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.
Mary, a devout Catholic, wife, and mother, passed away on October 21, 2024. Born in Akron, OH on Oct 30, 1924, she obtained her Registered Dietetics degree (RD) from the University of Akron and her Master’s from Ohio State University. She met her husband at Ohio State, moved to Wilmington, Delaware, then to Cleveland Heights, OH, where she worked as a dietician at Cleveland Hospital. They eventually relocated to Arlington, VA, where she worked at Jefferson hospital in Alexandria.
Trees and yellow leaves along N. Glebe Road in Ballston (staff photo)
Cemetery Records on Trump Incident — “The US Army has been ordered by a federal judge to release records related to former President Donald Trump’s controversial August visit to Arlington National Cemetery by Friday at the latest… The expedited release is a result of a lawsuit by American Oversight, a non-partisan watchdog nonprofit advocating for the release of government records. The group submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for any records relating to interactions between Trump campaign staff and the employee.” [WTOP]
Boeing Strike Continues — “Boeing factory workers voted Wednesday to reject the company’s latest contract offer and to continue a six-week strike that has halted production of the aerospace giant’s bestselling jetliners.” Boeing has its headquarters in Crystal City. [Associated Press]
Rollover Crash Caught on Camera — From Dave Statter: “Yesterday’s crash at Spout Run & Langston reminds us, once again, that many of today’s vehicles don’t need a lot to make them go belly up.” [Twitter]
Pink-Clad Thief Exposes Self — “Police are searching for a theft suspect wearing a pink hat and jacket who exposed himself Tuesday afternoon at a Virginia Square business. Arlington County Police responded around 3:35 p.m. to the report of a theft that had just happened in the 3500 block of Wilson Boulevard. Officers determined … the man exposed himself, grabbed some merchandise and left the store without paying.” [Patch]
Metal Chain Used as Weapon — “At approximately 4:00 p.m. on October 19, the male victim engaged the male suspect, who is an acquaintance, in conversation during which the suspect became confrontational. The suspect then briefly left the scene before returning with a metal chain. The suspect then struck the victim with the chain and physically assaulted him before subsequently fleeing the scene on foot. The victim sustained minor injuries.” [ACPD]
Beyer ‘Disappointed’ in Mideast Response — At an Arlington NAACP candidate forum held Monday, Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said he disagreed with President Joe Biden’s approach to the ongoing Mideast conflict. “I’ve been very disappointed in the light touch he’s used,” Beyer said, while also criticizing Israel leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who “doesn’t pay any attention to what we think,” Beyer said. —Scott McCaffrey
Restaurant Week Was a Record-Breaker — With a total of 73 venues taking part, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce’s Arlington Restaurant Week broke a participation record. The event, held Oct. 14-21 and now in its sixth year, spotlighted restaurants ranging from fast-casual to haute cuisine. “It’s vital that we support them to ensure they thrive,” Arlington Chamber president/CEO Kate Bates said. [Arlington Chamber of Commerce]
Complaints About Screaming in Courthouse — “There’s a homeless man that gets drunk and screeches at the top of his lungs for hours in this courtyard near my apartment. He sits on a bench behind a bus stop across from sushi rock. Like 16th st N and North Scott street. He’s been doing it every other day for the past two weeks and I’m going insane.” [Reddit]
More on Arlington Transportation Plan — “Much of transportation policy pertains to the question of how to divide up a limited resource–the public right-of-way, or the road? This is the question that Arlington County will tackle over the next 18 months as we rewrite our Master Transportation Plan. This public engagement process is getting the top-shelf treatment in public engagement — the full ‘Arlington Way’ — so it even has its own branding.” [Greater Greater Washington]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 65 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 14 to 16 mph and gusts reaching up to 25 mph. As for Thursday night, it will be clear with a low temperature around 43 degrees, and a northwest wind at 5 to 7 mph. [NWS]
Expect sunny skies and a high near 65 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 14 to 16 mph and gusts reaching up to 25 mph. As for Thursday night, it will be clear with a low temperature around 43 degrees, and a northwest wind at 5 to 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” – Henry David Thoreau
Jail entrance at the Arlington County Detention Facility (file photo)
An Ohio man has been arrested and charged with raping a woman in a Rosslyn area apartment last year.
The crime happened in the early morning hours of Oct. 29, 2023, after police say an “unknown male suspect gained entry to the victim’s residence, entered her bedroom… then raped the victim before fleeing the residence on foot.”
The sun shines through a tree showing fall colors in the Ballston area (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
An ongoing lack of rain — three weeks and counting — combined with westerly winds will present a fire danger on Thursday.
Forecasters say the brush fires could spread quickly given the expected conditions tomorrow. Residents are being asked to carefully dispose of flammable items like cigarette butts and matches — and even to keep cars off of dry grass.
A man allegedly exposed himself in the women’s locker room at the Washington-Liberty High School pool Monday night.
The incident happened around 6:45 p.m. but was not reported until two hours later. The pool is open to the public during that time, outside of school hours.
A tree sporting some autumnal colors in Ashton Heights (staff photo)
Equality Group ‘Concerned’ About Candidate — “Equality Arlington is concerned by recent statements from Arlington School Board candidate, James ‘Vell’ Rives, regarding his anti-LGBTQ+ policy positions. In Rives’s responses to a questionnaire from parents of transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive students in Arlington Public Schools (APS), Rives repeatedly states that APS should follow the Youngkin Administration’s 2023 Model Policies.” [Equality Arlington]
CNN Talks to Arlington GOP — “Matthew Hurtt, the chairman of Virginia-based Arlington County Republican Committee, said he has fielded more than 200 calls and emails from frustrated donors located all over the country… Hurtt is not affiliated with WinRed, but said he receives the angry inquiries because WinRed is registered in Arlington, so charges made through the platform can sometimes show up with ‘Arlington’ on credit card statements.” [CNN]
Arlington NAACP Taps Incoming President — Rev. DeLishia Davis, senior pastor at Calloway United Methodist Church, will serve as president of the Arlington NAACP for 2025-26. She was the lone candidate for the post to emerge from the nomination process, with a formal vote slated for November. Rev. Davis will succeed Michael Hemminger, who has led the civil-rights organization since early 2023. –Scott McCaffrey
Keeping Eye on GW Parkway Trees — Arlington’s County Board chair said Tuesday that local leaders will maintain vigilance to ensure that recent cutting of mature trees along the George Washington Memorial Parkway does not resume without sufficient safeguards in place. “We just have to stay on top of it,” Libby Garvey said of interactions with National Park Service counterparts. –Scott McCaffrey
Honor for ACPD Sergeant — “Congratulations Sergeant Smithgall, an [International Association of Chiefs of Police] 40 Under 40 Awardee! This award recognizes rising leaders around the globe under the age of 40 in the policing profession, exemplifying leadership, dedication, and service to their communities.” [Twitter]
Nonprofit Director Profiled — “It’s hard to imagine anyone more fulfilled professionally or as a community member than Patti Klein, executive director of Rebuilding Together-AFF.org (RT-AFF), the ‘AFF’ referring to Arlington, Fairfax and Falls Church. Since 1996, Klein has served on the staff … of the nonprofit that ‘makes critical repairs at no charge for low-income homeowners and nonprofit organizations’ to ensure ‘safe and healthy’ living environments and ‘help seniors age in place.'” [Falls Church Independent]
Local Rainless Streak — “With a forecast for clear skies and dry weather through at least the next week, Washington is poised to clinch one of its longest streaks without measurable rain on record. The rainless streak hit 20 days Tuesday and will probably become one of the 10 longest ever observed.” [Capital Weather Gang]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny skies and a high of around 79 degrees with a south wind at 5 to 8 mph. As for Wednesday night, it will be mostly clear with a low near 54 degrees. The southwest wind will be blowing at 6 to 13 mph, transitioning to a northwest direction after midnight. [NWS]
Expect sunny skies and a high of around 79 degrees with a south wind at 5 to 8 mph. As for Wednesday night, it will be mostly clear with a low near 54 degrees. The southwest wind will be blowing at 6 to 13 mph, transitioning to a northwest direction after midnight. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein
ARLnow columnist Eli Tucker wants to answer your burning real estate questions, in person.
The local real estate expert is hosting a free Home Buyer Workshop on Tuesday, October 29th, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Arlington Central Library’s Bluemont Room. This event, co-hosted by Eli Residential Group and Atlantic Coast Mortgage, aims to demystify the home buying process in Arlington’s competitive market.
Lime bike along a leaf-covered sidewalk near Jamestown Elementary School (staff photo)
Candidate Fundraising Update — “As of Sept. 30, [Democratic County Board nominee JD] Spain’s campaign committee received a total of $192,476 in donations, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, which tracks campaign finance in the state. By comparison, Independent candidate Audrey Clement reported receiving $17,511, Forward Party candidate Madison F. Granger raised $9,180 and Republican Juan Carlos Fierro brought in $8,516.” [Patch]
Armed Robbery on Columbia Pike — “At approximately 3:35 p.m. on October 18, police were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, it was determined that the suspect entered the business, approached the counter and asked to purchase merchandise located behind the counter. When the employee opened the cash register to complete the sale, the suspect brandished a firearm, reached over the counter and stole an undisclosed amount of cash from the register before fleeing the scene on foot.” [ACPD]
Drug Take-Back Day Nears — “The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) is encouraging the community to safely dispose of unwanted, unused and expired prescription medications on Saturday, October 26 during the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) fall National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day… Arlington County offers four permanent drug take-back boxes where community members can anonymously dispose of prescription medications for free.” [ACPD]
Honor for AFAC Head — Charles Meng, CEO of the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), has been named recipient of the 2024 Community Leader Award from the Inter-Service Club Council of Arlington. The award will be presented at a luncheon on Nov. 20, featuring keynote speaker John Milliken. –Scott McCaffrey
Student Growth at F.C. Schools — Falls Church City Public Schools saw its student enrollment grow 3.1% year-over-year to 2,174 in new data reported to the Virginia Department of Education. The official 2024-25 enrollment count on Sept. 30 was 489 at Mount Daniel Elementary, 592 at Oak Street Elementary, 638 at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle and 920 at Meridian High, plus 75 pre-K students citywide. [Falls Church City Public Schools]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies and a high temperature of around 81°F, with light south winds of around 5 mph picking up in the afternoon. Tuesday night will be mostly clear, with lows near 51°F. [NWS]
