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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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News

BREAKING: Judge overturns Missing Middle zoning changes

By Dan Egitto
Plaintiff Marcia Nordgren issues a statement after a circuit court judge originally overturned 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.

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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.

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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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