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

NOW: Big backups on I-395 due to six-vehicle crash

By Dan Egitto
Heavy traffic on a multi-lane highway under an overpass, bumper-to-bumper cars with red tail lights visible in the evening light.
Traffic backups on I-395 during the morning commute this morning (via traffic camera)

A six-vehicle collision on southbound I-395 snarled traffic for some commuters this morning.

Police were dispatched to a six-vehicle accident prior to the entrance ramp to Washington Blvd, initial reports suggest. The first call came in just after 7 a.m.

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News

Fencing installed at Iwo Jima memorial as crews ‘beautify’ statue

By Dan Egitto
Bronze sculpture of soldiers raising an American flag atop a rocky pedestal at a war memorial, with fencing and construction equipment in the foreground.
Fencing at the Iwo Jima Memorial (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Crews have begun work to “beautify” the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, fencing off the area through early November.

A fence recently went up around the memorial and construction crews were using blow torches today to clean the bronze, locals noted on X.

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Around Town

Solace Outpost opens in Ballston, dethroning El Rey taqueria

By Dan Egitto
Outdoor beer garden with long rows of orange picnic tables and closed umbrellas along a central walkway, flanked by modern buildings and a turquoise geometric wall. A Solage Brewing Co. sign is visible on the right.
Solace Outpost at 4201 Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

The El Rey taqueria and margarita bar is no more, but Ballston locals can find solace in a new watering hole.

Solace Outpost opened yesterday (Wednesday) at 4201 Wilson Blvd, offering beer, burgers, bowls and bratwurst in a relaxed, sporty atmosphere.

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News

N. Va. congressional candidate retweets Hitler video after antisemitism allegations

By Dan Egitto
Shelly Arnoldi (via Shelly Arnoldi for Virginia/Facebook)

A Northern Virginia congressional candidate who has faced strong criticism from Jewish leaders recently retweeted an antisemitic rant depicting Adolf Hitler.

Shelly Arnoldi, the Libertarian candidate in Congressional District 8, which includes Arlington, reposted a video last week that begins with Hitler shouting about “Jewish globalization” and alleges a plan to “exterminate the European race.”

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Events

D.C. Bike Ride brings Arlington road closures this weekend

By Dan Egitto
Group of cyclists riding on a city bridge with tall office buildings in the background, on a clear day.
Bicyclists in a past D.C. Bike Ride (via D.C. Bike Ride/Facebook)

Some routes between Arlington and D.C. will be impacted by a bike ride this weekend.

The 10th annual D.C. Bike Ride will mostly take place in the District on Saturday, but will take two detours across the Potomac, according to a list of road closures.

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News

Contract awarded for rehab of I-395 bridge over Potomac River

By Dan Egitto
Aerial view of three elevated highways crossing a wide river with a city skyline in the distance.
A rendering of planned renovations on the I-395 northbound bridge (via DDOT)

A rehabilitation project on the I-395 northbound bridge over the Potomac River has taken a key step forward.

The construction firm Skanska has been awarded a $114 million design-build contract to conduct renovations and upgrades on the bridge connecting Arlington and D.C. Construction is expected to begin in early 2027, Skanska said in a press release.

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Around Town

New bakery selling bread, pastries and coffee planned in Westover

By Dan Egitto
Exterior view of a dry cleaning shop with a large 'DRY CLEANING' sign above the entrance and teal trim along the storefront.
The site of a planned bakery at 5870 Washington Blvd (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A new bakery from the team behind Rare Bird Coffee Roasters is on the rise in Westover.

Bryan Becker, who co-founded Rare Bird in Falls Church with his wife, Lara Benenji, in 2017, has been working on a new concept at 5870 Washington Blvd since last summer.

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News

Almost 4,000 still without power in Arlington after severe ’25-year’ storm

By Dan Egitto
Tree has fallen onto a street, bringing down power lines and a utility pole; a white truck and a blue car are parked nearby with caution tape around the area.
A downed tree in North Arlington after the storm (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Thousands of Arlington residents remain without power this afternoon (Friday) after a storm swept through the county last night, pummeling trees and power lines.

Almost 4,000 Dominion Energy customers remained without power as of 3:30 p.m., some of whom may not see power restored until around midnight or later, spokesperson Aisha Khan told ARLnow.

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News

ACPD opens investigation into ICE allegedly injuring man on Columbia Pike

By Dan Egitto
Crowd of protesters holding signs reading Justice for José and Stop, gathered at a street demonstration behind a speaker podium.
José Mejía Hernandez discusses injuries that he says he received during a recent ICE arrest (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Arlington police have opened an investigation into an immigration arrest on Columbia Pike that reportedly left a man with serious injuries.

Detectives met with the man, José Mejía Hernandez, last week, NBC4 reported. This prompted a swift response from Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner and Reps. Don Beyer, Suhas Subramanyam and James Walkinshaw today (Friday).

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Around Town

Giant sculptures made from canned goods coming to Pentagon City mall

By Dan Egitto
A past "Canstruction" sculpture at Reagan National Airport (via Arlington Food Assistance Center/Facebook)

Six sculptures made from thousands of canned goods are about to go up at the Pentagon City mall.

Next Friday, Sept. 11, a half dozen architecture firms with a can-do attitude will set up shop at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in a charity event to combat food insecurity.

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News

Labor Day brings facility closures to Arlington and Falls Church

By Dan Egitto
Bozman Government Center in Courthouse (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Many local government facilities in Arlington and Falls Church will be closed on Monday in honor of Labor Day.

In Arlington, closures include all Arlington Public Library branches, the Cultural Affairs building, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and all community centers except for the Long Bridge Aquatics and Fitness Center.

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Events

Fundraiser concert supporting AWLA coming to Falls Church next month

By Dan Egitto
Outdoor street-side band performance with drummer, two guitarists, and a singer on a small stage with amplifiers and a banner behind them
The Reason to Rock Music Festival (courtesy of the AWLA)

A music festival for local nonprofits is returning next month to benefit the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.

The Reason to Rock Music Festival is happening at Solace Outpost in Falls Church (444 W. Broad Street) on Saturday, Sept. 19. Tickets are $20 in advance, dogs are welcome and the schedule is as follows:

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