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

Gondola dreams persist in Arlington as plans gain ground elsewhere in U.S.

By Dan Egitto
A rendering of a possible Swyft Cities gondola system (courtesy of Whoosh Hold LP)

Though proposals for gondola-style transit projects have yet to take off in Arlington, they aren’t completely dead.

No plans for “gondola or gondola-like studies” are currently in the works here, Transportation Principal Planner Dan Malouff told ARLnow.

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News

NEW: Arlington firefighter union holds vote of no confidence against fire chief

By Dan Egitto
Fire Chief David Povlitz addresses the Arlington County Board (via Arlington County/YouTube)

Arlington County’s firefighter union has taken a vote of no confidence against Fire Chief David Povlitz.

The vote passed by wide margins today (Wednesday), with about 81% of voting members calling for the chief to resign, IAFF Local 2800 announced. About 71% of the union participated.

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News

County Board votes to appeal Missing Middle ruling

By Dan Egitto
Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey speaks about an appeal of a ruling on the Expanded Housing Option (via Arlington County/YouTube)

The Arlington County Board has unanimously voted to appeal a judge’s ruling on Missing Middle zoning changes.

The county’s lawyers had previously said they planned to contest the circuit court decision, which prevents the county from issuing any more permits under the much-debated Expanded Housing Option. However, the Arlington County Board had not held a public vote on an appeal until yesterday (Tuesday).

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News

Dehghani-Tafti presses for new strategies in resisting Trump, Republicans

By Scott McCaffrey and Dan Egitto
Parisa Dehghani-Tafti at her election watch party in Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Go-along-to-get-along will not be the strategy of Arlington’s top prosecutor as the nation heads into the second Donald Trump era.

Instead, she is asking those on her side of the political aisle to embrace new ways of fighting back.

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News

Clarendon 7-Eleven shutters as company plans hundreds of closures

By Dan Egitto
The 7-Eleven at 3137 Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A 7-Eleven has closed for good in Clarendon.

A sign indicating the convenience store’s closure was on display at 3137 Wilson Blvd last Friday, an observer noted on Bluesky. The sign directs would-be patrons to another 7-Eleven a few blocks away.

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News

ACPD protocol on contacting ICE tightens as County Board clashes with activists

By Dan Egitto
Immigration attorney Amber Qureshi calls for tighter restrictions on when ACPD can contact federal immigration enforcement (via Arlington County/YouTube)

Tighter restrictions on when Arlington police can contact federal authorities about undocumented immigrants are going into effect.

Following a 4-1 Arlington County Board vote, local police can only initiate contact with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in contexts involving identified gang members and certain serious crimes.

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News

JUST IN: APS employee arrested for allegedly seeking sex with student

By Dan Egitto
Police presence at Wakefield High School in 2023 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Update on 7/2/25: The suspect in this case was acquitted, DC News Now reports.

Earlier: An Arlington Public Schools employee has been arrested after allegedly soliciting sex from an underage female student.

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News

Plans for new $177M Ballston Metro entrance take key step forward

By Dan Egitto
A rendering of a proposed second entrance to the Ballston-MU Metro station (via Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority)

Plans for a new $177 million west entrance to the Ballston Metro station are beginning to solidify.

Proposed plans for the project, meant to reduce congestion and improve access to areas west of the station, were published last month.

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Around Town

Arlington woman wins on ‘Jeopardy!’, earns over $14K

By Dan Egitto
Arlington resident Susan Stumme on 'Jeopardy!' (courtesy of Tyler Golden / Sony Television)

An Arlington journalist starred on “Jeopardy!” last week, winning one night and earning over $14,000.

Susan Stumme, a senior editor at the news agency Agence France-Presse, ended Thursday night on top with a $12,600 win.

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News

Equity and consensus building in focus for incoming County Board member JD Spain, Sr.

By Dan Egitto
JD Spain, Sr. at the Arlington Democrats' election November 2024 watch party in Crystal City (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Top Arlington County Board priorities including housing affordability and public safety will likely hold steady following JD Spain, Sr.’s victory last week.

However, Spain is seeking to distinguish himself from the Board’s current approach to government oversight, engagement and transparency.

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News

Townhouse development proposed to replace aging Dominion Hills office building

By Dan Egitto
The existing office building at 6045 Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A development of around 16 townhouses is being proposed at the site of a three-story office building in Dominion Hills.

A proposal for a General Land Use Plan (GLUP) amendment to make this possible at 6045 Wilson Blvd received mostly positive feedback at a Long Range Planning Committee meeting last week.

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