Hundreds Ticketed for Passing Stopped School Buses — Last year, 618 drivers in Arlington County received a $250 fine for illegally passing a stopped school bus. A police spokeswoman said it was “very alarming” that so many drivers were ignoring the lights and stop arm on buses. [WJLA]
Firefighter Places Fourth in Bodybuilding Competition — An Arlington County firefighter, Capt. Tiffanye Wesley, finished fourth in the 40+ figure bodybuilding competition at the 2017 World Police and Fire Games in Los Angeles. [Twitter]
Arlington Bishop’s Statement on Charlottesville — Bishop Michael Burbidge released a statement earlier this week about the deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville. Burbidge condemned “racism, bigotry and self-proclaimed superiority,” writing: “For Christians, any form of hatred, no matter who it is against, is an offense — a sin — against the Body of Christ. Each person is created by God and bestowed with His unyielding love.” [Catholic Diocese of Arlington]
Hate Groups in Arlington — The Southern Poverty Law Center lists three hate groups as being headquartered or having a presence in Arlington, though the local connection is questionable for at least two of them. ProEnglish, an anti-immigrant group, is listed by the SPLC as having an Arlington headquarters, but it has a Washington, D.C. office address listed on its website. The National Policy Institute, headed by white nationalist Richard B. Spencer, lists an Arlington P.O. box but its headquarters is in Alexandria, according to news reports. The Center for Perpetual Diversity, a white nationalist organization that is fighting immigration in Europe and pushing for African Americans to return to Africa, is listed as having an Arlington headquarters. It has an Arlington P.O. box with a 22204 ZIP code. [Southern Poverty Law Center, Patch]
Arlington Near Top of Va. SOL Results — “Pass rates for Arlington Public Schools students on Standards of Learning tests taken last spring were up in 11 cases, down in 12 and unchanged in six from a year before, according to new state data. The county school system met or exceeded statewide passing rates in all but one of 29 exams, and exceeded the statewide rate by 5 points or more on 17 of the assessments.” [InsideNova, WTOP]
After weeks of anticipation ahead of its August 26 block party, the Arlington County Police Department on Thursday, August 10 released its video of officers synchronized swimming to advertise the festivities.
The video begins with officers looking at hundreds of bottles of water, wondering if it will be enough to quench the thirst of attendees. Then the video cuts to show five officers removing some of their bulkier equipment before diving into the pool — it was filmed at the Dorchester Towers apartments along Columbia Pike — to perform a synchronized swimming routine.
The video is one of several created to promote the third annual Police, Fire and Sheriff Block Party. Another released on August 2 shows an officer and a child demonstrating the ninja obstacle course, one of several activities at the event.
The block party will take place on August 26 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Kenmore Middle School (200 S. Carlin Springs Road). The event is free and will be geared towards families.
Activities scheduled throughout the day include: “Behind the Badge,” an interactive activity that will simulate police scenarios for residents; a training on police tactics to get a taste of what it’s like being an officer; VIN etching; demonstrations from police K-9s and motorcycle officers; a distracted driving course; a “helicopter and vehicle expo” and more.
VT Says It Is Behind ‘Driverless’ Van — The “driverless” van seen driving around Clarendon over the past week was actually a Virginia Tech research project designed to record the “real world reactions” to a vehicle without a driver. However, there was a driver: a man dressed as a car seat. The mystery was solved in real time on Twitter yesterday and quickly went viral. [NBC Washington, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Twitter]
Retired Colonel Saved By Quick-Acting EMS Crew — Firefighters and EMS personnel from Arlington and Alexandria helped to save the life of a retired U.S. Army colonel who went into cardiac arrest in his home in Crystal City. The crew used defibrillators to revive him. [Facebook, WJLA]
Obit: Patsy Ticer — Patsy Ticer, a former four-term Virginia state Senator who represented parts of Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax, has died at the age of 82. [Washington Post, InsideNova]
Marymount Moves Into New Ballston Building — Faculty and staff are moving into Marymount University’s newly-built Ballston building, in time for the start of the new school year. [Twitter]
https://twitter.com/acfdpio/status/893079422403846146
The Arlington County Fire Department and its T-Rex got in on the latest viral video meme.
ACFD sent the costumed dinosaur on the “Drive by Dunk Challenge,” tweeting out a video of the escapades. The result: a five-alarm fail of a dunk attempt.
The video shows an ACFD truck driving around Arlington and stopping outside houses with basketball hoops, where the T-Rex runs over to the hoop and attempts to dunk the ball with its tiny arms before racing back to the truck.
At one point, the dinosaur falls on its side, while another time, the dinosaur climbs down the truck’s ladder and gingerly plops the ball into the hoop.
The challenge began when an Instagram user named posted a video of him dunking a basketball on strangers’ driveways. It has since spread nationally, with police officers and NBA players getting in on the action.
ACPD Says It Follows the Constitution — In a public statement of values, the Arlington County Police Department said yesterday that it “has always adhered to the Constitution and is committed to safeguarding the rights of all individuals.” The department continued: “We faithfully, and without bias, honor our obligations to the community and will continue to provide professional law enforcement services in accordance with our core values.” [Facebook]
Bistro 1521 Now Open — Filipino restaurant Bistro 1521 reportedly opened last night. The 7,000 square foot eatery is located in the former Applebee’s space at 900 N. Glebe Road in Ballston. [Washington City Paper]
District Taco Opening in Pa. — District Taco, which started as a tiny food cart in Arlington, is continuing to expand. DT is planning to open a location in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, its first restaurant outside of D.C., Maryland and Virginia. [Twitter]
Fmr. Arlington Resident Sexually Enslaved Housekeeper — A former American diplomat, who reportedly used to live in Arlington, “has for the second time been found liable for enslaving and sexually trafficking a housekeeper while posted at the U.S. Embassy in Yemen.” [Washington Post]
ACFCU Branch Closed After Fire — The N. Glebe Road branch of Arlington Community Federal Credit Union is closed after a fire yesterday evening. “Thx for understanding as we work 2 make sure bldg is safe,” the credit union said via social media. [Twitter]
ACFD Battles Fire in Bailey’s Crossroads — The Arlington County Fire Department has had a busy couple of days. The department battled at least three fires yesterday afternoon and also, on Saturday, assisted on a blaze in an empty apartment at a three-story complex on Oakview Gardens Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads. Five people were displaced and $20,000 in damage was caused, but no injuries were reported. [Falls Church News-Press]
Photo courtesy Curtis Prathers
(Updated at 6:15 p.m.) Arlington County firefighters are on scene of a possible electrical fire at a commercial building along N. Glebe Road near Lee Highway.
The fire was first reported around 5:45 p.m. at 2130 N. Glebe Road, which houses an Arlington Community Federal Credit Union branch and Patriot Crossfit.
Arriving units reported smoke coming from the building. As of 6:10 p.m. there was no active fire reported and some units were starting to leave the scene. As of 6:15 p.m., the northbound lanes of Glebe were being reopened.
All lanes of N. Glebe Road are currently closed between Lee Highway and 21st Street N., according to ACFD.
#Breaking: Units on scene of a working fire in the 2100 Blk of N Glebe Rd. Smoke showing on arrival. Avoid the area. #ACFD pic.twitter.com/MlCwAS0lxm
— Arlington Fire (@ACFDPIO) July 31, 2017
N. Glebe Road is shut down in both directions between Lee Highway and 21st Street N. #AvoidTheArea
— Arlington Fire (@ACFDPIO) July 31, 2017
This is our 3rd structure fire call in as many hours. Busy day for ACFD. Thanks to our regional partners @ffxfirerescue and @AlexandriaVAFD!
— Arlington Fire (@ACFDPIO) July 31, 2017
#Update: The situation has been brought under control. Power has been cut to the building by @DomEnergyVA. Units are going in service. #ACFD
— Arlington Fire (@ACFDPIO) July 31, 2017
The Arlington County Fire Department’s month-long donation drive for the Animal Welfare League of Arlington begins tomorrow (Tuesday).
Now in its second year, Operation Firepaws will run throughout August as firefighters across the county collect various non-perishable items for AWLA. Last year, more than 600 pounds of pet supplies was donated, a total ACFD hopes to beat this year.
The fire department and AWLA ask mostly for donations of canned food, collars, toys and some office supplies. The Animal Welfare League asked that Milk Bones, other boxed hard treats and homemade treats not be donated.
Throughout the month, the fire department will feature pet safety tips and profiles of pets up for adoption from AWLA on its Facebook and Twitter pages.
Donations will be accepted through August 31, and are encouraged between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Donation bins will be located in front of the entrances of all county fire stations:
- Fire Station 1 – 500 S. Glebe Road
- Fire Station 2 – 4805 Wilson Blvd
- Fire Station 3 – 4100 Old Dominion Drive
- Fire Station 4 – 3121 10th Street N.
- Fire Station 5 – 1750 S. Hayes Street
- Fire Station 6 – 6950 Little Falls Road
- Fire Station 7 – 3116 S. Abingdon Street
- Fire Station 8 – 4845 Lee Highway
- Fire Station 9 – 1900 S. Walter Reed Drive
- Fire Station 10 – 1559 Wilson Blvd
(Updated at 4 p.m.) Arlington County firefighters are battling a house fire in Lyon Village.
The fire was reported around 3:15 p.m. on the 1700 block of N. Edgewood Street.
As of 3:35 p.m. light smoke was still coming from the house’s roof as firefighters were cutting a hole in the roof with a chainsaw and dousing the upper floor with water.
Af of 3:45 p.m. it appeared that the fire had been extinguished. So far no injuries have been reported, and all the house’s occupants evacuated safely.
On account of the warm weather, the fire department was careful to ensure that firefighters were given plenty of water and time to cool off after battling the flames.
This is the second house fire in the Lyon Village neighborhood in the past month.
— Arlington Fire (@ACFDPIO) July 31, 2017
#BREAKING Photos from the scene at the house fire near 18th St N and Edgewood. pic.twitter.com/R6G4h7eha3
— Arlington Fire (@ACFDPIO) July 31, 2017
A bus stop, fire hydrant and sign were damaged by an errant driver in the Shirlington area this past Saturday evening.
The fire department tweeted a photo of the damage Monday, with a skull-and-crossbones above the fallen hydrant, urging drivers to “keep your wheels on the road and save our hydrants!”
Arlington County Police Department spokeswoman Ashley Savage said the driver of the striking vehicle — a Nissan Altima — was cited for the crash.
“At approximately 7:11 p.m. on July 22, police responded to a single vehicle crash in the 2500 block of S. Arlington Mill Drive,” said Savage. “The driver was traveling eastbound on S. Arlington Mill Drive when the vehicle left the roadway and collided with a bus stop, fire hydrant and light pole. The driver was cited for failure to maintain proper control of their vehicle.”
So far, there’s no exact timeframe or cost estimate for repairs.
“The bus stop is on the schedule to be fixed as soon as possible,” said Dept. of Environmental Services spokeswoman Jessica Baxter. “Crews will have to get in there and assess the damage to determine cost and timeline for repair.”
Photo (top) via Arlington County Fire Department/Twitter, (middle) via Google Maps
Girls’ Firefighting Camp Featured on BBC — The annual girls’ firefighting camp held by Arlington County was the subject of a BBC News video segment, which was published online yesterday. [BBC]
Arlington Treated to ‘Massive’ Rainbow — After yesterday’s downpours, a bright rainbow was visible over Arlington, prompting a photo opportunity that many took advantage of. [Twitter]
Sunday’s Storm on Video — A Pentagon City resident captured one of Sunday’s storms on video, showing torrential rain, strong wind and a screen door that had blown off a building and got stuck in a tree. [YouTube]
A crash involving a motorcyclist sent one person to the hospital and closed lanes on Glebe Road this morning.
The crash happened around 10 a.m. in the southbound lanes of Glebe near an on-ramp to Route 50. Initial reports suggest a driver in a silver Mercedes-Benz struck the motorcycle, sending its rider tumbling onto the street.
The rider reportedly suffered only minor injuries and was transported via ambulance to the hospital.
An Arlington County Fire Department hazmat crew witnessed the crash and was the first to call it in to dispatchers, according to scanner traffic.
The southbound lanes of Glebe were blocked immediately following the crash. As of 10:55 a.m. one lane remains blocked as the motorcycle is loaded onto a flatbed tow truck.
Glebe Rd @ Arlington Blvd: Follow police direction, downed motorcycle #Arlington #VaTraffic #DCTraffic https://t.co/nb3VFR1abs pic.twitter.com/3UKpnZvxm6
— WTOP Traffic (@WTOPtraffic) July 24, 2017
Arlington County will receive more than $1 million in federal grant money to prepare for future terrorist attacks, Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) announced last week.
Arlington, home to the Pentagon and other key government and military offices, will receive just over $1.2 million from the Program to Prepare Communities for Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attacks grant program, administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
A total of $35.9 million was allocated nationwide, of which Virginia received $3.8 million.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management will receive just over $2 million, and the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority will receive just over $595,000. MWAA is responsible for managing Reagan National Airport in the county as well as Dulles International Airport and the Dulles Toll Road.
VDEM will administer the money and coordinate a project to help enhance security and building safety to prepare for, prevent and respond to terrorist attacks. The agency will conduct an analysis alongside local and regional partners like Arlington’s Office of Emergency Management and its police and fire departments, to determine gaps in preparedness. Local first responders then will receive customized training to fill the gaps.
“Given our strategic location as a part of the national capital region, and our wide array of assets, including military infrastructure, we are at risk of experiencing these types of attacks and incidents,” said Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) in a statement. “FEMA clearly recognized that risk and has awarded Virginia nearly 10 percent of the total funding allocated nationwide to develop programs and capabilities that will enhance public safety across the Commonwealth.”
Spokespeople for Arlington’s police and fire departments had no further details at this stage on how the money will be spent.
(Updated at 11:30 a.m.) Arlington County firefighters are on scene at the Rosslyn Metro station, investigating a reported track fire between Rosslyn and Courthouse.
No smoke or fire has so far been found in any of the tunnels. However, Metro is warning of delays on the Orange and Silver lines as a result of single-tracking through Rosslyn.
Traffic impacts are likely outside of the Rosslyn station due to a large number of fire department vehicles. As of 11:30 a.m., most fire personnel were starting to clear the scene, reporting that the problem is a Metro maintenance issue and not an active fire.
Orange Line: Trains are single tracking btwn Foggy Bottom and Clarendon due to a track problem outside Rosslyn. Delays in both directions.
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) July 14, 2017
11:06A SV/Wiehle offloading @ Foggy Bottom to perform a track inspection after report of a possible track issue ahead. #wmata ^SR
— Rail Transit OPS (@RailTransitOPS) July 14, 2017
(Updated at 10:20 p.m.) A person was struck by a train at the Virginia Square Metro station Thursday night.
The incident happened around 9:30 p.m. Initial reports suggest the person who was struck is still on the tracks and has died.
Police and firefighters are on the scene. Metro Transit Police say an adult male was on the tracks “intentionally” and was struck and killed. One witness said the deceased individual “jumped in front of… a Silver Line train headed into the city.”
Metro’s Orange and Silver lines are suspended between East Falls Church and Clarendon. Shuttles are being dispatched to the stations. Metro riders should expect delays on both lines.
Virginia Sq: MTPD o/s due to adult male stuck by train. Individual intentionally entered track bed. This is a fatality. Service suspended.
— Metro Transit Police (@MetroTransitPD) July 14, 2017
Blue Line: Expect delays in both directions due to congestion from delayed Orange & Silver Line trains.
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) July 14, 2017
Silver Line: Train service suspended btwn E Falls Church & Clarendon due to a person stuck by a train at Virginia Sq. Shuttles requested.
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) July 14, 2017
What's going on at Virginia Square #metro? Five engines, eight police cars, more urgency than usual. @ARLnowDOTcom pic.twitter.com/d4Ax1zXmjW
— TomReadmond (@tomreadmond) July 14, 2017
More from Virginia Square Metro pic.twitter.com/ygKdGCf1ei
— LincolnACFD (@LincolnACFD) July 14, 2017
Virginia Sq: MTPD o/s due to adult male stuck by train. Individual intentionally entered track bed. This is a fatality. Service suspended.
— Metro Transit Police (@MetroTransitPD) July 14, 2017
POLICE ACTIVITY: ACPD assisting @MetroTransitPD with investigation at Virginia Square Metro. Expect police presence in area.
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) July 14, 2017
Arlington County firefighters helped to rescue a woman who fell down an embankment near Chain Bridge this afternoon.
The incident happened around 3 p.m. Initial reports suggest a 72-year-old woman fell 100-150 feet down an embankment along the Potomac Heritage Trail.
A fire department technical rescue team was dispatched to the scene, but rescuers were able to eventually walk the patient up the hill and to an ambulance, where she was evaluated for injuries, according to scanner traffic.
Police blocked the inbound lane of N. Glebe Road near the bridge during the rescue, due to a large number of fire department vehicles in the roadway.
Image via Google Maps
