Today we continue to count down the biggest Arlington County news stories of 2015.
Crime and restaurant stories account for 8 of the 10 articles on today’s list. See yesterday’s list of the #21-30 stories here. Below are #11-20.
20. Body Found on Rocks Near Chain Bridge (15,007 views)
During the evening rush hour, a body was spotted on the cliffs along the Potomac River, near Chain Bridge. An Arlington County technical rescue crew rappelled down to the body and confirmed the man was dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
19. Parents Livid at Decision to Open Schools (15,862 views)
Arlington Public Schools apologized for making a disastrous call to open schools on time during a morning rush hour snowstorm. At least a half dozen school buses were involved in crashes and more became stuck, leaving students stranded at bus stops. Parents, needless to say, were not pleased.
18. Police Arrest Serial Sexual Assault Suspect (16,217 views)
A man suspected of sexually assaulting women on several occasions as they walked down the street in Arlington was arrested. The seemingly random crimes had the community on edge since mid-summer.
16 (tie). Police Investigating Possible Homicide in Aurora Highlands (16,250 views)
The stabbing death of 42-year-old mother of two Bonnie Delgado Black, a psychologist who worked for the FBI, shook the communities of Aurora Highlands and Arlington Ridge. Black’s estranged husband, who continued to live in Arlington Ridge even after the crime, was arrested six months later and charged with her murder.
16 (tie). Homeowner Finds Stranger Covered in Vomit in Dining Room (16,250 views)
A highly intoxicated 22-year-old Arlington man was arrested after an Ashton Heights resident found him lying on his dining room floor, covered in vomit. The man admitted to drinking at Mister Days the night before but said he wasn’t sure how he got into the house. He was charged with destruction of property for ruining an expensive rug. That charge and a trespassing charge were later dismissed.
15. Clarendon Named One of the 12 ‘Bro-iest’ Neighborhoods in U.S. (16,270 views)
In what can only be described as a gift to our traffic stats, Thrillest named Clarendon the No. 10 “Bro-iest” neighborhood in the United States. While we would argue that Clarendon is more “yuppie” than “bro,” at least during the 360 days of the year when there’s not a bar crawl going on, the ranking surprised no one and instead served to solidify the community’s reputation for “obnoxious partying males.”
14. Ri Ra Irish Pub Closes in Clarendon (16,467 views)
It might not have been the flashiest place in town, but Ri Ra’s closing affected quite a few because of the Irish bar’s status as a popular group meeting place. The Liverpool FC boosters club and the Arlington Falls-Church Young Republicans were among those left searching for a new hangout after Ri Ra quietly closed its doors.
13. Duck Donuts to Open Fairfax and Arlington Locations (16,498 views)
News that beloved donut chain Duck Donuts was coming to the Lee Harrison Shopping Center spread like rainbow sprinkles in a stiff breeze.
12. Two More Shirlington Restaurants Closing, Businesses Blame Landlord (16,694 views)
It was a tough year for small businesses in Shirlington Village as a number of restaurants closed their doors in the shopping center. In one of his last major articles with ARLnow.com, Ethan Rothstein, now an editor at Bisnow, reported that high rent and lower-than-hoped-for foot traffic contributed to the closures. Despite the closures, other restaurants have since opened and still others are in the process of opening in Shirlington.
11. Officer-Involved Shooting in Buckingham (16,990 views)
A man attacked officers and was shot and killed by police in his apartment in Buckingham, following a call reporting a possible domestic violence situation. The officer who fired the fatal shots was later cleared by prosecutors, who concluded that the use of deadly force was justified in self-defense.