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Morning Notes

Published December 9, 2019 at 7:30AM | Updated December 9, 2019 at 1:59PM

Fire on Columbia Pike Sunday — Arlington County firefighters extinguished a kitchen fire in an apartment building on the 1900 block of Columbia Pike Sunday afternoon. One resident was displaced by the blaze. [Twitter/@ArlingtonVaFD]

Ballston Launches ‘Gnome’ Promotion — “Starting December 16th through December 20th, look for the Ballston Holiday Gnome spreading cheer all around the neighborhood. Find our holiday helper, and you’ll win gifts from some of our favorite Ballston restaurants and stores.” [Facebook]

Opinion

ARLnow Weekend Discussion

By ARLnow.com

Published December 6, 2019 at 6:00PM

Performers from Signature Theater perform Christmas songs during a tree lighting event in Shirlington (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The first week of December was a busy one in Arlington, complete with lots of news, as well as a bevy of holiday and winter events — including the tree lighting ceremony in Shirlington last night, pictured above.

This weekend will bring more events, including a holiday extravaganza in Ballston on Saturday. The weather will be cold, but dry, on Saturday and Sunday for those heading to any events, stringing up lights, or picking up a Christmas tree.

News

Pentagon Metro Station Entrance to Temporarily Close

By ARLnow.com

Published December 6, 2019 at 3:55PM

(Updated at 4:05 p.m.) An entrance to the Pentagon Metro station is expected to close soon, temporarily and during off-peak hours, to allow for water infrastructure work following flooding at the station.

A pipe burst on Nov. 27, filling part of the station with several inches of standing water. Metro says a new water supply pipe will need to be constructed, as repairs are not feasible for the original pipe, which runs under the Pentagon itself and dates back to the station’s original construction.

News

Metro Envisions New Rosslyn Station, Silver Line Down Columbia Pike

By ARLnow.com

Published December 6, 2019 at 10:35AM | Updated December 6, 2019 at 2:45PM

Crowding at the Ballston Metro station (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Metro has released the results of a pivotal study of options for increasing capacity of the Metrorail system, and the preliminary conceptual designs suggest big transit changes might eventually be coming to Arlington.

Among the ideas floated by the transit agency are a second Rosslyn Metro station, a new tunnel under the Potomac, and an new stretch of the Silver Line to either run down Columbia Pike or through North Arlington.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published December 6, 2019 at 7:30AM

Parents Protest APS Proposal — “School officials tasked with the perpetual jigsaw puzzle of reassigning school zones have stirred new tensions… If you drive McKinley Rd., you can’t miss the printed signs ‘SAVE MCKINLEY: Our Neighborhood School Since 1951.’ The Madison Manor Civic Association has revved up with nearby PTAs and community groups to assemble contrary arguments.” [Falls Church News-Press]

Tafti Pushes Back on AG Comments — From Arlington Commonwealth’s Attorney-elect Parisa Dehghani-Tafti: “We are neither righteous warriors nor avenging angels. We are public servants. So a little humility in how we do our job and how we accept public critique of our work would go a long way toward building a system that is both safe and just.” [Twitter]

News

Fire Department Investigates Gas Odor at Bishop O’Connell HS

By ARLnow.com

Published December 5, 2019 at 3:45PM

Fire and emergency personnel respond to a reported gas leak at Bishop O'Connell High School (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A large fire department response at Bishop O’Connell High School this afternoon has been pared back after a gas odor investigation found no active leak.

Firefighters — including a hazmat team — were called to the school at 6600 Little Falls Road around lunchtime for a report of a natural gas smell in a deep pipe chase. They remained on scene well into the afternoon, investigating the odor with crews from Washington Gas.

Events

Road to Close in Shirlington Tonight for ‘Light Up the Village’

By ARLnow.com

Published December 5, 2019 at 11:15AM

If fighting horrific traffic and crowds to see the National Christmas Tree Lighting tonight in D.C. isn’t your thing, there’s an Arlington alternative to consider.

The Village at Shirlington will be hosting its annual Light Up the Village event tonight, from 6-8:30 p.m. along Campbell Avenue.

Around Town

Arlington Named ‘America’s Most Handsome City’

By ARLnow.com

Published December 5, 2019 at 10:20AM

Not only has Arlington County ranked as fittest city and best place to live in the country, according to a new study we’re now also the most handsome in all the land.

D.C.-based barber shop and grooming products company Grooming Lounge says Arlington is No. 1 on its list, besting runners up Boise (Idaho), Madison (Wisconsin) and Seattle. D.C., which placed in the top 25 in 2017, fell off the list this year.

News

State Police: Six Highway Workers Injured in I-66 DUI Crash

By ARLnow.com

Published December 5, 2019 at 9:25AM | Updated December 5, 2019 at 3:40PM

(Updated at 3:40 p.m.) Six highway workers along I-66 in Arlington were injured, four seriously, after an alleged DUI driver plowed into their work zone overnight.

The crash happened around 12:30 a.m. on I-66 near the N. Quincy Street overpass. Virginia State Police say the driver of a GMC Yukon veered into an active work zone, striking the half dozen workers before slamming into a light pole.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published December 5, 2019 at 6:00AM

Confusing Lane Markings on I-395 — “Drivers are complaining about mis-matched lane striping on… 395 South near Shirlington.” [NBC 4, Twitter]

New Taco Restaurant Eyeing Arlington — Wild Tacoz, which recently opened in the Falls Church area, is aiming to become a local chain with future locations in Arlington and elsewhere. [Tysons Reporter]

News

Tree Falls Across Yorktown Blvd, Blocking Intersection

By ARLnow.com

Published December 4, 2019 at 1:35PM | Updated December 4, 2019 at 2:54PM

Tree down across Yorktown Blvd (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 2:55 p.m.) A large tree has fallen and is completely blocking the intersection of Yorktown Blvd and N. George Mason Drive.

Police and firefighters are on the scene. The tree reportedly also brought down power lines at the intersection, which is just down the street from Yorktown High School.

Feature

Arlington Pet of the Week: Kimba

By ARLnow.com

Published December 4, 2019 at 12:45PM

Arlington Pet of the Week Kimba (photo courtesy of Mark)

This week’s Pet of the Week is Kimba, who loves chasing laser pointers and feathers.

Here’s what Kimba’s owner had to say about his life here in Arlington: