absentee Application Deadline Today

By ARLnow.com

Published February 28, 2012 at 9:30AM

The absentee application can be mailed or faxed — but the deadline is 5:00 p.m. today.

Those who want to vote absentee in person can still do so through this coming Saturday. Additional information on the absentee voting process, including the list of valid reasons for voting absentee, is available on the Arlington County website.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 28, 2012 at 8:45AM | Updated January 16, 2018 at 2:46PM

Senate Dems Defeat HPV Immunization Repeal — State Senate Democrats are taking credit for killing a bill that would have repealed the 2007 law that requires sixth grade girls be immunized from the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Said Arlington’s Sen. Barbara Favola (D), in a statement: “The best way to eradicate cervical cancer is widespread HPV vaccination. In the past, the most successful immunization programs, such as those for smallpox or polio, required universal vaccination. Cervical cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths in the world, but with this vaccination, there is hope for ending the suffering caused by cervical cancer.” [Washington Post]

Favola Criticized for Skipping Budget Vote — State Sen. Barbara Favola is being criticized by Republicans for skipping a vote on the state budget in favor of making a TV appearance. Favola appeared on MSNBC’s ‘Hardball with Chris Matthews’ while votes were being taken on the Republican-supported budget plan. In the end, however, her vote wouldn’t have changed the outcome — the budget didn’t pass. [Sun Gazette]

Around Town

Rooftop Restaurants Prepare to Open for Season

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 27, 2012 at 3:50PM

The good news is they’re preparing to open soon. The bad news is you’ll have to wait a few more weeks.

Here is the current list of seasonal openings for Arlington’s popular rooftop establishments:

Events

Arlington County to Hold Government Career Fair

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 27, 2012 at 2:45PM

The career fair will take place on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. in the lower level auditorium of the Arlington Employment Center (2100 Washington Blvd).

Representatives from 22 agencies will be on hand to speak with job candidates. Some of the opportunities include law enforcement, administrative assistants, education, finance and IT.

News

Honorees Chosen for Women of Vision Award

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 27, 2012 at 1:30PM

Carolyn Cook, Angela Fox, Anita Friedman and Kathleen Sibert were chosen by the Arlington County Commission on the Status of Women for their contributions to improving the lives of women and girls in Arlington. They will be honored at a ceremony and reception next Tuesday.

At the event, County Manager Barbara Donnellan will moderate a roundtable discussion on women’s education and empowerment.

News

APS Budget Includes Class Size Increase, Raise for Employees

By ARLnow.com

Published February 27, 2012 at 12:05PM | Updated February 27, 2012 at 1:13PM

At $493.8 million, the proposed budget is a 3.9 percent increase over FY 2012. The increase reflects, among other things, a 2 percent increase in the APS salary scales — Dr. Murphy says the increase is a reflection of the “cost of competing” with other Northern Virginia school systems for quality teachers and staff — and 3.9 percent growth in student enrollment.

Student enrollment is projected to jump by 857 students, from 21,841 to 22,698. APS calculates that growing enrollment will cost $1.8 million for the purchase of 16 new relocatable classrooms and $2.2 million in additional staffing costs. Though the overall budget is flat in terms of per-student spending, the official “per pupil” cost — as calculated under a set formula that differs from just looking at the overall budget — will actually increase from $18,047 to $18,400.

Around Town

Spotted: FBI Exercise in Waverly Hills

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 27, 2012 at 10:30AM

Several readers contacted ARLnow.com this morning about activity in the Waverly Hills neighborhood. A number of people dressed in FBI gear were spotted at a house near N. 16th St and Glebe Rd.

There’s no need to worry, though. Neighbors report it appears the FBI was using the private residence for a training exercise.

News

Metro Holding Public Hearings Regarding Budget, Fare Increase

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 27, 2012 at 9:45AM | Updated June 29, 2018 at 3:25PM

Meetings start tonight and will be held throughout the region, with Arlington’s taking place next Monday, March 5. An open forum will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria at Washington-Lee High School (1301 N. Stafford St), and the public hearing will begin at 7:00 p.m.

The open forum will have several stations to provide information to the public. Tables staffed by senior workers of Metrobus, Metrorail, MetroAccess, SmarTrip and police will be set up to give specific information and answer individual questions. In another area, a video presentation will be shown regarding Metro’s rebuilding program. There will also be a station with computers where participants can take an online survey and submit comments about Metro’s priorities.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 27, 2012 at 8:30AM

DUI Checkpoint on Columbia Pike — As promised, Arlington County Police (and the Sheriff’s Office) conducted a DUI checkpoint on Friday night. The checkpoint was set up near the intersection of Columbia Pike and George Mason Drive. Some 400 vehicles passed through and one DUI arrest was made, according to police.

Arlington’s Bikeshare Strategy — Arlington is currently in the process of creating a six-year strategic plan for the continued growth and utilization of Capital Bikeshare in the county. The plan is expected to be presented to the public in June. An initial draft of the plan includes some data from 2011: the county’s cost per Bikeshare trip ($8.18), average Bikeshare trips per day in Arlington (166 — though Bikeshare didn’t expand into North Arlington until April), and percentage of female Bikeshare members (42 percent). [TBD]

News

Multi-Vehicle Accident on Wilson Boulevard

By ARLnow.com

Published February 25, 2012 at 3:03PM | Updated July 12, 2017 at 1:35PM

One of the vehicles involved — witnesses say it was a D.C. taxi cab — lost control while driving toward Clarendon on Wilson Boulevard. The vehicle slammed into a car just outside Arlington Autocare, causing one of the store’s windows to break. It continued through the intersection, took out a traffic light control box, smashed several cars in an auto dealership lot, and slammed into the side of the Doctor’s Building before coming to rest.

At least one person was transported to a local hospital. Initial reports suggest the accident may have happened when the cab driver suffered some sort of medical emergency.

News

Police Rescue Man After Suicide Attempt

By ARLnow.com

Published February 24, 2012 at 7:00PM | Updated February 24, 2012 at 9:21PM

Police were able to rescue a man who attempted to hang himself from a light pole tonight.

The incident happened in the area of Walter Reed Drive and S. Pollard Street, near the Ft. Barnard dog park. Police received a call just before 5:15 p.m. for a man sitting on a light pole — about 20 feet up — with a rope around his neck. As officers arrived on scene, the man jumped, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.