News | ARLnow.com - Part 1023

Morning Notes

Published September 17, 2015 at 9:00AM | Updated October 7, 2016 at 1:17PM

McMenamin Leads Cash Race — Independent Arlington County Board candidate Michael McMenamin has the most cash on hand of the four candidates in the race. McMenamin’s campaign reported $13,699 on hand as of Aug. 31, compared to $10,127 for Democrat Katie Cristol, $8,853 for Democrat Christian Dorsey and $1,657 for independent Audrey Clement. Dorsey has thus far spent the most on his campaign: $55,048, compared to McMenamin’s spending of $2,050. [InsideNova]

‘Demolition Derby’ for Old Houses — All over Arlington, older, more modest homes are being torn down and much larger, more lavish homes are being built in their place. The actual number of homes destroyed is low relative to Arlington’s population — the county reported 124 demolition permits for the first six months of 2015 — but it still worries long-time residents. “Can middle-income people in their 30s, first-time buyers, still live in Arlington?” asked one woman. [Falls Church News-Press]

BREAKING: Bank Robbery in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published September 16, 2015 at 10:45AM | Updated September 16, 2015 at 12:08PM

Photo courtesy ACPD

(Updated at 12:05 p.m.) Arlington County Police are on the scene of a bank robbery in Clarendon.

A man robbed the TD Bank at 3101 Wilson Blvd around 10:30 a.m. The suspect “approached the teller and passed her a note indicating he had a weapon,” said Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. The suspect was handed cash, though no weapon was seen during the robbery.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 16, 2015 at 9:10AM | Updated September 16, 2015 at 10:30AM

Brief Ebola Scare at EPA HQ — Hazmat and EMS teams were dispatched to the Environmental Protection Agency headquarters in Crystal City this morning for a possible Ebola patient. After an assessment by a doctor, it was determined that the patient — a man in his 50s — did not have the likely symptoms of Ebola.

Arlington Launches Startup Competition — Arlington County is partnering with the website Tech.Co to run a contest to attract new startups to Arlington. Starting today, startups can apply for the chance to receive three months of free work and living space, plus free legal advice and public transit funds. [Tech.Co, Arlington Economic Development]

UPDATED: Fire Department Response at East Falls Church Metro

By ARLnow.com

Published September 15, 2015 at 5:45PM | Updated September 15, 2015 at 6:34PM

Update at 6:15 p.m. — The disabled train has been cleared and trains are no longer single tracking past the station, Metro says.

Earlier: A large scale fire department response has been dispatched to the East Falls Church Metro station for a report of smoke on a train.

Police Planning Sobriety Checkpoint in Arlington on Thursday

By ARLnow.com

Published September 15, 2015 at 10:30AM

Arlington police car (file photo)

A sobriety checkpoint will be set up in an undisclosed part of Arlington Thursday night, according to an Arlington County Police Department press release.

“Officers will stop all vehicles passing through the checkpoint and ask to see the licenses of drivers,” the police department said. “Any driver suspected of operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be directed to a safe area off the roadway for further observation and possible testing for intoxication.”

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 15, 2015 at 9:30AM

Arlington Generates $3 Billion in Travel Spending — Arlington County generated $3 billion in tourism spending in 2014, a 5 percent increase over 2013, according to data released Monday. Tourism supports almost 25,000 jobs in Arlington and generated $80 million in local tax revenue. Arlington accounted for about an eighth of Virginia’s $22.4 billion in tourism spending. “These record numbers are a testament to the excellent quality and value of Arlington’s travel and tourism offerings, and the strong collaboration between the County and local businesses in promoting our destination both domestically and internationally,” said Arlington Economic Development Director Victor Hoskins. [Arlington County]

Tejada: Crazy Transportation Ideas Better Than No Ideas — Retiring Arlington County Board member Walter Tejada says monorail-like pod transit on Columbia Pike may seem like a crazy idea, but at least it’s an idea. “The JPods or gondolas – some folks might chuckle, but at least the residents are coming up with options, and those who oppose things are not,” he said in an interview. [WTOP]

Swarm of ATVs, Dirt Bikes Sped Through Arlington Sunday Night

By ARLnow.com

Published September 14, 2015 at 6:30PM

A witness reported that riders were speeding down S. Arlington Ridge Road around 8:15 p.m. Sunday, followed by police.

Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck says the was department was first notified by D.C. police that the ATVs were heading into Arlington via the Key Bridge.

BREAKING: Bank Robbery in Ballston

By ARLnow.com

Published September 14, 2015 at 12:10PM | Updated September 14, 2015 at 5:32PM

Update at 5:30 p.m. — The FBI has published a wanted poster, seeking information on this morning’s robbery. A reward of up to $5,000 is offered.

Earlier: Arlington County Police are on the scene of a bank robbery in Ballston.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 14, 2015 at 9:05AM

Suspicious Vehicle Investigation at Pentagon — An SUV hopped a curb and ran into a pole at the Pentagon’s south parking lot Sunday morning. All three occupants of the vehicle were reportedly sleeping when police arrived, but then tried to drive away. Arlington’s bomb squad helped to check out the vehicle, which was deemed suspicious due to loose wires seen hanging out of it. [MyFoxDC, ABC News]

Va. Advances Potential I-395 Express Lane Plan — Virginia transportation officials are getting closer to announcing a plan to extend the I-95 Express Lanes up through I-395. Arlington officials previously filed suit to block a similar state plan to convert the I-395 HOV lanes to High Occupancy Toll lanes. [WTOP]

Dorsey Wants to Kick Out TitleMax

By ARLnow.com

Published September 11, 2015 at 10:30AM | Updated September 11, 2015 at 10:58AM

In a press release, the Democrat said he would seek to terminate TitleMax’s lease at 5265 Lee Highway, should that building be included in a land swap between its owner, Virginia Hospital Center, and Arlington County.

Dorsey has also launched an online petition, asking residents to support him in his call to “do all we can to protect Arlingtonians from predatory lending practices.”

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 11, 2015 at 9:30AM

Arlington Remembers 9/11 — Arlington County is marking the 14th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks with a solemn ceremony in Courthouse. A moment of silence will be held at 9:37 a.m. [Arlington County, Twitter]

Sidewalks on the Pike Still Need Work — The new Freedman’s Village Bridge over Columbia Pike includes new, wider sidewalks along the Pike, but there are problems. Just up from the new sidewalks, narrow old sidewalks have telephone poles in the middle of them, obstructing pedestrians and bicyclists. And there are multiple crossings among the new sidewalks that make the going slow. [Greater Greater Washington]

Gov. McAuliffe Dedicates Bridge Over Columbia Pike in Honor of Freedman’s Village

By Heather Mongilio

Published September 10, 2015 at 3:45PM

Gov. Terry McAuliffe has dedicated the bridge that takes Washington Blvd over Columbia Pike as Freedman’s Village Bridge, in honor of settlement for freed slaves started in Arlington during the Civil War.

McAuliffe was joined by transportation officials, Arlington County Board members and descendants of Freedman’s Village residents as he unveiled one of the two plaques on the bridge this morning.