News | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published August 6, 2020 at 6:00AM

Va. Rolls Out Contact Tracing App — “Governor Ralph Northam today announced the launch of COVIDWISE, an innovative exposure notification app that will alert users if they have been in close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19.” [Commonwealth of Virginia, DCist]

Rosslyn Metro Closes During Rush Hour — The Rosslyn Metro station closed during yesterday’s evening rush hour, reportedly for a COVID-related cleaning. In what may be a sign of just how low ridership remains, ARLnow did not receive a single tweet or email tip about the closure of one of the system’s busiest stations. [Twitter]

Arlington Nears 3,000 Coronavirus Cases

By ARLnow.com

Published August 5, 2020 at 10:45AM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:13AM

Arlington is now just three shy of 3,000 coronavirus cases, as the rate of new cases continues to climb.

The county added 24 new cases overnight, bringing the cumulative total to 2,997. The number of new cases has been above the seven-day moving average — which now stands at 20 cases per day, or 140 per week, the highest point since June 11 — five out of the past six days.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published August 5, 2020 at 7:30AM

Storm Results in Minor Damage — Isaias only caused minor damage in Arlington as it roared past the D.C. area as a tropical storm. Arlington received about 2 inches of rain and some gusty winds as the storm passed. The rain did cause Four Mile Run to top its banks and cover the bike path near Carlin Springs Road. [Twitter]

Thousands of Local Renters Seeking Help — Arlington County “has been besieged with requests for help — in the eight months before the county declared an emergency because of the pandemic, her division received 821 requests for financial- and eviction-prevention assistance. Between March and May, that number was 2,378. The county hired temporary workers to supplement the county workers, who are working from home, and is trying to assist residents, some of whom don’t have Internet access and must rely on sending and receiving forms by mail.” [Washington Post]

Locally-Focused Store and Eatery Union Kitchen Opens in Ballston

By Vernon Miles

Published August 4, 2020 at 2:15PM | Updated August 4, 2020 at 4:00PM

Union Kitchen in Ballston (staff photo)

D.C.-based Union Kitchen — a retail shop and restaurant that acts as an accelerator for food and beverage businesses — opened yesterday in Ballston at 4102 Wilson Blvd, next to Compass Coffee.

Inside the business looks like a sleek, modern version of any other convenience store, but much of the food and beverages inside are from small local brands, albeit alongside larger brands like La Croix and M&Ms.

Two Dead of Suspected Overdoses as Arlington Battles Opioid Addiction

By ARLnow.com

Published August 4, 2020 at 10:30AM

Police car at night (file photo courtesy Kevin Wolf)

Narcotics may have claimed two more lives in Arlington over the weekend.

Police removed two bodies from an apartment along N. George Mason Drive in the Buckingham neighborhood Sunday night, a local resident told ARLnow. A police spokeswoman tells us that the preliminary death investigation pointed to drugs as a likely cause.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published August 4, 2020 at 9:30AM

Storm May Affect Waste Collection — “In preparation for the upcoming storm ‘Isaias,’ residents should properly secure trash, recycling, and yard waste carts in case of flooding and high winds… The storm may cause additional delays in collection services. Please leave un-serviced carts at the curb (if not a flood risk) until they are collected.” [Arlington County]

County COVID Testing Sites Closed — “Arlington’s COVID-19 sample collection sites at 1429 N. Quincy Street and Arlington Mill Community Center will be CLOSED Tuesday, August 4, in anticipation of inclement weather.” [Arlington County]

Arlington GOP Chair Kicked Out of Local COVID Facebook Group

By ARLnow.com

Published August 3, 2020 at 5:00PM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:13AM

(Updated at 8:20 p.m.) The chairman of the Arlington GOP has been booted from the “Arlington Neighbors Helping Each Other Through COVID-19” Facebook group for threatening to expose those who file complaints about local businesses.

In a post on Sunday, one of the group’s moderators said that Andrew Loposser posted screenshots showing the names and contact information of people who filed complaints about COVID-related violations in Virginia. He also threatened to reveal information others who complain.

Police Investigating Multiple Car Thefts, Break-ins

By ARLnow.com

Published August 3, 2020 at 3:35PM

File photo

Arlington is experiencing a rash of car-related crimes, with three separate theft sprees listed in today’s local crime report.

A man was arrested early Friday morning after security at the Pentagon City mall allegedly saw him break into three unlocked vehicles and try to break into two others. The suspect, who was not named, is expected to be charged with larceny from auto.

County Board Passes Emergency Ordinance Against Sidewalk Crowding

By ARLnow.com

Published August 3, 2020 at 10:30AM | Updated August 3, 2020 at 11:15AM

With coronavirus cases in Arlington continuing to rise, and large crowds still congregating in Clarendon on weekends, the County Board took action late last week to try to cut down on sidewalk crowding.

The Board unanimously passed an emergency ordinance “prohibiting groups of more than three people from congregating on streets and sidewalks posted with the restrictions, and requiring pedestrians to maintain at least six feet of physical separation from others on the posted streets and sidewalks,” according to a press release.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published August 3, 2020 at 6:00AM

Work on the Memorial Bridge in August (Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman)

Dozens March for Racial Justice — “A group of about 100 people marched more than three miles on a hot August afternoon through Arlington demanding justice for victims of police brutality and calling on the county’s elected officials to bring police reform to the county.” [Patch]

Police Investigating More KKK Stickers — “Stickers that appear to promote the Ku Klux Klan have been found on traffic signs and utility boxes in Arlington over the past month, Arlington police said… They were found between July 2 and 28 in four locations, mostly in the Yorktown neighborhood, on the back of traffic signs and on a utility box.” [Washington Post]

Rate of New Coronavirus Cases Rising Again in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published July 31, 2020 at 11:30AM

The trailing seven-day rate of new coronavirus cases in Arlington is back into the triple digits.

Twenty-three new cases were reported overnight, bringing the seven-day total of new cases to 114. One new COVID-related death was reported in the county, the first in two weeks. Three new hospitalizations have been reported over the past two days.

Dorsey’s Check Saga May Finally Be Over

By ARLnow.com

Published July 31, 2020 at 9:45AM | Updated July 31, 2020 at 10:41AM

Fulfilling a long-delayed promise, Arlington County Board member Christian Dorsey dropped off a cashier’s check for $10,000 to the headquarters of the Amalgamated Transit Union International yesterday.

The action is, one would assume, the last chapter in the saga of a political donation that caused Dorsey to lose his seat on the WMATA Board and lose the trust of some of his constituents in Arlington.