Dan Egitto | ARLnow

EXCLUSIVE: Police union, prosecutor dispute prior case involving child stabbing suspect

Published December 17, 2024 at 3:30PM | Updated December 17, 2024 at 5:57PM

Stabbing suspect Leonardo Reyes (via ACPD) and a traffic camera view of the crime scene in Pentagon City

Arlington’s police union and top prosecutor are in a war of words over a previous case involving the Pentagon City stabbing suspect.

Leonardo Reyes, the man accused of sending a mother and her toddler to the hospital with life-threatening stab wounds in a Saturday night attack, was out on probation for the attempted robbery of a drug store in 2021.

News

HQ2 utility work concludes, but Phase 2 timeline remains hazy

By Dan Egitto

Published December 17, 2024 at 1:15PM | Updated December 17, 2024 at 1:45PM

Bike lanes on Army Navy Drive are visible in this 2021 rendering of Amazon's HQ2 Phase 2 campus (via NBBJ/Amazon)

Utility work at the planned second site for Amazon’s HQ2 has concluded.

“All construction operations have concluded,” contractor Clark Construction told local residents in an email Friday. “Your engagement and support has helped us to efficiently carry out these community enhancements. We appreciate your patience, understanding, and cooperation.”

Around Town

Arlington Public Library reveals most popular books of 2024

By Dan Egitto

Published December 13, 2024 at 2:30PM

Inside Arlington Central Library (courtesy of Josh Brick)

Arlington Public Library’s top books of the year are in, rounding up literary hits for readers of all ages.

Local librarians compiled a list of Arlingtonians’ favorite books among kids, teens and adults, while wrapping up a year in which the library system added more than 57,000 print items and 30,000 electronic items.

News

Fire engine blocked in front of Rosslyn station amid ongoing parking issues

By Dan Egitto

Published December 12, 2024 at 3:45PM

Fire Station 10 in Rosslyn (via Arlington County)

A vehicle illegally parked in front of the Rosslyn fire station led to a delayed response to a crash last night — the latest example of parking issues along one of Arlington’s busiest corridors.

Following a call about a crash with injuries shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday, Fire Engine 110 notified dispatch that it could not leave the station at 1535 Wilson Blvd.

News

Audrey Clement’s lawsuit against The Washington Post is dismissed

By Dan Egitto

Published December 12, 2024 at 11:15AM

County Board candidate Audrey Clement in Virginia Square on Election Day -- Nov. 7, 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A perennial Arlington County Board candidate’s lawsuit against The Washington Post has been dismissed.

A district court judge in D.C. threw out Audrey Clement’s suit — which alleged age discrimination and defamation — following oral arguments this week, court records show.

News

Plans for $177M Ballston Metro entrance greeted with enthusiasm at meeting

By Dan Egitto

Published December 11, 2024 at 3:45PM

A presentation on plans for a new Ballston Metro entrance (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Overwhelmingly positive public feedback greeted a $177 million plan for an additional entrance to the Ballston Metro station last night.

Dozens of residents joined representatives from developers and civic associations at a presentation on the planned entrance at the southwest corner of Fairfax Drive and N. Vermont Street.

News

Senior living project with 215 apartments breaks ground in Falls Church

By Dan Egitto

Published December 11, 2024 at 8:15AM

A rendering of The Reserve senior living building in Falls Church (courtesy of NexCore Group)

A forthcoming senior living development with 215 apartments has broken ground in Falls Church.

The Reserve — part of the expansive West Falls development project — will offer both independent living and assisted living, as well as memory care, through operator Experience Senior Living.

News

New policy on ICE inquiries adopted at Arlington Free Clinic

By Dan Egitto

Published December 10, 2024 at 2:30PM

Arlington Free Clinic on Columbia Pike (staff photo by James Jarvis)

With the incoming Trump administration promising stepped up deportations, the Arlington Free Clinic is clarifying its policies around responding to official inquiries.

The clinic — which provides services to low-income, uninsured Arlington adults — informed volunteers of how to answer “inquiries by officials” in an email yesterday (Monday).

News

Fire union clashes with county after failed bid to oust chief

By Dan Egitto

Published December 9, 2024 at 3:45PM

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

No resolution is in sight for an unfolding conflict between Arlington County’s leadership and its firefighter union.

Last month, IAFF Local 2800 held its second vote of no confidence against Fire Chief David Povlitz, reiterating doubts in his job performance and calling for his removal.

News

Wreath-laying tradition at Arlington National Cemetery returns this weekend

By Dan Egitto

Published December 9, 2024 at 9:45AM

Wreaths rest against headstones at Arlington National Cemetery (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Wreaths honoring fallen service members are arriving at Arlington National Cemetery this weekend.

About 75 tractor-trailers loaded with handmade balsam wreaths will arrive in the county starting on Friday in preparation for the event expected to draw several thousand volunteers.

Around Town

Rosslyn tree lighting moved to tonight due to Thursday’s strong winds

By Dan Egitto

Published December 6, 2024 at 9:00AM

Rosslyn BID's Light the Plaza event (courtesy of Rosslyn BID)

Some holiday cheer is coming to Rosslyn this evening (Friday) with a tree lighting and dog-friendly happy hour featuring Santa.

The events were originally scheduled to happen on different days, with the tree lighting taking place yesterday evening — but it got pushed back due to strong winds. The twinkling Tannenbaum will now be celebrated in tandem with a “Santa Paws Yappy Hour” at Central Place Plaza, located at 1800 N. Lynn Street.

News

Clinic for criminal charge expungements happening this weekend

By Dan Egitto

Published December 6, 2024 at 8:15AM | Updated December 6, 2024 at 8:50AM

Arlington County courthouse on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A clinic for Arlington and Falls Church residents seeking to get criminal charges expunged is taking place this weekend.

The clinic is for people who have been arrested and charged with a crime, but never convicted. It will take place at Arlington Presbyterian Church (918 S. Lincoln Street) from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday (Dec. 7).