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.
Large crowds in the Rosslyn Metro station after the fireworks early Sunday morning (courtesy anonymous)
Ballston Firm Acquired — McLean-based CrossCountry Consulting has acquired Dupont Circle Solutions, a Salesforce-focused consulting firm headquartered at 4075 Wilson Blvd in Ballston. Terms were not disclosed. Founded in 2015, the firm has around 60 employees, and its co-founders will lead an expanded Salesforce practice for the combined company. [WBJ]
Gun in Boy’s Backpack — An 8-year-old was found sitting alone at Reagan National Airport in March after his mother was arrested on larceny, credit card theft and assault charges elsewhere in the airport, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. The boy was later found with a loaded handgun in his backpack in Alexandria. His mother has an August court date for charges of assault and battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. [ALXnow]
N. Va. Data Centers Past & Present — “From AOL’s arrival in Ashburn to today’s AI-driven boom, Virginia became the backbone of the internet economy. Now lawmakers are debating how to manage the industry’s soaring energy demands and economic influence.” [Virginia Mercury]
It’s Tuesday — Expect a partly sunny day with a high near 86 and a chance of showers and thunderstorms, becoming likely by late afternoon. Rain chances climb to 80% overnight, with a low around 71. Winds stay light out of the northeast around 5 mph. [NWS]
Want more local news from around the region? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow.
Expect patchy fog before 10am, then partly sunny skies with a high near 85°F and light northeast winds at 3 to 5 mph. There’s a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. In the evening, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 3am, continuing with a chance of showers and a low around 70°F, with northeast winds around 6 mph. Precipitation likelihood is 80%, with rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Thanks for reading! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.
The late night, rain delayed Fourth of July fireworks, marking America’s 250th, as seen from Rosslyn (courtesy Carol Dawn Petersen)
Fireworks Cap the 250th — The supersized version of the annual Independence Day fireworks lit up the sky over the National Mall on Saturday night, capping the D.C. celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday. Full livestream replays are available from the D.C. perspective (Freedom 250) and the Pentagon City perspective (Statter), which quickly became obscured by smoke. [Freedom 250/YouTube, Dave Statter/YouTube]
Warplanes Roar Over D.C. — Military aircraft crossed the Potomac from Virginia and streaked over the National Mall for much of Independence Day in what organizers billed as “the most ambitious aviation spectacle in American history.” The Blue Angels, Marine One helicopters and more than 30 flyovers marked America’s 250th, though an Air Force One pass coincided with a storm evacuation of the Mall. Reagan National closed from noon to midnight. [Washington Post]
Resale Chain Eyes Clarendon — The RealReal, a secondhand chain that sells authenticated used goods from brands like Gucci and Prada, is pursuing its first D.C.-area storefront at Crossing Clarendon, according to public records. Arlington’s zoning administrator confirmed a secondhand store is permitted at the center, formerly known as Market Common. It’s unclear whether a lease has been signed. [WBJ]
Ovechkin Signs New Contract — Alex Ovechkin has signed a one-year contract to remain with the Washington Capitals, per a team press release, meaning the former Arlington resident will keep turning up at the team’s Ballston practice facility. [ARLnow/X]
ACPD Officer Charged — An Arlington County police officer has been charged with malicious wounding over an off-duty assault. Vincent Baglio, 31, allegedly assaulted someone he knew inside a residence on May 24, according to police. Hired in 2024, he has been placed on administrative leave. Chief Andy Penn called the allegations “wholly unacceptable and fundamentally inconsistent with the values” of the agency. [ACPD]
Victim Stops Fleeing Suspect — A man was allegedly assaulted in the 500 block of 23rd Street S. by someone who then tried to drive off, but the victim kept him from fleeing until police arrived, according to a crime report. The victim was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. A Springfield man, 43, was charged with malicious wounding, driving under the influence and breath test refusal, and held without bond. [ACPD]
Sheriff Releases 2025 Report — The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office has released its 2025 annual report, highlighting a shift to a self-operated inmate medical care model, expanded addiction treatment and community programs. Sheriff Jose Quiroz said the year was “defined by connection, collaboration, and service” inside and outside the detention facility. [ACSO]
Push for Deeper Affordability — Citizens for a Better City, Falls Church’s original civic association, has endorsed its president’s critique that the city’s affordable housing efforts haven’t reached low enough incomes. Speaking to the City Council, Hal Lippman said 88% of the 204 units added over 20 years fell between 60% and 80% of area median income, and urged the city to target lower tiers. [Falls Church News-Press]
Feds Sue Over Gun Ban — The Trump administration has sued Virginia in federal court, arguing the state’s new ban on selling and manufacturing assault firearms violates the Second Amendment. Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed the law in May, and a judge already blocked its enforcement last month amid separate lawsuits. Attorney General Jay Jones (D) vowed to defend the measure, which his office called “commonsense.” [FFXnow]
It’s Monday — Expect a mostly cloudy day with a high near 87 and a chance of showers and thunderstorms, plus patchy fog in the morning. Winds will be light from the northeast at 3–7 mph. Storms become likely overnight, with a low around 71. [NWS]
Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by Industrious. ARLnow has been in an Industrious office for years and we love the convenience — you get to focus on your work rather than worrying about brewing your own coffee or keeping the copy machine stocked. Industrious has several Metro-accessible coworking locations in Arlington.
Ayers Variety and Hardware, the Westover shop generations of Arlingtonians have relied on for the one screw, seed packet or odd gadget they couldn’t find anywhere else, is closing.
The family that has owned the store at 5853 Washington Blvd since 1977 announced the closing in social media posts earlier this afternoon (Sunday). Its lease ends July 31 and the doors will close for the last time “in a few weeks,” owners Kristy Peterkin and her brother, Keith, wrote.
Lightning from thunderstorm (photo courtesy James Mahony)
It’s going to be stormy, sweltering Fourth of July in Arlington and the D.C. area.
Amid an ongoing heat wave, strong storms are expected to form later today, potentially packing hail and damaging wind gusts up to 75 mph. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was just issued and will be in effect until 10 p.m.
Fireworks over the National Mall, viewed near the US Marine Corps War Memorial in Rosslyn (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
The supersized July 4 fireworks display planned over the National Mall for America’s 250th should be spectacular, but it could also be worse than ever for pets and people with respiratory conditions.
Arlington’s air could turn “very unhealthy” this weekend as a result of the roughly 40-minute show, according to the Washington Post.
It will be sunny and hot with a high of 103 degrees and a heat index up to 110. There will be a west wind at 3 to 7 mph. Friday night will be mostly clear with a low of around 80 and a light west wind. On Independence Day, expect showers and possible thunderstorms after 2 PM. It will be hot with a high of 102 and a heat index up to 109. Winds will be calm, becoming west at 5 to 8 mph in the morning. There is a 60% chance of rain, with rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch, although more is possible in thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson
Thanks for reading! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.
Protesters demonstrating against President Trump’s proposed arch in Memorial Circle (courtesy Peter Roof)
Potomac Towers Could Triple — “Newly filed plans reveal that owner Caruthers Properties wants to add three new towers to the existing Arlington apartment complex, which sits on about seven acres between Interstate 66 and Langston Boulevard.” The 800 new units would be built in phases alongside the original 1961 building, which has 406 units. [WBJ]
DCA Grounded for Fourth — Reagan National Airport will halt flights for much of July 3 and 4 to accommodate celebrations in D.C., with no departures or arrivals scheduled after noon Saturday. The FAA has set roughly 15 hours of airspace closures across the two days, and terminal services will run at reduced capacity until flights resume July 5. [ARLnow]
Where to Watch Fireworks — With the record-setting Independence Day fireworks now expected to begin around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, ARLnow has rounded up the county’s best viewing spots, from the Marine Corps War Memorial to Marymount University. The 850,000-shell display will launch from 10 sites along the National Mall and the Potomac. [ARLnow]
Declaration Reading Moves Indoors — Due to expected heat advisories, the Arlington Historical Society’s Saturday, July 4 community reading of the Declaration of Independence has been moved from the Ball-Sellers House (which has no air conditioning) to the Arlington Historical Museum. It will begin at 2 p.m. Attendees can also tour the museum and make Revolutionary-themed protest signs. [Arlington Historical Society]
Marlinspike Closes $127M Fund — “Marlinspike Partners, an Arlington venture capital firm backing defense tech startups, has closed a $127 million fund as investors crave new technologies being developed for the Defense Department.” The close on its second fund was well above the firm’s original $70 million target and will fuel larger checks for 20 to 24 companies. [WBJ]
English Manor Hits Market — A six-bedroom, nine-bathroom English manor-style home in the Country Club Hills neighborhood has hit the market for $7,150,000. Built in 2009 at 4614 36th Street N., the 9,850-square-foot house features five fireplaces, a wine cellar, a home theater and a 40-by-20-foot pool. [N. Va. Magazine]
Wakefield’s Javelin Standout — It is not a Virginia High School League-sanctioned event, but that hasn’t stopped rising Wakefield High School senior Olivia Barr from making a name for herself in javelin. A recent success for the multi-sport athlete was a sixth-place finish at the Penn Relays. [RunWashington]
Hidden Art Spreads Joy — After losing her job last year, Rachael Wood began hiding colorful handmade artwork around Arlington for strangers to find, an effort she calls the Joyful Art Project. “My purpose is to spread joy, and I don’t know if I grasped how I was going to do that,” Wood said. “I think I found it.” [WUSA9]
East Potomac Golf Overhaul — “If built as shown, the redesign would reduce East Potomac from its current three-course, 36-hole layout to a single 18-hole championship course. It would also expand golf into roughly 50 acres of parkland now used for picnicking, fishing, cycling and other recreation.” A court hearing on a lawsuit challenging the project is set for this week. [Washington Post]
D.C. a No-Drone Zone — From the FBI Washington Field Office: “Washington, D.C., is a #NoDroneZone, so if you plan to celebrate #America250 in the district, don’t crash the party; leave your drone at home.” Unauthorized drone activity can be reported at 1-800-CALL-FBI. [FBI Washington Field/X]
ICE Mask Ban Blocked — A federal judge blocked Virginia’s new law barring ICE officers from wearing masks less than 12 hours before it was set to take effect, finding the Justice Department likely to succeed in arguing the state cannot regulate the conduct of federal officers. Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones (D) said his office “strongly disagrees” with the ruling and will keep defending the law. [Courthouse News]
Spanberger Signs Energy Package — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed a package of energy bills Tuesday aimed at lowering costs, meeting rising demand and keeping data centers from driving up bills for families, along with legislation directing Virginia to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. “We’re investing in energy that is cleaner, more affordable, more reliable, and homegrown,” Spanberger said. [Press Release]
Data Center Battle Lines — N. Va. is home to more than 300 data centers, but public sentiment has soured: a recent Washington Post-Schar School poll found just 35% of Virginia voters would be comfortable with a new one in their community. “The battle line has been drawn around that question in Virginia,” said Brennan Gilmore of the advocacy group Clean Virginia. “And folks are lining up on either side of it.” [NOTUS]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies with a high near 103 and heat index values as high as 110. Winds will be light out of the northwest around 5 mph. Skies stay clear overnight with a low around 80. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
Expect sunny and hot conditions with temperatures reaching around 102 degrees and heat index values climbing to 109. A gentle west wind will blow at 3 to 5 mph. Thursday night will be clear with temperatures dropping to about 80 degrees, accompanied by a light southwest wind. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Thanks for reading! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.
Water feature at James Hunter dog park amid summer heat (staff photo)
Its official: Arlington and the D.C. area will be under Extreme Heat Warnings over the next couple of days.
The National Weather Service just upgraded the earlier watch to a warning, in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values above 110 are expected, posing a risk to people and pets spending significant time outdoors — or in hot buildings or vehicles.
Paris Baguette now open in Clarendon (staff photo)
Paris Baguette is now serving pastries, sandwiches and coffee in Clarendon.
The French-inspired bakery and cafe recently opened in the Hartford building at 3101 Wilson Blvd, near the Clarendon Metro station. On a visit this week, customers were sipping coffee and eating meals inside the new space, which was adorned with “now open” signs outside.
