Election Season Safety Planning — “The specifics for public consumption are – not surprisingly – left a little hazy, but Arlington public-safety officials say they are taking steps to ensure election season is not interrupted for one reason or another… Among law-enforcement leaders in the Washington region, ‘this is a consistent topic,’ Police Chief Andy Penn told County Board members.” [Gazette Leader]
More Road Safety Installations — From Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services: “Crews have completed installing centerline hardening devices at five locations around Arlington,” including Ballston, “to slow vehicles making left turns near crosswalks. Another Vision Zero safety project pilot.” [Twitter]
‘Eternal Flame’ Arriving in Arlington — “The Eternal Flame, which has been burning since November 11, 1923, on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe, was collected on May 8… it boarded Queen Mary 2 to cross the Atlantic and arrive in New York. The ambassadors will escort the flame to Arlington Cemetery to lay it down at an official ceremony on May 24, and let it burn until June 6, 2024.” [PR Newswire]
Bus Crash Near Crystal City — From Dave Statter: “A Metrobus coming out of the yard at S. Glebe Rd. and S. Eads Street in Arlington collided with an SUV. We can’t see the other side of the light but it looks like everyone else stopped well before the SUV got to the intersection.” [Twitter]
Local Employment Rises — “Total employment in Arlington County ended 2023 up from a year before, while employment across Fairfax County was generally flat, according to new data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on May 22 reported a total of 181,100 employed in Arlington during the third quarter of 2023, up 2.1 percent from a year before.” [Gazette Leader]
DCA Chief Retiring — “J. Paul Malandrino will retire at the end of May after 17 years as Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Vice President and Reagan National Airport Manager. His leadership and career accomplishments spanned 58 years, including 30 years of military service.” [MWAA]
Paper’s County Board Endorsement — “What Arlington residents need in their next County Board member is someone with a sophisticated grasp of the issues coupled with a sh*tkicker personality who understands he or she isn’t there to win a popularity contest but to represent the public, often against an entrenched power structure.” [Gazette Leader]
Big Night on Track for W-L — “W-L Girls 4×100 relay are region champs AND broke the school record… Not to be outdone, the W-L Girls 4×400 relay are also region champs and broke the school record! Go Generals!” [Twitter, Twitter]
Grill Safety Tips — “Arlington fire officials say calls for grill fires and burn injuries spike in the warmer months. Nationwide, about 22,000 people end up in the ER every year with injuries involving grills… Here are a few tips from the ACFD to make your grilling season a safe and delicious one.” [Arlington Magazine]
It’s Friday — Expect a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms early in the day before 8am and between 8am-11am, with patchy fog before 8am. Later, expect mostly cloudy skies to gradually clear up, reaching a high near 82°F with a light north wind. Precipitation chance for the day is 20%. In the evening, partly cloudy skies and a low around 65°F with a light south wind are anticipated. [NWS]
