Alex Koma | ARLnow

After Pedestrian Crash, Neighbors Turn Up the Pressure in Fight for Bluemont Road Improvements

Published July 26, 2018 at 1:45PM

After a man was struck by a car in the middle of a Bluemont intersection, some of his neighbors see new urgency for their years-long effort to force the county to improve conditions for pedestrians in the area.

County police say Eric Larsen was crossing N. Carlin Springs Road near its intersection with N. Edison Street early in the morning last Monday (July 16), when a car slammed into him. Larsen was taken to George Washington University hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and neighbors say he’s still recovering from some broken bones caused by the crash.

News

Police Arrest Man for Peeping Near Lyon Park Apartment Complex

By Alex Koma

Published July 26, 2018 at 12:45PM

County police say they received a call about a man looking into the window of a home along the 100 block of N. Wayne Street just after midnight Tuesday. The block is home to the Washington and Lee Apartments, just off Washington Blvd.

Two people tried to confront the man, but he fled the scene on foot. Officers subsequently apprehended 33-year-old Andelino Carrillo Najarro, and charged him with peeping into a dwelling and drunk in public.

News

Van Buren Bridge Reopens, Complete with New Walkway

By Alex Koma

Published July 26, 2018 at 11:45AM

Existing Van Buren Bridge

The Van Buren Bridge near the East Falls Church Metro station is back open after months of renovation work, complete with a new walkway for cyclists and pedestrians.

The city of Falls Church had been working since last fall to repair and widen the bridge, located near where N. Van Buren Street intersects with 18th Street N. and running over Benjamin Banneker Park.

Around Town

Video: Demolition Work Starts at Powhatan Springs Skate Park

By Alex Koma

Published July 26, 2018 at 10:45AM

Demolition work is now fully underway at the Powhatan Springs Skate Park, as part of an effort to fully overhaul the 14-year-old facility.

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County Renews Long-Stymied Efforts to Find Long Bridge Park Aquatics Center Sponsors

By Alex Koma

Published July 26, 2018 at 9:45AM

Long Bridge Park aquatics center family pool (via Arlington County)

County officials haven’t given up hope that they might someday find corporate sponsors for the Long Bridge Park aquatics center, in order to offset some of the costs of the controversial project.

With work on the $60 million facility formally kicking off this week, the county is also moving closer to hiring a marketing firm to help it recruit potential partners for Long Bridge. Officials hope to start soliciting bids from companies before the year is out.

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Morning Notes

By Alex Koma

Published July 26, 2018 at 8:30AM

County Raises $40,000 for Citizenship Fund, Urges Donors to Give Elsewhere — Arlington officials say they have more than enough money in a newly created fund to help immigrants afford fees associated with the naturalization process. Only four people have applied for the money so far, and the county is recommending residents save their money for other nonprofits instead. [Washington Post]

Flooding Hits Arlington… Again — Last night’s intense storms prompted yet more flooding, including some scary conditions on Lee Highway. Some indoor flooding was even on tap for SER Restaurant in Ballston. [Twitter, Twitter]

Around Town

‘Tree-mergency’ Closes Madison Manor Park Playground

By Alex Koma

Published July 25, 2018 at 4:45PM

A perilously perched tree has prompted the temporary closure of a playground near East Falls Church.

The severe rain storms of the last few days has caused a “tree-mergency” in Madison Manor Park (6225 12th Street N.).

News

Crime Report: Police Investigating Burglary Near Arlington Ridge Shopping Center

By Alex Koma

Published July 25, 2018 at 3:45PM | Updated February 28, 2020 at 10:40AM

File photo

Police responded to a burglar alarm along the 2900 block of S. Glebe Road around 1:50 a.m. Sunday.

Officers then determined that two suspects “gained entry to a business, damaged merchandise and stole numerous items of value,” according to a county crime report. The shopping center in the area is home to a Giant supermarket, an ABC store and a Sweet Frog frozen yogurt shop, among other businesses.

News

County Board Plans New Childcare Subsidy, Policy Changes Before Year’s End

By Alex Koma

Published July 25, 2018 at 2:45PM

Arlington officials are moving closer to setting up a new financial assistance program to help families afford childcare, with overhauls to zoning and parking requirements for daycare facilities possible before the year is out.

The County Board signed off yesterday (Tuesday) on a final version of a “Childcare Action Plan” it’s been eyeing since late last year, setting the stage for leaders to address the affordability and availability of childcare in Arlington following years of debate.

Around Town

New Coffee and Juice Bar Set to Open in Clarendon

By Alex Koma

Published July 25, 2018 at 10:45AM

Waterhouse Coffee and Juice Bar in Clarendon

A new restaurant offering coffee, smoothies and “superfood” is gearing up to open in Clarendon.

Signs promising that Waterhouse Coffee and Juice Bar is “coming soon” recently appeared on an office building at 3033 Wilson Blvd, near the road’s intersection with N. Garfield Street.

News

KKK Recruitment Fliers Found in East Falls Church Neighborhood

By Alex Koma

Published July 25, 2018 at 9:45AM

A KKK recruitment flier discovered in an East Falls Church neighborhood. (photo via Eliza Thompson)

Some residents of an East Falls Church neighborhood say they discovered Ku Klux Klan recruitment fliers full of racist and anti-Semitic language this past weekend.

Eliza Thompson says she discovered a flier sitting at the foot of her driveway on Saturday morning (July 21), placed in a small bag and weighed down with birdseed. She says she quickly learned that several of her neighbors along N. Roosevelt Street also received the fliers, which advertise membership in a group dubbed the “Loyal White Knights.”

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Morning Notes

By Alex Koma

Published July 25, 2018 at 8:30AM

Flash Flood Watch Remains, Though Rain is Subsiding — Weather watchers warn that a risk of floods remains through this afternoon, but things are set to get steadily dryer as Thursday and Friday get closer. [NWS]

Are Tolls Worth It on Virginia’s HOT Lanes? — A new study shows it’s a bit of a mixed bag for commuters, though anyone hopping on I-66 instead of Route 29 or Route 50 is probably getting their money’s worth. Researchers don’t see those arterial roads as viable alternatives, given the time savings 66 still offers during rush hour. [WTOP]