ARLnow.com | ARLnow

Morning Notes

Published May 17, 2017 at 9:10AM

Cicadas Emerge in Droves — Cicadas are making an unexpected appearance in Arlington, the D.C. area and other parts of the eastern U.S. The insects emerged from the ground around trees earlier this month, evidence of which could be seen in the form of holes in the ground crunched carcases on nearby sidewalks. It’s believed that the cicadas may be early arrivals from a brood that was expected to swarm the area in 2021. [WTOP, WJLA, Cicada Mania]

Heat and Poor Air Quality Today — Near-record heat is expected today and tomorrow, with temperatures in the lower-to-mid 90s. The D.C. area is under a Code Orange Air Quality Alert, meaning that “air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups” like children, asthma sufferers and the elderly. [Capital Weather Gang, Weather Channel]

News

SuperStar Tickets Building in Courthouse Is For Sale

By ARLnow.com

Published May 16, 2017 at 2:30PM

SuperStar Tickets building for sale in Courthouse

A small two-story building that’s now in the shadow of a much larger development in Courthouse has been placed on the market.

The owner of SuperStar Tickets and its building at 2305 Wilson Blvd says he is searching for a buyer, with the help of a real estate firm, but will only sell for the right price.

News

Here’s the Aftermath of Yesterday’s Four Mile Run Drive Brush Fire

By ARLnow.com

Published May 16, 2017 at 10:10AM | Updated May 17, 2017 at 12:27AM

(Updated on 5/17/17) A brush fire that burned for an hour yesterday between the Four Mile Run Drive access road and the W&OD Trail left a large, scorched scar on the hillside.

A passerby photographed the scene yesterday evening and said “you can still smell” the smoke and fire, which was caused by a downed power line.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 16, 2017 at 9:20AM

Field Lighting Recommendation Pushed to September — A long-delayed decision on whether to add lights to the athletic fields next to Williamsburg Middle School is getting delayed again: county staff says it will not have a recommendation for the County Board until September. A community work group that spent three years tackling the subject was unable to come to a consensus in its 89-page report. [InsideNova]

VDOT-Maintained Neighborhood Streets Crumbling — VDOT is trying to catch up on its paving of secondary (neighborhood) streets, but in places like Fairfax County many such roads are crumbling. Arlington County paves its own local roads rather than relying on VDOT, though the agency is still responsible for maintaining highways and some primary routes in the county. [WTOP]

News

Arlington Named ‘Best City for Millennials’

By ARLnow.com

Published May 15, 2017 at 2:10PM

Last year Arlington ranked second on the same list. This year, as also noted by the New York Times, Arlington is at the top, ranked highly for nightlife, diversity, public schools, and being “good for families.”

Nearby Alexandria was ranked No. 4 on the list.

News

BREAKING: Tree Down on Power Lines, Brush Fire Along Four Mile Run Drive

By ARLnow.com

Published May 15, 2017 at 1:20PM | Updated May 16, 2017 at 9:23AM

Tree down and brush fire along Four Mile Run Drive in 2017 (photo courtesy Alex Chamandy)

Update at 2:30 p.m. — The fire has been extinguished and Four Mile Run Drive is expected to reopen shortly. The access road is expected to remain closed until the fallen tree is removed.

Update at 2:15 p.m. — Electricity has been shut off to the fallen power lines and firefighters are now working to extinguish the brush fire.

News

ACPD to Begin Seat Belt Enforcement Campaign Next Week

By ARLnow.com

Published May 15, 2017 at 1:00PM

ACPD’s enforcement campaign, part of the national Click It or Ticket program, will run through the Memorial Day holiday, from Monday, May 22 to Sunday, June 4.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 15, 2017 at 9:00AM | Updated June 29, 2018 at 10:56AM

World of Beer Gets Rebranded — The Ballston location of World of Beer is no longer part of the chain and has instead been rebranded as “Crafthouse.” The restaurant — along with former WoB locations in Fairfax and Reston — is now offering a full menu of American craft fare and a drink menu that includes local beers, bourbons, whiskey, wine and other spirits. [Reston Now]

County’s Stance on Rising Homeless Population — Via an Arlington County press release: “We believe that the increase in Arlington’s numbers this year do not reflect the long-term trend in our County,” said Arlington County Board Vice Chair Katie Cristol. “Since 2008, when we launched the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness, Arlington has cut its number of homeless persons by more than half. We’ve made great strides in housing veterans and chronically homeless individuals and families.” [Arlington County]

News

Video Shows Sex Assault Suspect Sneaking into Apartment Building

By ARLnow.com

Published May 12, 2017 at 11:50AM | Updated May 12, 2017 at 12:32PM

Rosslyn sexual assault suspect (photo courtesy ACPD)

(Updated at 12:30 p.m.) A new video released by the Arlington County Police Department shows the suspect in a violent sexual assault sneaking into another Rosslyn apartment building.

Around Town

Ray’s Hell Burger to Close in Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com

Published May 12, 2017 at 10:05AM

The famous, ever-evolving Ray’s Hell Burger restaurant in Rosslyn, often named on lists of the best burgers in the United States, is closing.

Signs up at Ray’s Hell Burger, at 1650 Wilson Blvd, say it is going on “hiatus.” Last night an employee told ARLnow.com he did not know when it would reopen.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 12, 2017 at 9:15AM | Updated May 12, 2017 at 9:31AM

Homeless Population on the Rise in Arlington — “Most jurisdictions saw declines in homelessness from 2016, though the population… increased by 33 percent in Arlington County. Kathleen Sibert, the president and chief executive of the Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network, noted that because Arlington has a relatively small homeless population, modest fluctuations can create dramatic-looking percentage increases or decreases.” [Washington Post]

More on New Rosslyn McDonald’s — The new state-of-the-art McDonald’s in Rosslyn has some food offerings not available elsewhere in D.C. It has an in-house bakery that serves fresh pastries; the other closest McDonald’s with a bakery is in New York City. Also, the restaurant will soon offer two special ice cream sundaes: turtle brownie and strawberry shortcake. [Rosslyn BID]

Feature

Just Listed in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published May 12, 2017 at 6:00AM

Just Listed highlights Arlington properties that just came on the market within the past week. This feature is written and sponsored by Team Cathell, “Your Orange Line Specialists.”

Buyers got a break this week as the tables turned a bit on sellers. More inventory entered the market than left the market. Some 97 fresh new listings hit the market this week, while buyers ratified only 77 contracts. Loan officers reported that applications dropped mysteriously without any explanation. The big boost in inventory is great news for buyers.