News | ARLnow.com

Immigration Rally Planned in Arlington Next Week

Published May 13, 2016 at 10:15AM | Updated May 16, 2016 at 9:40AM

Gustavo Torres, Executive Director of the immigrant advocacy and services organization CASA, says anti-immigrant rhetoric is prompting anxiety in the immigrant community and an increase in naturalization applications. His group is encouraging eligible Virginia residents to follow that trend and naturalize in time to vote this November.

CASA and Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-Ill.) are joining forces next Wednesday, May 18, for an event that will be part rally, part clinic “where CASA staff will advise potential citizenship seekers on the viability of their application.” The event will take place at Patrick Henry Elementary School (701 S. Highland Street) at 7:30 p.m.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 13, 2016 at 9:15AM

More Metro Issues This Morning — A signal problem near the King Street Metro station has led to significant delays on the Blue and Yellow lines this morning. [Twitter, Twitter]

Big Changes Planned for Ballston Church — The Central United Methodist Church at 4201 Fairfax Drive in Ballston is planning a complete redevelopment of its 30,000 square foot property. Preliminary plans have been filed to build “a new church, a new preschool space, and a seven-story, 132-unit apartment building — 60 percent market-rate and 40 percent dedicated affordable.” [Washington Business Journal]

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 12, 2016 at 10:20AM | Updated May 12, 2016 at 10:40AM

Zoning Board Rules in Favor of Gun Store — Arlington Board of Zoning Appeals has rejected a challenge to the Certificate of Occupancy for Nova Firearms, the gun store at 2300 N. Pershing Drive in Lyon Park. A group of residents filed the appeal, claiming that the store’s owner submitted false information to the county. [Daily Caller]

Complaints About Aircraft Noise in Barcroft — Residents of Arlington’s Barcroft neighborhood are organizing a working group to address the issue of aircraft noise, particularly noise from low-flying helicopters. [Chamandy.org]

Police: Man Held Knife to Woman’s Neck

By ARLnow.com

Published May 11, 2016 at 2:35PM

File photo

The incident happened around 1 p.m. in the Arlington Mill neighborhood, near Columbia Pike.

The victim, who was either a friend or family member of the suspect, suffered a cut to her hand and was transported to Virginia Hospital Center for treatment.

Housing Group Questions Blue Ribbon Panel

By ARLnow.com

Published May 11, 2016 at 11:30AM

In a letter to the panel’s principle supporter, County Board Chair Libby Garvey, and the four other members of the County Board, AHS asks the Board to delay implementation of the panel — the six members are slated to be appointed at the Board’s meeting on Tuesday — and gather more public feedback.

Garvey said last month that the panel would serve an advisory role for the Board and would not set policy, thus negating the need for an extensive public process.

Capital Bikeshare Stations Coming to Westover, W-L High School

By ARLnow.com

Published May 11, 2016 at 10:35AM

Planned Bikeshare station at Westover Library

New Capital Bikeshare station are coming to Washington-Lee High School and to the Westover Library.

Use permits for both are on this weekend’s Arlington County Board agenda. The stations will include docks for 16 bikes.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 11, 2016 at 9:30AM | Updated May 11, 2016 at 10:12AM

Firings at Peter Chang After Receipt Incident — Three employees have reportedly been fired and the chef’s own daughter is also on the chopping block at Peter Chang restaurant along Lee Highway. The firings come after a server included the insults “i have a small penis” and “im a plad [sic] a**hole” on a customer receipt. Chang has promised to improve service at his restaurant. [Washington Post]

Arlington Restaurants on Cheap Eats List — More than a dozen Arlington eateries have been included in Washingtonian magazine’s list of the top 100 inexpensive restaurants in the D.C. area. Among them: Bayou Bakery, Cheesetique, Pupatella, Ray’s Hell Burger, Yona and Peter Chang. [Washingtonian]

Zoning Board to Hear Resident Challenge to Gun Store

By ARLnow.com

Published May 10, 2016 at 6:40PM

Nova Armory, a firearms retailer, opened in March in Lyon Park amid local controversy. The store’s owner, Dennis Pratte, is now suing dozens of residents and lawmakers, accusing them of trying to interfere with his business.

Five local residents launched their own legal offensive when they filed an appeal to Arlington’s Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), challenging the county’s decision to issue Nova Armory a Certificate of Occupancy, which is required for businesses with a physical location in Arlington.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 10, 2016 at 9:20AM | Updated May 10, 2016 at 9:41AM

McAuliffe to Sign Bills at Wakefield HS — Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe will sign two pieces of school-related legislation during a visit to Wakefield High School Thursday morning. McAuliffe will sign SB 336/HB 895, which updates and modernizes high school graduation requirements, and SB 573/HB 279, which makes it easier for those in Career and Technical Education fields to become adjunct teachers.

Clement Calls for More Paving — Perennial candidate Audrey Clement, who is running as an independent for County Board, is calling for Arlington County to accelerate its street paving. “There are way too many potholes and cracked and broken pavements for Arlington residents to drive or walk safely to work, school, or shopping centers — let alone to bike,” Clement said. [Audrey Clement]

Arlington Man Among Group of MS-13 Members Convicted of Murder

By ARLnow.com

Published May 9, 2016 at 3:55PM

Gavel (Flickr photo by Joe Gratz)

Prosecutors say all 12 were members of the notorious MS-13 street gang, which has a presence in Northern Virginia.

The U.S. Attorney’s office issued the following press release Monday afternoon.

Is WeLive the Future of City Living? Find Out Next Week

By ARLnow.com

Published May 9, 2016 at 1:10PM

WeLive in Crystal City, in 2016

Next week, you can hear about it and see it for yourself.

ARLnow is holding an after-work event on Tuesday, May 17 called WeWork, WeLive and the Future of City Living. It’s taking place from 6-8 p.m. at WeWork (2221 S. Clark Street).

Crime Report: Woman Slaps Cop in Shirlington

By ARLnow.com

Published May 9, 2016 at 11:40AM | Updated May 13, 2016 at 12:17PM

File photo

Police say they originally responded to the scene because the woman, who was allegedly drunk at the time, was “attempting to regain entry into a restaurant” after it closed.

From the crime report: