January, 2013 | ARLnow.com

Parking Changes Proposed for Schools, Recreational Facilities

Published January 24, 2013 at 10:30AM | Updated January 24, 2013 at 10:54AM

At its meeting on Saturday (January 26), the County Board is being asked to provide authorization for staff to advertise public hearings regarding the proposed amendments. The changes include revising parking standards for elementary and middle schools, permitting off-site vehicle parking at community swimming pools and allowing the County Board to modify parking standards.

The issue first arose during the public review process for the addition to Ashlawn Elementary School and the new school to be built on the Williamsburg campus. Arlington Public Schools felt that using the existing Zoning Ordinance for parking requirements would result in an excessive amount of parking. For instance, the addition to Ashlawn would require 228 parking spaces under the ordinance, when APS says it only needs about 100.

News

Morning Notes

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 24, 2013 at 9:45AM

Metro Closing Several Pentagon Escalators — Metro will begin its third major escalator replacement at the Pentagon station on February 4. Three of the six “southside escalators” at the station entrance will be shut down for replacement with new, more reliable units. Customers will still be able to use the three other escalators on the north side. [WMATA]

Proposal to Extend Voting Hours Fails — The proposal by state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D) to extend voting times in Virginia has failed in committee. The measure would have pushed poll closing time from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. [Sun Gazette]

News

Snow Snarls Commute, Late Start for Schools

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 24, 2013 at 8:15AM | Updated January 24, 2013 at 11:04AM

In addition to accidents, police scanner traffic indicates dozens of drivers skidding and nearly spinning out on the slippery roads. There are also numerous reports of vehicles getting stuck, particularly in hilly areas. Police report some drivers not paying attention closely enough and running into other vehicles, or even running over flares that are marking existing traffic problems. Drivers are reminded to slow down and use extra caution.

All Arlington Public Schools will open two hours late and the Extended Day program will open two hours late. Morning field trips are canceled. All APS administrative offices and the pools will open on time.

News

Critical Pedestrian Accident Near Kenmore Middle School

By ARLnow.com

Published January 23, 2013 at 8:15PM | Updated January 23, 2013 at 10:15PM

(Updated at 10:15 p.m.) Arlington County police are investigating a serious pedestrian accident on Carlin Springs Road, in front of Kenmore Middle School.

Around 7:00 p.m., a man in his 30s was struck by a car on Carlin Springs Road just south of Route 50, according to Arlington County Police Department spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. The man suffered “severe head trauma” and was transported in critical condition to Inova Fairfax Hospital.

News

NWS Issues Winter Weather Advisory

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 23, 2013 at 4:15PM

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Arlington and the rest of the D.C. area. The advisory begins at midnight and runs through 9:00 a.m. on Thursday. Although the Capital Weather Gang points out that not much accumulation is expected, if any, temperatures in the 20s will create slick conditions when and if there is precipitation.

* PRECIPITATION TYPE…SNOW

Events

Race Celebrates Healthy Dating Practices

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 23, 2013 at 3:58PM

The “No Fear in Love Race” is designed to celebrate healthy relationships and to teach teens and young adults how to avoid unhealthy ones. The idea behind the name is that experiencing fear in a relationship is an early indication that it may be unhealthy.

The third annual event begins at Marymount’s Ballston Center (1000 N. Glebe Road), and the race will take place on the Custis and W&OD Trails. There will be refreshments, group and individual race prizes, raffles, and discussions about the promotion of healthy dating relationships.

Opinion

Independent’s Day: Gerrymandering Again?

By Jason Howell

Published January 23, 2013 at 2:30PM | Updated January 16, 2018 at 2:44PM

Independent’s Day is a weekly opinion column by published on Wednesdays. The views and opinions expressed in the column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.

On Wednesday night the Washington Post reported that some of our Virginia Senators cast a vote to change our local districts and favor their party. They did this despite the reality that our Commonwealth, along with many states in our union, just recently redistricted all of the state “lines” last year.

News

Nauck Business Expected to Receive Historic Status

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 23, 2013 at 1:35PM | Updated January 23, 2013 at 2:57PM

(Updated at 2:30 p.m.) The Green Valley Pharmacy (2415 Shirlington Road) property in Nauck is expected to earn a local designation as an Arlington Historic District. The measure was requested by long-time property owner Dr. Leonard Muse, and needs approval from the County Board at its meeting on Saturday (January 26).

Dr. Muse submitted a formal letter in 2009, in addition to a petition of support with 143 signatures, requesting the status. Since then, the county’s Historic Preservation Program staff has been working with Dr. Muse to conduct research on the building and on Dr. Muse’s contributions to the community.

Feature

Arlington Pet of the Week

By ARLnow.com

Published January 23, 2013 at 12:00PM | Updated January 24, 2013 at 12:54PM

Our Arlington Pet of the Week this week is Porter, a two and a half year old Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

This furry Clarendon resident recently overcame some scary health problems but never lost his happy attitude. Owners Malarie and Craig wrote the following about their tough terrier.

Around Town

Local Coach Headed to Special Olympics Winter Games in Korea

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 23, 2013 at 11:00AM

While the D.C. region was gearing up for the Presidential Inauguration this week, Arlington resident Andrea Molfetto kept her focus on a loftier goal — standing atop a mountain in PyeongChang, Korea. That’s where the Special Olympics coach is headed this week with her alpine skiing team for the World Winter Games.

Andrea has assisted with Special Olympics events since she was in college, and has been a ski coach for the organization since moving to Arlington in 2008. This is her first time accompanying a team to the World Winter Games, which takes place every four years.

News

Police Respond to Huffing Disturbance

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 23, 2013 at 9:55AM

According to police, two roommates at the Ballston-based substance abuse treatment center alerted a resident adviser that their roommate had been acting erratically and their room was in disarray. When the resident adviser arrived in the room, the subject was wearing only a t-shirt and had a sheet over his head while allegedly huffing disinfectant spray. The resident adviser called police because the subject was reportedly hissing, speaking in tongues, shaking uncontrollably, trying to eat coins and had attempted to set his mattress on fire.

Police say when they arrived and tried to speak with the 18-year-old man, he was naked and still attempting to eat coins. Officers tried taking the man into custody but he didn’t cooperate. The officers gave him a warning but he continued to stay on all fours and growl at them, so they successfully tased him and handcuffed him, according to a police spokesman. The man then attempted to eat the Taser cords, we’re told.

News

Morning Notes

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 23, 2013 at 8:55AM | Updated January 23, 2013 at 9:59AM

Flight Makes Emergency Landing at DCA — A US Airways Express flight had to make an emergency landing at Reagan National Airport this morning (Wednesday) due to a cracked windshield. The plane was minutes into its flight from DCA to Raleigh/Durham International Airport when it had to turn around. Nobody was injured. [WJLA]

Plastic Bag Tax Defeated — Sen. Adam Ebbin’s proposal to tax single-use plastic bags in grocery and convenience stores has been defeated in the state Senate. Had the bill passed, it would have imposed a five cent tax on every plastic bag distributed by retail establishments. [Sun Gazette]