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Morning Notes

Published January 19, 2011 at 5:21AM | Updated January 19, 2011 at 8:59AM

Arlington Sends Surprise $2.2 Million Bill to Falls Church — Arlington is billing the City of Falls Church an extra $2.2 million for its use of the Arlington County jail, the Falls Church News-Press reported late last night. Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields told the paper that Arlington sent the bill after discovering a “clerical error” that resulted in Falls Church being undercharged since 2008. [FCNP]

Lubber Run Renovation in Doubt — Arlington doesn’t have room in its current budget to pay for multi-million dollar renovations to the shuttered Lubber Run Amphitheater, County Manager Barbara Donnellan said at a recent public meeting. However, Donnellan said renovations could, theoretically, become a priority in future budget cycles. [Sun Gazette]

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Helen Thomas Joins Falls Church News-Press

By ARLnow.com

Published January 6, 2011 at 9:07AM | Updated January 6, 2011 at 3:37PM

Thomas was a long-time fixture in the front row of the White House briefing room, having begun her daily White House coverage in 1960. She resigned as a columnist for Hearst Newspapers last year after making controversial remarks about Jews and Israel. When asked by a video camera-wielding rabbi what she thought of Israel, Thomas said that Jews should “get the hell out of Palestine” and “go home” to Germany, Poland and the U.S.

Thomas, 90, will now be writing a weekly political affairs column exclusively for the News-Press.

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Seven Corners Water Main Break Has Arlington Impacts

By ARLnow.com

Published December 6, 2010 at 1:41PM | Updated December 6, 2010 at 4:18PM

Update at 4:15 p.m. — “All lanes are open on Route 50 near the 7 Corners and repairs have been completed,” according to City of Falls Church spokesperson Barbara Gordon. “Water pressure is back to normal for all residents and businesses in the area.”

A 12-inch water main burst under Route 50 this morning, snarling traffic and lowering water pressure in the area.

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Woman Dies After Lighting Herself on Fire in Falls Church

By ARLnow.com

Published November 1, 2010 at 3:12PM | Updated November 1, 2010 at 9:03PM

On a quiet residential street, two blocks away from the Broadale Village Shopping Center, a 54-year-old woman apparently doused herself with a flammable substance and lit herself on fire, according to Arlington fire department spokesperson Lt. Ed Hughes.

Falls Church police and Arlington firefighters and paramedics responded to the scene.

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Falls Church School Locked Down After Man With Gun Spotted

By ARLnow.com

Published July 30, 2010 at 11:21AM | Updated July 30, 2010 at 12:15PM

Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Falls Church was locked down around 9:30 this morning after a jogger told police she saw a man with an assault weapon in the area.

The man was wearing camouflage, a utility belt and a helmet, the woman said. Falls Church police officers searched the school and the neighborhood but did not find anyone matching the description. The scene has since been cleared, according to city spokesperson Hyun June.

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published July 16, 2010 at 5:36AM

Dangerous Curve Near Roosevelt Island? — Bicyclists on the Bike Arlington forum say that a sharp curve on the Mt. Vernon Trail near Roosevelt Island has been the site of numerous wipe-outs, at least one of which resulted in broken bones. The main problem with “Deadman’s Curve” seems to be that the painted wooden surface gets extremely slippery after it rains or even when it’s humid. Posters are calling on the National Park Service to make the surface more abrasive to prevent further accidents.

Arlington Caterer Ditches Plastic Bottles — Shirlington-based Main Event Caterers has done away with bottled water — at least the kind that’s plastic and disposable — in favor of a reusable glass bottle system. The company, which is already 100 percent wind-powered and carbon-neutral, says the move will significantly cut down on waste. “We believe that businesses have a responsibility to not only protect but also improve our natural environment,” a company rep said in a press release.

News

East Falls Church Plan, New Rosslyn Metro Station on Saturday’s Board Agenda

By ARLnow.com

Published July 9, 2010 at 3:31PM | Updated July 9, 2010 at 7:46PM

The board will vote on an initial framework for the East Falls Church development plan, which has attracted quite a bit of controversy. The plan could pave the way for the construction of apartment buildings, retail spaces and other dense, pedestrian-friendly development in what is now a much more single-family-home-oriented area.

Another item under consideration would result in the construction of a new entrance to the Rosslyn Metro station . The $32-35 million dollar project was originally meant to take place concurrent to the construction of the Rosslyn Central Place development, but the development has stalled due to financial complications.

News

Woman Suffers Serious Burns in House Fire

By ARLnow.com

Published May 26, 2010 at 6:29AM

A woman was flown via medevac helicopter to Washington Hospital Center’s burn center after a house fire Tuesday night.

The fire broke out around 8:00 at a house on the 1000 block of North Sycamore Street in Falls Church, near the East Falls Church Metro station. Although the fire was contained before it could spread to the rest of the home, firefighters say an older woman who lived there suffered “serious burns.”

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Afternoon Notes: New $104 Million School To Be Put To Voters?

By ARLnow.com

Published May 6, 2010 at 4:42PM

Voters May Be Asked to Approve New High School — The fate of a proposed new $104.6 million building for Wakefield High School may be put to voters. Assuming debt limit concerns can be addressed, Arlington Superintendent Dr. Pat Murphy would like to fund the project through a bond issue that would need to be approved by voters in November. More from the Sun Gazette.

Nordstrom Rack Sets Pentagon City Opening Date — A Nordstrom Rack clearance store is coming to the Pentagon Centre shopping center (which houses Costco, Best Buy and others, across from Pentagon City mall). The store will open on August 26, according to the company’s web site.

News

Falls Church PD Investigating Suspicious Death

By ARLnow.com

Published April 6, 2010 at 11:37AM

Falls Church police are investigating a “suspicious death” in the back parking lot of a shopping center.

A Latino man was found with an apparent gunshot wound to the head around 11:15 last night, after police received several calls from people who heard gunfire. The body was discovered in the parking lot of the shopping plaza between East Fairfax Street and Hillwood Avenue. A gun was found near the body, police said.

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Pedestrians Struck in Pentagon City, Falls Church

By ARLnow.com

Published March 31, 2010 at 6:29PM

An Air Force officer was hit by a car around 5:35 p.m. today in Pentagon City.

It happened underneath the I-395 overpass on 12th Street South, near South Clark Street. The victim, a man approximately 30 years old, was conscious but suffering from a head injury when first responders arrived on scene.

News

Falls Church Imam Gives State Capitol Blessing Despite Protests

By ARLnow.com

Published March 11, 2010 at 12:47PM

Del. Adam Ebbin (D), who represents part of Arlington and Falls Church, invited imam Johari Abdul-Malik of the Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center to give today’s opening prayer.

Groups including the Virginia Anti-Shariah Task Force and the Traditional Values Coalition protested, citing Abdul-Malik’s comments about due process for Muslims arrested on terror charges, along with his mosque’s brief link to two of the 9/11 hijackers. In the past, Abdul-Malik has spoken out against violence and terrorism.