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.
A delivery driver was carjacked last night on the same block as Amazon’s HQ2.
The incident happened just before 6 p.m. on the 500 block of 14th Street S. in Pentagon City. Police say the driver tried to chase down his car after the suspect hopped in the idling vehicle and started driving away, but the suspect drew a gun and drove off.
The Capitol dome seen through the US Marine Corps War Memorial (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Lawmakers who represent Arlington in Congress are speaking out against the collapse of a bipartisan plan to avert a government shutdown.
The stopgap budget deal was derailed Wednesday after President-elect Donald Trump called on House Republicans to renegotiate, following sharp criticism of the deal by Elon Musk. House Speaker Mike Johnson is now scrambling to devise a new strategy before Friday’s funding deadline, while Musk — who is to head a government efficiency effort under the new administration — has said that “no bills should be passed” before Trump takes office on Jan. 20.
Along Clarendon Blvd in Clarendon (courtesy George Brazier)
Local Businessman Admits Fraud — Arlington business owner Kiel Brendan Brandt, 34, has pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud after defrauding eight companies of over $2 million through his firm, Epsilon Acquisition Services, between 2020 and 2022. Brandt faces up to 20 years in prison and must pay nearly $2 million in restitution. [DOJ]
Advocates: Missing Middle ‘Is a Win’ — “Missing Middle zoning reform was delivering more mid-sized homes throughout Arlington. It was on track to create more starter homes and more places to downsize within neighborhoods that had limited options. In short, the policy was delivering on its promises, until it was invalidated by a judge on September 27, 2024. Notably, none of the hyperbolic concerns of the policy’s critics seem to have been happening.” [YIMBYs of Northern Virginia]
Stormwater Credit Applications Open — “Arlington’s Stormwater Utility credit application period is now open and ready for submissions. In Dec. 2023, the Arlington County Board formally adopted a new, fairer way to fund the stormwater management program by approving the County’s first-ever Stormwater Utility fee. The County Board took further action at its Dec. 2024 meeting to enhance the program by approving two new voluntary credit opportunities for single-family residential properties.” [Arlington County]
It’s Thursday — Expect a mix of clouds and sun with highs around 45 degrees and a northwest wind at 6 to 10 mph. As night falls, clouds increase and the temperature will drop to around 31 degrees. [NWS]
Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 45 degrees and a northwest wind ranging from 6 to 10 mph. As night falls, the sky will transition to increasing clouds and the temperature will drop to around 31 degrees, accompanied by calm winds. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Albert Schweitzer
Christmas tree at Reagan National Airport (staff photo)
Christmas and the first night of Hanukkah are on the same day this year — Wednesday, Dec. 25.
The midweek holidays may make travel plans more difficult or more straightforward, depending on your perspective and your work situation.
When we polled readers on holiday travel in 2020, it was in the middle of the pandemic and only 22% of the more than 2,000 respondents said they had plans to travel.
Let’s see how much your holiday travel planning has changed between then and now.
A London Fog Tea Latte at Kaldi’s in Clarendon (Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar)
Pentagon Gun Arrest — “A man with a loaded gun in his car and a device in his underwear that would enable the firearm to act like a machine gun was arrested outside the Pentagon last week after attempting to speed off with Pentagon police officers clinging to his vehicle, according to court documents reviewed by CBS News. Prosecutors allege Kaleel Nagbe had a loaded firearm with 16 rounds, including one in the chamber, when he was stopped for a traffic infraction — holding a phone while driving — at the Pentagon complex.” [CBS News]
Big Crash in East Falls Church — From Dave Statter: “Langston Boulevard at N. Westmoreland Street near I-66 – just outside the City of Falls Church – is shut down. A two car crash took down power lines beside the restaurant La Cote D’or Cafe.” [Twitter]
Police Lieutenant Retires — “After 34 years of dedicated service to the Arlington community, friends and colleagues gathered this afternoon to celebrate the retirement of Lt. D. Mathews. Throughout his career, Lt. Mathews served with exceptional passion for the policing profession in various assignments including Patrol, Organized Crime, Vice, Digital Forensics and the Special Operations Section.” [Facebook]
Fish Taco Spot Coming to F.C. — “The team behind the Fish Taco restaurant chain, which started out more than a decade ago with a single spot in Potomac, has inked a deal to open a new outpost in Falls Church — and it’s not stopping there. The eatery’s second spot in Northern Virginia, following one at the Boro District in Tysons, adds to a host of new tenants at Founders Row including Ellie Bird, Kyu Ramen, Seoul Prime and Semicolon Café.” [WBJ]
It’s Wednesday — After a clear start to the morning, expect rain to begin by midday, with a high of 53 degrees and mild southeast winds at 6 mph. Rain will likely continue into the night, cooling to a low of 36 degrees. Southwest winds of 6-13 mph are expected, shifting northwest and potentially gusting up to 20 mph. Nighttime precipitation chances remain at 80%, with an additional tenth to a quarter inch of rainfall. [NWS]
Expect rain to begin around 9am, with a high of 53 degrees and mild southeast winds at 6 mph. Precipitation is certain, though less than a tenth of an inch is anticipated. By Wednesday night, rain will likely continue mainly before 1am, cooling to a low of 36 degrees. Southwest winds of 6-13 mph are expected, shifting northwest and potentially gusting up to 20 mph. Precipitation chances remain at 80%, with an additional tenth to a quarter inch of rainfall. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Eight new school zone speed cameras are being installed around Arlington.
The new cameras will start issuing warnings with the start of school after winter break, before issuing $100 tickets to speeders starting Feb. 5. Today’s announcement of the new cameras follows a similar announcement in August, which revealed plans for ten cameras that are now in operation around the county.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) says Virginia workers shouldn’t pay state tax on tips they get from customers.
Adopting the policy — supported on a federal level by both president-elect Donald Trump and vice president Kamala Harris during the recent election — would let tipped workers keep an extra $70 million each year throughout the Commonwealth, the governor’s office said in a press release Monday.
Youngkin says he is proposing the tax change in his upcoming budget. GOP state senators, meanwhile, signaled their support for Youngkin’s proposal in statements Monday, after introducing a bill last week to eliminate state income tax on gratuities.
The governor’s press release is below.
Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced a budget proposal to exempt service tips from Virginia’s state income tax. This proposal will return an estimated $70 million annually to the pockets of hardworking Virginians to further deliver on Governor Youngkin’s commitment to lower the cost of living for working families across the Commonwealth. This builds on the more than $5 billion in tax relief already delivered for Virginians under his administration.
“We have delivered over $5 billion in tax relief to date, and we remain committed to lowering the cost of living for hardworking Virginians. It’s their money, not the government’s,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “By removing tips from taxable income, it will directly increase the take-home pay of hundreds of thousands of Virginians and give them more buying power, which in turn will improve financial stability, stimulate local economies, and honor the value of their hard work.”
The Virginia Department of Taxation and the Virginia Employment Commission estimate that more than 250,000 Virginians within the food service industry, personal service industry (such as hair stylists), and hospitality industry (such as bellhops and concierges) could benefit from the proposed tax relief. Workers who receive tips from their employment in other industries would also benefit.
Virginians who earn tips will be able to claim a deduction on their state tax return, provided the income is included in their federal adjusted gross income. The Department of Taxation will use IRS data and employer-reported W-2 information to ensure compliance.
The Commonwealth’s robust financial health, marked by record employment levels, rising revenues and surpluses, robust reserves, and a AAA bond rating, enables the Commonwealth to implement meaningful tax relief for Virginians while maintaining fiscal responsibility and sustaining vital investments in public services.
Critics of exempting tips from tax have a number of reasons why they think it’s a bad policy, however, from issues of fairness to a loss of revenue to the risk of distorting labor markets.
“It’s not fair to subsidize Le Cirque waiters but not McDonald’s customer service associates with tax-free tips. Or to so favor a hotel’s housekeeper, but not a homeowner’s house cleaner,” the Tax Policy Center wrote in September. “Or, for that matter, traditional employees and not independent contractors in the growing gig economy.”
What do you think? Should Virginia exempt service tips from state income tax? Or do you oppose the governor’s proposal?
A streetlight in the fog in North Arlington (staff photo)
Weekend Wreath Laying Complete — “Arlington National Cemetery welcomed thousands of volunteers to help with this year’s National Wreaths Across America Day — one of the most hallowed holiday traditions in the D.C. area.” [WTOP]
VDOT Opening Lanes for Holidays — “VDOT will be suspending many highway work zones and lifting temporary lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Tuesday, Dec. 24, until noon on Thursday, Dec. 26, as well as from noon on Tuesday, Dec. 31, until noon on Thursday, Jan. 2.” [Press Release]
Little Snow in December — “It doesn’t seem to snow much in D.C. anymore during December, or at least like it used to. Climate change seems to be melting away the city’s snow chances… Over the past six Decembers combined, only 0.5 inches of snow has accumulated in the District. The average December snowfall each year, based on the period 1991 to 2020, is 1.7 inches. If this December turns out to be snowless, which is possible, the District will clinch its least snowy seven-year stretch of Decembers on record.” [Capital Weather Gang]
It’s Tuesday — Patchy fog is expected to clear by 8am, making way for a mostly cloudy morning that will gradually turn sunny. The day will see a high of around 62, with southwest winds at 6-9 mph shifting to the northwest in the afternoon. On Tuesday night, the sky will be partly cloudy, and the temperature will drop to around 37, accompanied by a light and variable wind. [NWS]
Patchy fog is expected to clear by 8am, making way for a mostly cloudy morning that will gradually turn sunny. The day will see a high of around 62, with southwest winds at 6-9 mph shifting to the northwest in the afternoon. On Tuesday night, the sky will be partly cloudy, and the temperature will drop to around 37, accompanied by a light and variable wind. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” – Mae West
Washington-Liberty boys player Gabriel Smith (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)
Five high-school basketball games were played Saturday (Dec. 14) in Arlington at the second annual Braylon Meade Basketball Classic.
The contests, two girls games and three boys, all were held at Washington-Liberty High School, beginning at 12:30 p.m. The event was expanded to include more games this season.
