Lyon Park | ARLnow.com

Zoning Board to Hear Resident Challenge to Gun Store

Published May 10, 2016 at 6:40PM

Nova Armory, a firearms retailer, opened in March in Lyon Park amid local controversy. The store’s owner, Dennis Pratte, is now suing dozens of residents and lawmakers, accusing them of trying to interfere with his business.

Five local residents launched their own legal offensive when they filed an appeal to Arlington’s Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), challenging the county’s decision to issue Nova Armory a Certificate of Occupancy, which is required for businesses with a physical location in Arlington.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 10, 2016 at 9:20AM | Updated May 10, 2016 at 9:41AM

McAuliffe to Sign Bills at Wakefield HS — Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe will sign two pieces of school-related legislation during a visit to Wakefield High School Thursday morning. McAuliffe will sign SB 336/HB 895, which updates and modernizes high school graduation requirements, and SB 573/HB 279, which makes it easier for those in Career and Technical Education fields to become adjunct teachers.

Clement Calls for More Paving — Perennial candidate Audrey Clement, who is running as an independent for County Board, is calling for Arlington County to accelerate its street paving. “There are way too many potholes and cracked and broken pavements for Arlington residents to drive or walk safely to work, school, or shopping centers — let alone to bike,” Clement said. [Audrey Clement]

News

Report: Nova Armory Sues Residents, Lawmakers

By ARLnow.com

Published April 25, 2016 at 3:15PM | Updated April 25, 2016 at 5:02PM

Update at 5:00 p.m. — A copy of the lawsuit can be downloaded here.

Lyon Park gun store Nova Armory is suing 64 people who spoke out against its recent opening, including local residents and lawmakers.

News

County Finds Compromise With Homeowners Connected to Failing Sewer Line

By ARLnow.com

Published April 21, 2016 at 4:45PM

Eleven homes on the 900 block of N. Daniel and Danville streets are connected to a failing sewer line that runs through their backyards. The line is believed to date back to the 1920s, when the first of the homes in the neighborhood were built.

As we reported in 2013, county workers had been clearing occasional blockages of the line, until the county determined that it did not actually own the line — it was privately constructed and the county had “no rights to operate or maintain this line.”

News

Tumble Out of Window Sends Worker to Hospital

By ARLnow.com

Published April 20, 2016 at 2:10PM

The incident happened just before 11:30 a.m., in a low-slung commercial building on the 2700 block of Washington Blvd.

Police say a maintenance worker accidentally tumbled out of a second-floor window and landed on his head. He was transported to George Washington University Hospital with serious injuries.

News

The Gun Store and the Teen Entrepreneur

By Mark Hand

Published March 30, 2016 at 9:45AM

On Saturday, March 26, 16-year-old Lauren Pratte took part in the grand opening of her new retail gun store, NOVA Armory, on Pershing Drive in the Lyon Park neighborhood.

The public turned out in big numbers to check out the inventory in Pratte’s store. Officials from the National Rifle Association, headquartered in Fairfax County, and the Virginia Citizens Defense League, a pro-gun organization, also showed up to celebrate the store’s opening.

News

Police: Moped Rider Struck by Object Then Beaten By Drunk Men

By ARLnow.com

Published March 28, 2016 at 4:30PM

Police say a man was riding his moped down the street just after 2 a.m. on Sunday when he was struck on the helmet by an unknown object. The incident happened on N. Pershing Drive, near Lyon Park and the intersection with N. Fillmore Street.

While trying to flee the area the man lost control of his moped. Then, the victim told police, four people set upon him and began beating him. One of those suspects was known to the victim, said Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 28, 2016 at 7:30AM

Buyers Found for Market Common — A pair of buyers has reportedly been found for the Market Common mixed-use development in Clarendon. Regency Centers and AvalonBay are said to be partnering to buy the shopping center and apartment complex for $410 million. [GlobeSt.com]

Lyon Park Gun Store Opens — After a month of controversy, Nova Armory opened its doors on Saturday, with dozens of gun enthusiasts showing up to support the store. In a rally nearby, local lawmakers urged residents to continue the fight against the store, but said that due to Virginia law there was nothing else they could legally do to prevent the shop from opening. [Washington Post]

Events

Gun Store to Hold Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony While Opponents Hold ‘Community Celebration’

By ARLnow.com

Published March 25, 2016 at 12:30PM

The grand opening for Nova Armory is scheduled for 9 a.m., at the store on 2300 N. Pershing Drive. Among those scheduled to be in attendance are Del. Rich Anderson (R-Prince William), Virginia Citizens Defense League President Philip Van Cleave and “distinguished members” of the National Rifle Association.

The event will feature a ribbon cutting ceremony, some free Nova Armory schwag, a “gun coupon give-away,” and free coffee and pastries, according to the store’s website.

News

Crime Report: Peeping Tom in Lyon Park

By ARLnow.com

Published March 24, 2016 at 11:30AM | Updated February 27, 2020 at 4:19PM

Arlington police car (file photo)

The incident happened just before 11 p.m., at the Sheffield Court Apartments. The man fled before police could arrive. It’s unclear why he was filming them.

“Subject has not been taken into custody so a motive is unknown at this time,” said Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage.

News

Military Drill Prompts Shots-Fired Call to ACPD

By ARLnow.com

Published March 21, 2016 at 2:35PM | Updated March 22, 2016 at 10:29AM

File photo

Police responded around 2:15 p.m. for a report of a man firing shots at the Days Inn motel, as relayed by a caller who was driving by on Route 50.

Responding officers quickly determined that the shots were almost certainly from what was described as “a 21-gun salute” drill at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, and that the woman who called had heard the shots echoing off the hotel, according to scanner traffic. The woman also reported a suspicious-looking man walking down the highway at the time.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 14, 2016 at 11:35AM

Major Rosslyn Development Approved — A sweeping five-phase redevelopment of 7.65 acres of prime Rosslyn real estate was approved unanimously by the Arlington County Board on Saturday. The Board approved the framework for the development, though final approval will be necessary for each phase. Developers Vornado and Gould Property Company expect to complete the project over the course of 25 years. [Arlington County]

Gun Store Saga Continues — Who owns NOVA Armory, the gun store that’s planning to open in Lyon Park despite community opposition? The man who speaks on behalf of the business and holds its federal firearms sales license isn’t saying, exactly. Dennis Pratte declined further questions after describing it as “a female, minority-owned business” and stating “I may or may not be the owner.” Meanwhile, county leaders say there’s nothing they can legally do to prevent the store from opening. NOVA Armory is planning to a grand opening on March 26. [Washington Post, InsideNova]