News | ARLnow.com - Part 1020

Woman Attacked Near Quincy Park

Published September 30, 2015 at 2:35PM

Police say the 23-year-old woman was walking down the 1200 block of N. Quincy Street around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday when she was grabbed from behind by an unknown man. The man tried to pull her into some nearby bushes but quickly fled the scene.

“The victim screamed out for help causing the suspect to flee,” according to Arlington County Police. “The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his 20-30’s, approximately 5’6″-5’8″ and weighed 130-160 lbs. He was wearing a white t-shirt, dark pants, loafer shoes, and a backpack at the time of the incident.”

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 30, 2015 at 10:00AM

Major Traffic, Metro Woes — It was extremely slow going for commuters crossing the 14th Street Bridge this morning. Wet roads and a couple of crashes backed up traffic on I-395 and feeder routes for miles. Traffic issues were also reported on Columbia Pike, due to malfunctioning traffic signals at S. Queen Street. Meanwhile, a fire response at the L’Enfant Metro station and track issues on the Yellow Line bridge have resulted in speed restrictions and delays for Yellow Line riders. [Twitter, Twitter, Washington Post]

Waiting for Joaquin — Arlington County is keeping a close eye on Hurricane Joaquin, which some models are suggesting may have a big impact on the D.C. area. [Twitter]

UPDATED: VDOT Worker Struck By Car on I-395

By ARLnow.com

Published September 30, 2015 at 12:15AM | Updated September 30, 2015 at 2:00PM

(Updated at 2:00 p.m.) A VDOT worker is in critical condition after being struck by a car on I-395 Tuesday night.

The crash happened around 10:20 p.m., on southbound I-395 near the Ridge Road overpass. According to initial reports, the worker was setting out traffic cones to warn drivers of an accident ahead when he was struck by a vehicle.

Lack of Public Trust Is Influencing County Gov’t Decisions, Donnellan Says

By Heather Mongilio

Published September 29, 2015 at 12:00PM

County decisions on large projects like the Columbia Pike Streetcar, aquatics center and Artisphere have reflected a certain level of distrust in government, said former County Manager Barbara Donnellan.

“I think people’s trust of government at all levels has changed,” Donnellan said, in a video interview produced by the county.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 29, 2015 at 10:45AM | Updated September 29, 2015 at 12:32PM

Board Candidates Debate, Find Agreement — Updated at 12:30 p.m. — The four candidates for Arlington County Board participated in a candidates forum organized by the Arlington Forest Civic Association last night. The candidates found agreement on two notable issue: affordable housing shouldn’t be built on parkland — or, at least, certain parkland — and county property taxes shouldn’t be raised at this time. [Washington Post]

JPod Meeting on the Pike — The man behind a proposal to bring a monorail-like pod transportation system to Columbia Pike made his case to residents and to County Board Vice Chairman Walter Tejada at the Walter Reed Community Center last night. There are still several potential deal-breaking questions about the feasibility of the proposal. [InsideNova]

ACFD Battles Apartment Fire in Penrose

By ARLnow.com

Published September 28, 2015 at 4:55PM

Arlington County firefighters extinguished an apartment fire in the Penrose neighborhood this afternoon.

The fire was reported in a garden-style apartment on the 2700 block of 8th Street S. just after 4 p.m. Firefighters arrived to find a small fire in an upstair apartment.

Fairlington Sign Demolished by Out-of-Control Car

By ARLnow.com

Published September 28, 2015 at 4:05PM

An out-of-control driver ran into the Fairlington Villages sign on 30th Street S. last week.

About half of brick wall and sign, which is on the corner of 30th Street and King Street, was destroyed as a result of the collision. The sign includes a “historic district” plaque that was not damaged in the crash.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 28, 2015 at 10:00AM | Updated September 28, 2015 at 11:05AM

Vihstadt Endorses Dorsey, McMenamin — Independent Arlington County Board member John Vihstadt has endorsed fellow independent Michael McMenamin and Democrat Christian Dorsey for County Board. Dorsey said in a statement that he is “honored to have the support of all five members of the Arlington County Board, including John Vihstadt,” but also reiterated his support for Democratic ticket mate Katie Cristol. [InsideNova]

ACFD Responds to Small Fires — The Arlington County Fire Department has battled two small fires within the past two days. On Saturday around noon on the 2300 block of S. Arlington Mill Drive, firefighters extinguished a fire on the back porch of a home. This morning ACFD extinguished a small apartment fire on the 4200 block of 2nd Road N. [Twitter, Twitter]

Problems Reported on Orange, Silver Lines

By ARLnow.com

Published September 28, 2015 at 9:00AM | Updated June 29, 2018 at 2:53PM

Metro said that an inbound Orange Line train offloaded at East Falls Church just before 8:30 a.m. due to a brake problem.

That, coupled with reduced rush hour service on the two lines due to power issues around the Stadium-Armory station following last week’s transformer fire, has caused big delays.

Firefighters Going Door to Door to Check Smoke Detectors

By Heather Mongilio

Published September 25, 2015 at 4:35PM

Arlington County fire truck (file photo)

“Teams of on-duty Arlington County firefighters in uniform have been canvassing neighborhoods on Saturdays since June, offering smoke alarm inspections, new batteries and even brand-new devices when needed. All free,” the county said in a statement.

Firefighters have visited about an eighth of the approximately 40,000 homes in Arlington.

UPDATED: Yorktown High School Evacuated After Receiving Bomb Threat

By ARLnow.com

Published September 25, 2015 at 1:20PM | Updated September 25, 2015 at 2:23PM

(Updated at 1:55 p.m.) Yorktown High School students, faculty and staff were evacuated after the school received a bomb threat.

Shortly after noon, the school received a call from a “computerized-automated voice” that said “I have a bomb on me,” said Arlington County Police Department spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.

County Board to Create Task Force For Fire Station 8 Location

By Heather Mongilio

Published September 25, 2015 at 10:30AM

Residents against the relocation of Fire Station 8 have won a small victory.

The County Board on Thursday accepted the county manager’s recommendation to create a community task force to examine possible locations for the new Fire Station 8, which includes the site it currently sits on.