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

ACPD plans to disband Gang Unit amid shift in county policy

By Dan Egitto
Arlington County police car (staff photo)

The Arlington County Police Department is disbanding its Gang Unit amid a shift in tools available to officers investigating gang-related crime.

Personnel within the Gang Unit, which investigates gangs and provides street-level gang enforcement, will be reassigned elsewhere in the Criminal Investigations Division, ACPD spokesperson Alli Shorb told ARLnow.

Go to ACPD plans to disband Gang Unit amid shift in county policy Read more
Around Town

New signs by local trickster spoof Advanced Towing, County Board candidates

By Dan Egitto
New satirical posters at N. Quincy Street and Fairfax Drive (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Arlington’s rash of satirical posters has continued to expand its orbit, taking on another political candidate and a local towing company.

With more cropped images and whimsical captions, new signs have appeared at the intersection of Fairfax Drive and N. Quincy Street in the Ballston area. They poke fun at Advanced Towing, independent County Board candidate Audrey Clement, and Democratic County Board challenger James DeVita (and his unique signs).

Go to New signs by local trickster spoof Advanced Towing, County Board candidates Read more
News

Spring E-CARE recycling and disposal event rescheduled for next month

By Dan Egitto
2023 E-CARE Event at Wakefield High School (via Dept. of Environmental Services/Flickr)

Arlington County has announced a new date for its popular collection event for electronics and hazardous household materials.

Spring E-CARE, which was postponed in March due to a double booking with an Arlington Public Schools job fair, will actually take place on the second day of summer, June 21. It will be happening near Washington-Liberty High School at 1425 N. Quincy Street.

Go to Spring E-CARE recycling and disposal event rescheduled for next month Read more
News

Potentially rabid fox reported in Arlington, remains at large

By Dan Egitto
File photo of a fox in Arlington (Flickr pool photo by GM and MB)

A potentially rabid fox has been spotted in western parts of Arlington County and remains on the loose.

Animal control personnel “responded to several reports of a fox approaching or contacting dogs and people” on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington said.

Go to Potentially rabid fox reported in Arlington, remains at large Read more
News

Arlington bishop chides Trump meme, praises Youngkin’s contraception veto

By Dan Egitto
Bishop Michael Burbidge in 2024 (courtesy Diocese of Arlington)

Arlington’s Roman Catholic bishop is sounding off about President Donald Trump’s social media post depicting himself as the next pope.

In a recent podcast, Bishop Michael Burbidge sharply criticized the president’s recent Truth Social post of himself in a white cassock and miter. He went on to praise Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s veto of the Virginia Right to Contraception Act — but criticized the Republican for approving legislation relating to in vitro fertilization.

Go to Arlington bishop chides Trump meme, praises Youngkin’s contraception veto Read more
News

Developer reportedly abandons plans for 88-unit Columbia Pike project

By Katie Taranto and Dan Egitto
The Elkins Building on the 2800 block of Columbia Pike (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A planned redevelopment project at a busy Columbia Pike intersection has reportedly been canceled.

Developer Christopher Companies has abandoned years-long plans to turn the Elkins Building at 2801 Columbia Pike into a multifamily building with 88 units, Angela Kostelecky, senior architect at Devereaux and Associates, told ARLnow.

Go to Developer reportedly abandons plans for 88-unit Columbia Pike project Read more
News

Arlington law enforcement to be honored during National Police Week

By Dan Egitto
An Arlington County police officer presents a wreath at an observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day in Courthouse in 2018 (photo by Alex Koma)

A ceremony honoring fallen officers and a 5K race are coming to Arlington in coming days in honor of National Police Week.

The annual celebration of law enforcement officers, which often brings motorcades and busy hotels, is next week.

Go to Arlington law enforcement to be honored during National Police Week Read more
News

County Board candidate places ‘tracking chips’ in signs over theft allegations

By Dan Egitto and Scott McCaffrey
Campaign signage in median, May 2025 (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

An Arlington County Board candidate claims to have begun placing “tracking chips” in his campaign signs after he says many of them were stolen.

James DeVita, who is challenging incumbent Takis Karantonis in the Democratic primary, spent over $10,000 on campaign signs in March alone, according to campaign finance records.

Go to County Board candidate places ‘tracking chips’ in signs over theft allegations Read more
News

New plans to redevelop abandoned strip mall bring hope to Columbia Pike advocates

By Dan Egitto
New redevelopment plans for 2601 Columbia Pike (via Arlington County)

Newly resurrected redevelopment plans for an abandoned Columbia Pike strip mall have leaders optimistic that an end to a long and embarrassing saga is in sight.

Developer Toll Brothers filed plans last week to rebuild the 2600 block of Columbia Pike as a mixed-use project with 262 housing units and 16,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. It’s the successor to The Elliot, a planned development at the Fillmore Gardens Shopping Center that fell through last year after a ground-floor grocery tenant backed out.

Go to New plans to redevelop abandoned strip mall bring hope to Columbia Pike advocates Read more
News

Army helicopter flights suspended near DCA after more aborted airline landings

By Dan Egitto and The Associated Press
A Black Hawk helicopter flies near the Pentagon on Thursday (via Dave Statter/X)

Helicopters flying near Reagan National Airport caused flight diversions yesterday (Sunday) and Thursday.

The first incident involved an Army Black Hawk helicopter taking a “scenic route around the Pentagon,” according to the Federal Aviation Administration. It caused two commercial aircraft to cancel landings and has drawn the ire of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Go to Army helicopter flights suspended near DCA after more aborted airline landings Read more
News

Protesters and Rep. Beyer rally for Rosslyn man detained over Palestine support

By Dan Egitto and The Associated Press
Protesters call for the release of Badar Khan Suri (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A federal hearing for a Rosslyn man detained over his support for Palestine attracted dozens of advocates yesterday (Thursday), including U.S. Rep. Don Beyer.

At a U.S. District Court hearing in Alexandria, the Trump administration sought to have Indian citizen Badar Khan Suri’s case transferred from the Eastern District of Virginia to Texas. Khan Suri has not been accused of any crimes but is currently in custody over allegations of “spreading Hamas propaganda.”

Go to Protesters and Rep. Beyer rally for Rosslyn man detained over Palestine support Read more
News

Planned Metro work means slower service to DCA this weekend

By Dan Egitto
The Pentagon City Metro station (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Changes to Silver line service and less frequent Blue and Yellow line trains are scheduled for this weekend due to planned track work.

Trains between Pentagon City and Reagan National Airport will run every 18 minutes on Saturday and Sunday. Additionally, the Silver line’s eastern terminus will be in New Carrollton instead of Largo.

Go to Planned Metro work means slower service to DCA this weekend Read more
View More Stories