(Updated at 11:15 p.m.) An Alexandria paramedic fell about 20 feet from I-395 into Four Mile Run while responding to a call near Shirlington tonight.

Just before 6:30 p.m. emergency crews were called to I-395 near Shirlington Circle for two separate incidents: a three-vehicle crash in the northbound lanes and a vehicle fire in the HOV lanes, according to Virginia State Police

An Alexandria paramedic responding to the call stopped in the northbound lanes, alongside the HOV lanes, in an effort to reach the burning vehicle. We’re told the paramedic somehow fell through a small gap between the guardrails, between the northbound lanes and the HOV lanes, and landed in the creek. The gap is visible in the photos above.

In an interview with NBC4, Alexandria Fire Chief Adam Thiel identified the medic as 35-year-old Joshua Weissman, a seven year veteran.

Rescuers from Arlington and Alexandria were able to reach Weissman and extricate him from the water. CPR was performed, according to fire radio traffic. He was taken downstream to S. Cleveland Street and then transported via ambulance to Washington Hospital Center with what Thiel described as critical injuries. Authorities initially wanted to airlift the Weissman to the hospital, but were not able to due to the rainy weather, we’re told.

The northbound HOV lanes of I-395 were shut down for an extended period of time during and after the incident. As of 10:30 p.m., three lanes of northbound I-395 remained closed and traffic before the scene was still heavy.

The vehicle fire, meanwhile severely snarled traffic on southbound I-395 during the latter part of the evening rush hour. All HOV lanes were closed for at least a half hour during the fire response.

Photo (above, right) via Google Maps

The Shell station at the corner of Columbia Pike and S. Greenbrier Street would be replaced by affordable housing under a development plan that’s currently seeking sources of funding.

The plan, from Arlington-based affordable housing developer AHC Inc., would replace the gas station with a six-story, 83-unit apartment building for lower-income tenants.

According to slides from a recent AHC presentation to the Columbia Heights West Civic Association, the building will consist of 15 one-bedroom apartments and 68 two-bedroom apartments. Residency would be reserved for those making below 50 to 60 percent Area Median Income (AMI). The building is also expected to have 6,700 square feet of retail space and a “high-level of energy efficiency.”

The development would be located next to an existing AHC property: the 116-unit Harvey Hall apartment building at 860 S. Greenbrier Street. AHC owns 22 apartment communities in Arlington.

Over the next month or so, AHC will be applying for project funding through Arlington County’s affordable housing investment fund and through federal low income housing tax credits. AHC is pursuing the development via Form Based Code, which does not require County Board approval. Last night the Columbia Pike Form Based Code Advisory Working Group held a meeting to review the project.

By replacing the gas station, AHC says the building will enhance “a site that is underdeveloped and a visual detriment to the neighborhood.” If funding is secured, and if no significant environmental contaminants are found on the site, AHC hopes to begin construction in March 2013 and finish construction in the fall of 2014.

Images via AHC Inc.

This week’s Arlington County crime report contained a number of notable items. Among them:

On Tuesday, Feb. 7, a suspect tried to flee after police found 32 grams of crack cocaine during a traffic stop on S. Glebe Road. Police used a Taser to help stop the suspect, identified by police as 41-year-old Deron Brown of Washington, D.C. Brown was charged with possession with the intent to distribute.

POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE (COCAINE), 02/07/12, 1200 block of S. Glebe Road. During a traffic stop at 2:30 pm on February 7, officers located approximately 32 grams of crack cocaine, a scale, six cell phones, numerous baggies and cash on a subject. When the subject resisted commands from officers and attempted to flee the scene on foot, he was tased. The subject was arrested and charged with transporting in excess of 28 grams of crack cocaine into the commonwealth, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and obstruction of justice. The subject has a past criminal history to include murder and armed robbery.

On Monday, Feb. 6, three juvenile suspects snatched the cell phone of a man at Pentagon City mall and tried to flee to the nearby Metro station. A witness, however, was able to apprehend one of the suspects — and was punched in the face during the apprehension.

ROBBERY, 02/06/12, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street. On February 6 at 1:50 pm, two juvenile males distracted a man in the food court of Pentagon City Mall, while a third juvenile subject grabbed the victims iPhone. All three suspects ran towards the Metro escalator. A witness was able to apprehend one of the suspects and was punched in the face as a result. Mall security held the suspect in custody until police arrived. The apprehended suspect provided police information on his two accomplices.

On Wednesday, Feb. 1, a “known gang affiliate” was stabbed in the abdomen after leaving a soccer game at Gunston Middle School.

MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 02/01/12, 1400 block of S. 28th Street. Arlington County officers were dispatched to INOVA Alexandria Hospital in reference to a victim that was stabbed in the abdomen. Shortly before 4 pm on February 1, the male victim and known gang affiliate, had left a soccer game at Gunston Middle School and was stabbed by an unknown subject. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6’3” tall with a skinny build. At the time of the incident, the suspect was wearing a black Northface jacket, black fleece pants, black Nike boots and a black baseball hat.

The rest of this week’s crime report, after the jump.

SEXUAL BATTERY, 02/01/12 1200 block of N. Glebe Road. On February 1, around 11:30 am, a female escort was sexually assaulted after failing to comply with sexual demands from the suspect. The female escort used a cell phone whiling struggling with the suspect and contacted a bodyguard for help. Within a few moments, the bodyguard arrived at the hotel room and was involved in an altercation with the suspect. The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle and is described as a black male, approximately 5’8” tall, bald and heavyset.

MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 02/02/12, 3600 block of S. Columbia Pike. Shortly after 6 pm on February 2, a subject entered a local restaurant and became upset after a female worker refused to provide him with personal information. The subject left the restaurant and returned 10 minutes later with a knife and repeatedly tried to attack the manager. The manager sustained minor injuries, and with the help of a co-worker was able to wrestle the knife away. The suspect fled the scene on foot and was later apprehended in his apartment. The suspect is being held without bond.

ARMED ROBBERY, 02/03/12, 2200 block of N. Clarendon Boulevard. Shortly after 9 pm on February 3, a subject wearing a grey ski mask pulled a knife on a convenience store employee and demanded cash from the register. The subject grabbed $222 from the register and fled the scene on foot. The suspect was apprehended shortly thereafter by police at a Metro stop and is being held without bail.

MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 02/06/12, 4700 block of N. Lee Highway. Just after 2:30 pm on February 6, a man was twice struck in the head with a rock in a store parking lot, sustaining minor injuries. The incident began when an intoxicated man started yelling at the victim while he was stopped at a red light. The suspect approached the man as he exited his vehicle in the CVS parking lot, picked up a rock and used it to attack the victim. The suspect fled the scene on foot and jumped on a metro bus. The suspect is described as a white Hispanic male, approximately 5’4” tall and 160 lbs.

BURGLARY, 02/01/12, 600 block of N. Jackson Street. Between 9 am and 7 pm on February 1, an unknown subject threw a rock through a main floor window and entered the home. The resident did not believe anything was missing though various rooms had been rummaged through. There is no suspect description.

BURGLARY, 02/01/12, 600 block of N. Nelson Street. On February 1, between 7:45 am and 9:20 pm, an unknown suspect(s) damaged a back door and entered the residence. Various items of jewelry were stolen. There is no suspect description.

BREAKING AND ENTERING, 02/03/12, 2600 block of S. Columbia Pike. When the laundromat manager arrived to work on the morning of February 3, he noticed approximately $1000 cash and the DVD security recorder were missing. The rear door of the business had been pried open. There is no suspect description.

FELON IN POSSESSION OF FIREARM, 02/05/12, 1100 block of S. Thomas Street. On February 2 at 9:30am, officers responded to a domestic dispute and located a convicted felon in possession of several shotguns and a rifle. Upon consent of a search, officers located canning jars and approximately 21 gallons of moonshine. Additionally, various unidentified pills were located and seized. The suspect was taken to the magistrate’s office and was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

LARCENY FROM AUTO (SERIES), 02/03/12, 850 S. Army Navy Drive. Between 8am and 8:30pm on February 3, an unknown subject broke into several locked vehicles located in the parking garage of Pentagon City Mall. Various items were stolen, including jewelry; laptops; video game consoles; and clothing. There is no suspect description.

STOLEN VEHICLES

02/03/12, VA KAM7631, 2000 Chevy Silverado, Silver, 2600 block of S. 1st Street
02/03/12, VA JSC4953, 2005 Toyota Corolla, Red, 4600 block of S. Columbia Pike
02/05/12, VA JKF9447, 2004 Lincoln Navigator, Black, 1900 block of S. Arlington Ridge Road

With snow expected during tonight’s evening commute, Arlington County road crews have been placed on alert and are poised to treat roads when the white stuff starts falling.

Crews are also pre-treating roads with salt and brine this afternoon in preparation for the winter weather, according to the Arlington County Department of Environmental Services.

The Office of Personnel Management announced this morning that federal employees may use unscheduled leave to go home early today, if desired.

File photo

The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as the Old Guard, is planning to conduct two cannon firing drills next week.

The drills are scheduled to take place between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15 and Friday, Feb. 17. They will be conducted on the northern portion of Summerall Field on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, according to base spokesman Stephen Satkowski.

The drills involve firing blanks from the Presidential Salute Battery’s anti-tank guns. Nearby residents may hear the boom of cannon fire during the drills, as they did on several occasions last year.

Next week’s drills are being described as rehearsals in preparation for the Presidential Salute Battery’s participation in the Presidents’ Day ceremonies at Mount Vernon on Feb. 20. Residents may call the Old Guard’s public affairs office at 703-696-4183 for more information.

The Rosslyn Metrorail Station entrance project has crossed the half-way point.

Blasting for the project is now complete, officials say, having resulted in the excavation of more than 11,000 cubic yards of rock over the past 10 months.

The $32.6 million project will add a new entrance to the Rosslyn Metro station, featuring three high-speed elevators and an emergency staircase, but no escalators. The project cost includes the construction of new fare collection and vending equipment, as well as a new kiosk and a new entrance mezzanine.

The entrance will be able to serve up to 2,000 riders per hour. Local leaders have said that they hope the entrance will help keep pace with the station’s soaring ridership, which has increased 23 percent in the past decade and is expected to increase even more with new office and residential development in the area.

The project, which is now 53 percent complete, is on time and on budget, according to the Arlington County Department of Environmental Services. Construction is expected to wrap up in the spring of 2013.

A new Chipotle location is coming to the Pentagon City mall food court, according to a construction barrier that replaced what was formerly a cheesesteak restaurant.

When Chipotle opens for business — no word yet on an expected opening date — it will open directly next to a Taco Bell.

It will also face competition from the currently under-construction Lime Fresh Mexican Grill, which is opening in nearby Pentagon Row, and from the sit-down Chevys Fresh Mex, located across the street at the Pentagon Centre shopping center.

Photo courtesy @RahulG86

Snowy Evening Commute Expected — Forecasters warn that light-to-moderate snowfall may make for a slick evening commute tonight. Still, above-freezing temperatures will mean that we in Arlington will likely see less than an inch of accumulation. [Capital Weather Gang]

County Saves Money Through Bond Issue — Arlington County has taken advantage of very low interest rates, along with its triple-AAA bond rating, to issue $106 million of refunding bonds. The move will save the county more than $9 million over the life of the bonds, officials say. [Arlington County]

Spring Soccer Registration Open — Registration is now open for youth soccer players in Arlington. Arlington Soccer Association’s spring registration started on Jan. 25 and will close on March 13. A late registration fee will be assessed after March 13. [Arlington Soccer Association]

Moran Criticized for TV Appearance — Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) is facing criticism from Republicans for comments he made on MSNBC last week. Moran said that Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.), who is black, “is not representative of the African American community.” Conservative commentator Michelle Malkin called that remark and others by Moran during the course of the MSNBC interview “racist.” [Human Events, Breitbart.tv]

A man is facing a possible 93-year prison sentence after being found guilty of raping an Arlington woman while she slept.

D.C. resident Ronald P. Berton, 37, was accused of crimes against two young Arlington women in 2008 and 2010. On Sept. 26, 2010, prosecutors say Berton entered unlocked first-floor apartment on the 2500 block of 20th Street N., where he found a woman sleeping. Berton raped the woman then stole items from the apartment and fled the scene. The woman, who had been drinking that night, did not wake up during the rape, but later woke up and found a condom next to her.

Arlington County Police used DNA to link Berton to a previous crime. According to prosecutors, Berton entered a Colonial Village apartment on the morning of Sept. 10, 2008. He took a meat cleaver from the kitchen, then went to the bedroom where a woman was sleeping. Berton forced the woman to remain in the bed while he exposed himself and masturbated, prosecutors said. He then stole items from the apartment and fled.

Police were able to link Berton to the 2008 crime via DNA left on the knife.

Yesterday a jury found Berton guilty on charges of rape, forcible sodomy, burglary and abduction with the intent to defile. Today the jury recommended a sentence of 93 years. His formal sentencing before an Arlington County Circuit Court judge is scheduled for April 6.

“We believe this was a dangerous predator who came to Arlington to prey on the young women of our community,” said Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jennifer Clarke, who prosecuted the case along with fellow Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Cari Steel. “The police did a great job of linking these two cases, so we were successful in getting these convictions.”

A company showed off the prototype of their new American-made amphibious vehicle at Columbia Island Marina this afternoon.

Michigan-based Gibbs Amphibians held the demonstration in the shadow of the Pentagon in hopes of convincing the military to place orders for their newest land/sea vehicle, dubbed the Phibian.

Company engineers say the Phibian is revolutionary for being able to travel at a high speed on land and on sea. The vehicle can reach up to 80 miles per hour on land, 45 miles per hour on the water, and can enter the water from land at a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour, we’re told. The 30-foot craft has a 7,000 lbs hauling capacity and can transport about a dozen people.

Phibian sports a carbon fiber hull, twin turbo 250 horsepower diesel engines, four wheel drive, and a patented, hydraulic suspension system that retracts the wheels above the water level when at sea (somewhat like landing gear on a plane). It’s the retractable wheels that allow better speed and maneuverability in the water, engineers said.

The Phibian will be produced in Michigan and will create 200 jobs, according to Gibbs. The company hopes to sell the Phibian to the military and to various federal and local government agencies for search and rescue and disaster relief operations.

Gibbs also manufacturers an amphibious sports car, which was on display today at the marina.

Pedro and Vinny’s, the tiny take-out burrito eatery at 2599 Columbia Pike, has some new friends in high places.

The restaurant had the rare privilege of catering a congressional event last week, thanks to a devoted fan: Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas). Barton has a home in Arlington Heights, not too far from Pedro and Vinny’s, and has become a regular customer since it opened last summer.

When it recently came time for Barton to arrange the catering at a weekly lunch for Republican members of congress from Texas, he asked his staffers to approach the restaurant to see if they’d be up for the task. It would be tough to appease the discerning palates of the Texas lawmakers — whose lunch is usually catered by a rotation of larger, more established restaurants like Hill Country Barbecue and Tortilla Coast — but owner Roger Coroneo said he was up for the challenge.

Sean Brown, Rep. Barton’s press secretary, said the office was a bit worried about their “outside the box” choice of a caterer. After all, Pedro and Vinny’s is essentially housed in a glorified shack in the corner of a CVS parking lot. In the end, though, Coroneo and company delivered 30 freshly-made burritos to the halls of congress last Thursday — 10 chicken, 10 beef and 10 pork — and won over the crowd.

“We were a little nervous, but it actually went over really well from all reports,” Brown told ARLnow.com. “When it comes to food the members are not afraid to [voice] their pleasure or displeasure… And you know, in Texas we like to pride ourselves on knowing when we have a good burrito. ”

There’s now talk of Pedro and Vinny’s being added to the regular rotation of caterers for the Texas GOP delegation, perhaps even for larger events. Brown said the restaurant scored extra points by providing more than just tasty food.

“Their customer service is very good and they were very helpful every step of the way,” he said.

Clarendon’s annual Mardi Gras parade is only two weeks away, and already some 30 groups have signed up to participate.

The parade — featuring homegrown floats, Mardi Gras beads, and people and animals in costume — will take place on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 8:00 p.m. The parade route will take marchers up Wilson Boulevard from N. Barton Street to N. Irving Street.

Groups expected to participate this year include the Ballou High School Band, the Washington Nationals and the D.C. Rollergirls. The all-women, Afro-Brazilian/samba-reggae percussion band Batala Washington, meanwhile, will serve as the parade’s new drum corps.

Groups can still register to take part in the parade through next Tuesday, Feb. 14.

“Normally we have a lot of participants sign up at the last minute, so we know we’ll have a lot more entries by parade night,” said Matt Hussman, Executive Director of the Clarendon Alliance, which organizes the parade. “We think it is going to be a great parade, and we hope lots and lots of people come out to enjoy the spectacle.”