News

Skaters, Students Among the Dead — “Northern Virginia’s figure skating community is reeling after receiving the news that a coach and multiple young skaters from the area were killed when an American Airlines flight and a military helicopter collided and crashed into the Potomac River.” [NBC 4, Sky News/X, FFXnow]

Questions About Air Traffic — “The airspace along the Potomac River where an Army helicopter and an airliner crashed Wednesday night poses some of the most complex challenges in the country for pilots, requiring them to rely on layers of procedures and electronic safeguards to avoid a catastrophe.” [Washington Post, WSJ, WBJ]

DCA Tower Was Understaffed — “The air traffic control tower at Reagan National Airport was understaffed on Wednesday evening when a passenger plane and a military helicopter collided in midair… NATCA, the controllers’ labor union, has warned in recent years that a thinly stretched workforce poses a risk to safety.” [Washington Post]

Regional Response Lauded — “There is probably not a region in the country as well prepared as the national capital region for the large scale public safety response that we have seen on the Potomac River since last night.” [Dave Statter/X]

Witness Accounts of Crash — “Schulman said he saw sparks spreading along the plane, nose to tail, as the aircraft banked sharply to the right… Another witness, Courtney Cain, 28, said she was at home at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling when she heard a bang outside. She looked out her living room window, where she saw a flash.” [Washington Post]

Prayers for Victims — From Arlington Bishop Michael Burbidge: “We share a sense of shock at this sudden profound loss of so many lives here in our community, both civilians and military personnel training to keep us safe. We grieve alongside the many who have lost beloved family members, friends, colleagues, and fellow parishioners, including at least two from our own parishes.” [Diocese of Arlington, YouTube]

Beyer Offers Help to Families — “My heart goes out to all those who lost loved ones last night. I want those families to know that my office is here to help you in any way we can in this time of grief and loss.” [Rep. Don Beyer/X]

Local Police on GW Parkway? — “A proposal advancing through the Virginia Legislature would give state and local police the authority to conduct traffic enforcement along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The 22-mile stretch of highway is patrolled by U.S. Park Police, but some lawmakers say federal traffic enforcement is lacking and safety is at risk.” [NBC 4]

Crash in Aurora Highlands — “There was a crash at the intersection of 23rd Street S. and 26th Street S. in Aurora Highlands, sending one car down into the yard of a home.” [ARLnow/X]

Gun Investigation at Yorktown HS — “On January 29, police were dispatched to the report of a weapons offense. The preliminary investigation indicates the reporting party allegedly saw a juvenile male with what appeared to be the handle of a firearm in his waistband. The juvenile male was no longer on school property at the time of police arrival but was subsequently located by officers. No weapon was located.” [ACPD]

It’s Friday — Expect rain with a high near 55, south wind at 9-11 mph, and gusts up to 30 mph. Precipitation is expected to range from half to three-quarters of an inch. Friday night may bring more rain until 1am, followed by clearing skies and a low of around 42. Southwest wind will be 7-10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. The nighttime precipitation chance is 50%. [NWS]

Courthouse Hotel Project On Hold — “The owner of a hotel in Arlington’s Courthouse… now needs more time before it can start, intimating that the project still doesn’t pencil out… Sunburst Hospitality Corp. got the green light in October 2020 from local lawmakers to transform its 187-key Arlington Court Suites Hotel at 1200 N. Courthouse Road into 180 multifamily units.” [WBJ]

Local Impact of Downsizing Fed Gov’t — “According to Terry Clower, who monitors the local economy at George Mason University’s Center for Regional Analysis, that could be a disaster for the region… Massive reductions in federal jobs could hit DC like the closure of steel mills hit Midwestern company towns. ‘Forty percent of our economy is based one way or another on the federal government,’ Clower says.” [Washingtonian]

Crash Fells Pole in Pentagon City — From Dave Statter: “An odd crash a short time ago at S. 12th & S. Eads across from the Whole Foods. Car went into the Amazon construction site. Person taken to the hospital.” [Twitter]

New Spokesperson for ACFD — “The Arlington County Fire Department is pleased to announce the appointment of Captain Jamie Jill as its new Public Information Officer (PIO). Captain Jill brings a wealth of experience to the position, with 13 years of service in fire and EMS, as well as 11 years in public information.” [Arlington County]

LGBTQ+ Panel Eyes World Pride — Arlington’s LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee hopes to participate in D.C.’s upcoming spring World Pride celebration. Committee chair Samantha Perez says local involvement would welcome visitors while reassuring residents concerned about Trump administration policies. Several Arlington groups have already partnered with event host Capital Pride Alliance. –Scott McCaffrey

Soaking Rain Expected — “Most models, including a blend of models shown above, predict about 0.75 inches to 1 inch of rain in the D.C. region between Thursday night and Friday evening. While a shift in the storm track could still lower or raise the actual amount, we do seem likely to get some needed rain.” [Capital Weather Gang]

It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high of 48, with light winds becoming southwest at 5-7 mph in the morning. Thursday night will bring rain, primarily after 1 am, with a low of around 40 and a south wind at 6-9 mph. There’s an 80% chance of precipitation. [NWS]

Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar