News | ARLnow.com

BREAKING: McAuliffe Announces Deal to Widen Eastbound I-66

Published February 10, 2016 at 11:25AM | Updated January 16, 2018 at 2:31PM

The compromise is intended to appease lawmakers from outside the Beltway, many of whom opposed the idea of tolling I-66 without adding capacity to the often clogged highway. It’s likely to rankle some residents in Arlington, where in the 1970s a citizens group formed to oppose the construction of I-66 in the first place. That group now advocates for a “wiser, not wider” I-66.

According to various news reports, the compromise calls for eastbound I-66 to be widened to three through lanes between the Dulles Connector Road the Fairfax Drive/Glebe Road exit, within the existing highway right-of-way.

Morning Poll: Virginia Presidential Primary Preview

By ARLnow.com

Published February 10, 2016 at 10:00AM | Updated February 10, 2016 at 10:31AM

Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders were the big winners in yesterday’s New Hampshire primary.

How will “outsider” candidates Trump and Sanders fare in Arlington, when the Virginia presidential primary takes place on Super Tuesday, March 1? Let’s find out.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 10, 2016 at 9:15AM | Updated January 16, 2018 at 2:31PM

Four File to Run for School Board — It looks like there are four candidates running for two Arlington School Board seats this year. Incumbent Nancy Van Doren is running for reelection, while School Board member Emma Violand-Sanchez is retiring. First-time candidates Tannia Talento and Michael Shea are seeking the Democratic endorsement for School Board, while Realtor Chaz Crismon has filed papers to run without seeking the endorsement. [InsideNova]

More on Complete Streets Plan — The Arlington County Board approved a new Neighborhood Complete Streets program last month. The program ranks road projects by “points” earned by problems like speeding issues, frequent crashes, poor lighting and a lack of sidewalks, plus proximity to schools and transit. Some residents, however, are unhappy that the program doesn’t allow neighbors to directly vote on projects in their community. [Arlington Connection]

Locals Can Weigh In on Ballston Mall Bridge Redesign Tonight

By Andrew Ramonas

Published February 9, 2016 at 2:15PM

Plans for a revamped pedestrian walkway over Wilson Boulevard in Ballston are up for discussion tonight.

Arlington County is scheduled to host a community meeting on the redesign of the pedestrian bridge at Ballston Common Mall (4328 Wilson Blvd) from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The gathering is slated to happen in the mall’s second floor retail area across from the Payless shoe store.

Opower Staying in Arlington, Gov. McAuliffe Announces

By ARLnow.com

Published February 9, 2016 at 1:15PM

Gov. Terry McAuliffe and County Board Chair Libby Garvey (photo courtesy Arlington County)

Publicly-traded energy tech firm Opower is staying in Arlington, Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) announced at a press conference this morning, marking some good news for a county beset by the departures of large government agencies.

McAuliffe and County Board Chair Libby Garvey were among those making the announcement at Opower’s current headquarters at 1515 N. Courthouse Road in Courthouse, which President Obama visited in 2010, when the company was still a startup.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 9, 2016 at 9:00AM

Snow Emergency Routes to Be Enforced — For future large snowstorms (not for today’s flurries) Arlington County will begin enforcing towing on snow emergency routes, after more than two decades of non-enforcement. County Board Chair Libby Garvey also said Arlington’s snow clearing effort can use a bit of improvement. “There are clearly some things we need to do better,” she said. [InsideNova]

Substance in Potomac Found to Be Fuel Oil — The oily sheen on the Potomac is fuel oil, tests have determined, ruling out that it’s jet fuel or fuel from a car. The U.S. Coast Guard and Arlington authorities are still trying to find the source of the leak. They spent much of Monday inspecting storm drains in Arlington. [WTOP, Washington Post]

Kenmore Street Closed in Nauck Due to Flipped Convertible

By ARLnow.com

Published February 8, 2016 at 4:35PM

Part of S. Kenmore Street is temporarily closed to traffic due to a flipped vehicle.

The crash happened around 3:30 p.m. near the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Initial reports suggest a driver in a blue Ford Mustang convertible lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a parked pickup truck.

FiOS Service Coming to Fairlington As County Continues Comcast Negotiation

By ARLnow.com

Published February 8, 2016 at 1:30PM | Updated February 8, 2016 at 1:56PM

Fairlington is the last neighborhood in Arlington to be wired for FiOS, according to Rob Billingsley, Arlington County’s Cable Administrator.

Under an agreement with Verizon enacted in June 2006, the company agreed to complete a county-wide implementation of FiOS service within 10 years. The initial service build-out took place mostly in north Arlington, before Verizon’s fiber optic lines were brought to other parts of the county during a second phase of the project.

Dem Challenger Calls for Stepped-Up Lee Highway Planning Process

By ARLnow.com

Published February 8, 2016 at 11:30AM

Gutshall, a small business owner who serves on the Arlington Planning Commission, warned in a statement (below) that Lee Highway could experience “crazy-quilt development” if not for “a thoughtful, community-led planning process.” He called on the County Board to prioritize long-range planning for Lee Highway this year.

Gutshall is challenging County Board Chair Libby Garvey in the June 14 Democratic primary.

ICYMI: ‘Trump Vs. Bernie’ Debate Coming to Arlington Drafthouse

By ARLnow.com

Published February 8, 2016 at 10:00AM | Updated February 8, 2016 at 10:28AM

A mock Donald Trump vs. Bernie Sanders “comedy debate” will take place at the Arlington Cinema Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike) next week.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 8, 2016 at 9:00AM

Authorities Still Investigating Oil Sheen on Potomac — In an effort to find the source of an oily sheen on the Potomac River near the Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary, the Coast Guard, state authorities and the Arlington County Dept. of Environmental Services will be conducting a “dye test.” Non-toxic dye may be seen in the river today. At least 23 birds were were sent to a wildlife rescue organization for cleaning as a result of contact with the oil. [U.S. Coast Guard, Facebook, WJLA]

Two Displaced By Fire Near Clarendon — A structure fire Friday night on the 1200 block of N. Kirkwood Road, near Clarendon, has left two residents displaced. No one was injured in the blaze. The residents are being assisted by the Red Cross. [Twitter, Twitter]

Where Can You Watch the Super Bowl in Arlington?

By ARLnow.com

Published February 5, 2016 at 3:00PM

If you typed that into a search engine, we have a simple answer: pretty much anywhere that serves beer and has a TV. It’s a safe bet that if you walk into any bar in Arlington County at 6:30 p.m. Sunday — the time that the Super Bowl festivities are scheduled to start — the big game will be on.

There are, however, a couple of options in Arlington for those who are looking for a more unique Super Bowl experience.