March 1, 2018 | ARLnow.com

Published March 1, 2018 at 5:45PM | Updated March 2, 2018 at 11:18AM

The courtyard's N. Stafford Street entrance (via county presentation)

Updated with County statement 3/2/2018 at 11:17 a.m.:

Arlington County believes that the dispute with the Berkeley Condo Association over public courtyard access is close to being amicably resolved, and that public access will be restored to the pathway on the property. The County Board authorized the County Attorney to engage in settlement negotiations with the Berkeley Condo Association, to resolve ongoing litigation, and the parties are negotiating a proposal, which, in all likelihood, will be finalized soon. Any final settlement would be between the County Board and the Berkeley Condo Association, not their attorneys or other County officials.

Weather

Officials: Prepare for Falling Debris and Power Outages During Wind Storm

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Published March 1, 2018 at 4:35PM | Updated March 1, 2018 at 4:53PM

High winds are expected to wallop the Washington region tonight through Saturday and officials are asking the public to take precautions.

Wind gusts as strong as 60-70 miles per hour are possible from Friday from 4 a.m. through midnight, forecasters say. Wind gusts over 30 miles per hour are expected generally from tonight into Sunday.

Opinion

The Right Note: Quick Hits

By Mark Kelly

Published March 1, 2018 at 3:45PM

Delegate Patrick Hope’s bill to give Arlington the authority to hold school board elections is on its way to Governor Northam. The legislation is an acknowledgement that no one is quite sure whether the authority to elect a school board really existed in Arlington.

It may or may not call into question any previous School Board actions from a body that could very well have been elected without specific statutory authority. As such, someone should get a legal opinion on what exactly this all means, including whether there needs to be an immediate election of all five School Board members to new four year terms, rather than waiting for their current terms to expire.

Opinion

Progressive Voice: Counting Everyone in Arlington Affects our Bottom Line

By Progressive Voice

Published March 1, 2018 at 3:15PM

The 2020 Census is probably not anybody’s idea of a sexy topic. But ensuring an accurate 2020 Census count is vital to both getting the number of congressional seats a state deserves and to the day to day effective functioning of government.

As we currently sit, the upcoming 2020 Census is going to be a disaster.

Opinion

Peter’s Take: Manager’s Budget — Good Short-Term, Headwinds Long-Term

By Peter Rousselot

Published March 1, 2018 at 2:45PM | Updated March 1, 2018 at 4:48PM

Peter’s Take is a weekly opinion column. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.

On February 22, Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz presented his proposed FY 2019 Annual Operating Budget. It’s balanced at the current real estate tax rate.

Opinion

Did Cancelling the Streetcar Hurt Arlington’s Amazon Chances?

By ARLnow.com

Published March 1, 2018 at 2:15PM

It’s a question that some have been asking themselves as Arlington has advanced to be among the most likely destinations for Amazon’s second headquarters.

Would the proposed Columbia Pike and Crystal City streetcar system have helped Arlington’s chances had it been built?

Around Town

Arlington Filmmaker Takes New Film on Festival Circuit

By Anna Merod

Published March 1, 2018 at 1:00PM

"Nothing to Do" was shot at some local Arlington hot spots including Twisted Vines and Goody's.

An Arlington filmmaker is back on the film circuit, this time showcasing a film tackling end-of-life care issues.

The movie, “Nothing to Do,” centers on a radio D.J. who has take care of his dying father. Director Mike Kravinsky was inspired in part by taking care of his own father during his final weeks.

News

Custis Trail Safety Improvement Project Underway Near Rosslyn

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Published March 1, 2018 at 12:00PM | Updated March 1, 2018 at 12:25PM

Rendering of the Custis Trail safety improvements, via Arlington County.

Safety improvements on three Custis Trail intersections have begun.

The project will reconfigure bike lanes at N. Quinn and N. Scott streets, as well as widen the Custis Trail. Other safety improvements include curb extensions, ADA-compliant curb ramps, trail separation from Lee Highway, and crosswalks with higher visibility.

News

Beyer Co-Sponsors ‘Assault Weapons Ban of 2018’

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Published March 1, 2018 at 10:45AM

Congressman Don Beyer (D-Va.) co-sponsored a bill this week that would prohibit the sale, transfer, production, and importation of assault weapons.

The Assault Weapons Ban of 2018, H.R. 5087, was introduced by Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) on Monday (February 26). The bill comes as pressure mounts nationwide following the Parkland, Fla., school shooting which sparked renewed efforts to pass gun control legislation.

Schools

Police Investigating Threat at Yorktown High School

By ARLnow.com

Published March 1, 2018 at 9:55AM | Updated March 1, 2018 at 1:00PM

File photo

Update at 1 p.m. — Arlington County Police have issued a statement about the investigation via Twitter.

Yesterday, the police department was alerted to a potential threat of violence posted in a restroom at Yorktown High School. Police immediately began investigating the incident and at this time have determined that there are no credible threats to the safety of the school, (1/2)

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 1, 2018 at 9:00AM

Cherry blossoms in Arlington (file photo)

ACPD Cameo on ‘Homeland’ — The Arlington County Police Department made a brief appearance last week on the TV show “Homeland.” [Twitter]

High Wind Watch Upgraded to Warning — The threat of a damaging wind storm Friday has become more likely. The National Weather Service has upgraded the previous High Wind Watch to a warning. [Twitter]