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 blocking S. Walter Reed Drive in May (courtesy Nate Whiting)
Two large downed trees caused traffic and power woes in separate parts of Arlington this morning.
The first, on the 2400 block of S. Walter Reed Drive near Shirlington, fell last night around 9 p.m., taking down utility lines, knocking out the power to nearby homes and businesses, and completely blocking the road.
“It’s a Vibe” sign in Rosslyn (courtesy George Brazier)
County Board Ices Out ICE — County Board members on Tuesday followed through with a plan to eliminate Section 7 of what is known as the government’s “Trust Policy.” The change will end proactive contacts between Arlington police and federal immigration officials. “Immigration enforcement is the exclusive domain of the federal government,” said Board Chair Takis Karantonis. He added that despite the policy change, “we will be compliant with federal law and state law, always.” –Scott McCaffrey
D.C. Recession Fears — “Signs of a DOGE recession are flashing in D.C. — rising unemployment, less credit card spending and jitters about more federal cuts. A local “mild recession” is expected as the Trump administration downsizes the capital city’s big factory — the federal government, employer to 17% of the region’s workforce.” [Axios, Washington Post]
Teens Rob Pentagon City Store — “A group of juvenile male and female suspects entered the business and began collecting merchandise. One female suspect approached an employee, made threatening statements and implied a weapon before all suspects subsequently fled the scene on foot with the stolen merchandise. No injuries were reported.” [ACPD]
New Burger Spot at DCA — “Five Guys, which has more than 1,800 locations across 26 countries, recently opened a new restaurant at the airport near gate D35 in Concourse D. The location is open daily 5 a.m.-10:30 p.m.” [Patch]
It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and possible thunderstorms throughout the day, with a high near 75 degrees and a southeast wind at 5-7 mph. There’s an 80% chance of precipitation. Wednesday night, anticipate more showers and storms. The low will be around 64 degrees with an 80% chance of precipitation. A half inch of rain is possible. [NWS]
Expect showers before 2pm, followed by possible showers and thunderstorms from 2pm to 5pm, and then showers with potential thunderstorms after 5pm. The high will be near 75 degrees with a southeast wind at 5-7 mph. An 80% chance of precipitation brings new rainfall amounts between 0.1-0.25 inches, with higher amounts in thunderstorms. Wednesday night, anticipate showers and potentially thunderstorms before 11pm, chances of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am, and a possibility of showers after 2am. The low will be around 64 degrees with a calming southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation remains 80%, with new rainfall amounts between 0.25-0.5 inches possible. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.” – Isaac Newton
N. Glebe Road blocked by downed wires (staff photo by Vernon Miles)
A busy stretch of N. Glebe Road just north of Ballston was completely blocked Tuesday afternoon.
A moving van took down a utility pole and live wires near 15th Street N. just before 2 p.m. The road was closed in both directions while police and fire personnel awaited utility crews to start cleaning up the mess.
A family eating dinner and watching college baseball at the Whole Foods in Clarendon (courtesy George Brazier)
Arlington Home Sales Down — Arlington home sales dropped 9.5% year-over-year to 219 transactions in April, with pending sales also trending downward, according to figures from Bright MLS. The average per-square-foot sales price for properties that sold in Arlington last month was $521, down from $524 a year before. Year-to-date, the 673 sales countywide represent a decline of 5.9% from 715 for the same four-month period in 2024. –Scott McCaffrey
Burglar Knifes Resident — “The female victim was inside her residence when the female suspect, who is known to the victim, allegedly forced entry into her home and they became involved in a verbal dispute that escalated into a physical altercation. The victim asked the suspect to leave, and the suspect refused. The victim subsequently struck the suspect with a knife, resulting in a laceration. Responding officers located the suspect on scene and took her into custody.” [ACPD, Matthew Young/X]
Wrong-Way Driver Stopped — “Where’s a cop when you need one? In this case, an @ArlingtonVaPD
officer was right in front of the Fashion Centre in Pentagon City to intercept a driver going the wrong way on S. Hayes Street from 15th.” [Dave Statter/X]
Aggressive Driving on Langston Blvd — “Road rage? Someone was not happy along Langston Boulevard from George Mason to Glebe. This happened Friday evening just before 7:00. Dash-cam video sent to STATter911.” [Dave Statter/X]
It’s Tuesday — Expect showers and possible thunderstorms, with a high near 69°F, accompanied by southeast winds at 10-14 mph and gusts up to 24 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%, with rainfall of three quarters to one inch. For Tuesday night, showers and potential thunderstorms continue, a low around 63°F, southeast winds at 9-14 mph, and gusts up to 23 mph. Precipitation remains at 100%, with an additional half to three-quarters of an inch of rainfall expected. [NWS]
Expect showers and possible thunderstorms after 5pm, with a high near 69°F, accompanied by southeast winds at 10-14 mph and gusts up to 24 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%, with new rainfall of three quarters to one inch. For Tuesday night, showers and potential thunderstorms continue, a low around 63°F, southeast winds at 9-14 mph, and gusts up to 23 mph. Precipitation remains at 100%, with an additional half to three-quarters of an inch of rainfall expected. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” – Alan Kay
Thunderstorms and heavy rain in Westover in 2021 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Arlington County and areas west will be under a Flood Watch tomorrow.
The National Weather Service expects 2-4 inches of rain to fall Tuesday in Northern Virginia, potentially flooding “creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.”
Letters being moved at Gateway Park in Rosslyn (courtesy Elaine Furlow)
Mass for New Pope — “As Bishop of Arlington, I invite all the faithful to join me for a Mass of Thanksgiving for Pope Leo XIV, which will take place at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More on Monday, May 12 at 12:05PM. This Mass of Thanksgiving will also be available via livestream, for those unable to attend in person.” [Diocese of Arlington, Northern Virginia Magazine]
Arrests in Front of Mall — “Police with guns drawn in the driveway at the main entrance to the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City during this morning’s rush hour. Two people were cuffed and taken away by @ArlingtonVaPD. This started when an officer spotted the car. Early word is that it was stolen from Prince George’s County.” [Dave Statter/X]
Water Worries for Area — “Fairfax and Prince William counties have a backup supply in Occoquan Reservoir, and Montgomery and Prince George’s counties draw a large portion of their water from the Patuxent River. These reservoirs can — and do — release their water into the Potomac River during drought conditions. However, if the Potomac River were to become contaminated, there is no backup water supply for D.C., Arlington County and the City of Falls Church.” [WTOP]
Tariff Woes for Local Company — “Shares in Fluence are down more than 73% year to date. Its share price took a steep dive in February after Trump announced plans to hike steel and aluminum tariffs as well as reciprocal tariffs to match the tax rates other countries charge on imports… It went public later that year. It’s headquartered at 4601 Fairfax Drive in Ballston with 18 other offices worldwide.” [WBJ]
Remembering ‘Nature Boy’ — “What’s in a name? I enjoy walking along the wooded trail in the Zachary Taylor Nature Area (which runs from Military Road, up to the Marymount campus). On a recent stroll, passing the sign into the trail, I asked myself this question: why the heck is a nature area named for Zachary Taylor? … I hereby suggest that it would be wonderful to call it the Tom Richards Nature Area.” [FCNP]
Townhouse Proposal in F.C. — “A proposal to rezone the properties at 106 and 108 South Lee Street is currently under consideration by the City of Falls Church, and it’s generating significant discussion within the community… The core of Madison Homes’ proposal is to replace the two existing single-family detached dwellings with a twelve (12) unit townhome development.” [Falls Church Pulse, Falls Church Pulse]
It’s Monday — Expect mostly cloudy skies and a high near 76, accompanied by a south wind at 5 to 8 mph, and showers starting in the afternoon. For Monday night, showers are predicted with possible thunderstorms overnight. Low temperature will be around 64, and southeast wind around 7 mph. Precipitation likelihood rises to 90%. [NWS]
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Expect sunny skies and a high around 72 degrees with northwest winds at 10-13 mph, gusting up to 21 mph. For Saturday night, it will be partly cloudy with a low of approximately 56 degrees. The west wind at 5 mph will become calm during the evening. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
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. 👋
After a wet start to Friday, things are looking up for Mother’s Day weekend.
Meteorologist Jackie Layer of DC News Now breaks down the forecast specifically for Arlington — including vital info for your Mother’s Day brunch plans — in the video below. She also previews what might be a rainy stretch next week.