Launched in January 2010, ARLnow.com is the place for the latest news, views and things to do around Arlington, Virginia. The ARLnow staff byline is used for the Morning Notes and reporting done by an editor or other member of our full-time staff.
Yorktown plays South Lakes on Jan. 3 in boys basketball (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)
With the holiday breaks over, the sports schedule for varsity high-school teams in Arlington rebounds in coming days, including this weekend with basketball games, wrestling matches and an indoor track-and-field meet.
In one of those boys basektball games, the Yorktown Patriots play on the road against the defending Class 6 state champion South Lakes Seahawks at 7:30 p.m. in a big non-district showdown.
N. Glebe Road closed due to water main repairs (via traffic cam)
Expect a days-long closure of N. Glebe Road near Chain Bridge due to emergency water main repairs.
The busy commuter route was closed Thursday afternoon between Chain Bridge Road and Military Road. Outbound traffic from D.C. is being diverted onto Chain Bridge Road, while northbound traffic heading toward the District is being rerouted onto Military Road.
Sledding in Bluemont Park, January 2024 (Flickr pool photo by Dennis Dimick)
Accumulating snow is likely to fall Sunday night into Monday morning.
Chances of the season’s first significant snowfall are increasing, with a near certainty of at least an inch of snow and a roughly three-in-four chance of more than 3 inches, according to a Thursday afternoon forecast update from the Capital Weather Gang.
The timing of the storm, notably, could extend what has already been a two-week winter break for local students.
With just a tenth of an inch of accumulation so far this season, and below average snowfall over the past few years, how are you feeling about this potential storm?
Arlington County police are looking for a man who brandished a gun at a woman whose car he broke into.
The incident happened Monday afternoon in a Ballston area parking garage. Police say the victim confronted the man and grabbed her wallet back from him after finding the suspect rummaging through her car.
Dominion Energy substation along S. Glebe Road (Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar)
Lightning Strikes Monuments — The brief New Year’s Eve thunderstorm produced lightning strikes that could be seen striking the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. [Bluesky, Bluesky]
Metro Steps Up Security — “On behalf of the Metro Transit Police Department, we are deeply saddened by the devastating events in New Orleans, and our thoughts are with all those affected by this senseless tragedy. While there are no known threats to Metro, MTPD has heightened security across the system out of an abundance of caution. Customers may notice an increased police presence as a result.” [Twitter]
Group Raises $30k for Nonprofits — The Arlington chapter of The Links, Incorporated, presented $30,000 in grants to support nonprofit organizations at its “Holiday Jingle & Mingle” celebration. “This is about more than grants — it’s about building relationships and creating pathways for change,” said Lavern Chatman, the organization’s community-partnerships chair. [Arlington Links]
D.C. Office Vacancy Ticks Down — “D.C.’s office vacancy rate is on track to decline — ever so slightly — for the first time in years, according to fresh quarterly numbers from real estate services firm JLL, though whether this about-face evolves into a trend is still to be determined. The District’s vacancy rate fell to 19.9% in the fourth quarter, down from 20% last quarter.” [WBJ]
It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies and a high temperature near 40 degrees, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 11 to 16 mph and gusts up to 28 mph. For Thursday night, the conditions will be mostly clear with a low temperature around 29 degrees and a west wind at 6 to 9 mph. [NWS]
Booking photograph of Malachi Rawlings and the Placemakr Marymount Ballston at 1008 N. Glebe Road (via ACPD and Google Maps)
Two people were shot in a Ballston apartment building early New Year’s Day amid a chaotic night in parts of Arlington.
Police were dispatched to the Rixey building at the Marymount University Ballston campus just after 1 a.m. for a report of a person with a gun on an upper floor of the building. That floor is used for short-term rentals by an “apartment hotel” service, according to scanner traffic.
The day will be partly cloudy with temperatures ranging between a high of 75°F and a low of 58°F. Expect a 20% chance of rain, so you may want to keep an umbrella handy. Moderate winds of 10-15 mph will continue throughout the day, making for a comfortable, breezy climate. In the evening, the skies will clear up, setting the stage for a pleasant night. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Flags blowing in the wind at Arlington County government headquarters (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
It’s going to be a breezy start to 2025 in Arlington and the D.C. area.
The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for much of the region, starting at 7 a.m. on Wednesday (Jan 1). That follows a threat of storms tonight.
Led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and Dan Quinn, in his first year as the team’s head coach, the Commanders have undergone a renaissance few would have dreamed possible when former owner Dan Snyder sold the team to Josh Harris last year.
Given the excitement over the team, after years of futility, we’re wondering just how big the fanbase is in Arlington. How many residents are jumping on the bandwagon — or have never stopped rooting for the team? And how does that compare to those who still support other NFL teams?
Sunset through the bare winter tree branches (staff photo)
New Year’s County Closures — Arlington County offices, community centers, libraries and other facilities will be closed Wednesday for New Year’s Day. Libraries are also closing early today (Tuesday). Parking meters will not be enforced on Wednesday. [Arlington County]
Attempted Robbery in Pentagon City — “At approximately 7:10 p.m., the female victim was in the bathroom of a commercial property when she was approached by four female suspects who physically assaulted her and attempted to steal the victim’s shopping bags and jewelry. The victim ran out of the bathroom and the suspects followed. A security guard intervened, and all four suspects fled the scene on foot.” [ACPD]
Year of Record Warmth — “With 2024 mostly in the rearview, another year enters the weather books — one that will be remembered for persistent and record-breaking warmth, recurrent drought and several significant weather events… And it’s now official: Cooler December weather couldn’t keep the year from becoming the city’s warmest on record.” [Capital Weather Gang]
It’s Tuesday — Expect showers and possible thunderstorms from 1pm to 4pm, intensifying after 4pm with a high of 58°F and southeast winds at 5-11 mph, gusting to 20 mph. There’s an 80% chance of precipitation, with rainfall amounts ranging between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. On Tuesday night, showers mainly before 7pm with a low around 42°F, and a west wind at 9 mph. New Year’s Day will be mostly sunny, breezy, and with a high near 48°F, accompanied by a west wind at 11-20 mph, gusting up to 34 mph. [NWS]
