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Morning Notes

Published January 29, 2016 at 10:30AM | Updated January 29, 2016 at 11:07AM

ARLnow Celebrates Sixth Anniversary — Six years ago today, ARLnow.com launched with a brief post about an upcoming snow storm and an early mission statement.

In Rosslyn: WJLA Stays, Politico Implodes — In Rosslyn yesterday, there were two big pieces of local media news in the same building, on the same day. First, it was announced that Sinclair Broadcast Group signed a five-year, 100,000 square foot lease that will keep WJLA and NewsChannel 8 in the 1000/1100 Wilson Blvd twin towers. Later, it was revealed that Politico — which renewed its lease in the same complex in 2014 — would soon be losing CEO Jim VandeHei, chief political reporter Mike Allen and three senior executives. [Washington Business Journal, Huffington Post]

Around Town

Decal Contest Winner: Photo of Neon ‘Arlington’ Sign

By ARLnow.com

Published January 29, 2016 at 9:30AM

The winning entry, submitted by Wakefield High School sophomore Ryan Kovich, was announced at last night’s County Board meeting. Kovich’s photo will grace the windshield of more than 160,000 vehicles in Arlington County starting later this year.

“This building has been entertaining Arlington residents since the 1930s,” Kovich said of his entry. “This picture represents Arlington because the arts are very important to the residents. The Cinema ‘n’ Drafthouse also represents friendship and time spent together. Every time I see the aged building and the nostalgic sign, it reminds me of the moments I have spent there with family and friends.”

Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Thank You, Snow Crews

By ARLnow.com

Published January 29, 2016 at 9:00AM

The following letter to the editor was submitted by Abby Olin, a Falls Church resident, regarding the local snow removal effort.

Since you recently gave a platform to readers frustrated with the snow-removal progress, I want to take a moment to briefly thank everyone who has contributed to the advanced preparation and snow clearing efforts so far.

Around Town

Red Top Cab Gets a New Look

By ARLnow.com

Published January 28, 2016 at 4:45PM

The new Red Top paint job for its fleet of Ford Fusion cabs is black with a red stripe. It’s the first color scheme change in the company’s history.

“We aimed for a look that is crisp and contemporary,” said Red Top Marketing Director Von Pelot. In a press release, the company said other changes are helping it to compete with its bitter rival: international tech darling Uber.

Around Town

Video: How Local Restaurants Stayed Open Through the Blizzard

By ARLnow.com

Published January 28, 2016 at 3:45PM

It was hard enough for many Arlington residents to leave their house during last weekend’s blizzard — literally, two-plus feet of snow blocked many doors from opening — so imagine how hard it was to run a restaurant during the storm.

Schools

Arlington Public Schools to Remain Closed Friday

By ARLnow.com

Published January 28, 2016 at 11:30AM | Updated January 28, 2016 at 1:16PM

School offices will be open on time but students will not have classes, APS said. The last school day for students was Wednesday, Jan. 20.

The last time APS students had this many days off in a row as a result of weather? During the “Snowmageddon” blizzard of 2010.

News

Crime Report: Crime Takes a Snow Day in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published January 28, 2016 at 10:30AM | Updated February 27, 2020 at 4:17PM

There were, however, three separate robberies of two 7-Eleven stores reported. Two of the robberies occurred at the tail end of the blizzard.

ROBBERY, 160120044, 3600 block of Columbia Pike. At approximately 9:07 p.m. on January 20, two unknown male subjects robbed a 7-11 of an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspects then fled on foot. The first suspect is described as a black male in his twenties with a medium build. He was wearing a black hooded jacket, black pants, and black sneakers. The second suspect is described as a black male in his twenties with a medium build. He was wearing a black hooded jacket, black pants, and black sneakers.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published January 28, 2016 at 9:30AM

County Moves to ‘Phase 4’ of Snow Cleanup — With all residential streets passable, Arlington County has moved to “Phase 4” of its snow removal operation. “Phase 4 will focus on clean up, widening primary and secondary routes, as well as addressing trouble spots in residential areas,” the county said. “Widening and hauling snow from major corridors will continue at night when it is safest — we will do our best to minimize disruption, but please expect some noise.” [Arlington County]

Heavy Traffic Again This Morning — Pretty much the entire stretch of northbound I-395 was a parking lot this morning, as the D.C. area continued to get back to work following this past weekend’s blizzard. Other traffic problem spots include eastbound Route 50, which was backed up starting around Courthouse, Washington Blvd around the Pentagon, and the southbound GW Parkway, which slowed near the first overlook.

Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Better Screening and Instruction for Dyslexic APS Students

By ARLnow.com

Published January 27, 2016 at 6:00PM

The following letter to the editor was submitted by Donna Owens, a parent of three Arlington Public Schools students. It’s co-signed by more than three dozen members of the Arlington Special Education PTA and the Arlington Reading Yahoo group.

Dear Editor:

Schools

Arlington Public Schools to Remain Closed Thursday

By ARLnow.com

Published January 27, 2016 at 5:40PM

The school system made the announcement around 5:30 p.m.

Students are now entering their second week off; schools have been closed since last Thursday. Students have a scheduled off day on Monday due to a teacher grade preparation day.

News

NWS Warns of Icy Conditions Tonight

By ARLnow.com

Published January 27, 2016 at 4:15PM

After a relatively mild afternoon, there’s plenty of water on local roads and sidewalks from melting snow. That meltwater may refreeze as temperatures dip back below freezing tonight, forecasters are warning.

This afternoon the National Weather Service issued the a Special Weather Statement, warning of hazardous conditions overnight.

News

County Manager: Blizzard Cleanup ‘Takes Time,’ Employees ‘Exhausted’

By ARLnow.com

Published January 27, 2016 at 3:30PM

Arlington County and other D.C. area jurisdictions simply do not have the resources to clean up quickly from a monster snowstorm like this past weekend’s blizzard, officials told the County Board yesterday afternoon.

“We do not pretend to have the equipment and staff to handle this kind of record storm,” said County Manager Mark Schwartz. “It takes time. We don’t spend to the level of equipment or staffing, nor do our sister jurisdictions, to rebound as quickly as we would like when a record event happens.”