News | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published July 21, 2021 at 7:30AM

The hot sun beats down on a local sign (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Jan. 6 First Responders Recognized — “The Arlington County Board today gave special honors and recognition to members of Arlington County Police Department, Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office for their efforts to respond to the Capitol riot on January 6. Approximately 60 personnel were honored during the event today at the County Board Recessed meeting.” [Arlington County]

Fmr. APS Students Staying in Private School — “Ten-year-old Jonah Kaufman of Arlington is proud of his 4th grade report card from the private school he attends in northern Virginia… it was a far different story in 2020 when Jonah and his 8-year-old brother, Noah, were in a public school, trying to learn from home during COVID-19. ‘They weren’t learning,’ Jena Kotler, the boy’s mother says. ‘They were sad, they felt isolated. It was just crazy.'” [WJLA]

Board OKs Park Shirlington Renovation, Amazon Land Donation

By Jo DeVoe

Published July 20, 2021 at 4:35PM

Park Shirlington Apartments (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Arlington County Board took two steps over the weekend to preserve and upgrade existing affordable housing while building hundreds of new units.

During its meeting on Saturday members unanimously approved a nearly $23 million loan from the county’s Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF) for renovations to the Park Shirlington Apartments, a 1950s-era, garden-style complex with 293 units at 4510 31st Street S., on the edge of the Fairlington neighborhood.

JBG Smith, AT&T Plan to Bring Ubiquitous 5G to National Landing

By Jo DeVoe

Published July 20, 2021 at 3:50PM

Since August, JBG Smith has been assembling the bones needed to turn part of Arlington and Alexandria into the world’s first large-scale “Smart City.”

And today (Tuesday), the developer is set to cinch two crucial parts of the skeleton. This morning, it announced a partnership with AT&T to install 5G network throughout Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard, collectively known as National Landing.

Future Ballston Silver Diner Spot Aims for 2022 Opening

By Jo DeVoe

Published July 20, 2021 at 10:00AM

A planned Silver Diner location in Ballston, at the intersection of Wilson Blvd and N. Glebe Road, is moving through county approval processes and aims to open next year.

Developer Saul Centers announced in 2017 that the regional chain would open a spot within its development at 750 N. Glebe Road. Now, Silver Diner is obtaining the needed approvals to move into the ground floor of The Waycroft apartment building.

Man Arrested After Fleeing onto Metro Tracks in Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com

Published July 20, 2021 at 9:00AM | Updated July 20, 2021 at 9:16AM

Arlington police car (file photo)

(Updated at 9:15 a.m.) A theft suspect in Pentagon City ran onto the tracks Sunday afternoon, causing major delays for riders.

The theft was reported around 2 p.m., from a store on the 1200 block of S. Hayes Street, a block that includes the Pentagon City mall and the Pentagon Centre shopping center.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published July 20, 2021 at 5:00AM

Crash Prompts Hazmat Cleanup — From the Arlington County Fire Department last night: “N Glebe Rd closed in both directions between Arlington Bl and N Pershing due to a fuel leak following a motor vehicle crash. #Avoid the area.” [Twitter, Twitter]

Metrobus Crash in Ballston — From our Twitter account yesterday afternoon: “Southbound N. Glebe Road is blocked at Washington Blvd by a crash involving a car and a Metrobus. Police and medics on scene.” [Twitter]

Board Authorizes Collective Bargaining for County Workers, Higher Wages for Contractors

By Jo DeVoe

Published July 19, 2021 at 3:55PM

Pro-union county employees attend the in-person County Board meeting held on Saturday (via Arlington County)

For the first time since the 1970s, municipal employees in Arlington will be join unions and negotiate employment conditions.

The Arlington County Board restored collective bargaining with its unanimous approval of revision to county code during its meeting on Saturday. The county will soon allow employee associations to enter into collective bargaining with the county over compensation, benefits, working conditions and other issues.

NEW: Local Couple Killed in California Plane Crash

By ARLnow.com

Published July 19, 2021 at 10:00AM | Updated July 19, 2021 at 10:34AM

Shauna and James Waite (photo via Instagram)

A plane crash in California wine country has claimed the lives of three people, including an Arlington couple.

Shauna and James Waite, who lived near Yorktown High School, were killed when their small plane crashed in a vineyard in Napa County on Friday morning.

BREAKING: Shots Fired Early Monday Morning in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published July 19, 2021 at 9:40AM | Updated July 19, 2021 at 11:33AM

File photo

(Updated at 11:30 a.m.) Multiple gunshots were fired in Clarendon early this morning, reportedly after a large fight.

The shooting happened around 1:15 a.m. near the intersection of Wilson Blvd and N. Garfield Street, in the area of the United Bank and steps from the Cheesecake Factory and Mexicali Blues.

County Board Votes to Replace ‘Lee Highway’ Name

By ARLnow.com

Published July 19, 2021 at 9:00AM

Lee Highway is no more in Arlington. It’s now Langston Blvd.

The County Board voted unanimously on Saturday to rename Route 29 within Arlington’s borders, following the recommendation of a Working Group (and county staff) on a new name.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published July 19, 2021 at 5:00AM

The Long Bridge Park Aquatics and Fitness Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

ACPD Hosting Community Chats — “Chief Andy Penn appreciates the important insights our residents and businesses bring to the conversation about the role of policing. He invites community members, organizations and businesses to join him for a series of Community Conversations.” [ACPD, Twitter]

Court Rejects Rouse Estate Suit — “I want to thank Arlington Green Party Chair John Reeder for challenging Arlington County Board’s decision exactly three months to the day to deny local historic designation for the site of the since demolished Febrey-Lothrop-Rouse estate… Unfortunately just yesterday Arlington Circuit Court denied Reeder standing to sue the County, arguing that he is not an aggrieved party, because his property doesn’t abut the estate.” [Audrey Clement]

JUST IN: President Biden to Visit Arlington With Terry McAuliffe Next Week

By ARLnow.com

Published July 16, 2021 at 3:45PM

Then-Vice President Biden visits Liberty Tavern in 2013

President Joe Biden is planning a visit to Arlington next week.

Biden will be visiting the county on Friday with former Virginia governor and current Democratic gubernatorial nominee Terry McAuliffe, according to McAuliffe’s campaign.