Dan Egitto | ARLnow

JUST IN: Fourth of July celebrations will close DCA runways, may cause flight delays

Published June 16, 2026 at 4:30PM

A Delta flight at the gate at Reagan National Airport (staff photo)

The runways at Reagan National Airport will be closed for much of July 3 and 4 to accommodate celebrations in D.C.

Ambitious plans for a record-breaking fireworks display, coupled with aerial performances and rehearsals, mean that no flights will be scheduled at the airport after noon on the Fourth of July. Additionally, the airspace will be closed for several hours in the early afternoon on July 3.

Around Town

New coffee shop, Rita’s Italian Ice plan to open in Cherrydale

By Dan Egitto

Published June 16, 2026 at 1:45PM

Empty retails bays at 3800 Langston Blvd (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A Rita’s Italian Ice and a new cafe concept with in-house coffee roasting are in the works at two vacant storefronts in Cherrydale.

The dessert spot and the coffee shop, Good Trouble Roasters, are both preparing to open in retail bays at 3800 Langston Blvd — a shopping area that has seen significant turnover, but where the smash burger restaurant Burger Billy’s Joint has found success since spring 2024.

Around Town

Vacant Ballston retail bay showcases work of Marymount fashion students

By Dan Egitto

Published June 15, 2026 at 1:45PM

The work of Marymount University students is showcased at the former Union Kitchen space in Ballston (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A vacant storefront at the Ballston Quarter has turned into a public showroom for the work of Marymount University art students this summer.

Several mannequins in the window of the former Union Kitchen space (4238 Wilson Blvd) show off a collaborative project between the university’s Fashion Design program and Ikea. Students used leftover textiles from the retail company to create garments with themes of upcycling and environmental consciousness.

News

Meth distributor busted with help from ACPD, sentenced to 11 years

By Dan Egitto

Published June 15, 2026 at 10:00AM

File photo

A drug distributor has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for providing large amounts of methamphetamine to dealers in jurisdictions including Arlington.

Darrell Carter, of Philadelphia, was sentenced last week for possessing and conspiring to distribute meth, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced in a press release. Authorities discovered multiple kilograms of the drug in Carter’s home, along with communications suggesting that he used to purchase up to 20 pounds of meth per month for resale.

Around Town

Prolific food and business reporter Katie Taranto leaving ARLnow after two years

By Dan Egitto

Published June 12, 2026 at 4:45PM

ARLnow business reporter Katie Taranto (staff photo)

After two years of connecting with local businesses, exploring Arlington’s wide-ranging food scene and satisfying residents’ questions and curiosity, reporter Katie Taranto is leaving ARLnow.

Taranto, who is departing to cover federal climate policy at the trade publication Inside EPA, wrote prolifically about the arrival and departure of countless restaurants and retailers in Arlington, while still finding time to appreciate the quirks and unique character of the county’s diverse communities.

News

Phishing attack put VHC Health patients’ medical records, personal information at risk

By Dan Egitto

Published June 11, 2026 at 3:45PM

The VHC outpatient pavilion (courtesy photo)

A data breach at a vendor for VHC Health may have jeopardized sensitive information including patients’ Social Security numbers, medical diagnoses and account numbers.

VHC Health mailed out notices of the phishing attack on June 5, but the attack on the vendor, Xsolis, Inc., took place on Jan. 22 — affecting an unspecified number of patients. The notices advise patients to “remain vigilant against fraud and identity theft.”

News

Weekend rail work at Crystal City Metro finishes two weeks early

By Dan Egitto

Published June 11, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated June 11, 2026 at 4:20PM

Work on the second entrance to the Crystal City Metro station (via WMATA/Facebook)

Weekend construction work has wrapped up early at the Crystal City Metro station, shaving two weeks off of the original schedule of closures.

The era of shuttle buses operating on the weekend at Crystal City is over, and Blue and Yellow Line trains are back to operating as usual, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced on social media.

News

NOW: Hazmat, medical crews dispatched as Pentagon goes on lockdown

By Dan Egitto

Published June 11, 2026 at 12:15PM | Updated June 11, 2026 at 2:26PM

Aerial view of the Pentagon (staff photo)

Medical crews and hazmat teams were dispatched to the Pentagon this morning for a reported hazardous materials incident.

Initial reports referenced “a positive anthrax system alert” around 9 a.m., along with “a suspicious odor” and at least one individual with chest pain in the inner courtyard. They also referred to a need for further lab testing.

News

New parking ticket portal launches in Arlington, with permit changes coming soon

By Dan Egitto

Published June 11, 2026 at 10:00AM

Parking enforcement operation on Four Mile Run (photo via Arlington County Police Department/X)

A new payment and processing system for Arlington parking tickets launched yesterday (Wednesday).

The new site is intended to make it easier for motorists to resolve citations. Users can enter either their ticket number, their license plate number or their vehicle identification number to view open tickets.

News

Many Virginians’ criminal convictions about to be sealed under ‘Clean Slate’ law

By Dan Egitto

Published June 11, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated June 11, 2026 at 1:47PM

Flags flying in the wind at Arlington County's justice center in Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A Virginia law going into effect on July 1 will seal the criminal records of many people convicted of low-level offenses.

The commonwealth’s “Clean Slate” law is expected to automatically seal over 100,000 criminal records of Virginians who were once convicted of misdemeanors such as shoplifting, trespassing and distributing marijuana, but who haven’t reoffended in the past seven years. This will make make housing providers and many employers unable to access such records via criminal background checks.

News

Open house on changes to three parks near Va. Square happening next week

By Dan Egitto

Published June 10, 2026 at 2:45PM

The last open house on the future of Maury Park, Herselle Milliken Park and Gum Ball Park (courtesy of Dept. of Parks and Rec)

Arlington County staff are seeking another round of feedback on a master plan for Maury Park, Herselle Milliken Park and Gum Ball Park.

An open house scheduled for next Tuesday, June 16 will feature draft concepts for the Three Urban Parks Project. It follows another round of feedback last fall, during which participants shared input on changes they would like to see at the parks, all located in the Ashton Heights neighborhood near the Virginia Square Metro station.

News

Two arrested for allegedly dumping gas, motor oil into Arlington storm drain

By Dan Egitto

Published June 9, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated June 9, 2026 at 5:07PM

File photo

Two men have been arrested after reportedly dumping “substantial quantities” of motor oil and gasoline into Arlington’s stormwater system.

Ahmad Adawi, of Fairfax, and Suhib Derbas, of Alexandria, are accused of intentionally releasing hazardous substances directly into stormwater drains, the Arlington County Office of the Fire Marshal announced today (Tuesday).