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

Missing Middle plaintiffs appeal lawsuit to Virginia Supreme Court

By Dan Egitto
An EHO duplex on N. Troy Street in May 2025 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

The Missing Middle lawsuit has finally arrived on the desk of the Virginia Supreme Court.

Plaintiffs in the suit against Arlington County’s contentious zoning change submitted a petition for appeal to the commonwealth’s highest court yesterday (Monday). They’re trying to reverse a recent Virginia Court of Appeals ruling that would create big obstacles for their case, if upheld.

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News

ACFD pushes message of lithium-ion battery safety to prevent fires

By Dan Egitto
Firefighters respond to an apartment fire apparently sparked by a lithium-ion battery (staff photo by Josie Sellers)

The Arlington County Fire Department is urging residents to stay vigilant and educate themselves about risks associated with lithium-ion batteries during Fire Prevention Week.

This year’s safety campaign, “Charge into Fire Safety,” focuses on the possibility of rechargeable batteries overheating, starting fires or even exploding if people treat them improperly or dispose of them the right way.

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News

What the government shutdown means for Arlington’s federal workers and federal sites

By Dan Egitto
The U.S. Air Force Memorial is closed for the government shutdown (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

As the government shutdown brings a major portion of Northern Virginia’s economy to a halt, the commonwealth’s senators are doubling down on demands to strike a deal.

After months of upheaval, thousands of Arlington’s federal workers are facing renewed uncertainty as the shutdown that began yesterday (Wednesday) forces several agencies with local headquarters to furlough employees — all while the Office of Management and Budget is threatening another round of mass firings.

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News

Enforcement issues in Montgomery County could inform gas-powered leaf blower ban in Arlington

By Dan Egitto
A person operates a leaf blower (via Callum Hill/Unsplash)

As Arlington County staff research a possible ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, they may take some lessons from a nearby jurisdiction’s struggles with a similar prohibition.

A ban on gas-powered leaf blowers in Montgomery County went into effect July 1, threatening $500 citations if someone is photographed using the noisy and environmentally unfriendly devices. Recently, however, that county’s leaders have been rethinking ways to enforce the ban while respecting people’s privacy.

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News

New ‘bike boulevard’ designs seek to help cyclists near Columbia Pike

By Dan Egitto
A bike boulevard sign at 12th Street S. and S. Quincy Street (via Arlington County)

Concept designs for improved bike routes running parallel to Columbia Pike are now available, aiming to make certain side streets safer and more inviting to bicyclists.

Arlington County is currently seeking feedback — due this Sunday, Oct. 5 — on the possible upgrades to the Columbia Pike Bike Boulevards. The proposal includes a variety of signage, intersection changes and streetscape adjustments on either side of the Pike.

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News

Arlington Community credit union plans a merger and a name change

By Dan Egitto
An Arlington Community Federal Credit Union location in Glebewood (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Arlington Community Federal Credit Union plans to merge with another mid-Atlantic credit union and take on its name.

The 74-year-old credit union — which has nearly 25,000 members in Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church and Fairfax County — has announced plans to merge with Alexandria-based CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union.

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News

Even more spotted lanternflies expected in Arlington next year, but removing a specific plant can help

By Dan Egitto
Spotted lanternflies in Arlington (staff photo)

Arlington’s swarms of spotted lanternflies will finally go away over the winter, but residents should expect to see even more next year, experts say.

The invasive insects, which have appeared en masse in Arlington this year after sporadic sightings for the last few years, will die with the first frost, Alonso Abugattas, natural resources program manager for Arlington County, told ARLnow. This typically takes place around Oct. 25.

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Events

Road closures planned for AI event in Crystal City this week

By Dan Egitto
A bus advertises the "AI Unlocked" event in Crystal City (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A free event on the future of artificial intelligence is taking place in Crystal City this weekend, resulting in a few road closures.

Programming for “AI Unlocked” begins at 10 a.m. on Friday at the Alamo Drafthouse (1660 Crystal Drive). That morning will feature a conversation on AI policy with U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.), followed by an afternoon discussion on “tech frontiers.”

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Traffic

Heads up: Metro disruptions for Rosslyn and the Blue Line this weekend

By Dan Egitto
The Rosslyn Metro station (file photo)

Metro stations in Rosslyn and Arlington National Cemetery will be closed this weekend, and the Blue Line won’t be operating in much of National Landing.

Free shuttle services will be available during the disruptions on Saturday and Sunday. Blue Line closures will be in effect for Crystal City, Pentagon City and the Pentagon, according to a transit alert.

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News

Rock Spring church to host ‘Spotlight on Gaza’ showing scenes of devastation in Palestine

By Dan Egitto
Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

An event seeking to immerse visitors in scenes of bloodshed, famine and terror in Gaza is taking place at a Rock Spring church this weekend.

“Spotlight on Gaza: A Wake-Up Call for Christians” will walk visitors through a series of rooms at Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ (5010 Little Falls Road) depicting aspects of the ongoing devastation in Palestine.

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News

Construction on long-promised roundabout on Military Road gets underway

By Dan Egitto
Construction on a new roundabout at the intersection of Military Road and Nelly Custis Drive (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Work on a permanent roundabout at the intersection of Military Road and Nelly Custis Drive is moving forward, but it won’t be finished for a couple years.

The project, which follows temporary changes to the intersection in 2021, will involve widening sidewalks, upgrading utilities and installing a rain garden at the center of the roundabout.

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