(Updated at 4 p.m.) The charges filed against a U.S. Army soldier accused in a series of pride flag thefts have been dismissed.
General District Court Judge Cari M. Steele formally dismissed the charges against Matthew Henshaw on Monday following his completion of a restorative justice program, according to defense attorney Damon Colbert.
A store employee is facing serious charges after police say he confronted shoplifting suspects with a knife.
The incident happened last Thursday afternoon at the 7-Eleven store at 201 S. Glebe Road, near Thomas Jefferson Middle School.
Curbing Phones = Fewer Fights — “The program being tested at Wakefield requires students to store phones in magnetically locking pouches during the school day. Peter Balas, principal of the 2,200-student school, said teachers have reported less phone use in the classroom and higher engagement since the pilot launched in September. He’s seen fewer fights and less drama from social media.” [Washington Post]
Xmas at Mary Marshall — “The staff at the Mary Marshall assisted living facility in Arlington, made sure older neighbors living with illness and disability’s wishes were fulfilled” on Christmas. [WUSA 9]
Paper Halts Free Home Delivery — “The Falls Church News-Press, for the first time in 33 years, will not be carrier-delivered free of charge to every household address in the City of Falls Church. However, abundant copies of the paper will be provided at over 40 locations in and around the Little City… It is a difficult but unavoidable move in the effort to keep the paper solvent, and we intend it to be only temporary.” [FCNP]
It’s Thursday — Skies will transition from cloudy to sunny, with a high close to 42 degrees and calm winds. By Thursday night, expect partly cloudy conditions with a low near 29 degrees. [NWS]
Reminder: Don’t Drink and Drive — “Drunk driving is the No. 1 cause of road deaths in Arlington, with alcohol factoring in 75% of fatal injury traffic crashes since 2022. We can prevent unnecessary tragedy this holiday season if everyone steps up to stop drunk driving. The County’s Vision Zero team and the Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) have launched a new anti-drunk driving campaign this month.” [Arlington County]
Scammers Target Transgender Workers — “Email messages claiming to be from an employee that were sent in November to the LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative in Arlington, Va., and to a yoga studio in Middleton, Del., requested that the employees’ direct deposit paycheck be sent to a new bank account. According to an official with the LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative and the employee at the yoga studio, the emails had the employees’ correct names, including a photo, and included a bank account number for the Green Dot Bank where the email messages said the salary payments should be deposited.” [Washington Blade]
County’s Year in Review — “A look back on the many achievements of 2024 — who we are, and who we strive to be. From employee groups engaging with the community to imagining what Arlington looks like in 2050, and from important initiatives in human services to welcoming home an Olympian — and everything in between — join the County in reflection on the community’s values and achievements.” [Arlington County]
It’s Christmas Eve — Rain or freezing rain is expected in the morning, followed by a slight chance of rain in the afternoon, with a high temperature near 45. There’s an 80% chance of precipitation and a possibility of less than 0.1 inches of new ice accumulation. Tuesday night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 32. On Christmas Day, expect partly sunny skies with a high temperature near 42. [NWS]
Arlington County police are warning of a man who has been grabbing people from behind in a sexual manner.
The incidents have taken place in the Arlington Mill neighborhood and typically involve female victims having their buttocks touched inappropriately by the suspect, who then flees the scene well before police arrive, according to ACPD.
Some freezing rain is expected in Arlington tomorrow morning, leading to slippery sidewalks and roads.
A light glaze of ice is possible throughout much of the D.C. area and Maryland, especially on elevated and untreated surfaces, the National Weather Service warned on social media.
An ex-Marine convicted of rape and multiple murders, including strangling a U.S. Navy petty officer to death in Arlington, has been taken off of death row.
Jorge Avila Torrez, 36, is one of 37 federal prisoners who saw their death sentences commuted by President Joe Biden today (Monday).
A Wakefield High School alum is raising awareness about free programs to help disadvantaged students launch careers in high-demand fields.
Deontae Murphy, a 2011 Wakefield graduate who now works for Amazon Web Services, spent three days last week speaking to more than 100 Arlington students in small group sessions. Mostly speaking to those in underrepresented groups, he shared details about free training programs, certifications and tuition assistance that can lower the cost of higher education and open doors to tech careers.
One won’t need to be a triathlete to take the future pedestrian/bicycle link between Crystal City and Reagan National Airport.
“It’s going to have a fairly consistent slope as you work your way,” said Kyle Kling, project manager for the county government’s “CC2DCA” trail initiative.
An Arlington government advisory body seems generally supportive of advocacy efforts to preserve mature trees along the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
But, cognizant of what happened to another advisory panel when it took too aggressive an advocacy stance, members of the Arlington Park and Recreation Commission on Dec. 10 opted to take more time before deciding how to proceed.
Despite ongoing concerns from residents in the surrounding neighborhood, the Melwood redevelopment project near Crystal City appears on track to be green-lighted early in the new year.
“This project is going to be approved. It is going to be approved 5-0 by the County Board in February,” predicted Nicholas Giacobbe, one of several neighbors who voiced concerns about the proposal at a Dec. 19 meeting of the county government’s site-plan review committee evaluating the plan.
Lines at DCA — “The lines are growing at area airports as the rush to get out of town for the holidays is in full swing. WTOP talked to flyers at Reagan National Airport who were headed all over the place… One flyer, who chose to remain anonymous, was headed down to Florida and described the lines at the airport as: ‘So far about what I expected, maybe a little shorter.'” [WTOP, PoPville]
Fisherman Catches Grenade — “A hand grenade was pulled out of the Potomac near Roosevelt Island by magnet fisherman. DC bomb squad and Park Police investigated and have declared it safe.” [PoPville, Twitter]
Mystery Stains on Clarendon Sidewalk — It’s unclear how what appears to be numerous drops of blood ended up on a Clarendon sidewalk. [Twitter]
Holiday Hope for Rescue Pets — Lucky Dog Animal Rescue welcomed 53 dogs and cats from overcrowded South Carolina shelters this past week. Five of the animals found their forever homes immediately upon arrival. The Arlington-based nonprofit continues to seek loving families for the remaining pets looking for their forever homes this holiday season. [WUSA 9/YouTube]
Courthouse Construction Concluding — “Still some construction work wrapping up at the N Courthouse Rd intersection but the sidewalks at The Wendy are now open!” [Twitter]
Party City Closing in Bailey’s Xroads — “Party City is planning to close all of its stores, more than a year after it exited bankruptcy, the retailer confirmed Saturday in an email to consumers. The New Jersey-based party supplies company has been struggling for years even before the pandemic.” [Axios]
New Year Festivities in F.C. — “Ring in the New Year in the City of Falls Church with free, family-friendly, fun festivities at the Annual Watch Night New Year’s Eve Celebration. The event will take place from 7 p.m. to midnight on Tuesday, December 31, at the intersection of Broad Street (Route 7) and Washington Street (Route 29) and indoor venues. The event is open to the public and includes live music and children’s amusements.” [City of Falls Church]
It’s Monday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high around 35 degrees with calm winds that will later shift to the south at 5 to 7 mph. As for Monday night, the skies will turn mostly cloudy with a low temperature of approximately 27 degrees. [NWS]
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