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Morning Notes

Published September 23, 2016 at 8:45AM | Updated November 18, 2016 at 2:38PM

E-CARE Event This Weekend — Arlington County will hold its biannual E-CARE recycling event this Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson Middle School (125 S. Old Glebe Road). The event allows Arlington residents to drop off “household hazardous materials, bikes, small metal items, shoes, clothing and other recyclable items.” [Arlington County]

Arlington GOP Says No to Metro — The Arlington County Republican Committee voted to oppose a transportation bond on the local November ballot. GOP members objected to the portion of the bond that would fund Arlington’s obligatory share of Metro’s capital budget, saying that voting no would send a message to Metro’s management. [InsideNova]

Caught on Camera: Men Sought in Theft of Wheels in Pentagon City Area

By Andrew Ramonas

Published September 22, 2016 at 3:50PM | Updated September 22, 2016 at 6:01PM

(Updated at 6 p.m.) Two men wanted for stealing tires and rims from at least three cars in the Pentagon City area this month have been caught on camera, Arlington County Police said today.

The thefts happened on the 1600 block of S. Joyce Street around 7:15 a.m. on Sept. 8, the 1300 block of Army Navy Drive around 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 8 and the 900 block of S. 15th Street around 3 a.m. on Sept. 20.

Board to Vote on Funding for Nonprofit Purchase of Westover Apartments

By Andrew Ramonas

Published September 22, 2016 at 11:30AM

Westover garden apartment building (photo via Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing)

The Arlington County Board is set to consider a plan to lend about $11 million to a nonprofit organization looking to save affordable garden apartments in Westover.

The Board is scheduled to vote Saturday on the eight-figure loan from the county’s Affordable Housing Investment Fund. The financing would allow the nonprofit Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing to buy eight apartment buildings in the neighborhood, according to the county. The purchase would account for 68 affordable units — all but four are one bedroom units — at an average acquisition cost of about $215,000 per unit.

Board to Consider Upgrades to Aurora Hills Library, Community Center

By ARLnow.com

Published September 22, 2016 at 10:30AM

The Arlington County Board is expected to approve $555,000 in interior upgrades to the Aurora Hills Community Center and Library at its meeting this weekend.

The low-slung building, located at 735 18th Street S., near Pentagon City, houses both a library and a senior center. In explaining the need for upgrades, county staff said the center is “an aging facility.”

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 22, 2016 at 9:30AM

Arlington Golfer Competing for Amateur Title — Psychotherapist Matthew Sughrue, an Arlington resident, has advanced to the championship match of the U.S. Senior Amateur golf tournament. Sughrue, 57, will face 62-year-old Dave Ryan, of Illinois, in a final round today. [ESPN, USGA]

Local Photographer Has Overcome Many Obstacles — Susan Bainbridge, a freelance news photographer and journalist, has a remarkable story of overcoming obstacles. Bainbridge, who also co-founded Arlington County Crime Solvers, has battled disabilities and a series of debilitating accidents from birth into adulthood. Since 2011 Bainbridge has served as an usher during Sunday evening mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More, even working through a torn knee ligament and a hip injury from a fall last year. [Catholic Herald]

Police Looking for Seller of Fraudulent Drake Tickets

By ARLnow.com

Published September 21, 2016 at 4:45PM

Fraudulent ticket suspect (photo courtesy ACPD)

Arlington County Police released photos today of a man they say sold fake tickets to a recent Drake concert on Craigslist.

“The subject posted ads on Craigslist for tickets to the Drake concert on August 19 and met the victims in Pentagon City,” police said in a Facebook post.

Residents Want County Board to Cancel Bluemont Park Baseball Field Project

By ARLnow.com

Published September 21, 2016 at 3:50PM

Planned baseball field at Bluemont Park

A $720,000 project to renovate a baseball field in Bluemont Park, approved by the County Board in July, is now facing some community resistance.

A number of residents, along with the Boulevard Manor and Bluemont civic associations, have written letters to the Board asking them to reconsider their decision. The primary concern: a planned fence around the new field.

Crime Report: Bomb Threat at Police Headquarters

By ARLnow.com

Published September 21, 2016 at 1:45PM | Updated February 27, 2020 at 4:32PM

File photo

The threat prompted a sweep of the building, which houses Arlington County Police headquarters and local courts. No explosives were found.

From an ACPD crime report:

County Staff Recommends Wilson School Site for Temporary Fire Station

By ARLnow.com

Published September 21, 2016 at 11:45AM

County staff's temporary fire station site recommendation

This summer’s back-and-forth drama over the location for a temporary fire station in Rosslyn will culminate in a County Board vote this weekend.

Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz is recommending that the Board stick with the original plan: to build and operate a temporary fire station on the Wilson School site while Fire Station 10 is torn down and a new permanent fire station is built in its place as part of a private redevelopment.

AWLA: Tests Negative on Suspicious Meatballs Found By Dog Owner

By ARLnow.com

Published September 21, 2016 at 10:45AM

The suspicious meatballs found by a dog owner in Bluemont Park have been tested and all the tests for harmful substances came back negative, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington says.

“The lab tested for anticoagulants (which would cause massive internal bleeding) and organic chemicals including pesticides, therapeutic and illicit drugs, euthanasia agents and environmental contaminants,” said AWLA’s Susan Sherman. “All tests were negative.”

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 21, 2016 at 9:45AM | Updated September 21, 2016 at 10:47AM

Another Temporary Extension for Comcast — The Arlington County Board this weekend is expected to approve another temporary extension of the county’s franchise agreement with cable operator Comcast. The extension will run through Oct. 31, 2016. Comcast’s last long-term franchise agreement in Arlington expired in 2013; officials say the temporary extensions have been necessary to allow negotiations to continue. [Arlington County]

Arlington Community High School Open House — The former Arlington Mill High School program has a new name, a new location and will be holding an open house this weekend. Arlington Community High School, as it is now known, has moved to the former Fenwick Center at 800 S. Walter Reed Drive. The school is holding an open house from 9-11:30 a.m. this coming Saturday. [Arlington Public Schools]

Fairlington Residents Are Being Terrorized By Pugnacious Raccoons

By ARLnow.com

Published September 20, 2016 at 2:30PM | Updated July 19, 2017 at 3:12PM

The latest attack happened Sunday night on the 4800 block of 28th Street S.

“Last night my husband and I were in our living room when we heard HORRIFIC screams coming from outside,” a resident wrote. “We went outside and learned a woman was being attacked by a ‘cute’ raccoon. The paramedics were called.”