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County Announces Launch of Two New Open Government Initiatives

Published February 24, 2016 at 10:25AM

The County Board on Tuesday approved a pilot program to webcast Planning Commission and Transportation Commission meetings, as well as certain County Board work sessions.

“The goal of the new program is to engage more residents in the civic process who are not able or choose not to attend meetings,” the county said in a press release. “The goal is to increase awareness of County issues and ease participation for a more broad and diverse audience.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 24, 2016 at 8:55AM | Updated February 24, 2016 at 9:23AM

Cheesetique to Open in Ballston — Cheese-and-wine shop Cheesetique has signed a lease for the former Pizza Vinoteca space at 800 N. Glebe Road in Ballston. It’s Alexandria-based Cheesetique’s third location and its second in Arlington. Cheesetique opened in Shirlington in 2011. [Washington Business Journal]

Snow Forum Tonight — Amid a driving rainstorm, Arlington County will hold a public forum to gather feedback on its post-blizzard snow removal efforts. The forum is taking place starting at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of Key Elementary (2300 Key Blvd). Arlington received more than 3,000 responses to an online questionnaire about snow removal, most from the 22207 ZIP code and 46 percent saying they were dissatisfied. [Arlington County]

News

No Tax Rate Hike for Arlington Property Owners

By ARLnow.com

Published February 23, 2016 at 10:00PM

The Arlington County Board on Tuesday night voted unanimously to advertise a property tax unchanged from last year — $0.996 per $100 of accessed value ($0.983 base tax plus a $0.013 stormwater district tax).

That means that Arlington’s tax rate can only go down when the County Board approves a final Fiscal Year 2017 budget in April. County Manager Mark Schwartz is recommending a half cent reduction in the tax rate.

Traffic

‘Big Crater’ Flattens Tires on a Dozen Cars Along Route 110

By ARLnow.com

Published February 23, 2016 at 7:55PM | Updated February 23, 2016 at 8:32PM

The left lane of northbound Route 110 approaching Marshall Drive was shut down by Arlington County Police during the evening rush hour after nearly a dozen vehicles became disabled, blocking traffic with flat tires caused by what officers described as a “crater” in the road.

As of 7 p.m. the lane was still blocked and traffic was backed up almost to the Pentagon. VDOT crews were on scene making emergency repairs.

Weather

Storms Possible, Flood Watch Issued for Wednesday

By ARLnow.com

Published February 23, 2016 at 4:20PM

Forecasters says a storm system that’s making its way north from Louisiana will dump 1-3 inches of rain and spawn some potentially strong thunderstorms (see Storm Prediction Center outlook, left).

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Wednesday, warning of isolated flooding in low-lying areas and areas with poor drainage.

Around Town

Video: What Do Arlington’s Newest County Board Members Hope to Achieve?

By ARLnow.com

Published February 23, 2016 at 3:50PM

What do Arlington’s newest County Board members hope to accomplish in their new positions, why did they run and how do they plan to increase Millennial and minority participation in county government?

News

New Ramen Restaurant Coming to Columbia Pike

By ARLnow.com

Published February 23, 2016 at 1:45PM

A new ramen noodle eatery is coming to Columbia Pike.

Maruko Sushi, at 2915 Columbia Pike, has closed and in its place is coming “Boru Ramen.” Interior work appears to be underway at the restaurant, though thus far there are few details about Boru other than a small “coming soon” sign on the door.

Events

Arlington Agenda: Feb. 22-28

By ARLnow.com

Published February 23, 2016 at 12:30PM

Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County. If you’d like to see your event featured, fill out the event submission form.

Also, be sure to check out our event calendar.

Events

Author Anthony Doerr Coming to Town for ‘Arlington Reads 2016’

By ARLnow.com

Published February 23, 2016 at 11:30AM

Doerr’s “All the Light We Cannot See” earned him widespread literary fame after it was published in 2014. The New York Times bestseller won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction last year.

The novel tells the story of “a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II.”

Opinion

Morning Poll: Should Students Take March 1 Off?

By ARLnow.com

Published February 23, 2016 at 10:15AM

Fairfax, Prince William and Stafford counties have all decided to close schools on March 1 while voters go to the polls in the contentious presidential primary.

Arlington has no such plans.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 23, 2016 at 9:25AM

Revolutionary War-Themed Bar Coming to Clarendon — The Spirits of 76, a new Revolutionary War-themed bar from the general manager of Georgetown’s former Rhino Bar, is coming to Clarendon. The bar will be built in the former Taste of Morocco space at 3211 Washington Blvd, between O’Sullivan’s and the new “European inspired” Park Lane Tavern. Spirits of 76 hopes, optimistically, to open in April. [Washington Business Journal]

Geese from Oil Spill Released — About 20 Canada geese that were affected by the Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary oil spill last month have been released back to the Potomac. Some 60 waterfowl were covered in oil as a result of the spill and 29 died, according to the Coast Guard. Dominion recently admitted that the oil came from its Crystal City power substation. [Washington Post]

News

Child Care Providers Should Encourage Moms to Breastfeed, Says Proposed County Regs

By ARLnow.com

Published February 22, 2016 at 5:40PM | Updated February 22, 2016 at 6:00PM

Daycare and preschool providers in Arlington are decrying proposed new child care regulations as overly onerous and intrusive.

A 34-page draft of new child care center regulations would set stringent requirements for employee education, require food handling certificates for handing out snacks and would require providers to encourage mothers to breast feed, among numerous other regulatory provisions.