Katie Pyzyk | ARLnow

Small Fire at Portofino Restaurant

Published November 21, 2013 at 10:30AM | Updated November 21, 2013 at 11:58AM

Firefighters spent part of the morning dealing with a small fire at Portofino restaurant (526 23rd Street S.) in Crystal City.

According to Arlington County Fire Department spokeswoman Lt. Sarah Marchegiani, firefighters found a dryer fire in the basement of the building. They were able to extinguish those flames quickly with a water can fire extinguisher, as well as some flames that had spread to the area behind the dryer. Crews remained on the scene for a while to ventilate the smoke that had seeped throughout the building.

Events

Military Tribute Night at Pentagon Row Ice Rink

By Katie Pyzyk

Published November 21, 2013 at 9:30AM

Tomorrow is Military Tribute Night from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the rink. All members of the military and their families will skate free with a military ID.

The rink’s grand re-opening celebration will still take place from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 7. There will be snow at the ice rink every night from December 7 through January 1, at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

News

Morning Notes

By Katie Pyzyk

Published November 21, 2013 at 8:30AM | Updated June 29, 2018 at 3:22PM

Metro Weekend Service Adjustments — Due to work on the Metrorail system, trains on the Orange and Blue Lines will run every 24 minutes this weekend. The altered schedule begins at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, November 22, and runs through closing on Sunday, November 24. [WMATA]

Metro Sign Upgrades on the Way — By the end of the winter, Metrorail riders should notice a number of upgrades to the electronic signs announcing train arrivals. Some improvements include making the display crisper so it’s easier to read from a distance and temporarily stopping service advisories from scrolling on the screens when trains are arriving. [Washington Post]

News

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Renovated Clarendon Central Park

By Katie Pyzyk

Published November 20, 2013 at 4:30PM

It’s been about a year and a half in the making, but today marked the ribbon cutting for the newly revamped Clarendon Central Park.

County Board members Mary Hynes and Jay Fisette joined county employees for the ceremony, including many from the Department of Environmental Services and the Department of Parks and Recreation directly involved in planning the renovations. Hynes was one of the speakers and thanked all the people involved, from planners to construction workers, for bringing the idea to fruition.

Around Town

Bailey’s Closes in Crystal City

By Katie Pyzyk

Published November 20, 2013 at 3:00PM

Workers could be seen removing the Bailey’s sign from the building today. The Crystal City location has also been removed from the sports bar’s website.

The Bailey’s in the Ballston Common Mall is still open and employees there did not have any information about any possible plans to close.

News

Board to Manager: Assume No Tax Rate Hike

By Katie Pyzyk

Published November 20, 2013 at 1:35PM | Updated November 20, 2013 at 3:34PM

At its meeting on Tuesday, the Arlington County Board gave direction to County Manager Barbara Donnellan for developing the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 budget. The Board recommended the County Manager close a projected $20 to $25 million budget gap while maintaining the current tax rates.

Although this is the sixth consecutive year the county expects a gap between revenues and expenditures, Board members note the gap for FY 2015 is not as severe as in recent years. It’s smaller partially due to higher tax revenue projections — mostly from an increase in residential property assessments — but a significant gap still exists.

News

Arlington Teen Arrested After Wild Police Chase

By Katie Pyzyk

Published November 20, 2013 at 10:35AM | Updated November 20, 2013 at 3:10PM

Police received a call around 12:40 a.m. on Wednesday saying that the suspect, later identified as Victor Solano, was attempting to drive his Chrysler 300 into the yard of a garden style apartment near the 4600 block of 20th Road N., near the Lee Heights Shops.

In the process of trying to back out of the yard, he reportedly struck two vehicles and then drove away. One of the struck vehicles was occupied and the person inside called 911, according to Arlington County Police Department spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.

News

Morning Notes

By Katie Pyzyk

Published November 20, 2013 at 9:00AM | Updated November 20, 2013 at 10:34AM

Rosslyn Apartment Building to Sell for $220 Million — The JBG Cos. has reached a deal to sell its new Sedona Slate apartments in Rosslyn for $220 million. The company spent about $150 million to develop the two-building apartment project, which had a ribbon cutting ceremony in June. [Washington Business Journal]

APS Competition to Reduce Dropout Rate — Arlington Public Schools (APS) announced a competition for data analysts to help the school system prevent students from dropping out. Analysts will help APS identify trends and hopefully will find ways to flag students who could use more one-on-one time with counselors. Assistant Superintendent for Information Services Raj Adusumilli told ARLnow.com the winning team of analysts likely will be announced by the end of this winter. Although no firm date is in place for finishing the data analysis, the school system anticipates being able to use the gathered information by about February 2014 in order to help students make class choices for next year. [Washington Post, Arlington Public Schools]

Around Town

2013 ABBIE Winners Announced

By Katie Pyzyk

Published November 19, 2013 at 5:35PM

Arlington Economic Development organizes the contest and residents vote for their favorite businesses in each category. The winners were announced at this afternoon’s County Board meeting. This year’s winners are:

County Board Chairman Walter Tejada offered the reminder that the best way to support these and other Arlington businesses is to shop locally, especially during Arlington Small Business Day on Saturday, November 30.

News

Arlington Woman Convicted of Sex Trafficking

By Katie Pyzyk

Published November 19, 2013 at 1:00PM

File photo

Ruth Antuanet Miller, 35, originally from Peru but now an Arlington resident, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion. She admitted to trafficking at least five victims.

Miller admitted in a statement filed in federal court that from May 2011 through July 2013, she was the leader of a criminal enterprise that prostituted women at hotels and motels around Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church and in Fairfax County.

News

Tire Slashing Spree in Hall’s Hill

By Katie Pyzyk

Published November 19, 2013 at 10:45AM | Updated November 19, 2013 at 3:28PM

According to Arlington County Police Department spokesman Dustin Sternbeck, 36 vehicles had their tires slashed. Each vehicle had one or two tires slashed and no other damage has been found on the vehicles.

Police received slashed tire reports from residents on a number of blocks in the neighborhood, with large concentrations along the 1800 block of N. Culpeper Street, the 1900 block of N. Dinwiddie Street and along N. 19th Street. Some vehicles were parked in the street and others were in driveways. Police were at the scene for hours this morning to check out each new report as residents exited their houses and discovered the damage.

News

Morning Notes

By Katie Pyzyk

Published November 19, 2013 at 8:45AM | Updated November 19, 2013 at 10:28AM

Looking at Campaign Sign Removal — Arlington County Board members may consider asking state transportation officials for authority to remove improperly placed campaign signs from state roads. Virginia law prohibits campaign signs from being placed on state roads, but it also prohibits anyone besides state officials from removing them unless the jurisdiction has a deal with the state. [Sun Gazette]

McAuliffe Adds to His Cabinet — Virginia Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe (D) made appointments yesterday for several of his key cabinet positions. He named Paul Reagan as chief of staff, Suzette Denslow as deputy chief of staff, Ric Brown as secretary of finance and Levar Stoney as secretary of the commonwealth. Reagan had previously served as chief of staff for Rep. Jim Moran (D) and Sen. Jim Webb (D). [Washington Post]