Author: ARLnow.com

Spatula Attack — An Arlington man, 27, is charged with malicious wounding after police say he struck a woman with a spatula during a verbal dispute on the 1800 block of N. Scott Street Saturday, causing a laceration. The victim suffered minor injuries and was treated on scene. The man briefly fled before officers took him into custody. [ACPD]

Arlington’s Private Jet Brokers — Advanced Aviation Team, an Arlington brokerage founded by a former White House Travel Office staffer, arranges private jets for political figures, executives and security-sensitive travelers, securing aircraft and crew without owning planes. Demand is growing, but founder Gregg Brunson-Pitts said he’s keeping the firm small, hoping to be “the best at what we do for the most discerning client.” [WBJ]

Hardy Returns to FCCPS — The Falls Church City School Board approved Valerie Hardy as the division’s new executive principal, effective July 1. Hardy previously led Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School and the district’s secondary schools before leaving for Prince William County. “Valerie knows our students, our families, and our IB mission,” Superintendent Terry Dade said. [Falls Church News-Press]

Neighbors Save Barber Shop — Chesterbrook Barber Shop, a McLean fixture since 1967, reopened Sunday at 6262-F Old Dominion Drive after the new owner of its longtime shopping center declined to renew its lease. More than 200 customers rallied behind owner Peggy Ngo, signing a letter and helping her find the new space. “When one window closes, the other one would be open,” Ngo said. [FFXnow]

Local Police on GW Parkway — Starting July 1, state and local police can cite drivers for speeding and other traffic violations on the federally managed George Washington Memorial Parkway, under a law signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger. The U.S. Park Police remain the primary agency. Sen. Scott Surovell (D) sponsored the measure over speeding concerns south of Alexandria. [FFXnow]

Power Plant Site Greenlit — Alexandria City Council unanimously approved plans and a $135 million financing deal to redevelop the shuttered Potomac River Generating Station in Old Town North. Owner HRP Group says the project will draw more than $2 billion in private investment, with mixed-use buildings and more than 10 acres of public open space. Deconstruction could begin next year. [ALXnow]

FCPS Device Opt-Out — After a contentious debate, the Fairfax County School Board will let parents of preschool and elementary students opt out of take-home laptops and tablets next school year, and will study tighter screen restrictions. [FFXnow]

Va. Budget Standoff — Six months into her term, Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) is navigating a budget impasse and unrest within her own party over a string of vetoes. Lawmakers face a June 30 deadline to pass a spending plan or risk an unprecedented state government shutdown, with the fight centered on data center tax incentives. “I think it’s outrageous that we are where we are,” she said. [Virginia Mercury]

Urgent Sewer Line Repairs — DC Water began emergency repairs Monday on a corroding section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line in Potomac, Maryland, before it could fail and leak wastewater into the river. The pipe carries about 6 million gallons of wastewater daily and sits upstream of major regional drinking water intakes. [WJLA]

It’s Tuesday — Sunny, basically perfect weather today with a high near 80 and light northeast winds. Skies turn partly cloudy overnight with a low around 63. [NWS]

Want more local news from around the region? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow.

Beyer Targets Trump Arch — Rep. Don Beyer (D) is cosponsoring a bill to block President Trump’s proposed 250-foot “Triumphal Arch” between Arlington National Cemetery and the Memorial Bridge. “Everyone I’ve talked to in Virginia and D.C. is horrified by it, partly because it is so tasteless,” Beyer said. “It begins with reverence for the people that are buried here.” [NBC 4]

APS Adds Bus Tracking — Arlington families will soon be able to track their kids’ school buses in real time. Arlington Public Schools is partnering with Transfinder, whose Stopfinder app uses GPS to follow buses and can alert parents when one is 10 or 15 minutes from a stop. The switch follows complaints that the district’s previous software, in place over a decade, was slow and inefficient. [WTOP]

A Hero’s Farewell — Family, officers and public safety personnel gathered Friday to honor Auxiliary Lt. Charlie Neal, who served ACPD for 40 years and died May 13 at age 80. “Whether riding with pride in the Motor Unit or greeting others with his ever-present smile, he had a remarkable gift for making people feel welcomed,” the department said. Neal was also a pioneering broadcaster in HBCU sports. [WUSA9, ACPD/X]

New False-Alarm Vendor — The Arlington County Fire Department will begin using a third-party vendor, Alarm Program Systems, to administer its false fire alarm program starting July 1, with a new website for billing and appeals. Businesses face fees for repeated false alarms caused by malfunctions or unintentional activations; single-family homes, duplexes and townhomes are exempt. [Arlington County]

Off-Ramp Mishap — Traffic-camera video shows a car turning off the I-395 ramp into Shirlington and onto the center median around 2:45 a.m. Saturday. “When your aim is just a little off,” local public safety watcher Dave Statter wrote in sharing the footage. [Dave Statter/X]

Hit the Trails — Arlington Magazine rounded up 10 scenic hikes within driving distance, from flat loops at Theodore Roosevelt Island and Scott’s Run in McLean to the overlooks at Great Falls and longer waterfall treks in Shenandoah. [Arlington Magazine]

Arlington Man Charged in Crash — An Arlington man, 23, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving in a fatal December crash on King Street in Alexandria. Police say surveillance footage showed his Toyota Camry was traveling at an excessive speed when it struck an Acura, killing the other driver, Craig Taylor, 78. He was arrested May 19 and is due in court June 18. [ALXnow]

House Dems Pitch Budget — House Democrats released a budget proposal Friday, with data center tax breaks the main sticking point in talks with Senate Democrats. The House plan would keep the breaks through 2035 and create a commission to study them; Senate Democrats want them ended. Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) backs the House plan. Lawmakers have until June 30 to reach a deal or risk a state government shutdown. [Virginia Scope]

Securing Backup Water — The region’s three water utilities — WSSC Water, the Washington Aqueduct and Fairfax Water — are launching a $25 million, two-year study to find a large-scale backup supply for a D.C. area of more than 5 million people that relies almost entirely on the Potomac River. “We rely primarily on a single source, and that’s the Potomac River,” said WSSC Water’s Priscilla To. Quarries and treated wastewater are among the options being weighed. [WTOP]

New State Internship Role — Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed bipartisan legislation creating Virginia’s first State Internship Coordinator, a new role focused on expanding internship opportunities across state agencies. “One of the most powerful tools we have is making sure talented students stay and grow right here in Virginia,” she said. [Press Release]

D.C. Hits 100 Degrees — Friday’s heat pushed D.C. to 100 degrees — its first 100-degree day since August 2024, according to Capital Weather. The reading topped the date’s record of 95, while BWI Marshall Airport set a record at 97. [Capital Weather/X]

It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies today with a high near 81 and breezy northwest winds around 16 mph, gusting to 23 mph. That’s a sharp drop from the weekend’s near-100-degree heat. Overnight lows fall to around 60. [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.

Temporary Uses Eyed for PenPlace — Amazon is in early talks on temporary uses for the vacant 11-acre PenPlace block, where the next phase of HQ2, including the landmark Helix, remains on hold. “It’s not ideal to have a big vacant fenced site sitting there,” Amazon community engagement lead Patrick Phillippi said. Ideas include open space, art installations and a dog park. [WBJ]

‘Amazon Now’ Eyes Clarendon — Amazon is expected to bring its Amazon Now 30-minute delivery service to Clarendon and Tysons. Prime Now LLC has filed for a license to sell alcohol from 2701 Wilson Blvd, the former home of Arlington Independent Media. The service promises fresh groceries and household essentials in 30 minutes or less. [WBJ]

Pride With the Police Returns — ACPD hosts its sixth annual Pride with the Police on Thursday, June 25 from 5-7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant (555 23rd Street S.). The informal event, which marks 20 years of the department’s LGBTQ+ Liaison Team, features light refreshments and LGBTQ+ bingo. [ACPD]

Longtime Taylor Teacher Retiring — Ann Heidig is retiring at the end of the school year after 40 years at Taylor Elementary, where she is known for gifting each of her students a handmade sock monkey. “If you attended or worked at Taylor during the past 40 years, it’s a good bet that you know the name Ann Heidig,” the school wrote. [APS]

ACPD Corporal Retires — ACPD celebrated the retirement of Cpl. Tuomey after 25 years with the department. “During his career, Cpl. Tuomey served faithfully as a patrol officer, school resource officer, K9 handler and as a court liaison,” the department said. [ACPD/X]

Croatia Trains in Alexandria — The Croatia national soccer team is using Episcopal High School in Alexandria as its training base for the 2026 World Cup, staying at a nearby Old Town hotel. “We could not be more honored to be the home for this team for the next month,” Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins said. The squad finished second in 2018 and third in 2022. [ALXnow, WBJ]

River Closures Worry Boaters — D.C.’s expanded July 4 fireworks show could bring unprecedented Potomac River closures, worrying local boaters and paddlers. Early planning documents show fireworks launching from eight barges on the river. “Having the river closed for July 4 is the boat-world equivalent of Tysons being closed on Black Friday,” Sea Suite Cruises founder Jack Maher told Axios. [Axios]

DOJ Sues Over Mask Ban — The U.S. Justice Department is suing Virginia over its new law barring federal enforcement officials from wearing masks, according to Courthouse News reporter Joe Dodson. [Joe Dodson/X, Press Release]

It’s Friday — Today brings mostly sunny skies and a high near 96, with a heat index as high as 102. A heat advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Showers and thunderstorms are likely after 4 p.m., some possibly severe, before an overnight low around 67. [NWS]