The so-called backpack mail for parents of elementary and middle school students is being phased out in favor of an electronic system, following a successful pilot program, according to APS spokesman Frank Bellavia.
The system, called Peachjar, is specifically designed for schools. It sends electronic flyers to parents’ email inboxes, thus cutting costs and staff time that would otherwise be spent making paper copies and distributing them.
Mt. Vernon Trail Unplowed After Snowzilla — The National Park Service did not plow the Mt. Vernon Trail, a major bicycle commuter route, after the January blizzard. The snow-covered trail was, however, used by cross-country skiers. Cyclists would like the park service to consider changing its no-plowing policy. [Greater Greater Washington]
Va. GOP Does Away With Loyalty Oath — The State Board of Elections has approved a request from the Republican Party of Virginia that the state discard the loyalty oath the party originally wanted voters to sign during the March 1 presidential primary [Richmond Times-Dispatch]
(Updated at 8:20 p.m.) Firefighters were dispatched to the Pentagon City Metro station for a report of smoke in a Metro tunnel earlier this evening.
Emergency crews found an insulator fire on the inbound side of the tunnel. Trains bypassed the station while firefighters investigated the problem, according to ACFD. By 8:10 p.m., the fire had been extinguished and firefighters began leaving the scene.
A police spokeswoman tells ARLnow.com that the department will continue producing its daily crime reports. The weekly crime reports were just compilations of the daily reports and deemed redundant.
In the meantime, the police department is planning to start publishing a crime map on its website later this year.
The incident happened on the 3100 block of Wilson Blvd, in Clarendon. The man was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. The woman left the scene and remains at large.
From ACPD:
Ballston Company Raises $100 Million — Ballston-based Snagajob has announced a $100 million funding round. The company is planning to hire at least 150 new employees for its Arlington and Richmond offices and make some significant acquisitions. [Tech.co]
Democratic Challenger Launches Campaign — Small business owner and Planning Commission member Erik Gutshall formally launched his campaign to unseat Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey at last night’s Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting. Gutshall’s primary pitch to Democrats is “responsive, progressive leadership that you can trust.” Garvey upset many Democratic voters by endorsing independent Board member John Vihstadt and campaigning (successfully) to kill the Columbia Pike streetcar project. [InsideNova]
Police hope to intercept intoxicated drivers before they injure themselves or others. Typically, alcohol-related crashes spike on the day of the Super Bowl.
So far no DUI checkpoints are in the game plan, said a police spokeswoman, but ACPD is encouraging those who are drinking during the big game to hand off their keys to a responsible, designated driver.
(Updated at 4 p.m. on 12/23/21) A Centreville, Va. man is facing charges after police say he took an Uber to Clarendon and then proceeded to break into his ex-girlfriend’s home in order to beat up her new boyfriend.
Steve [Redacted], 25, has been charged with Assault and Battery and “Entering a Dwelling at Night with the Intent to Commit Assault and Battery,” according to Arlington County Police.
Via email and social media, residents of both south and north Arlington have told ARLnow.com that mail delivery has been sporadic since the blizzard, with some only having received one or two deliveries in the past 10 days.
From a Barcroft resident, along Columbia Pike:
(Updated at 11:15 a.m.) Arlington County firefighters are on the scene of a house fire on the 1300 block of N. Nelson Street, a block from Washington-Lee High School.
The fire department was called around 10:15 a.m. after residents and passersby spotted smoke coming from the home’s attic.
Wakefield Boys Still Undefeated — The Wakefield High School Boys Varsity basketball team beat Edison yesterday 73-61 to improve to 17-0. The Warriors will face Marshall on the road Friday night. [Warriors Athletics]
Registration Extended for Mardi Gras Parade — Those hoping to participate in the annual Clarendon Mardi Gras Parade have until 5 p.m. today, after the deadline was extended. “After two years of bad weather, our registration numbers are down a bit, so we want to encourage as many groups as possible to participate,” Clarendon Alliance Director Matt Hussmann tells us. “Right now we have 30 entries, but we have room for more.” [Clarendon.org]
Arlington resident Charles Hernick kicked off his candidacy at last week’s Arlington County Republican Committee meeting.
While Hernick supports limited government, free markets, gun rights and a strong military — to “strengthen diplomatic efforts and keep our country safe” — he doesn’t sound much like his party’s presidential candidates, who often speak against regulation and the EPA, when describing his career.
