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.
4100 block of 36th Street S. in Fairlington, scene of a house fire (via Google Maps)
A house fire in the Fairlington neighborhood sent three firefighters to the hospital Sunday evening.
The fire broke out shortly before 5:45 p.m. in a townhouse on the 4100 block of 36th Street S., near the Alexandria border. While battling the flames, a firefighter fell through the floor — from the second floor to the first, according to radio traffic — and a mayday was called.
Police running into the Pentagon City mall (courtesy Dave Statter/X)
The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City was shut down Saturday evening after a series of large fights led to a massive, multi-agency police response.
The fights started breaking out among groups of teens and mall security around 6 p.m., according to scanner traffic. By 7 p.m., additional fights in the food court started escalating and all available officers were urgently dispatched to the mall.
There’s a 20% chance of showers after 11am, with partly sunny skies and a high near 83. Expect southwest winds at 9 to 13 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. For Saturday night, it will be mostly cloudy with a low around 63, and southwest winds at 7 to 9 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi
We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋
As the ground thaws and trees begin to bloom, it’s a good time to check off lawn maintenance and Arlington is full of expert lawn care professionals.
Here are the nominees for “Best Landscaper in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards. Arlington homeowners can be sure to take pride in theses landscaping experts.
Did we miss a landscaping professional or company? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks.
Voting for Best Primary Care Doctor in Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on Best Mexican restaurant in Arlington. The results are now official:
Deer family walking down the street in a North Arlington neighborhood (staff photo)
Pair of Flyovers Today — From AlertDC: “The US Military will conduct a flyover in the National Capital Region over Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, March 28th, 2025, at 9:15AM… [and] at 3:21PM.”
New Trump Executive Order — “Trump signed an executive order on Thursday that sets up a “D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force,” which is instructed to work closely with local officials. The order calls for “deploying a more robust federal law enforcement presence” in D.C. It includes “directing maximum enforcement of federal immigration law and redirecting available federal, state, or local law enforcement resources to apprehend and deport illegal aliens” in the D.C. area.” [Axios]
FDIC Wins Tax Case — “Arlington County, Virginia must pay about $1.5 million to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. for over-taxing the value of its headquarters building during the Covid-19 pandemic. Judge Anthony J. Trenga of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia signed a consent order requiring the return of taxes paid based on its assessments of the FDIC headquarters complex for the 2019 through 2023 tax years, though he upheld its property assessments for 2024 and 2025.” [Bloomberg Tax]
Bank Looks to Expand — “Trustar Bank in Great Falls has raised $16.7 million in fresh capital and plans to use the funds to increase its lending and add more branches across Greater Washington… Trustar just opened a branch in Bethesda to go along with full-service branches in Great Falls, Reston and Tysons and appointment-only offices in D.C., Potomac and Arlington, and just recently won approval to open a full-service branch in Arlington, but Andersen said it’s not done.” [WBJ]
Teens Facing Charges — “Two juvenile male suspects entered the business, collected merchandise and exited the store without payment. An employee confronted the suspects outside the business during which Suspect Two discharged pepper spray which did not make contact with the victim. Both suspects then fled the scene on foot. No injuries were reported. A lookout was broadcast and responding officers located two individuals… and took them into custody.” [ACPD]
Local Ivy Acceptance Stats — “Even in Arlington, where 64% of graduates earn an advanced studies diploma, and SAT and ACT scores outpace state and national averages by significant margins, these prestigious East Coast institutions are a reach for the vast majority of college-bound seniors, with acceptance rates mostly in the single digits. Below is a breakdown of Arlington Public Schools (APS) applications and acceptances at Ivy League schools from 2020 to 2024.” [Arlington Magazine]
It’s Friday — Showers are possible after 2pm, with otherwise partly sunny skies and a high near 68. The south wind will be blowing at 3 to 8 mph, and there’s a 30% chance of precipitation. Friday night, showers may occur before 8pm, followed by partly cloudy conditions and a low around 59. The southwest wind will be 6 to 9 mph, with a 30% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Showers are possible after 2pm, with partly sunny skies and a high near 68. The south wind will be blowing at 3 to 8 mph, and there’s a 30% chance of precipitation. For Friday night, showers may occur before 8pm, followed by partly cloudy conditions and a low around 59. The southwest wind will be at 6 to 9 mph, with a 30% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” – Albert Einstein
Trees in bloom in Rosslyn (courtesy George Brazier)
Organic Chain Coming to Ballston — “Life Alive Organic Cafe is expanding to Northern Virginia following its local debut in January from space on D.C.’s West End. The Massachusetts-based fast-casual chain, which features healthy food options including bowls, salads and wraps, has inked deals for space in Ballston and Old Town Alexandria, with several more outposts expected to follow.” [WBJ]
Accelerator Coming to Crystal City — “A Los Angeles venture capital firm will launch an accelerator program in Arlington later this year to help aerospace and defense startups establish a permanent presence in Greater Washington. Starburst Ventures’ National Landing Launchpad, to be located in 1,600 square feet at 2231 Crystal Drive, is set to accept applications for its first cohort of up to 10 startups on April 1.” [WBJ]
Gov. Vetoes Ranked Choice Bill — “Governor Glenn Youngkin has vetoed legislation that would have made technical improvements to Virginia’s ranked choice voting statute. The bill contained clarifications for election administrators regarding audits, recounts, and equipment testing.” [Ranked Choice Virginia]
Notable Va. Bills Signed — “Gov. Glenn Youngkin, now in his last year in office, has made decisions on nearly 900 pieces of legislation from this session. Of those bills, he signed 599, amended 159, and vetoed 157. Here are some of the standouts.” [N. Va. Magazine]
Alexandria Braces for Fed Cuts — “Two regional planning experts delivered sobering news to the Alexandria City Council on Tuesday (March 25) about the potential impact of federal workforce reductions, warning that the city faces significant economic challenges if proposed cuts materialize.” [ALXnow]
It’s Thursday — The weather will be mostly sunny with temperatures reaching near 60 degrees, accompanied by a west wind at 6 to 9 mph and gusts reaching up to 18 mph. In the evening, expect partly cloudy skies with lows around 44 degrees. [NWS]
The weather will be mostly sunny with temperatures reaching near 60 degrees, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 6 to 9 mph and gusts reaching up to 18 mph. In the evening, expect partly cloudy skies with lows around 44 degrees and southwest winds at approximately 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” – Robert Frost
House fire in the Woodmont neighborhood (staff photo by Vernon Miles)
Firefighters battled a large house fire in the Woodmont neighborhood Wednesday afternoon.
The fire scene is the 2900 block of 24th Road N., south of the YMCA gymnastics center. Black smoke could be seen rising from a distance as a result of the blaze.
