Author: Alex Koma

Schools

County SOL Test Scores Dip Slightly, Remain Above State Averages

By Alex Koma

Pass rates for standardized tests held steady or dipped slightly among Arlington students last year, though the county still boasts success rates well above state averages across all subjects.

According to test results released yesterday (Wednesday), county students exceeded state pass rates on 25 of the 29 subjects included on the Standards of Learning tests for the 2017-18 school year. Arlington Public Schools expects the results will mean all of its schools earn state accreditation for the fourth straight year.

Go to County SOL Test Scores Dip Slightly, Remain Above State Averages Read more
News

Police See Slight Slowdown in Opioid Overdoses Through Mid-August

By Alex Koma

Arlington police say they’ve responded to a total of 39 opioid overdoses so far this year, six of which proved fatal, a slight slowdown from the numbers the county recorded a year ago.

Through Aug. 10, police reported encountering the drugs — including both illegal substances like heroin and prescription drugs — a total of 103 times, including possession and distribution cases as well as overdoses.

Go to Police See Slight Slowdown in Opioid Overdoses Through Mid-August Read more
News

Free Ride-Sharing Service Sprynt Isn’t Operating

By Alex Koma
Sprynt promotional image (via Facebook)

The free ride-hailing service Sprynt is not currently operating and it’s unclear why.

As of this morning (Thursday), Sprynt’s app warns prospective riders that the service is “not currently operating” and “normal operating hours today are closed.”

Go to Free Ride-Sharing Service Sprynt Isn’t Operating Read more
News

Crime Report: South Arlington Residents Chase Off Burglar

By Alex Koma
File photo

Arlington police say the incident happened just before 4 a.m. Monday in a home on the 2700 block of S. Adams Street, in the Long Branch Creek neighborhood.

Investigators believe people living in the home “encountered an unknown suspect attempting to steal items of value” and then “yelled at the suspect, who then fled the scene in possession of the victims’ property prior to police arrival.”

Go to Crime Report: South Arlington Residents Chase Off Burglar Read more
News

Cycling Advocates Fear Impacts of Planned Arlington National Cemetery Expansion

By Alex Koma
Plans for the realignment of Columbia Pike associated with the expansion of Arlington National Cemetery (via the Army Corps of Engineers)

Bicycling advocates are blasting newly revealed plans to simultaneously expand Arlington National Cemetery and realign Columbia Pike, arguing that the proposed changes could make cycling along the roadway more dangerous.

The advocacy group “Sustainable Mobility for Arlington County” claims the cemetery’s current expansion plans, designed to someday add 70 acres to the burial ground, “will squander a major opportunity to improve the bike connection between Columbia Pike and Pentagon City and arguably make cycling less pleasant and less safe.”

Go to Cycling Advocates Fear Impacts of Planned Arlington National Cemetery Expansion Read more
News

UPDATED: Arlington National Cemetery Back Open Following Bomb Threat

By Alex Koma

(Update at 3:15 p.m.) Arlington National Cemetery is now back open to the public, after investigators determined that a bomb threat made this morning was unfounded.

Cemetery officials evacuated the burial ground earlier this morning, and now say the cemetery will remain open until 7 p.m. tonight, as usual.

Go to UPDATED: Arlington National Cemetery Back Open Following Bomb Threat Read more
News

Arlington’s Park Amenities Earn More High Marks

By Alex Koma
New playground equipment will be installed at the park, including interactive structures

Arlington is earning more high marks for its high-quality parks, this time winning the spotlight for its large number of amenities like playgrounds and nature centers.

A new report from the Trust for Public Land released today (Wednesday) ranked the county eighth in the country among large localities when it comes to park acreage per 1,000 residents. With 1,767 acres of parks in the county’s 26 square miles, Arlington has about 7.75 acres of parks for every 1,000 people, better than major cities like San Francisco and New York.

Go to Arlington’s Park Amenities Earn More High Marks Read more
News

W-L Name Change Opponents Claim New Recording Strengthens Legal Challenge

By Alex Koma

The students suing to block the renaming of Washington-Lee High School believe they have a powerful new piece of evidence to offer in support of their case.

The three W-L students behind the legal action claim that one School Board member, Vice Chair Tannia Talento, admitted in a recent conversation to a key contention of their lawsuit: that school officials failed to solicit enough community feedback on the name change before the Board’s June 7 vote on the matter.

Go to W-L Name Change Opponents Claim New Recording Strengthens Legal Challenge Read more
News

Workers Start Cutting Down Large Dawn Redwood Tree in Williamsburg

By Alex Koma

Workers began cutting down a 114-foot-tall dawn redwood tree in front of a Williamsburg home today (Tuesday), just a few days after county officials announced they couldn’t find any way to save the tree and meet the demands of local conservationists.

Activists with the Arlington Tree Action Group told ARLnow that workers are now on-site at the property along the 3200 block of N. Ohio Street, removing branches from the massive tree in preparation for removing it entirely.

Go to Workers Start Cutting Down Large Dawn Redwood Tree in Williamsburg Read more
News

Environmentalists Kick Off New Efforts to Make Arlington Plastic-Free

By Alex Koma

The newly re-branded EcoAction Arlington is hoping the new campaigns can convince restaurants and everyday Arlingtonians alike to abandon plastic straws, bags, bottles and more, as part of a growing national movement to keep plastic out of oceans and other waterways to protect sea life.

“We’re hoping to give people a whole spectrum of ways to reduce how much plastic they use,” Executive Director Elenor Hodges told ARLnow.

Go to Environmentalists Kick Off New Efforts to Make Arlington Plastic-Free Read more
Around Town

Progress Remains Scarce on Planned Clarendon Beer Garden

By Alex Koma

Roughly a year and a half after plans surfaced for an outdoor beer garden in Clarendon, there’s been precious little progress on the project.

Permit applications revealed last March that Social Restaurant Group, the same company that runs Clarendon establishments Bar Bao and Pamplona, was planning a beer garden at a former used car lot at 3217 10th Street N. Signs appeared for the “The Lot” this February, but the space remains empty and overgrown with weeds six months later.

Go to Progress Remains Scarce on Planned Clarendon Beer Garden Read more
View More Stories