Author: ARLnow.com

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.

News

Power out in part of Ballston after possible transformer explosion

By ARLnow.com
Fire engine in front of the AVA Ballston Square building in Ballston after power outage (staff photo by Lene Query)

(Updated at 1:55 p.m.) At least a couple of large buildings in Ballston are without power after reports of a possible transformer explosion.

Firefighters were initially dispatched to the area shortly before 1 p.m. after a caller reported a loud explosion-like sound and some smoke believed to be coming from a power transformer.

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Opinion

Morning Poll: How many pumpkins are you buying this year?

By ARLnow.com
Pumpkins outside Whole Foods in Clarendon in 2011 (staff photo)

There’s a nip in the morning air, the leaves are starting to turn, sweaters have been moved to the top dresser drawers, and the citizenry of Arlington is switching from cold brews to hot coffees.

Yes, it’s pumpkin season. And with Halloween less than three weeks away, we were wondering just how many pumpkins the average Arlingtonian buys.

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News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Apparent reference to Crystal City's Kabob Palace restaurant on the long-running CBS series NCIS (photo courtesy Scott Cota)

Arrest in Arlington Man’s Murder — Updated at 10 a.m. — “Police in the Turks and Caicos Islands have made an arrest in last week’s shooting death of an Arlington, Virginia, man killed while on vacation. Kent Carter, a vice president of the Arlington branch of the NAACP, was killed Oct. 2, when suspected drug gangs opened fire on a car returning him and others to their hotel after a jet-skiing outing… ‘In the last seven days an arrest has been made of a person of interest who remains in custody,’ said Trevor Botting, police commissioner.” [WTOP]

District Taco’s Expansion Plans — “District Taco aims to add 20 to 25 franchises a year for the next five years, Ganz said. The company has units in the Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland region, with some corporate locations in the Philadelphia suburbs. But the company would like to expand as far north as New York, as far south as South Carolina and as far west as Tennessee, Ganz said. District Taco is also attracting operator interest from Florida.” [Restaurant Dive]

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Around Town

Here are some of the Arlington businesses being offered for sale this fall

By ARLnow.com
For sale sign in front of a business district (photo illustration by ARLnow, background image generated by DALL-E 2)

In Arlington, as elsewhere, local business is not static.

Stores and restaurants are continuously being opened, closed or sold. In this ongoing series, we list some of the businesses being offered for sale via BizBuySell, an online aggregator.

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News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
"A fox in his new residence on the roof of a waiting for tear-down house in the Tara Leeway Heights neighborhood" (photo courtesy anonymous)

TV Tackles ‘Missing Middle’ — “A debate over housing has sparked an intense debate in Arlington County that involves possible zoning changes to what types of houses can be built in certain neighborhoods. It’s called missing middle housing, and while supporters say it will allow more affordable housing, opponents say it would ruin single-family neighborhoods.” [Fox 5]

It’s Fire Prevention Week — “Fire Station 10 in Rosslyn is the Arlington County Fire Department’s newest fire station, and it’s needed because the community is growing so quickly. This Fire Prevention Week, firefighters want to make sure that the public knows to make an escape plan so they can be safe inside their home.” [WUSA 9]

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Opinion

Morning Poll: What do you call the second Monday in October?

By ARLnow.com

Both because it’s a convenient holiday to swap for an off day on the unofficial holiday of Black Friday — the day after Thanksgiving — and because, despite his exploration feats, Columbus is regarded by some as “a murderer, tyrant, and scoundrel,” Columbus Day here is just any other day for county employees.

Of course, for many — including federal employees and Arlington Public Schools students — Columbus Day is a day off. But Columbus is not always mentioned as the reason.

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News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Ballston at twilight (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

County Offices Open — “Arlington County Government offices and facilities are closed on all federal holidays except Columbus Day.” [Arlington County]

Metro Service Plan Today — “In observance of Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Monday, Oct. 10, Metrorail will operate normal weekday service and Metrobus will operate on a Saturday supplemental schedule. MetroAccess customers may make reservations to travel on the holiday; however, subscription trips will be canceled.” [WMATA]

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News

BREAKING: Woman fatally struck by SUV driver along Little Falls Road

By ARLnow.com
Scene of pedestrian struck in the Williamsburg neighborhood (staff photo)

(Updated at 12:35 a.m.) A pedestrian has died after being struck in the Williamsburg neighborhood this morning.

The crash happened around 9 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Little Falls Road and John Marshall Drive. Initial reports suggest that that an older woman was struck by the driver of an SUV in or near a crosswalk, and that the woman was in cardiac arrest when she was rushed to a local trauma center.

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Opinion

Most-read Arlington stories of the week: Oct. 3-7

By ARLnow.com
Arlington painted in the style of Vincent van Gogh, generated by AI (via DALL-E 2)

After a two-day glimpse of gorgeous weather that followed a longer stretch of terrible weather, a sunny-if-cool fall weekend is upon us.

As you firm up your weekend plans, be sure to check out our event calendar or, for those who prefer the executive summary, the week’s event highlights.

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News

Army Ten-Miler to prompt road closures near Rosslyn and Pentagon City this weekend

By ARLnow.com
Runners in the 2014 Army Ten-Miler Race in Arlington (Photo via Flickr Pool/Rob Cannon)

The annual Army Ten-Miler race will prompt numerous road closures in Arlington this weekend.

Runners will zip through parts of Rosslyn, D.C. and Pentagon City, starting and finishing the race near the Pentagon.

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