Dan Egitto | ARLnow

Many Virginians’ criminal convictions about to be sealed under ‘Clean Slate’ law

Published June 11, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated June 11, 2026 at 1:47PM

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

A Virginia law going into effect on July 1 will seal the criminal records of many people convicted of low-level offenses.

The commonwealth’s “Clean Slate” law is expected to automatically seal over 100,000 criminal records of Virginians who were once convicted of misdemeanors such as shoplifting, trespassing and distributing marijuana, but who haven’t reoffended in the past seven years. This will make make housing providers and many employers unable to access such records via criminal background checks.

News

Open house on changes to three parks near Va. Square happening next week

By Dan Egitto

Published June 10, 2026 at 2:45PM

The last open house on the future of Maury Park, Herselle Milliken Park and Gum Ball Park (courtesy of Dept. of Parks and Rec)

Arlington County staff are seeking another round of feedback on a master plan for Maury Park, Herselle Milliken Park and Gum Ball Park.

An open house scheduled for next Tuesday, June 16 will feature draft concepts for the Three Urban Parks Project. It follows another round of feedback last fall, during which participants shared input on changes they would like to see at the parks, all located in the Ashton Heights neighborhood near the Virginia Square Metro station.

News

Two arrested for allegedly dumping gas, motor oil into Arlington storm drain

By Dan Egitto

Published June 9, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated June 9, 2026 at 5:07PM

File photo

Two men have been arrested after reportedly dumping “substantial quantities” of motor oil and gasoline into Arlington’s stormwater system.

Ahmad Adawi, of Fairfax, and Suhib Derbas, of Alexandria, are accused of intentionally releasing hazardous substances directly into stormwater drains, the Arlington County Office of the Fire Marshal announced today (Tuesday).

Events

Race to support Parkinson’s research happening near Pentagon City this weekend

By Dan Egitto

Published June 4, 2026 at 2:45PM

A race hosted by the Michael J. Fox Foundation in a previous year (via Michael J. Fox Foundation/Facebook)

The Michael J. Fox Foundation is hosting a race in the Pentagon City area this weekend, raising funds to support research on Parkinson’s disease.

The race, which participants can either run or walk, will kick off on Sunday morning at Virginia Highlands Park. The following road closures will be in effect:

News

Sex offender’s loitering charges head to appeals court, stalling indecent exposure case

By Dan Egitto

Published June 4, 2026 at 9:15AM

Mugshot of Richard Cox, via Arlington County Sheriff's Office, and the W-L High School campus

The Virginia Court of Appeals will review some of the many charges against a convicted sex offender accused of indecent exposure in multiple girls’ locker rooms.

Richard Kenneth Cox, who is accused of entering public changing areas at Arlington Public Schools pools in order to undress and remain there while naked, has successfully challenged indictments on charges of illegal loitering near a school, WJLA reported this week. The rest of Cox’s charges are currently on hold pending an appeal of the Arlington County Circuit Court decision.

News

Drought watch declared across D.C. area despite recent rains

By Dan Egitto

Published June 3, 2026 at 2:45PM

The sun during a heat advisory (file photo)

A drought watch went into effect throughout the D.C. area today (Wednesday), responding to below-average rainfall and historically low flow in the Potomac River.

Despite the stretch of wet weather that the region received last month, all of Arlington is currently classified in either “moderate” or “severe” drought, while some portions of the Potomac Basin have been designated in “extreme drought.”

News

Officers, family members honor ACPD corporal who died of 9/11-related cancer

By Dan Egitto

Published June 3, 2026 at 8:30AM

Officers honor Cpl. Barry Foust at his funeral on June 2, 2026 (via Cherrydale Baptist Church)

An Arlington police officer who died of cancer related to 9/11 relief efforts is remembered for his intense work ethic, kind heart and playful sense of humor.

Family members and Arlington County Police Department personnel honored ACPD Cpl. Barry Foust at a funeral service yesterday (Tuesday). They shared memories of the 64-year-old who grew up tussling and competing with his four sisters on a dairy farm in rural Pennsylvania, and how he matured into a mentor and inspiration for generations officers across his 35 years of service at ACPD.

News

Tech firm relocating corporate HQ to Crystal City, bringing 450 jobs

By Dan Egitto

Published June 2, 2026 at 1:45PM

2231 Crystal Drive in Crystal City (via Google Maps)

An information technology company is relocating its headquarters from Bethesda to Crystal City, promising 450 more jobs.

Spatial Front is moving through a $6 million investment from the company, assisted by a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund, Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s (D) office said a press release today. The Virginia Jobs Investment Program will provide funding and services to support employee training at the company.

News

Motorcyclist struck, hurled off vehicle in crash on N. Glebe Road

By Dan Egitto

Published May 28, 2026 at 4:50PM

The scene of the collision at 4th Street N. and N. Glebe Road (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A motorcyclist was hurled into the street following a collision with a vehicle on N. Glebe Road this afternoon.

The collision took place at Glebe and 4th Street N. around 3:30 p.m. today (Thursday), according to scanner chatter.

News

Construction begins on Crystal City project to convert office building into apartments

By Dan Egitto

Published May 28, 2026 at 3:45PM

A rendering JBG Smith's plan to turn 2200 Crystal Drive into a residential building (courtesy of JBG Smith)

An office building in Crystal City has begun the process of transforming into a 195-unit multifamily building.

JBG Smith announced that construction has begun at 2200 Crystal Drive, an 11-story building that the Arlington County Board approved for conversion from offices to apartments in July 2025.

News

Dominion Energy’s merger plan sharpens affordability questions for N. Va. lawmakers

By Dan Egitto

Published May 27, 2026 at 3:45PM

Dominion Energy truck (staff photo)

A proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy raises new possibilities and further questions in the race to match Virginia’s booming energy demand.

NextEra, which seeks to create the world’s largest regulated electric utility business through the $67 billion acquisition, has framed the plan as a path toward reducing energy costs in an era of rising need, driven in part by the construction of new data centers to power AI.

News

Suspect arrested after sexual battery in Columbia Pike parking garage

By Dan Egitto

Published May 27, 2026 at 2:00PM

Police car at night (file photo courtesy Kevin Wolf)

A suspect has been arrested over an alleged sexual attack in the stairwell of a Columbia Pike parking garage.

Police are seeking other possible victims as the suspect, a 25-year-old of “no fixed address,” faces charges of sexual battery and attempted object sexual penetration.