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.

Around Town

Miss Arlington pageant now accepting submissions

By Dan Egitto
Miss Arlington Victoria Chuah winning Miss Virginia in June 2022 (photo courtesy of Kimberly Needles Photography)

The Miss Arlington pageant has begun accepting submissions for this year’s contest.

Contestants in the event, hosted by the Miss Arlington Scholarship Organization, have until Oct. 26 to submit paperwork. They must be between ages 18 and 27, reside in Virginia, and either be employed in Virginia or be enrolled full-time in a college or university.

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Events

Drop-off event for electronics and hazardous materials happening next weekend

By Dan Egitto
E-CARE event in 2021 at Yorktown High School (photo courtesy of Arlington County)

Arlington residents can drop off old electronics, household hazardous materials and small metal items next Saturday at a biannual collection event.

The Environmental Collection and Recycling Event (E-CARE) will take place from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Wakefield High School (1325 S. Dinwiddie Street). Accepted materials include automotive fluids, batteries, fluorescent tubes, pesticides, toner cartridges and paint products.

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News

Parents raise concerns about sidewalk safety on Carlin Springs Road

By Dan Egitto
An open house on S. Carlin Springs road safety (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A couple weeks after a tongue-in-cheek installation called attention to safety concerns on S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington County hosted an open house last night (Tuesday).

The theme of the event: safety along Carlin Springs.

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News

Neighbors fight proposed six-plex near East Falls Church Metro

By Dan Egitto
2315 N. Tuckahoe Street, the site of a proposed six-plex (staff photo)

Controversy is heating up around a proposed six-unit development near the East Falls Church Metro station.

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is scheduled to vote tomorrow (Wednesday) on whether to uphold a decision to approve an Expanded Housing Option permit for the property, located at 2315 N. Tuckahoe Street.

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News

Renovations at older Arlington apartments and townhomes could become simpler

By Dan Egitto
Townhomes in the Green Valley neighborhood (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A less restrictive process for home improvement projects at older townhomes and apartment buildings could be coming to Arlington.

By default, townhomes and multifamily properties in Arlington currently can’t receive any “interior structural alterations” unless they are in full compliance with the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance (ACZO). If property owners want an exception to conduct partial renovations like remodeling a kitchen or finishing an attic, they often have to seek approval from the county’s Board of Zoning Appeals.

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News

Project to slow down turning vehicles seeks feedback on effectiveness

By Dan Egitto
An intersection included in Arlington's hardened centerlines safety pilot (via Arlington County)

Arlington County is collecting feedback on a pilot program meant to improve pedestrian safety by causing turning vehicles to slow down.

Respondents have until Wednesday to submit their thoughts on the impacts of the centerline hardening project, which installed raised speed humps and flexible delineator posts at five busy intersections.

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News

Arlington prosecutor launches task force for possible voter intimidation and fraud

By Dan Egitto
Poll workers check-in voters at the David Brown Planetarium polling site for June 2024 Democratic primaries (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Arlington’s top prosecutor is stepping up measures “to ensure safe and fair elections” in November.

The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Arlington and Falls Church announced today (Friday) that it has established a task force “to rapidly respond to and investigate any reports of voter intimidation, interference, or fraud.”

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News

Failure to yield is top cause of “near miss” traffic incidents in Arlington, study finds

By Dan Egitto
All-way stop sign at N. Quincy Street and 9th Street N. in 2023 (courtesy Arlington County Dept. of Environmental Services)

A new analysis of incidents where people were nearly hit with a vehicle finds that “failure to yield” is the No. 1 risk factor in Arlington.

The study by Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets, a pedestrian safety advocacy group, found that roughly 70% of responses listed this issue as the top cause of “near misses,” followed by speeding and obstructed bike lanes.

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News

A local woman is competing on the USA Network competition show “The Anonymous”

By Dan Egitto
Bismah Ahmed competes on Episode 4 of "The Anonymous" (courtesy of Rico Torres/USA Network)

A member of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors has landed a spot on a USA Network competition show.

Bismah Ahmed, a lobbyist who also serves as vice chair of advocacy at the Chamber, is a contestant on “The Anonymous” — a reality show of strategy and deception in which players compete for a prize of up to $100,000.

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News

How office-to-apartment conversions could become easier in Arlington

By Dan Egitto
WeWork / WeLive in Crystal City, in 2016 (file photo)

Arlington County is considering ways to make it easier to turn office buildings into apartment buildings.

A request to advertise public hearings on a new county policy and zoning changes related to office-to-residential conversions received unanimous approval from the Arlington County Board on Saturday.

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Events

Glencarlyn Library to celebrate over 100 years with festivities this weekend

By Dan Egitto
Glencarlyn Library (via Arlington Public Library)

Glencarlyn Library is celebrating over 100 years in operation with a rededication and family friendly festivities this weekend.

The library opened in the fall of 1923. It will honor its extensive history on Saturday afternoon with displays of historic photos, a talk about Glencarlyn in the 1920s and remarks from officials including Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey, a press release says.

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News

Despite county efforts, permitting problems persist in Arlington

By Dan Egitto
The Permit Arlington Center at 2100 Clarendon Blvd (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Though Arlington has been taking steps to streamline its permitting process, evidence of continued inefficiencies and delays can be seen at organizations around the county.

Just last month, two business owners — one aiming to open a new restaurant and nightclub in Clarendon and another opening a retro sports bar in Shirlington — told ARLnow that a lack of county permits was hindering their progress.

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