Katie Pyzyk | ARLnow

Morning Notes

Published January 24, 2013 at 9:45AM

Metro Closing Several Pentagon Escalators — Metro will begin its third major escalator replacement at the Pentagon station on February 4. Three of the six “southside escalators” at the station entrance will be shut down for replacement with new, more reliable units. Customers will still be able to use the three other escalators on the north side. [WMATA]

Proposal to Extend Voting Hours Fails — The proposal by state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D) to extend voting times in Virginia has failed in committee. The measure would have pushed poll closing time from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. [Sun Gazette]

News

Snow Snarls Commute, Late Start for Schools

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 24, 2013 at 8:15AM | Updated January 24, 2013 at 11:04AM

In addition to accidents, police scanner traffic indicates dozens of drivers skidding and nearly spinning out on the slippery roads. There are also numerous reports of vehicles getting stuck, particularly in hilly areas. Police report some drivers not paying attention closely enough and running into other vehicles, or even running over flares that are marking existing traffic problems. Drivers are reminded to slow down and use extra caution.

All Arlington Public Schools will open two hours late and the Extended Day program will open two hours late. Morning field trips are canceled. All APS administrative offices and the pools will open on time.

News

NWS Issues Winter Weather Advisory

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 23, 2013 at 4:15PM

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Arlington and the rest of the D.C. area. The advisory begins at midnight and runs through 9:00 a.m. on Thursday. Although the Capital Weather Gang points out that not much accumulation is expected, if any, temperatures in the 20s will create slick conditions when and if there is precipitation.

* PRECIPITATION TYPE…SNOW

Events

Race Celebrates Healthy Dating Practices

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 23, 2013 at 3:58PM

The “No Fear in Love Race” is designed to celebrate healthy relationships and to teach teens and young adults how to avoid unhealthy ones. The idea behind the name is that experiencing fear in a relationship is an early indication that it may be unhealthy.

The third annual event begins at Marymount’s Ballston Center (1000 N. Glebe Road), and the race will take place on the Custis and W&OD Trails. There will be refreshments, group and individual race prizes, raffles, and discussions about the promotion of healthy dating relationships.

News

Nauck Business Expected to Receive Historic Status

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 23, 2013 at 1:35PM | Updated January 23, 2013 at 2:57PM

(Updated at 2:30 p.m.) The Green Valley Pharmacy (2415 Shirlington Road) property in Nauck is expected to earn a local designation as an Arlington Historic District. The measure was requested by long-time property owner Dr. Leonard Muse, and needs approval from the County Board at its meeting on Saturday (January 26).

Dr. Muse submitted a formal letter in 2009, in addition to a petition of support with 143 signatures, requesting the status. Since then, the county’s Historic Preservation Program staff has been working with Dr. Muse to conduct research on the building and on Dr. Muse’s contributions to the community.

Around Town

Local Coach Headed to Special Olympics Winter Games in Korea

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 23, 2013 at 11:00AM

While the D.C. region was gearing up for the Presidential Inauguration this week, Arlington resident Andrea Molfetto kept her focus on a loftier goal — standing atop a mountain in PyeongChang, Korea. That’s where the Special Olympics coach is headed this week with her alpine skiing team for the World Winter Games.

Andrea has assisted with Special Olympics events since she was in college, and has been a ski coach for the organization since moving to Arlington in 2008. This is her first time accompanying a team to the World Winter Games, which takes place every four years.

News

Police Respond to Huffing Disturbance

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 23, 2013 at 9:55AM

According to police, two roommates at the Ballston-based substance abuse treatment center alerted a resident adviser that their roommate had been acting erratically and their room was in disarray. When the resident adviser arrived in the room, the subject was wearing only a t-shirt and had a sheet over his head while allegedly huffing disinfectant spray. The resident adviser called police because the subject was reportedly hissing, speaking in tongues, shaking uncontrollably, trying to eat coins and had attempted to set his mattress on fire.

Police say when they arrived and tried to speak with the 18-year-old man, he was naked and still attempting to eat coins. Officers tried taking the man into custody but he didn’t cooperate. The officers gave him a warning but he continued to stay on all fours and growl at them, so they successfully tased him and handcuffed him, according to a police spokesman. The man then attempted to eat the Taser cords, we’re told.

News

Morning Notes

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 23, 2013 at 8:55AM | Updated January 23, 2013 at 9:59AM

Flight Makes Emergency Landing at DCA — A US Airways Express flight had to make an emergency landing at Reagan National Airport this morning (Wednesday) due to a cracked windshield. The plane was minutes into its flight from DCA to Raleigh/Durham International Airport when it had to turn around. Nobody was injured. [WJLA]

Plastic Bag Tax Defeated — Sen. Adam Ebbin’s proposal to tax single-use plastic bags in grocery and convenience stores has been defeated in the state Senate. Had the bill passed, it would have imposed a five cent tax on every plastic bag distributed by retail establishments. [Sun Gazette]

News

Smoke at Ballston Metro Temporarily Shuts Station

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 22, 2013 at 4:45PM

A tipster sent a photo showing smoke flowing from the grate over Metro at Fairfax Drive and N. Utah Street.

According to Metro’s Twitter activity, debris inside a vent shaft began smoldering but there was no fire inside the station. The Arlington County Fire Department confirmed the smoke came from leaves that had ignited in a ventilation grate. Capt. Gregg Karl said that sometimes occurs if a passerby tosses a cigarette through the grates and debris below ignites.

News

Excavation Begins for New Housing Development

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 22, 2013 at 1:45PM | Updated January 22, 2013 at 4:26PM

The Department of Environmental Services recently reviewed and approved dividing the property into nine residential lots. This was done as a matter of right, which means the County Board does not have to give approval if the applicant meets all requirements.

During the preliminary review and approval of the subdivision proposal, the applicant, Lacey Lane Land Company, L.C., had to send notification to all adjacent property owners as well as those across the street. The president of the neighborhood’s civic association also had to be notified, along with the neighborhood conservation representative. The notification was to inform neighbors of a possible new development in their area, and to give them a chance to speak with county staff about the proposal.

News

Man Arrested for Grabbing Woman’s Breast on Bus

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 22, 2013 at 11:35AM

Around 4:30 p.m. on Friday (January 18), police say a woman was riding the ART bus when a man got on at the Ballston Metro station and sat across the aisle from her. He allegedly began speaking to the woman in a vulgar manner and she asked him to stop. The woman became nervous and also asked the man to move away from her.

Around the area of Washington Blvd and N. Pershing Drive the suspect allegedly leaned over and grabbed the victim’s breast. The victim yelled and told the man to stop, to which he reportedly responded, “F— you.” The bus driver pulled over and called police upon hearing the commotion, and the suspect took off on foot.

News

Board Expected to Approve Tuckahoe Park Contract

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 22, 2013 at 10:10AM

At its meeting on Saturday (January 26), the County Board is expected to approve the award of a contract for the reconstruction of a playground at Tuckahoe Park (2400 N. Sycamore Street).

County staff recommends awarding the $666,650 contract to Jeffrey Stack, Inc. There would also be more than $66,000 approved for change orders, for a total contract authorization of more than $733,000.