News | ARLnow.com

UPDATED: Democratic Primary Turnout in Arlington Exceeds 2016

Published March 3, 2020 at 3:55PM | Updated March 3, 2020 at 10:30PM

Voting at Fairlington Community Center (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Update at 10:3o p.m. — With all the votes counted, at least unofficially, the 2020 Democratic presidential primary in Arlington was “one for the record books.” Arlington’s election office reported a turnout of 45% of registered voters, compared to 27% in 2016. A total of 70,451 people voted, compared to the previous primary record of 44,694 in 2008.

One for the Record Books…
UNOFFICIAL ELECTION NUMBERS
Absentee Turnout: 5,734
Election Day Turnout: 64,717
Total Turnout: 70,451
Active Voters: 156,433
Turnout: 45%
Outstanding Provisionals: 202

County May Consider Plan for Trails, Boating at Roaches Run

By ARLnow.com

Published March 3, 2020 at 11:00AM

Roaches Run (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

A stone’s throw from Crystal City is Roaches Run, a waterfowl sanctuary on the northern flight path to and from Reagan National Airport.

The body of water, surrounded by woods, is home to birds, ducks and dragonflies. Accessible primarily from a small parking lot off the southbound GW Parkway, most human activity is confined to fishing and birdwatching.

Former New Orleans Mayor Comes to Arlington to Talk Equity

By Vernon Miles

Published March 3, 2020 at 10:00AM

In a special work session with the Arlington County Board, former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu told the board that achieving racial equity will involve restructuring the budget.

The former mayor spoke to the County Board at a work session yesterday morning (Monday) as the County’s budget process kicks into high gear.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 3, 2020 at 6:00AM | Updated March 3, 2020 at 8:26AM

It’s Primary Day — Today is Super Tuesday, the presidential primary day in Virginia and 13 other states across the U.S. In Arlington, polls are open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Arlington public schools are closed to students today. [Arlington County, Twitter]

Beyer, Lopez Endorse Biden — Following his decisive victory in the South Carolina primary, former Vice President Joe Biden has picked up endorsements locally from Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) and Del. Alfonso Lopez (D). Lopez and former Gov. Terry McAuliffe were stuck in an elevator in Richmond for a half hour yesterday while heading to a Biden event. [Press Release, Twitter]

Dozen Laptops Stolen from Arlington Central Library

By ARLnow.com

Published March 2, 2020 at 3:50PM

Arlington County Police are investigating the theft of numerous laptops from Arlington Central Library.

The theft was discovered this morning and immediately reported to police.

School Board Candidate Drops Out of Democratic Caucus to Run as Independent

By ARLnow.com

Published March 2, 2020 at 2:30PM | Updated March 2, 2020 at 4:12PM

Local education activist Symone Walker is no longer seeking the Democratic endorsement in her campaign for School Board, instead opting to run purely as an independent in the fall.

In Virginia, all School Board races are nonpartisan, but parties can still endorse candidates. In a statement, Walker said she is no longer seeking the Arlington County Democratic Committee’s endorsement.

Foot Chase Leads to Arrest of Three Vehicle Tampering Suspects in Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com

Published March 2, 2020 at 1:15PM

Army Navy Drive at S. Joyce Street (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington County Police are continuing their crackdown on thefts and robberies in Pentagon City parking garages.

Police have stepped up patrols in the area after a series of armed carjackings and other crimes in shopping center garages. On Saturday evening, those extra patrols may have helped stop a trio of alleged, would-be thieves.

JUST IN: County Board Member Gutshall Hospitalized

By ARLnow.com

Published March 2, 2020 at 10:45AM | Updated March 2, 2020 at 1:02PM

Erik Gutshall after being elected in November 2017

Uncharacteristically, Arlington County Board Vice Chair Erik Gutshall did not attend this past month’s board meetings.

His absence, the reason for the five-member Board’s 4-0 vote on the county tax rate advertisement on Tuesday, is due to a serious health condition.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 2, 2020 at 6:00AM | Updated March 11, 2020 at 11:13PM

Oakland Park in Virginia Square, with public art installation "Ridge" in the background (file photo)

Big Costco Crowds Over the Weekend — The Pentagon City Costco drew big crowds and long queues of cars over the weekend, as people stocked up on supplies amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. There were some reports of the store running low on items like toilet paper. [Twitter, Twitter]

Vets Visit Iwo Jima Memorial — “This February marks 75 years since the American flag was raised atop Mt. Suribachi, depicted in the famous photograph by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal. That photo became the model for the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. This milestone is the reason a group of more than 50 Battle of Iwo Jima veterans descended on the memorial this week.” [WJLA]

ARLnow Weekend Discussion

By ARLnow.com

Published February 28, 2020 at 9:45PM

It’s time again for the rarest of holidays: Leap Day.

Whether you’re expecting a visit from Leap Day William, doing something you wouldn’t normally do all the other 1,460 days in between, or just going about your daily business, we hope you have a unique and Leap Day-worthy Saturday — and a great start to March.

JUST IN: SWAT Team Makes Drug Arrest Near Virginia Square Metro

By ARLnow.com

Published February 28, 2020 at 5:00PM

Narcotics investigation and arrest in Virginia Square

Heavily-armed Arlington County Police officers made what appears to be a major arrest near the Virginia Square Metro early Friday evening.

A SWAT team, police K-9s and plain-clothes officers could be seen near the Metro station and the Virginia Square Towers condo complex, on the 900 block of N. Lincoln Street, around 3:30 p.m. Friday. Two people, a man and a woman, were detained by police outside the Metro station.

APS, County ‘Closely Monitoring New Developments’ with Coronavirus

By ARLnow.com

Published February 28, 2020 at 1:35PM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:23AM

As the global coronavirus outbreak spreads and the stock market sinks, both Arlington County and Arlington Public Schools are ramping up their public outreach on the disease.

While there are no confirmed cases locally, and only one “possible” case being investigated in Northern Virginia, local governments, agencies, hospitals and schools throughout the D.C. region are continuing to make emergency preparations.