Author: ARLnow.com

FDIC on Chopping Block? — “The Trump transition team has started to explore pathways to dramatically shrink, consolidate or even eliminate the top bank watchdogs in Washington. In recent interviews with potential nominees to lead bank regulatory agencies, Trump advisers and officials from his newfound Department of Government Efficiency have, for example, asked whether the president-elect could abolish the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., people familiar with the matter said.” [WSJ]

Reminder: Wreath Weekend — “About 75 tractor-trailers loaded with handmade balsam wreaths will arrive in the county starting on Friday in preparation for the event expected to draw several thousand volunteers. Large crowds and heavy traffic are expected during the annual Wreaths Across America event on Saturday, which is one of two events bringing road closures to Arlington this weekend.” [ARLnow]

Summer Camp Registration Dates — “We’re excited to announce the registration dates for 2025 Summer Camps in Arlington County! Feb. 3: Early registration for those who are enrolled in DPR’s fee reduction program. Feb. 12: Registration for camps led by our partners. Feb. 19: Registration for Parks & Rec Camps.” [Arlington County]

Fairfax Leader Blasts Maryland — “A Virginia elected official said Maryland leaders don’t want traffic on the Capital Beltway to get better, and the reason, he said, is jobs. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay was referring to traffic near the Wilson Bridge and the Legion Bridge.” [NBC 4, Twitter]

Housing Proposal for Potomac Yard — “Developer JBG Smith announced plans today for 750 new residential units in Potomac Yard. The developer said the plan is to build a mix of multifamily, townhome and committed affordable units on the southern portion of the neighborhood across from the Potomac Yard Metro station… The proposed developments are on vacant lots south of the Metro station and south of where the planned arena would have been.” [ALXnow]

Storm Next Week? — From the Capital Weather Gang: “Watching — possible signal for some kind of Mid-Atlantic storm in about a week. We don’t think cold will be entrenched enough for a snowstorm in DC but mountains have a better chance. It’s worth monitoring. 3 model scenarios shown here.” [Twitter]

It’s Friday — Expect mostly sunny skies during the day with a high temperature close to 41°F and a gentle breeze from the northeast. Heading into Friday night, the skies will turn mostly cloudy with temperatures dipping to about 28°F, accompanied by a 6 mph northeast wind. [NWS]

Flick pool photo by Jason Gooljar

More ACPD DUI Patrols — “The annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign aims to drastically reduce drunk driving… From December 11, 2024 – January 1, 2025, motorists nationwide can expect to see increased messaging about the dangers of driving under the influence, coupled with increased saturation patrols to identify and apprehend impaired drivers.” [ACPD]

Arlington Officer Profiled — “Christin Oesterling at one point was unsure of her career path, then while in college studied her criminal justice because she did not like ‘the bad guys.’ During that course of study her future was set, and she was motivated to become a police officer.” [Police Magazine]

Art in Crystal City Station — “Have you noticed the vibrant animated art by [George Mason University] students in our Metro system? You can find these eye-catching displays at stations like Crystal City, Farragut North, NoMa-Gallaudet U, Gallery Place – Chinatown, L’Enfant Plaza, and Metro Center.” [Bluesky]

Letters to Santa — From Arlington’s Dept. of Parks and Recreation: “Drop your letter to Santa off in one of our special mailboxes outside Gulf Branch and Long Branch Nature Centers! Ensure timely delivery to the North Pole by sending them in by Dec. 15 and make sure to let us know where Santa can send his postcard back.” [Twitter]

Nearby: BRT Study Moves Forward — The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission board on Dec. 5 voted to solicit bids to study the easternmost segment of the Tysons-to-Alexandria bus-rapid-transit (BRT) line planned for the Route 7 corridor. The final study area will be from Seven Corners east to Alexandria. A contract award is slated for springtime. [FFXnow]

It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high of 41 degrees, accompanied by a southwest wind blowing at 10-14 mph and gusts reaching up to 22 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear with a low of 26 degrees. The northwest wind at 6 mph will become calm during the evening. [NWS]

Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar

Burglar Brandishes Blade — From ACPD: “2000 block of N. Cleveland Street… at approximately 11:00 p.m. on December 6, the male victim was inside his residence when the male suspect, who is known to him, made entry into the victim’s home. The suspect then brandished a knife, made threatening statements and stole clothing items. The victim subsequently left the residence and no injuries were reported.” [Twitter]

Officers Graduate from Academy — “December 9, 2024, marked a significant milestone for Arlington County Police Department’s 17 newest officers as Session 151 graduated from the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy. Family, friends and colleagues gathered to celebrate their achievements.” [ACPD]

DCA Gun Seizure Ties Record — “Transportation Security Administration officers found the .380 caliber handgun loaded with seven bullets in the West Virginia woman’s carry-on items. Metropolitan Washington Airport [Authority] Police then confiscated the handgun and cited the woman, according to the TSA. This was the 39th firearm TSA officers detected at the airport this year, which ties the 2023 record.” [Patch]

Arlington, Pizza Powerhouse — Three local chains just earned international recognition from the prestigious 50 Top Pizza guide: Pupatella and Wiseguy Pizza on the “Excellent Pizza Chains” list, and Stellina Pizzeria on the “50 Top World Artisan Pizza Chains” list. Each started small locally — Pupatella as a Ballston food cart, Wiseguy and Stellina with single locations — before expanding across the D.C. area with their takes on Neapolitan, New York-style and modern Italian pies. [50 Top Pizza]

Oyster Bar Shucked? — “Rappaport has begun marketing King Street Oyster Bar’s planned Pentagon City location to other prospective tenants as the 10-year-old restaurant chain founded by Rick Allison and Jorge Esguerra weighs whether to move forward with its planned outpost across from the stalled second phase of Amazon.com Inc.’s HQ2.” [WBJ]

Metro Incident Examined — The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission revealed at its Tuesday meeting details of an October 2023 incident involving reports of a possible explosive thrown onto a Blue Line train at the Arlington Cemetery station. There was a 24-minute delay in evacuating the train and having bomb squad units investigate, due to miscommunication between the train operator and Metro’s control center. The supposed explosives turned out to be fireworks set off by riders. [Twitter]

Arlington ZIP Among Priciest — “The next two most expensive ZIP codes in the D.C. region are in the metropolitan area. The median price in 22066 (Great Falls, Virginia) is $2.4 million. That is followed by 22101 (McLean, Virginia) with a median price of $2.2 million. ZIP code 22207 in Arlington, Virginia, ranked next with the median selling price of $1.5 million.” [WTOP]

It’s Wednesday — Heavy rain and patchy fog are expected, with temperatures rising to 63°F by 10am before dropping to 47°F later in the day. Breezy conditions will prevail, with south winds at 11-16 mph turning northwest and increasing to 19-24 mph in the afternoon, plus gusts up to 33 mph. Total precipitation of 1-2 inches is possible. Tonight there’s a 40% chance of rain before 10pm, followed by cloudy skies that will gradually clear with a low of 32°F. West winds will be breezy at 18-23 mph, decreasing to 11-16 mph after midnight, with gusts up to 32 mph. [NWS, Capital Weather Gang]