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COVID-19 Cases, Test Positivity Rate Falling in Arlington

Published February 19, 2021 at 10:45AM | Updated February 19, 2021 at 11:07AM

(Updated at 11:05 a.m.) The rate of new reported coronavirus cases in Arlington is continuing to fall, today reaching the lowest point since Nov. 15.

With vaccinations happening at a steady clip, and after a winter peak that has seen more than 6,500 confirmed infections since Thanksgiving, the virus is slowing down in Arlington, at least for now.

Weather

Slippery Road Conditions Prompt Trash Collection Delays

By ARLnow.com

Published February 19, 2021 at 9:45AM

Ice and snow has prompted another day without residential waste collection in Arlington, and that will have a ripple effect for residents next week.

“Due to icy road conditions and crew safety concerns, there will be no trash/recycling/yard waste curbside collection today,” Arlington County said this morning.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 19, 2021 at 7:30AM

Distance Learning Only for APS — “Due to inclement weather… Level 1, in-person learning support, Level 2 Career & Technical Education students and staff supporting these programs will temporarily revert to distance learning.” [Arlington Public Schools]

County Government Open — “Arlington County Government offices, courts, & facilities are OPEN Friday, 02-19-2021. Courts will open at 10AM. All facilities will follow normal operating hours.” [Twitter]

News

JUST IN: Firefighters Battle Blaze at Crystal Towers

By ARLnow.com

Published February 18, 2021 at 7:25PM

Fire response at Crystal Towers (photo courtesy Arlington County Fire Department)

Firefighters from Arlington, Alexandria and other departments battled a smoky kitchen fire at a large Crystal City apartment complex Thursday night.

The fire broke out shortly before 7 p.m. in the kitchen of a first floor apartment at Crystal Towers (1600 S. Eads Street). The blaze was extinguished, but not before smoke spread to multiple floors of the apartment complex’s south tower.

News

Report: Shooting Suspect Wanted to Confront BLM Supporters

By ARLnow.com

Published February 18, 2021 at 3:30PM | Updated February 18, 2021 at 3:55PM

A man arrested for what was initially described as the “discharge of a firearm” in Rosslyn early New Year’s morning was heavily armed and determined to confront Black Lives Matters supporters, according to new reporting.

A search warrant affidavit obtained by The Auburn Citizen, a newspaper near suspect Moses Geri’s home in central New York state, suggests that he became enraged after fellow guests in his hotel shouted “Black lives matter” at him.

News

Police Investigating More Business Break-ins Along Wilson Blvd

By ARLnow.com

Published February 18, 2021 at 10:30AM

Arlington County police are investigating a number of businesses break-ins along Wilson Blvd, west of Ballston.

Thieves broke into businesses in the Bluemont and Dominion Hills neighborhoods early Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. The first series of burglaries happened either at or near the Dominion Hills Centre shopping plaza.

News

UPDATED: Missing Arlington Man Found Dead in Fairfax County

By ARLnow.com

Published February 18, 2021 at 9:35AM | Updated February 18, 2021 at 1:45PM

File photo

(Updated at 1:45 p.m.) A 27-year-old Arlington man reported missing by police earlier this week has been found dead.

Police say Oscar Flores “was located deceased in Fairfax County” yesterday.

News

Sleet is Falling, But It’s a Snow Day for Arlington Students

By ARLnow.com

Published February 18, 2021 at 8:05AM | Updated February 18, 2021 at 9:05AM

Slushy roads around 8 a.m. in the Lyon Park area

(Updated at 9 a.m.) What was supposed to be snow is actually falling as sleet this morning, but the change in precipitation is not dampening the jubilation of local students, who now have the day off.

Arlington Public Schools announced shortly after 5 a.m. that it’s a snow day, even for remote learning.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 18, 2021 at 7:30AM

Dogs playing in the snow (Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf)

Vaccine Registration Transfer Still in Progress — “We are aware that many Arlington residents who preregistered through the County system are unable to find themselves in the ‘Check the List’ feature. Data migration is continuing throughout the week and it may take several more days for your name to appear in the centralized system.” [Arlington County]

No Rolling Stops for Va. Cyclists Yet — “The Virginia Senate on Wednesday sidelined a proposal that would have allowed bicyclists to yield instead of halt at stop signs. Instead, lawmakers voted to commission a police study of the rule as enacted in other states. They also voted to require drivers to change lanes when passing bicyclists if three feet of distance isn’t possible and to allow two cyclists to ride side by side in a lane.” [Washington Post]

News

Governor Makes Rent Relief Announcement in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published February 17, 2021 at 11:40AM

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam delivers remarks on rent relief at Gilliam Place Apartments on Tuesday (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Gov. Ralph Northam made an Arlington apartment building his venue to announce a half-billion dollars in rent relief for Virginia families.

Northam announced the new federal funding for the Virginia Rent Relief Program at Gillam Place, an affordable apartment complex along Columbia Pike. He did so after touring an Arlington vaccination clinic Tuesday morning.

Weather

JUST IN: Winter Storm Warning Issued for Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published February 17, 2021 at 10:30AM

Yesterday’s Winter Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning.

The winter storm that has been causing major problems in Texas and the central U.S. is making its way towards the D.C. area on its march up to New England. It’s expected to drop 3-6 inches of snow on Arlington and the immediate D.C. area before the precipitation switches to sleet and freezing rain.

News

ACPD Deploying ‘Increased Police Resources’ Amid Rash of Carjackings

By ARLnow.com

Published February 17, 2021 at 9:30AM

Police car at night (file photo courtesy Kevin Wolf)

Arlington County police are stepping up patrols around Crystal City and surrounding neighborhoods amid a rash of carjackings.

There have been 18 carjackings in Arlington since January 2020, the police department said, compared to three total over from 2018 to 2019. Most — 13 out of 18 — have occurred along the Route 1 corridor, including 7 in the immediate vicinity of the Pentagon City mall.