A new marker commemorating Black troops who fought in the Civil War has been installed at Fort Ethan Allen Park.
An official unveiling for the new sign at 3829 N. Stafford Street is scheduled for Thursday, June 20 — the day after Juneteenth. The marker commemorates the 107th United States Colored Troops, which ran drills and manned the ramparts at Fort Ethan Allen and other Arlington forts starting in October 1865, guarding D.C. following the end of the war.
Remembering Frank O’Leary — “[Frank] O’Leary, who served as treasurer for 30-plus years before retiring in the summer of 2014, died June 7 after battling leukemia for the preceding six months. He was 80. O’Leary was ‘a great Arlingtonian, one of those remarkable people who have helped make Arlington the thriving community that it is today,’ County Board Chairman Libby Garvey said as news of his death began to circulate.” [Gazette Leader]
Board Member Shows Gun Haul — From County Board member Takis Karantonis: “With Letty Hardi – Mayor of the City of #FallsChurch – while visiting the location of the 1stgun-buyback event – last Saturday. Sobering how many and what kind of firearms were collected. Can’t be more thankful to @MomsDemand @parisa4justice @ArlingtonVAPD” [Twitter]
School Board Candidate Makes It Official — “An educator who is wrapping up a career in the Arlington school system has filed the paperwork necessary to run for School Board. Paul Weiss, who has spent the last 22 years teaching at H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program and 36 years in education overall, joins a field that for now includes Democratic endorsees Zuraya Tapia-Hadley and Kathleen Clark and independent James ‘Vell’ Rives.” [Gazette Leader]
Candidates Talk Art — “It may not come as a complete surprise, but the five candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for County Board recently came out in favor of the arts. At a forum sponsored by an arts-advocacy organization, no less.” [Gazette Leader]
I-395 Crash Caught on Camera — From Dave Statter: “This was a crash that happened Sunday morning on I-395N at Exit 10C. If you don’t know before seeing the video exactly how this crash occurred, you just haven’t been paying attention in class. The driver making that left turn on the interstate highway still missed the exit they were trying to reach. And they ruined someone else’s day in the process.” [Twitter]
Guidebook Author Interviewed — “Barbara Noe Kennedy shares her passion for discovery and highlights for readers in her new book ‘100 Things to Do in Arlington Before You Die.'” [Fox 5]
Rosslyn Restaurant Options — “D.C. is just a short walk over the Key Bridge from Rosslyn, but Arlington’s original urban village is also a tempting destination in its own right, with exciting new dining options—including a buzzy, Metro-adjacent food hall—joining a long-running list of neighborhood hangouts. Here’s where to go for ceviche, all-day brunch, craft cocktails, killer tacos or a hearty plate of pasta.” [Arlington Magazine]
It’s Tuesday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high near 77 and a gentle northwest wind at around 6 mph. As for Tuesday night, the skies will be mostly clear, with a gentle wind and a low around 60. [NWS]
Yorktown girls finish as Class 6 state lacrosse champions
A near undefeated campaign ended with a program-best 21-1 single-season record, 20 straight victories and district, region and state championships for the Yorktown Patriots in girls high-school lacrosse this spring.
A drone, a helicopter and at least three police agencies helped to apprehend a driver who crashed during a chase early Monday morning.
The crash happened just after 1 a.m. as Virginia State Police chased a black Chevy Camaro from I-395 to Arlington Mill Drive, near Shirlington. State troopers originally tried to stop the Camaro for reckless driving on southbound I-395, according to a VSP spokesperson.
An Arlington man has been convicted of a 2023 murder in the Buckingham neighborhood.
James R. Williams shot another man, Sean Bowman, to death in an apartment on N. Thomas Street on March 25, 2023, an Arlington jury found.
What sounded like gunshots being fired sent people running from a party in the Arlington View neighborhood early this morning.
The incident happened just before 2 a.m. Monday on the 1500 block of 12th Street S.
An officer responding to a call about a car playing loud music was struck by the driver as he attempted to flee, according to police.
The incident happened around 5 a.m. this past Saturday, on the 800 block of N. Wakefield Street, just west of Ballston.
The black bear that was roaming near Potomac Overlook park over the weekend has made its way south.
The young bear has more recently been spotted in the Donaldson Run and Cherrydale neighborhoods. Photos and video shared with ARLnow Monday morning show the bear exploring driveways and and a park along N. Quebec Street, near Langston Blvd.
Boil Water Advisory Lifted — “Residents and businesses in south Arlington can resume using water from the tap for all purposes. A series of rigorous tests have determined that the system is safe following a significant water main break early Friday, June 7, at S Walter Reed Drive and S Four Mile Run Drive.” [Arlington County]
Traffic Cam Controversy — “While monitoring the situation using the county’s street camera system, FOX 5 observed one camera diverting its focus away from the emergency repairs to a woman standing near the scene. The woman was identified as a reporter for WDVM. The camera operator was seen focusing the lens on her for several minutes, scanning her body from head to toe.” [Fox 5, DC News Now]
Chamber Holds Candidate Forum — “Arlington Chamber of Commerce hosted Thursday’s forum, which was sponsored by the Arlington Land Use Group. As such, the questions had a business focus, touching on topics ranging from improving the county’s permitting office to the missing middle and Chamber President and CEO Kate Bates acted as the moderator.” [Patch]
Popeyes Now Open at Mall — Popeyes has reopened at the Pentagon City mall food court after one-year hiatus. It appears to have opened in the same stall as its previous location. [Facebook]
Gun Buyback Ends Early — “The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD)’s first-ever gun buyback event on Saturday was so successful that it had to end early. The event was scheduled for June 8 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Arlington Assembly of God parking lot. However, ACPD announced the event had ended by 9:30, as more people than anticipated arrived and the police were out of gift cards.” [WJLA, Twitter]
Robbery in Courthouse — “2200 block of Clarendon Boulevard. At approximately 7:20 a.m. on June 6, police were dispatched to the report of an assault just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined that the male suspect entered the business and engaged an employee in a verbal dispute, during which the suspect threw merchandise at the employee, striking him. The suspect then allegedly concealed various merchandise into a bag and fled the scene on foot.” [ACPD]
Salary Street Interviews in Arlington — “How much does an #AirTrafficController make?📍Arlington, VA #salarytransparentstreet” [MSN]
It’s Monday — Expect increasing clouds and a high near 78 accompanied by a northwest wind at 6 to 9 mph. Monday night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to around 59 and a northwest wind at about 7 mph. [NWS]
Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by Industrious. ARLnow has been in an Industrious office for years and we love the convenience — you get to focus on your work rather than worrying about brewing your own coffee or keeping the copy machine stocked. Industrious has several Metro-accessible coworking locations in Arlington.
Update on 6/10/24 — There have been more bear sightings in the Donaldson Run and Cherrydale neighborhoods.
Update at 7 p.m. — It appears that the bear — or, at least, a bear — is making its way south. An ARLnow reader sent photos of the bear from the 2200 block of N. Pollard Street, about three blocks from Dorothy Hamm Middle School.
Police are conducting a death investigation in Pentagon City after a body was found.
According to initial dispatches around 11:30 a.m., an employee of a business found the deceased person in a somewhat hidden spot along 12th Street S. near S. Fern Street. The circumstances around the person’s death are unclear.
An Arlington man likely caused the explosion that killed him and leveled his house during a standoff with police in December, authorities have concluded.
James Yoo, 56, appears to have poured gasoline throughout the basement where the blast — which engulfed the house in a fireball, hurled debris for three blocks and could be heard and felt for miles around — originated. Investigators concluded that Yoo himself likely sparked the blast by striking an ignition source such as a match, lighter, flare or gun.
