Katie Pyzyk | ARLnow

Candidates Make Final Push Before Election

Published October 31, 2012 at 4:45PM | Updated October 31, 2012 at 6:49PM

“A lot of people wait until the last week to tune in to make their decision. People in Arlington have busy lives and we want to give them an opportunity to check in if they haven’t checked in yet,” said Matt Wavro, Republican candidate for Arlington County Board. “We’re making a last minute push to get the message out as far as we can. We will be at Metro stations handing out literature and continue talking with voters in every form we can get to to make sure the message gets out. It’s a sprint to the finish line.”

One of Wavro’s opponents, Green Party candidate Audrey Clement, agreed that last minute campaigning could sway voters.

News

Bikeshare Fares Well But Cyclists Cautioned of Hazards

By Katie Pyzyk

Published October 31, 2012 at 3:30PM

Capital Bikeshare did not experience damage to any of its bicycles or docking stations, we’re told. The system did shut down for about 36 hours to prevent people from biking in dangerous conditions, and to protect the workers who have to travel around the metro area to re-distribute bikes where they’re needed.

The system began running again on Tuesday afternoon, and workers spent some time playing catch up on bike re-distribution.

News

Hotel Worker Robbed at Gunpoint

By Katie Pyzyk

Published October 31, 2012 at 1:30PM

According to police, a man walked into the hotel lobby around 6:30 p.m. and pointed a gun at the desk worker while demanding she get on the ground. The suspect then went behind the desk and took an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register.

While the suspect was in the lobby, a customer entered the area and the suspect turned the gun on him, ordering him to the ground. The suspect then fled through a back door. Nobody sustained any physical injuries in the incident.

Events

Registration Open for 5K to Benefit Local Preschool

By Katie Pyzyk

Published October 31, 2012 at 12:00PM

The Kinhaven School 5K and Fun Run will take place at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 18. The event benefits Kinhaven School (4201-A N. Fairfax Drive), which is a parent run cooperative preschool founded in 1971.

The out-and-back course begins at Bluemont Park and takes runners west along the W&OD trail.

Events

Mind Games Scheduled for Puzzle Festival at Library

By Katie Pyzyk

Published October 31, 2012 at 11:00AM

This Saturday, November 3, the festival returns for a second year of words, logic, numbers and thinking. The mind games run from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in the Central Library’s (1015 N. Quincy Street) auditorium.

Crossword puzzles are provided by New York Times puzzlemaster Will Shortz and sudoku puzzles will be provided by U.S. and world champion sudoku solver Thomas Snyder.

News

Storm Sends Beavers into Pentagon City Streets

By Katie Pyzyk

Published October 30, 2012 at 5:30PM | Updated July 10, 2013 at 9:35PM

A few residents who live in a condo complex on S. Hayes Street were about to head out this morning when they were surprised by a wet, furry visitor.

The residents called animal control upon encountering the beaver scurrying from door to door. Desiree Lomer-Clarke said the animal control worker who came to the scene reported having to deal with two other beavers earlier this morning.

News

UPDATED: Schools, County Gov’t Open Wednesday

By Katie Pyzyk

Published October 30, 2012 at 3:55PM | Updated October 31, 2012 at 8:38AM

All county government offices, libraries, courts, community centers, and nature centers will also be open.

Roads are gradually being cleared, dark homes are lighting up and residents are attempting to return to a sense of normalcy following Superstorm Sandy.

News

Sandy Shouldn’t Squash Most Trick or Treat Outings

By Katie Pyzyk

Published October 30, 2012 at 12:11PM

So far, the county is not putting any restrictions on trick or treating. County staff is urging parents, however, to use their best judgment to keep children out of harm’s way in neighborhoods particularly hard hit by the storm.

“We all hope that the weather will improve quickly and that we can all get back to normal as quickly as possible,” said Arlington County Director of Communications Diana Sun. “I sincerely hope that there are no disappointments for all the young people looking forward to tomorrow evening.”

News

BREAKING NEWS — Man Dies in Fairlington Fire

By Katie Pyzyk

Published October 30, 2012 at 10:35AM

An elderly man is dead after becoming trapped during a fire in his apartment in the 2900 block of S. Buchanan Street in Fairlington.

According to Arlington County Fire Department spokesman Capt. Gregg Karl, smoke was coming from the top level apartment when crews arrived on the scene. Capt. Karl said because the investigation has just begun, it’s unclear exactly what started the fire and whether the man died from burns or smoke inhalation.

News

APS Students Participate in “Real Madrid” Soccer Program

By Katie Pyzyk

Published October 24, 2012 at 4:52PM | Updated October 25, 2012 at 1:55PM

The Real Madrid Social Sport Academy provides after school soccer for more than 150 Arlington Public Schools students. It kicked off last month, and currently runs at Carlin Springs Elementary School and Hoffman-Boston Elementary School.

“Most of these kids are in need of some positive mentoring,” said Bob Bigney with the Arlington Soccer Association. “They would not otherwise get the opportunity to play soccer.”

News

Westboro Baptist Church Picketers Coming to Arlington

By Katie Pyzyk

Published October 24, 2012 at 3:05PM | Updated October 24, 2012 at 3:22PM

According to a picket schedule on its website, the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, will send members to Arlington on Monday, November 12. They’re slated to protest at Yorktown High School (5200 Yorktown Blvd) starting at 7:40 a.m., the Pentagon starting at 8:50 a.m. and Arlington National Cemetery at 10:00 a.m.

The group has made stops in Arlington before, in part to perform protests of military funerals. Such protests have been fodder for lawsuits around the country, but the group’s right to protest at the funerals was upheld by the Supreme Court last year. The church has also made headlines for its prominent anti-gay message, for lauding the 9/11 attacks and for using controversial slogans such as “Thank God for breast cancer” on picket signs.

News

Board Approves $2.7 Million for Neighborhood Projects

By Katie Pyzyk

Published October 24, 2012 at 1:44PM

Through the county’s Neighborhood Conservation Program, the money will go toward four new projects and five ongoing projects. The program allows residents, through their neighborhood associations, to suggest improvements and work with the county to get the projects funded.

“Our Neighborhood Conservation program is true civic engagement – neighborhood improvements planned from the ground up,” said County Board Chair Mary Hynes. “Its success lies in the fact that it puts residents in charge of prioritizing which improvements their neighborhoods most need.”