Authorities give update on massive home explosion that rocked Arlington late last year - Arlington news - NewsLocker (2024)


Local and federal authorities are set to provide an update on the investigation into the massive explosion that leveled an Arlington County, Virginia, duplex late last year as officers tried to serve a search warrant.
The home’s owner, James Yoo, 56, was presumed killed in the Dec. 4 explosion.
Shortly before the blast, officers were attempting to enter the home to serve a search warrant after reports that Yoo was firing a flare gun from inside his home into the surrounding Bluemo

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Jun 7, 2024

Good Friday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.News recap
The following articles were published earlier today — Jun 7, 2024.8:30 am: UPDATED: Schools closed and boil water advisory issued after 16-inch water main bursts |Comments
10:00 am: Mediterranean restaurant opens at former Bar Ivy space in Clarendon |Comments
11:30 am: BREAKING: Man killed in Arlington house explosion likely caused the blast

Boil water advisory for part of Arlington after water main break to last at least until Sunday

Residents across a large portion of Arlington County, Virginia, are being urged to boil their water after a water main break has left many without service and shuttered nine schools Friday morning.
The boil water advisory covers several neighborhoods, including parts of Alcova Heights, Arlington Heights, Arlington Mill, Arlington View, Barcroft, Claremont, Columbia Forest, Columbia Heights, Douglas Park, Forest Glen, Foxcroft Heights, Green Valley, Fairlington, Penrose and Shirlington.
The count

Van Leeuwen ice cream shop to open next week in Crystal City

Popular New York-based ice cream parlor chain Van Leeuwen will open its doors in Crystal City in few short days.
Located at 269 19th Court S., the shop’s grand opening is scheduled for Tuesday, June 11, the company announced. Itwill offer $1 scoops from 3-5 p.m. as part of the festivities, while the first 100 customers will receive Van Leeuwen-branded tote bags.
Customers have 30 flavors to choose from at the Crystal City location, including vegan options.
This is the company’

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UPDATED: Van Leeuwen ice cream shop may open next week in Crystal City

Popular New York-based ice cream parlor chain Van Leeuwen is expected to open its doors soon in Crystal City.
Located at 269 19th Court S., the shop’s grand opening was originally scheduled for Tuesday, June 11, but a PR rep announced at 4 p.m. Friday that it was being pushed back “due to unforeseen circ*mstances.” It’s now unclear when exactly it will open.
“The team is working hard to open the doors to the community, and can’t wait to welcome everyone in so

New details in massive Arlington home explosion: Suspect had stockpiled gasoline, guns

The explosion that leveled an Arlington, Virginia, duplex last December was intentionally ignited in the home’s basem*nt by the man who lived there, who had stockpiled as much as 35 gallons of gasoline and barricaded himself inside the home.
During a news conference Friday, more than six months after the explosion rocked the Bluemont neighborhood, authorities revealed new details of the blast and provided a thorough timeline of the 3 hours and 40 minutes standoff leading up to the explosio

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Duke

Introducing the large and very friendly Duke, the newest Adoptable Pet of the Week!
Duke is a fully grown, adult male dog up for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.
Hi lovely friends at the AWLA had this to say:
This cuddly guy is looking for a family to romp around with him in the backyard and snuggle with on the couch in the evenings.
He’s a true people-pleaser and wants you to know he’s a big fan of rope toys and is always up for a spirited game of tug o’war

New details in massive Arlington home explosion: Suspect had stockpiled gas, guns, authorities say


The explosion that leveled an Arlington County, Virginia, duplex last December was intentionally ignited in the home’s basem*nt by the man who lived there, who had stockpiled as much as 35 gallons of gasoline and barricaded himself inside the home.
During a news conference Friday, more than six months after the explosion rocked the Bluemont neighborhood, authorities revealed new details of the blast and provided a detailed timeline of the 3 hours and 40 minute standoff leading up

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BREAKING: Man killed in Arlington house explosion likely caused the blast himself, authorities say

An Arlington man likely caused the explosion that killed him and leveled his house during a standoff with police in December, authorities have concluded.
James Yoo, 56, appears to have poured gasoline throughout the basem*nt where the blast — which engulfed the house in a fireball, hurled debris for three blocks and could be heard and felt for miles around — originated. Investigators concluded that Yoo himself likely sparked the blast by striking an ignition source such as a match,

Boil water advisory for part of Arlington after water main break leaves some residents without water; 9 schools closed

Crews work to repair a water main break in Arlington County, Virginia, on June 7, 2024. (WTOP/Sandy Kozel)Crews work to repair a water main break in Arlington County, Virginia, on June 7, 2024. (WTOP/Sandy Kozel)Residents across a large portion of Arlington County, Virginia, are being urged to boil their water after a water main break has left many without service and shuttered nine schools Friday morning.
The boil water advisory covers several neighborhoods, including parts of Alcova Heights, A

Authorities to give update on massive home explosion that rocked Arlington late last year

Local and federal authorities are set to provide an update on the investigation into the massive explosion that leveled an Arlington County, Virginia, duplex late last year as officers tried to serve a search warrant.
The home’s owner, James Yoo, 56, was presumed killed in the Dec. 4 explosion.
Shortly before the blast, officers were attempting to enter the home to serve a search warrant after reports that Yoo was firing a flare gun from inside his home into the surrounding Bluemont neighb

Mediterranean restaurant opens at former Bar Ivy space in Clarendon

Clarendon’s newest spot for Mediterranean cuisine is now serving diners.
Láylí Mediterranean opened its doors on Thursday at 3033 Wilson Blvd — the former site of Bar Ivy, which closed last year.
“Located in the heart of the Clarendon neighborhood, Láylí will transport guests to the vibrant Mediterranean coast, where sharing conversation with friends and family over mezze and drinks in an energetic setting is a time-honored tradition,” a spokes

Water main break in Arlington leaves some residents without water, closing schools

A water main break in Arlington, Virginia, has left many residents without water and closing nine schools Friday morning.
The Arlington Department of Environmental Services tells WTOP crews are currently working to repair a large main break that occurred on South Four Mile Run Drive and South Walter Reed Drive.
It has caused multiple closures on Walter Reed Drive between South Four Mile Run Drive and South Monroe Street.In Arlington, Walter Reed Dr btwn S Four Mile Run Rd & S Monroe St, exte

UPDATED: Schools closed and boil water advisory issued after 16-inch water main bursts

A busy road is closed, multiple schools have closed or are closing, and a boil water advisory is in effect after a large water main break.
The break happened in a 16-inch water main early Friday morning — before 6 a.m. — near the intersection of S. Walter Reed Drive and S. Randolph Street, sending a large amount of water down the hill to S. Four Mile Run Drive.
Residents across a large swath of the 22204 and 22206 zip codes — around Columbia Pike and Shirlington — have r

UPDATE: Schools closed and boil water advisory issued after 16-inch water main bursts

A busy road is closed and multiple schools have closed or are closing after a large water main break.
The break happened in a 16-inch water main early Friday morning — before 6 a.m. — near the intersection of S. Walter Reed Drive and S. Randolph Street, sending a large amount of water down the hill to S. Four Mile Run Drive.
Residents across a large swath of the 22204 and 22206 zip codes — around Columbia Pike and Shirlington — have reported a loss of water pressure. Wal

DEVELOPING: Road closed, multiple schools delayed due to large water main break

A busy road is closed and the opening of multiple schools is delayed after a large water main break overnight.
The break happened early Friday morning, with residents in the 22204 and 22206 zip codes — around Columbia Pike and Shirlington — reporting a loss of water pressure.
It happened near the intersection of S. Walter Reed Drive and S. Randolph Street, sending a large amount of water down the hill to S. Four Mile Run Drive. Walter Reed Drive is expected to remain closed for an e

Water main break in Arlington leaves some residents without water, delays school openings

A water main break in Arlington, Virginia, has left many residents without water and placed several schools on a two-hour delay Friday.
The Arlington Department of Environmental Services tells WTOP crews are currently working to repair a large main break that occurred on South Four Mile Run Drive and South Walter Reed Drive.
It has caused multiple closures on Walter Reed Drive between South Four Mile Run Drive and South Monroe Street.In Arlington, Walter Reed Dr btwn S Four Mile Run Rd & S M

Water main break in Arlington leaves residents without water, delays school openings

A water main break in south Arlington, Virginia, has left a large potion of residents without water and placed several schools on a two-hour delay Friday.
The Arlington Department of Environmental Services tells WTOP crews are currently working to repair a main break that occurred on South Four Mile Run Drive and South Walter Reed Drive.
It has caused multiple closures on Walter Reed Drive between South Four Mile Run Drive and South Monroe Street.
A spokesperson for the department tells WTOP abo

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Jun 6, 2024

Good Thursday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.News recap
The following articles were published earlier today — Jun 6, 2024.9:45 am: Morning Poll: Have you been targeted by a phone scam? |Comments
10:45 am: Here’s an updated list of new restaurants expected to open in Arlington |Comments
11:45 am: Company managing former WeLive space in Crystal City files for bankruptcy |Comments
1:45 pm: M

JUST IN: Delivery driver arrested after serious hit and run in Maywood

Suspected hit-and-run vehicle, taken from a resident’s security camera in the Maywood neighborhood (courtesy anonymous)
A food delivery driver has been arrested and charged with a pair of felonies after a serious hit-and-run pedestrian crash last month.
Police say 33-year-old Ronnell Blakeney was arrested Wednesday and is now in jail, facing charges of Aggravated Malicious Wounding and Felony Hit and Run. They say that Blakeney struck the victim with his car during a dispute over Blakeney

Invasive, parachuting Joro spiders have not come to Arlington (yet)

A Joro spider (via FNRClemson/YouTube)
Though media reports are buzzing with tales of an invasive, parachuting arachnid with four-inch legs, the Joro spider doesn’t appear to have landed yet in Arlington.
The bug, a native of East Asia introduced to Georgia in the 2010s, has generatedheadlines across the Eastern seaboard this week. Though of minimal threat to humans, the creature’s size and its spiderlings’ habit of gliding for miles on strands of web have raised cries of

Statutes of Liberty: New Biden asylum executive order — it’s kabuki, folks

This sponsored column is by Law Office of James Montana PLLC. All questions about it should be directed to James Montana, Esq., Janice Chen, Esq., and Austen Soare, Esq., practicing attorneys atThe Law Office of James Montana PLLC, an immigration-focused law firm located in Falls Church, Virginia. The legal information given here is general in nature. If you want legal advice,contact usfor an appointment.
Kabuki is a form of Japanese theater, in which actors — through ex

Music series among new summer events at GMU’s Virginia Square campus

Mason Square Plaza in March 2024 (Staff photo by Savannah Taffe)
It will be a busy summer at George Mason University’s Virginia Square campus.
Joining the slate of events held at The Plaza at Mason Square — located at 3351 Fairfax Drive — this year is an outdoor music series, as well as a reading series and weekly tai chi.
The music series, held on Thursdays, will vary in genre each week. Here is the list of upcoming performances:June 6: Charlie Sayes with Memphis Gold and the

Amazon HQ2 Community Day at Met Park

Community Day at Met Park
Amazon HQ2 Community Day at Met ParkJune 22, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
As Amazon marks the one year anniversary of HQ2’s grand opening, we invite you to join us at our second annual HQ2 Community Day at Met Park!
Community Day will spotlight our HQ2 retailers, community leaders, neighborhood small businesses, and more than 50 local farmers market vendors.
On Saturday, June 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Met Park in Arlington will transform into a vibrant hub of activities for all

Company managing former WeLive space in Crystal City files for bankruptcy

2221 S. Clark Street in 2016
The company managing a residential space in a Crystal City office building has filed for bankruptcy.
Common Living — the company in charge of the Common co-living space at 2221 S. Clark Street — filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Friday, indicating plans to liquidate its assets. All company operations have been suspended, according to a news release.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Common,” said Luca Bovone, CEO of Hab

Company managing former WeLive apartments in Crystal City office building files for bankruptcy

2221 S. Clark Street in 2016
The company managing a residential space in a Crystal City office building has filed for bankruptcy.
Common Living — the company in charge of the Common co-living space at 2221 S. Clark Street — filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Friday, indicating plans to liquidate its assets. All company operations have been suspended, according to a news release.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Common,” said Luca Bovone, CEO of Hab

Here’s an updated list of new restaurants expected to open in Arlington

Arlington’s food scene never stops evolving.
In recent weeks and months, plans have been made to not only revive a once-popular local watering hole but also to welcome new outposts of some national and local restaurant groups.
Below are updates on just over a dozen expected new restaurants.
Mister Days
1101 N. Highland Street, Clarendon
The local watering hole with a treasured past is back once again, this time in a new spot.
After closing in 2019, Mister Days Sports Rock Cafe aims to mak

Morning Poll: Have you been targeted by a phone scam?

A woman receiving a call while wearing a face mask at Long Bridge Park in May 2020 (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)
Phone-based scams are common — but just how common?
That’s what we’re wondering in today’s morning poll, following an article we published last week, which detailed a local woman’s experience getting targeted by a sophisticated phone scammer.
It started with a phone call. Somebody claiming to be her daughter alleged she was being held by the police after

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Jun 5, 2024

Good Wednesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.News recap
The following articles were published earlier today — Jun 5, 2024.9:30 am: Arlington and much of D.C. area under Flood Watch |Comments
10:30 am: Arlington named No. 1 ‘mid-sized city for college grads to start their careers’ |Comments
11:30 am: Planned HQ2 expansion gets more utility work, but no updates on construction timeli

A Virginia athlete grapples her way to the podium at the Brazilian jiu-jitsu world championship

Beatrice Jin trains at the Kogaion Academy in Arlington, Virginia. (WTOP/Luke Lukert)Beatrice Jin trains at the Kogaion Academy in Arlington, Virginia. (WTOP/Luke Lukert)A local athlete competing in the world championships of Brazilian jiu-jitsu grappled her way to greatness — a bronze medal — all while training out a small school in Arlington, Virginia.
Beatrice Jin has been grappling at the Kogaion Academy for over five years.
“Every time you think that you’re getting g