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 25-year-old man is being held without bond after an assault along Columbia Pike that left another man with serious injuries.
A patrol officer was flagged down around 10 p.m. Tuesday at the Columbia Pike and S. Dinwiddie Street, on the border of the Columbia Forest and Arlington Mill neighborhoods, according to the Arlington County Police Department.
Evening view down N. Barton Street in Courthouse (courtesy George Brazier)
Emergency Landing at DCA — “A Coast Guard jet carrying Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and other top DHS officials made an emergency landing Wednesday afternoon outside Washington, D.C., after one of its engines failed. The pilot of the plane, a C-37A, reported the loss of an engine to air traffic controllers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.” [CBS News]
Food Security Grants Open — Arlington is marking Hunger Action Month with a new grant funding opportunity for local nonprofits and an updated five-year food security plan. An estimated 13.4% of residents, roughly 31,500 people, experience food insecurity, according to the county. [Arlington County]
Rosslyn Firm Raises $847M — Washington Harbour Partners has secured more than $847 million from 22 investors for a new fund, an SEC filing shows, “as interest in defense and national security startups surges.” The firm is based at 1201 Wilson Blvd. [WBJ]
DCA Manager Recalls 9/11 — Chris Browne, who ran Reagan National on Sept. 11, 2001, told News4 the airport sent a specialized fire truck to the burning Pentagon. “We had burning embers coming out of the smoke plume landing on the airport,” he said. [NBC 4]
Lawmakers Seek Merger Session — Arlington’s state Sen. Barbara Favola (D) is among Democratic lawmakers asking Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) to convene a September special session to extend the review of the proposed $67 billion Dominion-NextEra merger. Without a ruling in 180 days, the deal wins automatic approval. [ALXnow]
Va. Defied Voting Order — A federal judge said Virginia stretched his January order barring broad felon disenfranchisement “to a ridiculous extreme.” State officials say they have restored voting rights for 100,000 Virginians this year and are backing a constitutional amendment on November’s ballot. [Washington Post]
Warner, Kaine Target Tariffs — The Virginia senators and 12 colleagues introduced the End Trump’s Tariff Tax Act, which would revoke and refund the president’s newest tariffs. The senators said “American families, small businesses, and farmers are footing the bill” for the trade war. [Press Release]
It’s Thursday — Mostly sunny with a high near 95 and heat index values as high as 103. Winds out of the southwest at 2–7 mph, with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the late afternoon. Lows tonight around 77. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
Expect mostly sunny weather with a high of 95°F and a heat index of up to 103°F, with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Winds will be light, turning west at 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Thursday night, there is a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., with partly cloudy skies and a low of around 77°F. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.” – Helen Keller
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A caller says your bank account has been hacked and the money needs to be moved somewhere safe immediately. Arlington County police say it’s one of the scams they hear about most.
Caller ID can be spoofed to make the call appear to come from the bank itself, according to a department press release. Police said not to give account credentials or verification codes to an incoming caller — hang up and call back using the number on an account statement, a debit or credit card, or the company’s official website.
A D.C. woman has been arrested and charged with carjacking after a woman’s car was stolen in Colonial Village on Monday.
Leah Elaine Johnson, 26, is being held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility, the Arlington County Police Department said in a press release today. She also faces charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle and driving without a license from Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police.
About 35,000 Arlington and Falls Church residents will find a postcard in their mailbox this month asking whether they can serve on a jury next year.
The Arlington Circuit Court is beginning its annual juror qualification process in early September, mailing questionnaires to residents drawn at random from voter registration rolls, according to a county press release. Jury commissioners appointed by the court will review the responses this fall to determine who is eligible to serve in 2027.
Departures drop-off and the control tower at Reagan National Airport (courtesy George Brazier)
Tracking Flock Cameras — “In Arlington, one woman has now made it her mission to document where those cameras are located and raise concerns about how the technology is being used. Desiree Lomer-Clarke is the creator of “Flock Cameras of Arlington.” She started Tiktok and Instagram accounts in July as a way to let people know where the cameras are in the county.” [NBC 4]
Crystal City Lane Shifts — “Starting Sept. 8, lanes will shift on 15th St. S. to allow crews to demolish the median between Crystal Dr. and S. Clark St.” The realignment project, under construction since summer 2025, is scheduled for completion in early 2027. [Arlington DES/X, Arlington County]
Longtime O’Connell Principal Dies — Richard “Dick” Martin, 85, of Falls Church died Aug. 17. He spent nearly five decades at Bishop O’Connell High School as an English teacher, wrestling coach, assistant principal and eventually principal. Funeral services are Oct. 9 at St. Anthony of Padua Church. [Catholic Herald]
Preparedness Month Begins — “Preparedness is a shared responsibility,” said William Flagler, Arlington’s director of public safety communications and emergency management. The county is urging residents to make an emergency plan, sign up for Arlington Alert and build a supply kit. [Arlington County]
Iguana on the Loose — An iguana turned up in a tree in Clarendon over the weekend, prompting a Reddit post seeking its owner. The poster said a rescue group was unable to get the animal down until it moves closer to the ground. [Reddit]
Rallying for Hains Point — “Cyclists, anglers, joggers and bird-watchers showed up to East Potomac Park on Saturday, hoping to bring awareness to the island’s uncertain future ahead of President Donald Trump’s proposed start date on Tuesday for construction of a new golf course.” At least six trees were removed there Saturday. [NOTUS]
Judge Blocks ICE Law — “A federal judge has temporarily blocked Virginia from enforcing key provisions of a new law restricting cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.” The measure was sponsored in the House by Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington). Attorney General Jay Jones (D) said he will appeal. [WRIC, Virginia Mercury]
Screen Time Pushback — “Former educators and parents say Virginia leaders must implement guidelines to regulate the digital tools students use in schools, arguing that technology is obscuring the essential learning methods they need most.” Sen. Schyler VanValkenburg (D-Henrico) plans to introduce a model policy in January. [Virginia Mercury]
Summer’s Not Done Yet — “Boosted by a sweltering start, we predict this month will be notably warmer than normal, averaging about 2 to 4 degrees above the 1991–2020 average.” Rainfall should land near or slightly below normal after August pulled the region out of drought. [Capital Weather]
It’s Wednesday — Expect partly cloudy skies today with a high near 93 and a northeast wind of 2–8 mph. There’s a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m. Overnight lows will drop to around 75, with a 40% chance of storms. [NWS]
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The weather will be mostly sunny with a high near 91°F and light, variable winds becoming easterly at about 6 mph in the afternoon. Wednesday night will bring a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 75°F. Southeast winds will blow at 5 to 8 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot
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Arlington County police cars (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Arlington County police are investigating the second reported carjacking of the summer.
A woman was carjacked on 19th Street N. in the Colonial Village neighborhood just before 5 p.m. last night (Monday), according to ACPD. The suspect, a man in his 20s, allegedly approached the woman, made threats, and stole her keys and wallet before driving off.
Peeping Suspect Arrested — Police arrested a 37-year-old Arlington man on a peeping charge Sunday afternoon after a woman in the 2500 block of Washington Boulevard reported someone peering into her home. Officers located a matching suspect nearby and took him into custody without incident. [ACPD, Fox 5]
Grace Hopper Center Opens — Arlington’s new Grace Hopper Center welcomed students for the first day of school, offering career and technical education programs with hands-on work in STEM and AI fields. [NBC 4]
Trump Marking 9/11 at Pentagon — President Donald Trump will mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks at the Pentagon. Asked why he wasn’t attending the New York ceremony, Trump said, “Because I’m going to the Pentagon.” Vice President JD Vance will attend in New York. [Associated Press]
Payday for Local NatSec Firm — The founders of Arlington-based Fairfax National Security Solutions could see a major windfall as Dallas-based AIAI Holdings folds the defense consulting firm into its publicly traded umbrella. Chairman John Rochon declined to detail the payout, joking, “I just tell them, please don’t buy a Bugatti.” [WBJ]
Post Office Boosts Security — The Clarendon post office has installed an automated entry system, allowing customers to once again enter the lobby after hours by scanning a QR code. The post office previously ended overnight access, citing issues with individuals relieving themselves and vandalizing the lobby.
Sheriff or Police Department? — Columnist Bill Fogarty traces the split between the Arlington County Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Howard Fields asked the County Board in 1940 for “a change in the police set-up,” and a separate police department formed that February with nine officers. [Falls Church News-Press]
Girl Dinner Hits Restaurants — Arlington Magazine rounds up local “girl dinner” menus of grazing plates and cocktails. Brass Rabbit in Clarendon sells about two dozen orders a day of its $14 Caesar salad and fries in an oversized martini glass. Westover Taco and Crystal City’s Beauty Champagne and Sugar Boutique also made the list. [Arlington Magazine]
Metro Escalator Speed Explained — Washingtonian looked into a Reddit debate over whether Metro’s escalators are unusually slow. Metro says they run at the national safety-code standard of 100 feet per minute, matching Philadelphia and San Francisco. A private inspector said that’s at the top of the typical range. [Washingtonian]
Confederate Statues Come Down — Crews removed the last three Confederate monuments from Capitol Square in Richmond on Friday. Former state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), who sponsored the removal bill, rejected the argument that it erases history. “It’s just about who we choose to put on the front page,” he said. [Washington Post]
Labor Day Lane Closures Lift — VDOT will suspend most highway work zones and lift lane closures on interstates and other major roads statewide from noon Friday, Sept. 4, until noon Tuesday, Sept. 8. Some semi-permanent work zones will remain in place. [Press Release]
It’s Tuesday — Mostly sunny today with a high near 96 and heat index values as high as 100. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms arrives late in the afternoon, with a 30% chance overnight and a low around 77. Winds will be light out of the west. [NWS]
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Expect mostly sunny skies with temperatures peaking near 96 degrees, and the heat index reaching up to 100. Winds will be calm, shifting to a northwest breeze at 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. On Tuesday night, there’s a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m., with a slight chance of rain between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. The night will be partly cloudy with a low of about 77 degrees, accompanied by light and variable winds. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” – Joshua J. Marine
Thanks for reading! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to discuss it on our new Disqus-powered community message board.
