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.
Response to apartment fire in Ballston (via traffic cam)
Firefighters battled a two-alarm fire in a large apartment building in Ballston on Sunday night.
Initial reports suggest that a fire spread after breaking out in the kitchen of a unit at the 1020 Apartments building at 1020 N. Quincy Street. As of publication time, firefighters were working to get the flames under control and to ventilate smoke from the building.
Expect showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 pm, followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms until 5 pm, with areas of fog in the morning. The high will be near 79°F with east winds at 3 to 7 mph. Rainfall could reach a quarter to half an inch, and there is an 80% chance of precipitation. Saturday night will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms from 8 pm to 11 pm, then isolated showers, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 68°F. Winds will be light and variable, with a 50% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Change your thoughts and you change your world.” – Norman Vincent Peale
We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! 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. 👋
Greenery on a cloudy day in Ballston (staff photo)
Arlington Climbs Wealth Rankings — Arlington had six ZIP codes among the region’s 25 wealthiest, tying D.C. for the most, according to new Business Journals rankings. Arlington’s 22205 (Westover, Broyhill Heights and Dominion Hills) ranked fifth overall, behind Del Ray at No. 4. [WBJ]
Another Cyclist Struck — A cyclist was struck and seriously injured yesterday afternoon on the 1700 block of N. Quebec Street, north of Washington-Liberty High School, and was taken to a hospital by medics. It follows another cyclist struck in Bluemont on Monday. [ARLnow/X]
County Responds to ICE Incident — “Federal immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government, and Arlington County does not have the legal authority to regulate or intervene… ACPD was not present during the incident on August 11 involving Mr. Jose Mejia Hernandez, although the County is aware of his story.” [Arlington County]
Same ICE Agents Suspected — “We’re certainly very concerned that it’s the same group of ICE agents running the corridor along Columbia Pike that have been involved in it,” Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said, tying the Bailey’s Crossroads gun incident to an Arlington arrest that hospitalized a man. [FFXnow]
Rights When Encountering ICE — “Even if it’s a calm exchange between an officer and a person, take out the phone and start recording,” said Anuscè Sanai of the immigrant advocacy group Ayuda. Local attorneys said everyone has the right to remain silent, but interfering with an arrest can bring charges. [Washingtonian]
APS Reassures Immigrant Families — “We know that recent immigration enforcement activity in our area is causing fear, uncertainty and stress for some members of our community… APS does not ask for or require information about a student’s immigration or legal status,” Superintendent Francisco Durán said in a message to families. [APS]
Fixes Planned After DCA Scare — The FAA plans to move air-traffic control antennas, boost radio signals and add controller training after an Aug. 4 incident in which Marine One and an American Airlines regional jet came too close near Reagan National. The aircraft were 1.06 miles apart laterally, an FAA review found. [WSJ]
Prince Harry Lays Wreath — “On Aug. 19, 2026, Prince Harry participated in a public wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.” The cemetery shared Army video of the ceremony. [ANC/X]
Falls Church Names Manager — The City Council has selected Seth Hendler-Voss as the next city manager, pending a vote Monday. He was chosen from more than 80 applicants in a five-month search to replace Wyatt Shields, who is retiring after 23 years. [City of Falls Church]
Best of Falls Church Revealed — “This year, 45 winners earned a place among the Best of Falls Church. And nobody made a bigger entrance than Stratford Garden, winner of both Best New Restaurant and Best New Business.” Dogwood Tavern and Clare & Don’s Beach Shack also took two awards apiece. [FCNP]
Guilty in Metro Chase Death — An Alexandria woman, 19, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and assault and battery in the death of a man struck by a train at the Potomac Yard Metro station last September. Jurors found she and her then-girlfriend chased and attacked him before he jumped onto the tracks. [ALXnow]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly sunny skies today with a high near 83 and a northeast wind around 6 mph. Rain chances return tonight, with a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms and a low around 69. [NWS]
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It will be mostly sunny with a high of 82°F, with a north wind turning east in the afternoon at about 6 mph. Friday night brings increasing clouds and a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms, especially after 2 a.m., with a low around 69°F and light east winds. Rainfall could range from a tenth to a quarter of an inch, with possibly more during thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
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.
Korean War memorial outside of Randolph Towers in Ballston (courtesy Gale Harris)
Home Built for Hangouts — Yuri and Michelle Sagatov tore down a ranch house they bought for $870,000 in 2019 and built a $2.8 million, 7,000-square-foot home with four connected pavilions, a sunken conversation pit and a basement sports room — because they didn’t want their kids “just disappearing into their rooms.” [WSJ]
Pentagon City High-Rise Sold — An affiliate of Pantzer Property Management paid $211.5 million on Aug. 14 for the 440-unit Witmer apartment building at 710 12th Street S., about $480,680 per unit — below its $252.46 million assessed value. Pantzer has renamed the building The Point National Landing. [WBJ]
Flyover This Afternoon — From AlertDC: “The U.S. Military will conduct an aircraft flyover in the National Capital Region (NCR) over Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 1:15PM.”
Remembrance Ride Reaches Pentagon — About two dozen veterans on a multi-state motorcycle ride that began at the 9/11 Memorial in New York arrived at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial on Tuesday. The ride benefits Wounded Warrior Project’s Project Odyssey, a trauma recovery program. Riders visit Arlington National Cemetery next. [WUSA9]
Beyer Announces ICE Investigation — “Democratic congressmen from Northern Virginia announced an investigation into recent encounters people had with Immigration and Customs Enforcement that the lawmakers call “ICE brutality.” U.S. Rep. Don Beyer said his office confirmed at least four of what he calls unjustified, violent encounters with ICE agents just within the past two weeks.” [NBC 4, C-SPAN]
Bus Crash Victim Had Signal — A 59-year-old man killed by a Metrobus in Bailey’s Crossroads on Sunday had a walk signal and was in the crosswalk when the bus, turning right from Columbia Pike onto Carlin Springs Road, struck him, Fairfax County police say. He was the 13th pedestrian killed in Fairfax County this year. [FFXnow]
Carjacking Spree Guilty Plea — A D.C. man, 21, pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy, carjacking and firearms charges tied to a 2024 spree across D.C., Maryland and Virginia, including two Bailey’s Crossroads holdups near the Arlington line. The plea agreement calls for 16 to 24 years in prison. Sentencing is set for Jan. 29. [FFXnow]
Spanberger Signs Readiness Order — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed an executive order Tuesday creating what she called a “unified readiness framework” for disasters and other crises. Agencies handling emergency management, public safety and public health will each name a Unified Readiness Coordinator and share data for statewide planning. [Virginia Mercury]
Summerween Comes Early — “Something wicked this way comes. Yes, we’re referring to Summerween. It may be hotter than an apple crisp oat milk macchiato outside, but Washington is busy romanticizing sweater weather.” [Axios]
Storm Chances Return Today — Scattered strong to severe storms are expected this afternoon into early evening, with the best chance near and east of I-95. Storms could bring damaging winds, hail and an isolated tornado. NWS has placed the area from D.C. eastward in a level 2 out of 5 severe risk. [Capital Weather]
It’s Thursday — Expect a partly sunny day with a high near 87 and light southeast winds. Rain showers arrive around midday and showers and thunderstorms become likely by midafternoon, with an 80% chance of precipitation and a quarter to a half inch of rain possible. Storms taper off after 8 p.m., with an overnight low around 69. [NWS]
Expect showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, becoming more likely after 3pm, with a high near 87°F and increasing clouds. Winds will be calm, shifting to southwest at about 6 mph. There’s a 60% chance of rain, with potential rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, higher in storms. Thursday night will also see likely showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers until 1am, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 69°F. Light north winds are expected, with similar precipitation amounts as earlier. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” – Plato
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.
Bomb squad on scene of suspicious package investigation in Ballston (staff photo by Ryan Cole)
Update at 2:35 p.m. — Video posted to social media shows a truck, possibly bearing a U.S. Capitol Police logo, carrying an apparent explosive containment vessel and receiving a police escort on Washington Blvd around noon.
It’s still unclear whether an actual explosive device was found and removed during today’s incident.
Red light camera along Langston Blvd (staff photo)
Drive Sober Patrols Start — ACPD’s Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign starts today, with saturation patrols targeting impaired drivers through Sept. 7. Drunk drivers were involved in 34% of the 505 U.S. traffic deaths over the 2024 Labor Day holiday, according to NHTSA. [ACPD]
Exposure Reports Pile Up — Police logged five indecent exposure or attempted exposure incidents in their Monday and Tuesday crime reports, at locations including Wilson Blvd, S. Hayes Street, S. Glebe Road and 8th Road S. Two men were arrested and three investigations remain open. [ACPD]
Free Washes for Teachers — Mr Wash is offering free exterior Extra Shine car washes to teachers, faculty and school staff Thursday and Friday at all 11 of its locations, including two in Arlington. A valid school ID is required. [Press Release]
New Nonstops From Dulles — Airlines have added about a dozen nonstop routes at Dulles this year, including Taipei, Seoul, Reykjavik and Toronto, with Cabo San Lucas, Liberia and Cartagena arriving this fall and winter. Slot-controlled Reagan National added none. [Axios]
NSO Lands in Alexandria — The National Symphony Orchestra will split its 2026-27 season among six venues as the Kennedy Center closes for a two-year renovation, including nine concerts at Northern Virginia Community College’s Schlesinger Center in Alexandria. Tickets go on sale Aug. 28. [ALXnow]
Spanberger Enters Merger Fight — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) filed to intervene in the state review of Dominion Energy’s $67 billion merger with NextEra Energy, saying she remains “skeptical of the benefits this merger would deliver to Virginia.” Her office says she’s the first Virginia governor to intervene in such a case. [FFXnow]
THC Cap Hits Hemp Shops — Virginia’s cap of 2 milligrams of THC per hemp product took effect Saturday with no sell-through period, making inventory that shops legally sold for three years illegal. Seven businesses sued to block it, telling a federal judge they’re sitting on millions in unsellable product. [Axios]
Last 8 p.m. Sunset — Monday delivered the season’s last sunset at or after 8 p.m., and storms earlier in the evening left behind high clouds that lit it up. The next 8 p.m. sunset won’t come until May. [Capital Weather, Doug Kammerer/X]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny skies today with a high near 90 and a northwest wind of 2–6 mph. Overnight lows dip to around 73, with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. [NWS]
Want to keep the discussion going? Try our new community forum.
It will be sunny, with a high near 89°F, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 3 to 6 mph. Wednesday night could see a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m., with increasing clouds and a low of around 72°F. Winds will be calm, and there’s a 20% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” – Albert Einstein
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.
Construction in Clarendon, as seen from a barbershop (courtesy George Brazier)
Treasurer Race Field Set at Two — The Aug. 14 filing deadline passed with Democrat Kim Rucker and independent Aasim Rawoot as the lone candidates for the Nov. 3 special election for county treasurer, Arlington election officials confirmed on Monday. Rucker became treasurer after the July retirement of Carla de la Pava. —Scott McCaffrey
I-395 Bridge Work Snarls Commutes — “Drivers paying tolls to travel north on I-395 have lost access to the exit that normally allows them to continue toward Capitol Hill and I-695. Instead, they’re being forced onto 14th Street.” Work on the Rochambeau Bridge is set to wrap up in October. [WJLA]
AvalonBay Merger Creates Vivmark — “Arlington’s AvalonBay Communities Inc. and Chicago’s Equity Residential announced Monday that they have combined to create Vivmark Residential, the nation’s largest multifamily REIT with an enterprise value of $69 billion.” The company is expected to have dual headquarters in Arlington and Chicago. [WBJ]
Meet Beyer’s GOP Challenger — Republican Tony Sabio, a Navy veteran and former Secret Service and CIA officer, is challenging Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) in the Nov. 3 election. Sabio ran unopposed in the Aug. 4 primary, while Beyer defeated four challengers with roughly 68% of the vote. [Washington Examiner]
Students Build AI Startup Tool — Chase Rosen, Leo Fall and Carter Eckle built LaunchBridge.ai, which registers a Virginia LLC, applies for an IRS employer ID number and creates a basic website within 72 hours for a flat $350. The trio is competing for a Gemini XPrize. [Arlington Magazine]
Still No Pull-Ups at DCA — “Nearly one year and $1 billion later, you still can’t do pull-ups at Reagan National Airport à la RFK Jr.” The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said no renovations are planned at DCA or Dulles under the Trump administration’s family-friendly airport initiative. [Axios]
Capital One Lounge Draws Crowds — “The 90-seat space in Terminal 2 at Reagan National Airport seems to always have a wait.” The Capital One Landing, a partnership with chef José Andrés, is open to Venture X cardholders with a same-day boarding pass. Guest passes now cost $45. [Axios]
Falls Church Restaurant Week Debuts — The City of Falls Church is holding its first Summer Restaurant Week Aug. 21–30, with prix-fixe menus and seasonal plates at restaurants from West Broad Street to Founders Row. A sip-and-stroll event, Little City Sips, runs 5–10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22. [Falls Church News-Press]
D.C. Condo Sales Slump — “The condo market in D.C. is bottoming out. Sales this year are on track to plummet about 40% from pre-pandemic levels…” Studios and one-bedrooms are hardest to sell, and 41.6% of listings had a price cut in June, according to Bright MLS. [City Cast DC]
Localities Weigh Data Center Pauses — “The community has basically been begging us to do something about the unchecked growth of data centers,” Loudoun County Supervisor Juli Briskman (D) said. Loudoun’s board votes Sept. 15 on pausing new applications, and Suffolk, Front Royal and Chesapeake are weighing similar limits. [Virginia Mercury]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies today with a high near 88 and a north wind of 5–8 mph. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 70. [NWS]
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