Author: Dan Egitto

Dan Egitto is an editor and reporter at ARLnow. Originally from Central Florida, he graduated from Duke University and previously reported at the Palatka Daily News in Florida and the Vallejo Times-Herald in California. Dan joined ARLnow in January 2024.

News

Rewrite of Comprehensive Plan pits Arlington YIMBYs against slow-growth advocates

By Dan Egitto
Aerial view of homes and offices along the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor (staff photo)

Competing visions for the future of development in Arlington are facing off as the county gets closer to rewriting a core planning document.

As a feedback form on planned changes to the Comprehensive Plan is set to close on Sunday, slow-growth advocates are vying with a broad coalition of pro-housing groups to shape some of the county’s foundational goals.

Go to Rewrite of Comprehensive Plan pits Arlington YIMBYs against slow-growth advocates Read more
News

Arlington’s top prosecutor clashes with Miyares and feds over seizure of activist’s phone

By Dan Egitto
Arlington County Courthouse (staff photo by Ryan Cole)

The search and seizure of a cell phone belonging to an Arlington activist has set off a tug-of-war involving Arlington’s top prosecutor and state and federal authorities.

As partial allies in the legal action, seeking to limit an investigation of the phone belonging to 66-year-old retired academic Barbara Wien, are Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti and Wien’s attorney, former Chief Public Defender Brad Haywood.

Go to Arlington’s top prosecutor clashes with Miyares and feds over seizure of activist’s phone Read more
News

County seeks feedback on signs in median strips and outside businesses

By Dan Egitto
Campaign signs at the Madison Community Center on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 (staff photo)

Arlington County is seeking input on its rules for public signage, including sandwich boards outside businesses and political signs in median strips.

A public feedback form is open through Nov. 30, inquiring about respondents’ comfort levels with existing signage in sidewalks, medians and other public places as part of the county’s Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative.

Go to County seeks feedback on signs in median strips and outside businesses Read more
News

Man accused of shooting people and vehicles with air pistol near Columbia Pike

By Dan Egitto
Arlington County police car (staff photo)

A 23-year-old man is accused of using an air pistol to shoot people and vehicles from inside a South Arlington apartment early yesterday morning (Thursday).

The Arlington County Police Department was dispatched around 4:40 a.m. to a report of a shooting just off of Columbia Pike, in the Columbia Heights neighborhood, according to a press release. They arrived to find two men who had been struck by projectiles, suffering “minor injuries.”

Go to Man accused of shooting people and vehicles with air pistol near Columbia Pike Read more
News

Two lanes of bridge over Four Mile Run will close for repairs beginning next week

By Dan Egitto
Arlington Ridge Road bridge (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

One side of a 1950s-era bridge over Four Mile Run will close for reconstruction beginning next week.

The west side of the Arlington Ridge Road bridge, which crosses from Arlington into Alexandria just south of S. Glebe Road, will close next Wednesday to all vehicle and sidewalk traffic. It will remain inaccessible for about 11 months while crews demolish and reconstruct the southbound side.

Go to Two lanes of bridge over Four Mile Run will close for repairs beginning next week Read more
Events

Santa arrives at the Pentagon City mall next week

By Dan Egitto
Christmas decorations at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in a past year (file photo)

A bit of Christmas magic is coming to Pentagon City beginning next week as photos with Santa return to the neighborhood’s mall.

Saint Nick arrives on Friday, Nov. 14 and will stay through Christmas Eve on Dec. 24. He’ll be near Nordstrom on the first level of the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.

Go to Santa arrives at the Pentagon City mall next week Read more
News

Fall leaf collection begins Monday in Arlington

By Dan Egitto
Leaf collection sign in the Waycroft-Woodlawn neighborhood (staff photo)

As fall foliage piles up in yards and streets around Arlington, the county’s annual leaf collection program begins next week.

Leaf vacuums will suck up fallen leaves in 19 neighborhoods beginning on Monday, Nov. 10. The first pass will continue every weekday through Nov. 28, only taking a day off for Thanksgiving.

Go to Fall leaf collection begins Monday in Arlington Read more
News

ACPD starting salaries increase to $90K starting next summer

By Dan Egitto
An ACPD officer at a crime scene (file photo)

The starting salary for officers at the Arlington County Police Department is jumping to about $90,000, the highest in the D.C. area.

The pay bump, which goes into effect on July 1, 2026, represents a roughly $18,000 increase from the current starting salary of $72,013.50 for new officers, ACPD spokesperson Ashley Savage told ARLnow.

Go to ACPD starting salaries increase to $90K starting next summer Read more
News

Arlington Democrats hold up local and statewide wins as rebuke of Trump

By Dan Egitto and Scott McCaffrey
County Board Chair Takis Karantonis addresses supporters following his reelection on Tuesday, Nov. 4 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Arlington Democrats celebrated big wins at both the local and state level yesterday (Tuesday), connecting voters’ decisions to the Trump administration’s impacts on Virginia.

In speeches before a jubilant crowd at Fire Works Pizza in Courthouse, several victors in Arlington’s blue sweep lifted up the success of gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger and other Democrats in statewide races on Election Day.

Go to Arlington Democrats hold up local and statewide wins as rebuke of Trump Read more
News

LIVE: Election results for governor, attorney general and other races affecting Arlington

By Dan Egitto
Campaign signs outside Yorktown High School (staff photo by Jared Serre)

As election results roll in tonight, ARLnow will be tracking the outcome of races affecting Arlington and Virginia as a whole.

Three of the highest offices in Virginia are on the ballot this year, as are three seats representing Arlington in the House of Delegates.

Go to LIVE: Election results for governor, attorney general and other races affecting Arlington Read more
News

Arlington County Sheriff’s Office takes over medical care at jail, replacing private contractor

By Dan Egitto
Jail entrance at the Arlington County Detention Facility (file photo)

The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office took over operational control of medical care at the Arlington County Detention Facility this week, fulfilling a longstanding goal.

Sheriff Jose Quiroz has long advocated for shifting to an in-house medical model at the jail that saw several in-custody deaths under a former provider. Under the change, which went into effect yesterday (Monday), medical staff will report directly to Chief Medical Director Dr. Richard Malish, whom the sheriff appointed to a newly created position this spring.

Go to Arlington County Sheriff’s Office takes over medical care at jail, replacing private contractor Read more
News

DEVELOPING: Reagan National grounds flights after reported threat to arriving airliner

By Dan Egitto
A United Airlines flight is stopped on a runway at Reagan National Airport (screenshot via Fox 5)

All flights were grounded at Reagan National Airport midday Tuesday while a United Airlines jet was evacuated over a reported security threat.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on social media that a United Airlines flight “received a bomb threat,” resulting in passengers being evacuated and law enforcement conducting a full search of the aircraft.

Go to DEVELOPING: Reagan National grounds flights after reported threat to arriving airliner Read more
View More Stories