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VIDA Fitness Eyes March Opening in Ballston, 2021 Opening in Rosslyn

Published January 30, 2020 at 3:50PM

VIDA Fitness space under construction at 4040 Wilson Blvd

High-end D.C.-based fitness chain VIDA Fitness says its expansion into Arlington is just a couple of months away from coming to fruition.

VIDA announced today that it expects its new 29,000 square foot health club in Ballston to open in “mid to late March”

Opinion

What’s Next: High Time for Marijuana Reform

By ARLnow.com

Published January 30, 2020 at 2:45PM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:23AM

There is one thing I have found that my libertarian Republican and social justice Democrat friends can mostly agree on — it is high time Virginia passes marijuana reform.

It is my opinion that: 1) marijuana should be governed similarly to alcohol, legal at age 21; 2) doctors at hospitals or assisted living facilities should be able to administer prescriptions to anyone; and 3) we should create an automatic expungement process for people previously convicted over 21 and have a clear path to expungement for those under 21 for both marijuana and alcohol.

News

Police Investigating Armed Robbery of Cherrydale Business

By ARLnow.com

Published January 30, 2020 at 1:40PM | Updated January 30, 2020 at 2:54PM

Police car at night (file photo courtesy Kevin Wolf)

Arlington County Police are investigating an armed robbery that happened last night in Cherrydale.

The robbery happened around 9 p.m., on the 3500 block of Lee Highway, which is home to a Dunkin Donuts store. Police say a man armed with a gun forced an employee to open a register and stole cash.

News

ACFD Hosting Members of Saudi Fire Department

By ARLnow.com

Published January 30, 2020 at 10:40AM

A trio of representatives from a Saudi Arabian fire department will spend six weeks with Arlington County firefighters, learning how ACFD fights fires, manages personnel and investigates incidents.

The “cultural exchange” is being arranged by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, according to department spokesman Capt. Justin Tirelli. ACFD is one of a number of U.S. fire departments hosting firefighters from Saudi Aramco, the largely government-owned national oil company of Saudi Arabia.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published January 30, 2020 at 7:00AM

Public-Private Partnership for Pentagon City Planning — “County Board members on Jan. 25 approved a memorandum of understanding with the coalition of property owners in [Pentagon City], which will guide planning efforts and allocate $1.5 million – about two-thirds of it from the county government, the rest from landowners – to complete it. County Board Chairman Libby Garvey said the aim was a coordinated strategy for redevelopment of the target area, which totals about 85 acres.” [InsideNova]

APS Investigating Swastika Incident — “School officials launched an investigation this week after a student drew a swastika on a piece of paper and handed it to a classmate at a Northern Virginia middle school. The incident took place Tuesday at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Arlington, according to a letter that Principal Keisha Boggan sent parents Wednesday. The hate symbol was later reported to Arlington County police.” [Washington Post]

Traffic

Arlington County Now Shuts Off Traffic Cameras During Crashes

By ARLnow.com

Published January 29, 2020 at 3:55PM

Traffic cameras are used by the media to inform the public about incidents on the road — from crashes to road closures — in traffic and news reports.

Arlington County has one of the region’s more accessible traffic camera networks, with some 180 camera feeds available on the county’s website since 2015.

Around Town

Billy’s Cheesesteaks, Bistro 29 Closed Indefinitely

By ARLnow.com

Published January 29, 2020 at 1:30PM

Billy's Cheesesteaks and Bistro 29 closed (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A pair of local restaurants along Lee Highway in Cherrydale has closed, at least temporarily.

Billy’s Cheesesteaks and Bistro 29, located side-by-side in a small shopping center on the 3900 block of Lee Highway, closed earlier this month, tipsters tell ARLnow.com.

Feature

Arlington Pet of the Week: Bojangles

By ARLnow.com

Published January 29, 2020 at 12:00PM

Arlington Pet of the Week Bojangles (photo courtesy of Poppy)

Meet Arlington’s newest Pet of the Week, Bojangles, a 7 year old Australian Shepherd Corgi mix who loves to nap.

Here is what Bojangles’ owner has to say about his life here in Arlington:

Around Town

Restaurant Tucked Away in Ballston Office Complex Announces Opening

By ARLnow.com

Published January 29, 2020 at 11:15AM

Olive Express at 1100 N. Glebe Road (staff photo by Ashley Hopko)

It actually opened three months ago, but unless you work on the western side of the 1100 block of N. Glebe Road, in the Ballston area, you probably don’t know it exists.

Olive Express Mediterranean Café, a small local restaurant and catering chain that also has locations in Reston and Herndon, opened in October at 1100 N. Glebe Road, in a long-vacant ground floor retail space.

Around Town

Hawk That Tumbled Out of Tree in Va. Square Now on the Road to Recovery

By ARLnow.com

Published January 29, 2020 at 10:30AM

A young red-tailed hawk that fell out of a tree “like a sack potatoes” near the Virginia Square Metro entrance is being nursed back to health.

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington said one of its animal control officers was able to safely capture the ailing hawk, and it’s now on the road to recovery at a “local bird of prey rehabber.”

News

County Board Approves Higher Speeding Fines, But There’s a Catch

By ARLnow.com

Published January 29, 2020 at 9:45AM

File photo

The Arlington County Board voted last night to approve tacking on an extra $200 to speeding tickets in certain residential neighborhoods.

Those hoping the fines will lead to people driving slower on residential streets will have to wait awhile for it to take effect, however.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published January 29, 2020 at 7:30AM | Updated March 11, 2020 at 11:13PM

It’s ARLnow’s 10th Anniversary — On this day 10 years ago ARLnow quietly published its first article. It has since grown to be Arlington’s local news publication of record, read by a majority of those who call our county home. Join us to celebrate this milestone tonight at Bronson Bierhall in Ballston (4100 Fairfax Drive) from 5-7 p.m. [Facebook]

County Board Approves Solar Farm Deal — “‘This is a groundbreaking partnership for the County,’ said County Board Chair Libby Garvey. ‘It will take us a long way toward our goal of 100 percent use of renewable sources for all electricity used in government operations by 2025.’ Arlington County is the first locality in the Commonwealth to enter into a power purchase agreement of this scale for off-site solar energy with an investor-owned utility company.” [Arlington County, Dominion Energy]