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Morning Notes

Published October 31, 2018 at 8:45AM | Updated October 31, 2018 at 9:24AM

Metro Assault Suspect Arrested — The registered sex offender from Maryland suspected of groping a woman on an Orange Line train in Arlington has been arrested by Metro Transit Police “following media coverage” of the case. MTPD is now looking for additional victims. [Twitter]

Scott Parker Eyes D.C. for Next Venture — “Boston burger chain Tasty Burger has closed its sole D.C. location… Eater has learned Scott Parker — the restaurant owner of millennial-targeted bars such as Clarendon’s Don Tito and Ballston’s A-Town Bar and Grill — is pursuing a project at the Shaw location of the former burger joint in the Atlantic Plumbing building (2108 8th Street NW).” [Eater]

Vihstadt Raises More Cash Over Campaign’s Final Month, As De Ferranti Loans Himself Thousands

By Alex Koma

Published October 30, 2018 at 4:45PM | Updated October 31, 2018 at 8:48AM

Independent County Board member John Vihstadt managed to pull in more cash contributions than Democratic challenger Matt de Ferranti over the final month of the race, but de Ferranti has kept his campaign afloat financially thanks to hefty loans from both himself and his mother.

Vihstadt, the first non-Democrat to win a seat on the Board since 1999, raised about $27,400 from Oct. 1 through Oct. 25, according to campaign finance documents released yesterday (Monday). De Ferranti pulled in about $21,100 over the same time period, after quite narrowly out-raising Vihstadt over the course of September.

New Study Suggests People in Arlington’s Poorest Neighborhoods Are Less Able to Lead Healthy Lives

By Alex Koma

Published October 30, 2018 at 3:45PM

A map showing Healthy Places Index scores across Arlington and its neighbors (via MWCOG)

New research suggests that people living in Arlington’s poorest neighborhoods also have the fewest opportunities to lead healthy lives when compared to other communities throughout the entire D.C. region.

A study commissioned by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and conducted by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University show that many of Arlington’s most diverse neighborhoods with the lowest median incomes, such Columbia Heights, Nauck, Douglas Park and Buckingham, also scored the lowest in their measure of “health opportunities” across metropolitan Washington. The results closely mirror a previous study’s findings that people living in many of the same neighborhoods lack economic opportunities as well.

Bob and Edith’s on Columbia Pike Closes for Maintenance

By Alex Koma

Published October 30, 2018 at 1:45PM

The original Bob and Edith’s Diner along Columbia Pike is currently closed for maintenance.

A sign posted on the door of the diner, located at 2310 Columbia Pike, informs would-be customers of the closure, and was still posted as of noon today (Tuesday).

Ridesharing Service Via Expands into Arlington, Offering ‘Virtual Bus Stops’ for Riders

By Alex Koma

Published October 30, 2018 at 10:45AM

A Via driver in front of the Court House Metro station (courtesy of Via)

Arlington is getting a new ridesharing service that will offer “virtual bus stops” to encourage more efficient trips.

Via announced yesterday (Monday) that it plans to expand from D.C. into Arlington. The company says that for now it will not offer service to Reagan National Airport as part of its Arlington expansion, but it plans to do so “in the coming months.”

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 30, 2018 at 8:55AM

When Is Trick Or Treating in Arlington? — Wondering about tomorrow’s Halloween candy gathering? There are no official trick-or-treating hours in Arlington, but as in previous years you can expect to see the first little ghouls and goblins around 6 — sometimes a bit earlier — and the last door knocks should happen by 8 or 9 p.m.

Engagement Ring Found in Courthouse — “I found an engagement ring today on Wilson and N. Troy… Happy to reunite if owner can provide accurate description!” [Twitter]

With Medicaid Expansion Nearly a Reality in Virginia, Officials Prep New Outreach Efforts in Arlington

By Alex Koma

Published October 29, 2018 at 4:45PM

Jennifer Lee, the director of Virginia Medicaid, addresses a meeting on the expansion of healthcare coverage.

Fresh off the high of securing expanded Medicaid coverage for thousands of Arlingtonians, advocates and healthcare professionals have a new challenge to confront: how to reach people newly eligible for health insurance, when they might have no idea about the change.

That’s a big part of why state officials and Del. Patrick Hope (D-47th District) convened a meeting of more than 100 people Friday (Oct. 26) at the offices of Arlington’s Department of Human Services, offering strategies for just how they can help ensure that everyone who now qualifies for Medicaid gets covered when enrollment starts Thursday (Nov. 1).

Arlington Candidates Blanket Facebook With Hundreds of Ads in Run-Up to the Midterm Elections

By Alex Koma

Published October 29, 2018 at 3:45PM

Elections around Arlington may not attract the sort of expensive TV ads that have come to dominate local stations ahead of the midterm elections, but candidates around the county have shelled out thousands to bring their messages to Facebook.

An ARLnow analysis of the social media site’s political ad database shows that Arlington’s six candidates for Congress and local office on the ballot this fall have combined with the county’s party committees to buy 549 Facebook ads from Jan. 1 through today (Oct. 29).

JUST IN: Two People Electrocuted at Westover Village Construction Site

By Alex Koma

Published October 29, 2018 at 11:15AM | Updated October 29, 2018 at 11:48AM

Two people working on a construction site in Westover Village were electrocuted this morning (Monday), suffering injuries that sent both to the hospital.

Arlington firefighters were called to the 1000 block of N. Kennebec Street, just near Westover Park, around 9:45 a.m. today, the fire department said.

Maryland Man Wanted for Assaulting Woman on Orange Line Train in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published October 29, 2018 at 9:30AM | Updated October 30, 2018 at 1:53PM

Update 10/30/18: Timothy Day has been arrested, according to Metro Transit Police. Officers are now trying to determine if there are additional victims in the case.

JUST IN: Timothy L. Day has been arrested by MTPD warrant squad following media coverage. Thank you for your tips! Day is being held w/o bond pending court appearance tomorrow. MTPD believes there may be other victims, who are encouraged to call us at (301) 955-5000. #wmata pic.twitter.com/3J6sMcuP3b

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 29, 2018 at 8:00AM

2018 Marine Corps Marathon (Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf)

Marine Corps Marathon Recap — A D.C. man and a Costa Rican woman were the winners of the 43rd annual Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday. Meanwhile, the last “Groundpounder,” who had run every Marine Corps Marathon since its inception in 1976, announced his retirement on Saturday after deciding to withdraw from this year’s race. [RunWashington, Stars and Stripes, WTOP]

Arlington Gets Addiction Treatment Grant — “Arlington County has been awarded $250,000 from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) to help people with substance use disorders. The grant is part of the insurer’s nearly $2.1-million investment in community health organizations working to combat substance use disorders, including opioid use disorders.” [Arlington County]

Arlington Dog Rescue Group Issues Urgent Call for New Foster Homes

By Alex Koma

Published October 26, 2018 at 2:45PM

An Arlington pet rescue group says it has an urgent need for foster homes right now, with an influx of dogs displaced by hurricanes headed their way.

The Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation is putting out a new call for people willing to take in a dog on a temporary basis, in order to clear some room in the group’s kennel to welcome the new arrivals.