A woman died this morning after jumping from the Columbia Pike bridge over Four Mile Run.
Several witnesses saw the woman jump, around 10:30 a.m. She landed on a paved section of the Four Mile Run Trail and was pronounced dead on the scene.
Columbia Pike
|
The long-awaited process of demolishing the Navy Annex and its surrounding parking lots is scheduled to begin within the next month or two, officials tell ARLnow.com.
The 1 million square foot military office complex, first built in 1941 and located on the eastern end of Columbia Pike, will be torn down to make way for an expansion of Arlington National Cemetery. The entire 42-acre Navy Annex site, which includes a large surface parking lot on the other side of Columbia Pike, will be turned into a grass field in advance of an official transfer from the Department of the Army to Arlington National Cemetery in late 2013.
Glee Star to Visit W-L Today — Glee star Lauren Potter and Best Buddies founder Anthony Shriver will be visiting Washington-Lee High School’s Best Buddies chapter at 3:00 p.m. today (Friday). “The Washington-Lee chapter of Best Buddies was ranked number one among DC-MD-VA chapters based on the quality of friendships, student leadership and dedication to the Best Buddies mission,” according to Arlington Public Schools. Potter, who has Down syndrome, is best known for her role as Becky Jackson on the hit Fox TV series.
Chef Beats Out ‘Chief’ in Culinary Competition — Eventide Chef Adam Barnett emerged as the big winner in the Arlington Food Assistance Center’s “Chiefs vs. Chefs” cooking competition between professional restaurant chefs and amateur firehouse cooks. AFAC hopes to turn the fundraiser into an annual event. [Sun Gazette]
|
Updated at 3:10 p.m. — Columbia Pike has reopened to traffic, according to scanner reports.
(Updated at 2:45 p.m.) Columbia Pike has been shut down between Walter Reed Drive and S. Courthouse Road as a result of a working fire at a restaurant.
|
Despite statements to the contrary by each of the three candidates for Arlington County Board (see below), the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization says a modern streetcar system is a better option for Columbia Pike than a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.
Last night CPRO issued the following press release, explaining its support for the streetcar.
|
Update at 9:10 a.m. on 10/16/12 — The male victim is recovering from his injuries, while the female victim is still in critical condition in a medically-induced coma, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. Police are still awaiting the result of a blood test on the driver before pressing charges. According to Sternbeck, witnesses told police that the driver did a “burn out” at the intersection before losing control of the truck.
The driver of a pick-up truck lost control and plowed into two cyclists on Four Mile Run Drive this afternoon, police said.
|
Update at 4:15 p.m. — Co-owner Gloria Arias tells ARLnow.com that the restaurant will have the same menu as the Crystal City location. She’s hoping to open the new restaurant in November.
Crystal City Tex-Mex restaurant Cantina Mexicana is expanding with a second location in Arlington.
Youth Justice 5K on Sunday — Bluemont Park will be the scene of the first annual 5K Walk/Run for Justice on Sunday. The event will take place at noon and will raise money for Families and Allies of Virginia’s Youth, a nonprofit organization “dedicated to transforming the juvenile justice system in Virginia to one that is fair, effective and age-appropriate.” On-site registration is $25 and includes a free long-sleeved t-shirt. [DC Road Runners]
Arlington Fun Ride on Saturday — Phoenix Bikes is organizing a family-friendly 17-mile bike ride on Saturday. The Arlington Fun Ride will take riders on a leisurely bike tour of Arlington that will include stops in Crystal City, Ballston and Rosslyn. The ride will start at 8:00 a.m. and will begin and end at Phoenix Bikes (4200 S. Four Mile Run). There will also be a short children’s ride. The entry fee — $5 for individuals or $15 for families — will benefit Phoenix, a non-profit bike shop. Editor’s Note: The Arlington Fun Ride is an ARLnow.com advertiser. [Ode Street Tribune]
The first of 24 planned enhanced transit stops along Columbia Pike is less than a month away from opening.
|
(Updated at 2:20 p.m.) A car has plowed into the CVS Pharmacy at 5017 Columbia Pike for the second time in as many years.
The incident happened around 11:00. The car, a Mitsubishi sedan, hopped a curb smashed through a low wall and several large windows next to the entrance to the store, coming to rest on the sidewalk. Nobody was injured. Initial reports suggest the driver was trying to back out of the parking spot, but instead hit the gas while the car was in drive.
|
StoryCorps’ silver Airstream trailer will be stationed outside the Columbia Pike Branch Library and Arlington Career Center, at 816 S. Walter Reed Drive, through Oct. 20. The Brooklyn-based organization worked with Arlington Public Library and WAMU 88.5 to secure the location, which is accessible via several bus lines and via car (the library and career center share a sizable parking lot).
StoryCorps’ mission is “to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives.” To date, the organization has recorded more than 40,000 “interviews” since 2003. (Participants are asked to bring a friend, family member or colleague to do the interviewing; StoryCorps staff members only handle logistics and tend to the sound equipment.)
|
The accident happened around 11:15 a.m. Traffic camera images show the motorcycle under the truck, but initial reports suggest the motocyclist was able to slide his bike before coming in contact with the truck.
The motorcyclist is being transported to the hospital with what are being described as minor injuries.