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.
Joseph “Joe” Michael Giarrusso passed away on September 28th, 2024, at Fairfax Inova Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia at the age of 84 surrounded by family. Born on January 30, 1940, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Joseph Giarrusso and Eileen Lucille Sportolari.
Joe was born and raised in Pittsburgh. He attended St. Justin High School, in Mount Washington, Pittsburgh, graduating in the class of 1957. He spent his childhood playing pickup basketball in Moorefield, a city park in Brookline. He received a basketball scholarship from Duquesne University and was subsequently recruited to play at Kansas State University. At Kansas State, he was an English major. He was also class president his senior year in 1962.
F.C. Vote Count Rises — More than one in 10 Falls Church voters have cast early ballots in the Nov. 5 election, Electoral Board members learned Oct. 1. The total includes 887 who had voted in person and 201 by mail, Falls Church Registrar David Bjerke said. –Scott McCaffrey
Another Crash on Camera — From Dave Statter: “A crash a short time ago at S. 15th and S. Eads in Arlington. No serious injuries reported.” [Twitter]
Near Record Rain — “Washington’s 11 consecutive days with measurable rain is now the second-longest in history, behind only 15 in 2016… Tuesday’s drenching in the District — which amounted to 1.46 inches — pushed the 11-day total to 3.32 inches, or about 2 inches above average.” [Capital Weather Gang]
It’s Thursday — Partly sunny skies and a high around 74 degrees are expected today, accompanied by light and variable winds. As night falls, expect a low temperature of about 62 degrees, and a gentle breeze from the south. [NWS]
Georgetown at sunset (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
A 54-year-old Arlington man has been arrested and charged with five sex offenses in connection to the so-called “Georgetown cuddler” case.
Federal prosecutors and D.C. police announced the arrest today, in a string of incidents that happened more than a decade ago. Prosecutors say Ernesto Mercado is the man who broke into several homes in the Georgetown neighborhood between 2008-2012 and sexually assaulted women while they slept.
Expect partly sunny skies and a high around 74 degrees, accompanied by light and variable winds. As night falls on Thursday, the sky will transition to being partly cloudy with a low temperature of about 62 degrees, and a gentle breeze from the south. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – William James
Police and medics on scene of crash involving person on scooter (staff photo by James Jarvis)
A pedestrian has been struck and seriously injured at a busy Ballston area intersection.
The crash happened around 4:15 p.m. at the intersection of N. Glebe Road and N. Henderson Road. Initial reports suggest a person on a scooter was struck by the driver of a pickup truck.
Police on scene at Washington-Liberty High School in 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
A teacher at Washington-Liberty High School received a threat the same day articles came out accusing a faculty member there of “drilling students on anti-Israel talking points.”
The Tuesday afternoon dispatch to the school did not say which teacher received the “strong” threats via email, prompting a police response. But it happened as articles were published on the conservative news site The Daily Wire and the New York Post about W-L English teacher Shayma Al-Hanooti.
“Taylor Swift Eras Halloween decorations in Spy Hill” (courtesy anonymous)
Spin Out on Spout Run — From Dave Statter: “A distant shot shows a car crossing the grass median of Spout Run Parkway and into the opposite lanes before going down an embankment. It happened just before 7 p.m. between the GW Parkway and Lorcom Lane. No serious injuries reported.” [Twitter]
Video: Odd Driving Behavior — Also from Statter: “A man stopped his car for about eight minutes in the middle of N. Pershing west of N. Fillmore. He opened all of the car doors and the video shows him walking around the car. 911 callers said they were threatened by him and some believed he had a gun. A number of drivers backed up and turned around. The man drove off toward N. Glebe Road just before police arrived. @ArlingtonVaPD are checking to see if a man who fled from them along the upper portion of Columbia Pike around 7:45 p.m. is the same person.” [Twitter]
Teen Struck on Langston Blvd — “A student was struck by a driver after school today, just after 4 p.m. on Langston Blvd near the Overlee pool. Per ACPD earlier: ‘The pedestrian, a juvenile female in her teens, was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the striking vehicle remained on scene. Police remain on scene investigating the circumstances of the crash.'”
Crash Near Crystal City — From ARLnow yesterday evening: “The intersection of S. Glebe Road and S. Eads Street near Crystal City is partially shut down due to a t-bone type crash with injuries and heavy damage to both vehicles. ACPD and medics on scene.” [Twitter]
Local Breast Cancer Events — “Earlier this year, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force dropped the recommended age for women to start breast cancer screenings from 50 to 40. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Raise money, learn about risk factors and show your support for research, survivors and fighters at these local events.” [Arlington Magazine]
Gov. Wants Federal Action on Ports — From Gov. Glenn Youngkin: “The economic fallout from the work stoppage at The Port of Virginia extends well beyond the Commonwealth, as the Port manages approximately $66 billion in essential imports… As a cornerstone of Virginia’s economy, the Port supports 10 percent of the gross state product and supports employment for over half a million jobs in Virginia. The time for leadership is now, President Biden has the tools to remedy this situation.” [Press Release]
Loneliness High in Va. — “Virginia has the third-highest rate of loneliness in the country, according to the latest vibe check from the U.S. Census Bureau. Feelings of isolation and loneliness are a real public health threat — so much so that Surgeon General Vivek Murthy last year issued an advisory on the matter.” [Axios]
It’s Wednesday — Expect isolated showers in the afternoon under cloudy skies, accompanied by a light northeast wind and a high near 71 degrees. The chance of precipitation stands at 20%. For Wednesday night, anticipate mostly cloudy conditions with a low around 61 degrees and calm winds. [NWS]
Expect isolated showers in the afternoon under cloudy skies, accompanied by a light northeast wind and a high near 71 degrees. The chance of precipitation stands at 20%. For Wednesday night, anticipate mostly cloudy conditions with a low around 61 degrees and calm winds. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.” – Albert Einstein
Police responding to shots fired incident along Route 50 (via Dave Statter/X)
Arlington County police are looking for a blue sports car involved in a shooting along Route 50 last night.
The incident happened around 8:20 p.m. Monday on Route 50 at N. George Mason Drive. Multiple 911 callers reported shots fired amid an apparent road rage dispute between two drivers, according to scanner traffic.
Window washers in Ballston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Crash on Camera — From Dave Statter: “Making the left turn from the center lane of an interstate highway is rarely a good move. Here’s some video evidence to support that thought. The usual spot of I-395N at Exit 10C. About 1:45 p.m.” [Twitter]
More Local Fall Events — “Fill up your fall with fun activities. Fancy some new artwork? There’s an event for that. Want to down some beers and oysters? There are outings for that, too. From farm days to bookish nights, October will keep you busy.” [Arlington Magazine]
Raising Cane’s in Seven Corners — “Fairfax County’s first location of a popular chicken tender chain is set to open its doors later this week. Raising Cane’s will hold its grand opening at 6363 Seven Corners Center on Thursday (Oct. 3), replacing the former Dogfish Head Alehouse that closed two years ago in the neighborhood’s eponymous shopping center.” [FFXnow]
Push for Emergency Declaration — “Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) alongside Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) wrote a letter to President Biden formally requesting the approval of Virginia’s request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in Southwest Virginia.” [Press Release]
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month — “September is prostate cancer awareness month, and more men are being diagnosed with advanced cases of the disease, a new report shows. Prostate cancer is deeply personal for News4’s Tony Perkins, who has been open about being diagnosed in 2022. He shared on News4 Today on Monday that after a follow-up biopsy, his doctor told him that his cancer progressed.” [NBC 4]
It’s Tuesday — Expect cloudy conditions with a high near 68 and a 70% chance of showers, accompanied by a northeast wind averaging 8 mph. There may be new precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch. Overnight, there is a slight chance of showers before 2 am. The night will otherwise be cloudy, with a low around 61. The chance of precipitation stands at 20%. [NWS]
Expect cloudy conditions with a high near 68 and a 70% chance of showers, accompanied by a northeast wind averaging 8 mph. There may be new precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch. Overnight, there is a slight chance of showers before 2 am. The night will be cloudy, with a low around 61, and a northeast wind between 3 to 6 mph. The chance of precipitation stands at 20%. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Albert Schweitzer