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.
Students look over stumbling stones near Gunston Middle School (photo courtesy Jessica Kaplan)
A special “stumbling stone” unveiling last week taught Gunston Middle School sixth graders about the harsh lives of those enslaved across Arlington — and in their very neighborhoods.
The stones, the latest in a series being placed across the county, recognize the lives of Sina and George, a mother-son duo enslaved during the mid-1800s in the area where the school is now located. While the full story of their lives is not known, research has uncovered some information:
Car crashes into bus shelter near Ballston (staff photo by Dan Egitto)
A crash this afternoon near Ballston pulverized a bus shelter and littered a sidewalk with strewn trash.
The reported single-vehicle crash happened just before 1 p.m. Friday on the 3900 block of Wilson Blvd, at the entrance to the parking lot of the &pizza, Gold’s Gym and other businesses.
Snow falling in Courthouse on Dec. 5, 2025 (courtesy George Brazier)
The snow may be mostly over but we’re not done with wintry hazards.
A light freezing rain is expected tonight between 7 p.m.-1 a.m., potentially leading to a “a light glaze of ice” and “very slippery sidewalks, roads and bridges,” according to the National Weather Service.
A health-education table at the 2025 PathForward health fair for Arlington's unhoused population (courtesy PathForward)
A recent health fair sponsored by a local nonprofit gave at-risk county residents valuable support going into the winter months.
The event, presented by PathForward, served 74 individuals, including those staying at the organization’s two 24-hour programs — the Homeless Services Center and Residential Program Center — along with clients using other PathForward services and those supported by other safety-net providers.
From Lebanese falafel and kabob to Turkish doner, Arlington’s Middle Eastern restaurants offer an array of flavors to match the county’s multicultural diversity.
Here are the nominees for “The Best Middle Eastern Restaurants in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.
Did we miss your favorite spot for Middle Eastern food? Write it in!
Snow falling in Ashton Heights (staff photo by Katie Taranto)
It’s a winter wonderland outside, as Arlington and the D.C. area get our first snowfall of the season.
Across Arlington, traffic cameras show that main roads are mostly clear. Few problems have been reported, according to scanner traffic, with the notable exception of a multi-vehicle crash near the intersection of Patrick Henry Drive and Wilson Blvd in western Arlington. Police requested a salt truck to the area and temporarily closed the road.
Snow at the US Marine Corps War Memorial in 2020 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
No Plowing Under Two Inches — “Plowing when there are 2 or more inches of snowfall helps avoid damaging equipment and road surfaces. While you’re tracking the plows’ progress during a major snow event, here are other things to know about Arlington’s snow and ice response.” [Arlington County]
HQ2 Holiday Event Tomorrow — “On December 6, the National Landing BID, in partnership with Amazon, brings The Lodge to Met Park with a full lineup of seasonal activities that also spotlight local businesses and artists. Neighbors, families, and four-legged friends can enjoy gingerbread chalet building inside the MoCA Arlington Innovation Studio, along with selfies with Santa, face painting, letters to Santa, ornament making, and Ski Vacation Bingo under covered tents on the Central Green.” [Amazon]
VHC Partners for Virtual Care — “VHC Health has inked a deal with West Coast physician platform HealthTap Inc. to take over its virtual urgent care services, aiming to alleviate pressure on the system’s brick-and-mortar sites in Northern Virginia. The Arlington health system said the arrangement gives VHC patients access to HealthTap’s tech platform to make on-demand video appointments.” [WBJ]
Fare Evasion Leads to Assault — “At approximately 5:02 p.m. on December 3, officers inside the Pentagon City Metro Station took the female suspect into custody for fare evasion. While in custody, the suspect was noncompliant and attempted to flee from officers during which she kicked one officer. No injuries were reported. During the course of the investigation, it was determined the suspect was wanted out of Prince William County, Va. and Loudoun County, Va.” [ACPD]
Beyer Blasts Possible Tax Change — “A group of Democrats in both chambers, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr. of Virginia, is leading opposition to a potential regulatory carve-out from a new minimum tax on corporate profits that critics say could generate an unjustified windfall for big companies.” [Roll Call]
Welcoming New Citizens — “Welcoming new Americans taking the oath after the arduous process of seeking citizenship is one of my favorite things. It’s a wonderful experience that helps you see why people have looked to America with hope for over two centuries.” [Rep. Don Beyer/X]
Fairfax Is a Net Contributor to Va. — “A new analysis by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia confirms a stark fiscal imbalance: for every dollar in state revenue generated by Fairfax County, Virginia, residents receive only about 50 cents back in state funding and appropriations. While the report was exclusive to Fairfax County, and does not include Falls Church, it can be assured that similar net imbalance conclusions apply to the neighboring Little City.” [FCNP]
No D.C. Waymo Service Yet — “A bill to legalize driverless driving is stalled in a D.C. Council committee — and its chairman won’t move it until the city publishes an overdue safety study… Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is all in, unlike D.C. leaders. ‘It’s going to help spur growth,’ he says, and ‘make our roads safer.'” [Axios]
Recreational Weed Coming Soon — “Florida’s Jushi Holdings Inc., a public company with a national footprint that includes a 96,000-square-foot manufacturing and cultivation facility in Manassas and six Northern Virginia dispensaries under its Beyond Hello brand… expects that as a medical operator it would be able to continue serving its patients and participate in the recreational adult-use market… Jushi and other medical marijuana providers across Virginia will have to pay a $10 million fee to the state for the right.” [WBJ]
Metro Ready for Snow — “Metro is ready to keep customers moving through the first wintery mix of the season. While Metro is tracking winter weather for Friday morning, it is not expected to have major impacts on service. Since implementing a new bus network in June, Metro has also been assessing how to communicate service changes during winter weather events.” [WMATA]
New Legal Notice — Divorce complaint alleging irreconcilable differences; seeks sole custody of three. [Public Notices]
New Legal Notice — On/off-premise beer and wine license application; objections in 30 days. [Public Notices]
It’s Friday — Snow is expected before 11am, with temperatures reaching a high of around 33°F. Winds will blow from the east at 3 to 5 mph. Friday night will see patchy fog and mostly cloudy conditions, with a low temperature of approximately 26°F and calm winds. [NWS]
Snow is expected before 11am, followed by a possibility of snow and freezing rain, with temperatures reaching a high of around 33°F. Winds will be mild, blowing from the east at 3 to 5 mph, and there is an 80% chance of precipitation. Ice accumulation is not anticipated and new snow will likely be less than half an inch. Friday night will see patchy fog and mostly cloudy conditions, with a low temperature of approximately 26°F and calm winds. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why… I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?” – Robert Kennedy
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.
A school bus makes its way to school in the snow (file photo)
Arlington Public Schools students are about to enjoy their first snow delay of the season.
The school system announced tonight that it would open on a two hour delay Friday due to the expected morning snowfall. Forecasters say the snow could lead to slippery roads and a difficult morning commute.
Late season leaves in Rosslyn (courtesy George Brazier)
Update on Fatal Stabbing — “he deceased has been identified as Jonathan Alexander Diaz Chavez, 32, of No Fixed Address. He sustained multiple sharp-forced injuries during the incident, and his official cause and manner of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. One of the hospitalized subjects has been released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. The second subject remains hospitalized and is in stable condition.” [ACPD]
County Continuing Equity Grants — “Arlington County has reaffirmed its support for the “Opportunities Grant,” formerly the “RACE to Rebuilding Trust & Community” grant program, which is now accepting proposals. The program is continuing to invest in local organizations working to address critical community needs… Last grant cycle, in FY 2026, Arlington County awarded a total of $1.8 million to 23 nonprofits delivering a wide range of human services.” [Arlington County]
‘Miracle on 23rd Street’ Returning — “On Friday, a Christmas festival with a focus on inclusivity for those with disabilities will take over a few blocks in Arlington, Virginia, to bring on the holiday fun. Melwood has been hosting “Miracle on 23rd Street” for around 40 years… The real main attraction for the kids, of course, is Santa and Mrs. Claus, who drive down the street on a fire truck at 6:10 p.m.” [WTOP]
It’s Thursday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 42 degrees, as northwest winds increase to 8-13 mph in the morning and gust up to 24 mph. The evening will be partly cloudy, with lows near 23 degrees. Northwest winds of 5-10 mph will become light and variable after midnight, with gusts potentially reaching 18 mph. [NWS]
Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 42 degrees, as light northwest winds increase to 8-13 mph in the morning and gust up to 24 mph. The evening will be partly cloudy, with lows near 23 degrees. Northwest winds of 5-10 mph will become light and variable after midnight, with gusts potentially reaching 18 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” – George Addair
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.
