Launched in January 2010, ARLnow.com is the place for the latest news, views and things to do around Arlington, Virginia. The ARLnow staff byline is used for the Morning Notes and reporting done by an editor or other member of our full-time staff.
Wakefield High School in the snow in 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
After a winter break extended by three consecutive snow days, Arlington Public Schools students are going back to class today, albeit on a delay.
APS announced the two-hour delay last night, shortly before Fairfax County Public Schools announced it would stay closed on Thursday. Loudoun County first announced a delay, then shifted to a closure.
Among other nearby school systems, Alexandria and Montgomery County are both on a two-hour delay, while D.C. schools are open on time for the second day in row.
When APS announced it was staying closed on Wednesday, the school system cited “persistent hazardous conditions on side streets, sidewalks and parking lots near our school sites.”
A student-created online petition showed photos of still-snow-covered roads and trails, and cited frigid wind chill temperatures today, in arguing that APS should remain closed Thursday and Friday.
The petition has garnered more than 6,750 online signatures.
“The school has recently announced a delayed start for the day,” an update post on the petition says. “While this is an improvement, we still believe that more can be done to ensure the safety of the APS community. Continue to sign this petition to show that we still don’t feel safe going to school.”
Given the current conditions and the actions of other jurisdictions, do you think APS made the right call today?
A 27-year-old Arlington man is facing numerous charges after allegedly becoming violent while on the way to the hospital.
Arlington County police say Yeison Orellana Perez injured himself while drunk and was transported by medics from the 3700 block of Columbia Pike yesterday.
Snow-covered tables outside of Brass Rabbit Pub in Clarendon (courtesy George Brazier)
One and Done for School Board Chair — School Board Chair Mary Kadera Wednesday night told Arlington Democrats she will not seek a second term. “I would be happy doing this work forever,” Kadera said, but a combination of family and professional responsibilities means “I cannot run a campaign right now.” Democrats will select an endorsee for Kadera’s seat in a spring caucus. –Scott McCaffrey
GW Parkway Back Open — “The George Washington Memorial Parkway has reopened. Drivers should continue to stay alert while driving through the construction zone… Due to weather, the traffic configuration will be a single lane through the construction corridor both North and South bound.” [Press Release]
Office to Residential in Courthouse — “Trammell Crow Residential wants to redevelop Arlington Plaza, an aging office building in Arlington’s Courthouse neighborhood, as an 18-story apartment tower… The existing 190,000-square-foot property, built in 1985, sits on 1.1 acres a few blocks east of the Court House Metro station and across North Troy Street from the county jail.” [WBJ]
Clarendon Apartment Acquired — “In its first U.S. multifamily acquisition, real estate company Pembroke has acquired the Fitzroy in Arlington, Va., for $158 million. The acquisition reflects the company’s strategy to diversify its portfolio in cities where it also has mixed-use and office properties. Completed in 2023 and LEED Gold Certified, the 10-story property is located at 3275 Washington Blvd.” [Multi-Housing News]
Arlington Org’s New Leader — “Earlier this year, the Consumer Technology Association, which owns and produces CES, installed 17-year veteran of the association Kinsey Fabrizio as its new president… To Fabrizio, her roots in the D.C. region have a little bit of extra special meaning. ‘As a company, we’re based in Arlington, and it’s no secret that there’s a lot of great innovation in the Arlington area,’ Fabrizio said.” [WTOP]
Snow Possible This Weekend — “The D.C. area could see its second bout of snow this week on Saturday… a dusting to two inches is the most likely forecast right now.” [Capital Weather Gang]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high of 28 degrees, accompanied by blustery northwest winds of 16 to 23 mph, gusting up to 41 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to a low of around 17 degrees and northwest winds of 10 to 16 mph, gusting as high as 26 mph. [NWS]
Expect sunny skies and a high of 28 degrees, accompanied by blustery northwest winds of 16 to 23 mph, gusting up to 41 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to a low of around 17 degrees and northwest winds of 10 to 16 mph, gusting as high as 26 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” – Paulo Coelho
Rosslyn Plaza’s Christmas tree stands adorned with snow (staff photo by James Jarvis)
Feds, County Both Open — The federal government and Arlington County government are both opening on time today. Arlington Public Schools, like other Northern Virginia districts, is closed — though D.C. schools are open. [Twitter, Twitter, ARLnow]
Snow Removal Now in Phase 4 — From Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services: “County winter storm response has shifted to Phase 4: aka ‘the cleanup.’ Areas still needing attention can be flagged for crews with the online form, which also includes other contact options.” [Twitter]
Falls Church Trash Pickup Delayed — “No curbside services will be provided on Wednesday, January 8. Services for trash, recycling, yard waste, and curbside composting will be provided on Thursday, January 9.” [City of Falls Church]
Rosslyn Offices Change Hands — “After defaulting on loans in 2023, Monday Properties has lost a seven-building Rosslyn office portfolio, including the marquee two-building project known as The Towers, to Beacon Capital Partners. The details about what happened aren’t clear, but multiple sources confirm that Monday is out.” [WBJ]
Public Safety Encryption Bill — From Dave Statter: “As a strong believer in government transparency – particularly public safety agencies – I’m happy to report that Del. Marcus Simon introduced a bill to look at law-enforcement radio encryption in Virginia.” [Twitter]
It’s Wednesday — Expect partly sunny skies with a high near 30 degrees, and a west wind ranging between 10-14 mph, gusting up to 24 mph. The night will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 17 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind of 10-14 mph, gusting as high as 22 mph. [NWS]
Expect partly sunny skies with a high near 30 degrees, and a west wind ranging between 10-14 mph, gusting up to 24 mph. The night will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 17 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind of 10-14 mph, gusting as high as 22 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” – Aristotle Onassis
According to the National Weather Service, 7.2 inches of snow fell at Reagan National Airport (totals of up to 9.3 inches were reported elsewhere in Arlington and Falls Church).
Delayed Opening for County — “Due to inclement weather, Arlington County Government facilities will open, and judicial court proceedings will begin at 10 a.m. on Tues., Jan. 7, 2025… The County Courthouse is closed. All scheduled court cases are postponed.” [Arlington County]
Be Careful Out There — “Even after roads have been plowed and treated, drivers should still use caution because they may encounter icy spots on the roadway. With freezing temperatures, roads that look wet may actually be icy, and motorists should use extra caution when approaching bridges, overpasses, highway ramps and shady areas where ice can form.” [VDOT]
Local Man Faces Explosives Charges — “A Virginia man arrested on New Year’s Day is facing multiple charges in connection with homemade explosives that were discovered in a suspected stolen vehicle, authorities said… Deputies responded, but could not immediately locate the vehicle. However, they later found it and its suspected driver, 19-year-old Jordan Alexander Sweetman of Arlington, at a nearby 7-Eleven.” [CBS News]
Man Bites Firefighter — “5000 block of Columbia Pike. At approximately 8:08 p.m. on January 3, police were dispatched to assist fire personnel on a medical call for service. While being transported to an area hospital, the male suspect bit a firefighter. The firefighter sustained minor injuries and did not require medical attention.” [ACPD]
Arlington Helps Out at Capitol — From ACPD: “Members of ACPD and ACFD, along with our law enforcement and military partners, provided enhanced security at the US Capitol today during the counting and certification of the electoral vote for the 2024 election. No matter the forecast, Arlington’s first responders are hard at work ensuring public safety.” [Facebook]
Community Police Academy Opens Apps — “The Arlington County Police Department is now accepting applications for the 29th Community Police Academy (CPA). The CPA is an educational program designed to enhance communication, collaboration, and mutual understanding between the police and the community they serve. Its goal is to increase participants’ awareness of how the Arlington County Police Department operates and its vital role within the community.” [ACPD]
Cemetery Closed Today — From Arlington National Cemetery: “Arlington National Cemetery will be CLOSED to the public and family pass holders on Tuesday, Jan. 7 due to inclement weather. Funeral services will be conducted as scheduled.” [Twitter]
Another Winter Storm? — “Another storm is possible, but far from definite, for the D.C. region on Saturday, possibly starting late Friday night. We’ll still have plenty of cold air in place so there’s definitely wintry potential. Some models show a storm coming north from the Gulf of Mexico, its low-pressure center hugging the Atlantic coast and giving us significant accumulating snow or a wintry mix.” [Capital Weather Gang]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 32 degrees accompanied by a northwest wind of 15 to 17 mph with gusts reaching 36 mph. Tonight, the skies will be partly cloudy, and the temperature will drop to around 18 degrees. The northwest wind will blow at 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. [NWS]
Expect sunny skies and a high near 32 degrees accompanied by a northwest wind of 15 to 17 mph with gusts reaching 36 mph. Tonight, the skies will be partly cloudy, and the temperature will drop to around 18 degrees. The northwest wind will blow at 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Joy is not in things; it is in us.” – Richard Wagner
