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

New Gateway Park design released, with bigger dog parks and more trees

By Dan Egitto
The proposed new design for Gateway Park in Rosslyn (via Arlington County/YouTube)

Arlington has released the final design for a proposed overhaul of Gateway Park, featuring expanded dog parks, more tree cover and a new bridge.

Other elements include two play areas, “social groves” surrounded by natural landscaping and a large lawn with an event pavilion.

Go to New Gateway Park design released, with bigger dog parks and more trees Read more
News

DCA pedestrian bridge and road upgrades get go-ahead from Park Service

By Dan Egitto
The departures lanes at Reagan National Airport (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Two major transportation upgrades at Reagan National Airport have gotten the greenlight from the National Park Service.

The agency gave its blessing to a planned pedestrian bridge connecting Crystal City to the airport as well as proposed improvements to the airport’s roads.

Go to DCA pedestrian bridge and road upgrades get go-ahead from Park Service Read more
News

Bias, deepfakes and “Skynet”-style risks are among Beyer’s AI priorities

By Dan Egitto
U.S. Rep. Don Beyer discusses Congress's AI task force at the Embassy of France (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer sees a vast potential for AI to transform society for the better — and also a slight chance it could doom us all.

The wide-ranging implications of ongoing advances in AI — and the recent efforts of a bipartisan AI task force of which Beyer (D-Va.) is a member — were the topic of a keynote presentation the congressman delivered Thursday.

Go to Bias, deepfakes and “Skynet”-style risks are among Beyer’s AI priorities Read more
News

JUST IN: Man sentenced to life in prison for 2023 Va. Square murder

By Dan Egitto
Police response to homicide and convicted murderer Alimamy Fornah (photos via Dave Statter/Twitter and Arlington County Sheriff's Office)

A man was sentenced to life in prison today (Thursday) for the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend in a Virginia Square apartment building.

Alimamy Fornah was convicted earlier this year for the first-degree murder of Shontae Crawford, following a three-day trial and one day of jury deliberations.

Go to JUST IN: Man sentenced to life in prison for 2023 Va. Square murder Read more
Schools

Arlington Public Schools ranked No. 2 best school district in Virginia

By Dan Egitto
Yorktown High School (staff photo)

The best public schools in Virginia are in Arlington and Falls Church, according to new 2025 rankings.

Arlington Public Schools rank No. 2, right behind Falls Church City Public Schools at No. 1, the education research firm Niche found. Only one other school district in the state received an overall A+ rating.

Go to Arlington Public Schools ranked No. 2 best school district in Virginia Read more
News

ACPD license plate readers have been installed in Ballston

By Dan Egitto
New ACPD license plate reading technology on Fairfax Drive in Ballston (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

New automated license plate readers have appeared in Ballston.

Multiple readers have contacted ARLnow in recent days about new tech installed on traffic signal poles along Fairfax Drive, at the intersections with N. Stuart Street and N. Taylor Street. The devices bear the logo of Flock Safety, a distributor of police surveillance technology.

Go to ACPD license plate readers have been installed in Ballston Read more
News

Arlington’s criminal justice diversion program receives $1M federal grant

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

An Arlington program diverting people out of the criminal justice system and strengthening their social safety nets has received a $1 million federal grant.

The U.S. Department of Justice awarded the funds to support the expansion of the Offender Aid and Restoration program at the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for Arlington and Falls Church.

Go to Arlington’s criminal justice diversion program receives $1M federal grant Read more
News

Missing Middle developments halt after court decision

By Dan Egitto
An approved EHO project at 5041 25th Street S. in the Claremont neighborhood in October 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Last week’s court decision to overturn Missing Middle zoning changes freezes progress on dozens of projects around Arlington, county staff confirmed.

Following the ruling in Arlington Circuit Court, “the County must void all [Expanded Housing Option] permits and halt all review processes related to EHO development,” county spokesperson Ryan Hudson told ARLnow.

Go to Missing Middle developments halt after court decision Read more
News

Here’s how Arlington is handling security at the ballot box

By Dan Egitto
A man inserts a ballot into a voting machine at Walter Reed Community Center on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On Election Day, Arlington officials plan to have several layers of security in place to ensure all ballots are correct and accounted for.

With early voting now underway, Director of Elections Gretchen Reinemeyer posted a video (below) last week outlining the steps the county takes to arrive at an accurate count of all votes.

Go to Here’s how Arlington is handling security at the ballot box Read more
News

ACFD saves person trapped in house in high-stakes Hurricane Helene mission

By Dan Egitto
ACFD personnel wade into floodwaters during a rescue mission in rural Virginia (via ACFD/X)

Arlington fire personnel plunged into a high-stakes rescue mission on Friday as Hurricane Helene swept through parts of Southwest Virginia.

The Arlington County Fire Department’s water rescue team arrived in the town of Damascus, about two and a half hours from hard-hit Asheville, N.C., to find a person trapped inside their home and surrounded with “fast moving, debris laden water.”

Go to ACFD saves person trapped in house in high-stakes Hurricane Helene mission Read more
News

BREAKING: Judge overturns Missing Middle zoning changes

By Dan Egitto
Plaintiff Marcia Nordgren issues a statement after a judge overturns Missing Middle zoning changes (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A circuit court judge has overturned Arlington’s Missing Middle zoning changes.

Judge David Schell ruled against the county on four counts this morning (Friday), finding that the county failed to adequately consider localized impacts, failed to follow proper procedure and violated state tree canopy requirements when adopting the amendments.

Go to BREAKING: Judge overturns Missing Middle zoning changes Read more
News

Traffic study on Carlin Springs Road is delayed, pushing back potential upgrades

By Dan Egitto
New stop sign at N. Vermont Street and N. Carlin Springs Road

A study on the traffic and safety needs of Carlin Springs Road has been pushed back by over a year.

Following an open house earlier this week about safety concerns on the southern portion of Carlin Springs, county spokesperson Claudia Pors confirmed that the planned Carlin Springs Road Corridor Study will take place in Fiscal Year 2027, which starts on July 1, 2026.

Go to Traffic study on Carlin Springs Road is delayed, pushing back potential upgrades Read more
View More Stories