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

Woman who killed alleged drug dealer outside Burger King in Arlington sentenced to 10 years

By Dan Egitto
File photo

A woman has been sentenced to 10 years behind bars for killing a man in the parking lot of an Arlington Burger King in 2022.

A judge on Friday sentenced 48-year-old April Puckett to seven years of imprisonment for second-degree murder and three years for using a firearm in commission of a felony. This was less than the maximum sentence of 13 years that Puckett agreed to when she pleaded guilty in November.

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News

Bill supporting $20K grants for first-generation homebuyers might not be enough for Arlington, experts say

By Dan Egitto
Illustration of a real estate for sale sign in Arlington (generated by DALL-E)

Virginia’s U.S. senators are throwing their weight behind a bill to support first-generation homebuyers.

The Downpayment Toward Equity Act would provide grants of up to $20,000 to support socially and economically disadvantaged homebuyers. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are co-sponsoring the bill, alongside several fellow Democrats, saying this will help close equity gaps.

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News

Serious crimes still increasing as Arlington continues search for more police

By Dan Egitto
Arlington County Police Chief Andy Penn (via Arlington County/YouTube)

Serious crimes remain on the rise in Arlington as the Arlington County Police Department continues to seek more officers.

Simple assaults increased in 2023 for the fourth year in a row, while narcotics offenses surged 19% compared to the previous year, Chief Andy Penn told the Arlington County Board at a budget work session on Thursday. Every major category of offenses — crimes against persons, property and society — went up last year, he said.

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News

Arlington’s top communications official is leaving for the federal government

By Dan Egitto
Bryna Helfer (via Arlington County/YouTube)

Arlington County is losing its top communications official.

Bryna Helfer, Assistant County Manager and Director of Communications and Public Engagement, will be departing from the county’s leadership ranks at the end of this month.

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News

No speed limit reduction coming to S. Carlin Springs, despite some County Board concerns

By Dan Egitto
A crash on S. Carlin Springs Road on Sept. 14, 2023 (courtesy anonymous)

Safety concerns about crash-prone S. Carlin Springs Road dominated an Arlington County Board discussion on speed limit reductions yesterday (Tuesday).

The stretch of Carlin Springs south of Arlington Blvd saw a total of 92 crashes, including three involving severe injuries or deaths, between 2016 and 2021, according to a county study. However, it is not among the five other roads, including part of N. Carlin Springs, that are expected to have speed limits reduced from 30 to 25 mph.

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News

Arlington Independent Media lays off its entire staff, elects new board president and treasurer

By Dan Egitto
Arlington Independent Media staff at work in earlier times (via Arlington County)

(Updated at 10:15 a.m.) Arlington Independent Media has laid off all staff members while electing new leaders amid a county audit of the group’s finances.

AIM’s board, now under the leadership of President Rhonda Snipe and Treasurer Amanda MacKaye, will be “taking over operations of the organization for the time being,” the organization announced Monday following a closed special meeting.

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News

A new era of housing questions for Arlington one year after passing Missing Middle

By Dan Egitto
Supporters and opponents of the county's Missing Middle Housing proposal brought dueling signs to the Arlington County Board meeting on Saturday, March 18, 2023 (staff photo)

A year after the passage of Arlington’s “Missing Middle” ordinance last March, the jury is out on the long-term implications of the zoning change.

Challenges include a substantial slowdown in Missing Middle applications and continued opposition from some residents.

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Around Town

Inspired by his kids, single dad opens new play area in Ballston Quarter mall

By Dan Egitto
Junior Playland (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

There is a new play area for kids inside Ballston Quarter with plenty of pint-sized attractions.

Located on the first floor of the mall, near the about-to-close Macy’s, Junior Playland has everything from a pink-and-blue carousel to a party room to a make-believe “village” with a hospital, restaurant and police station.

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News

Neighbors split over approval of more affordable housing at Crystal House complex

By Dan Egitto
A rendering of additional affordable housing at 1900 S. Eads Street (via Arlington County)

A planned apartment complex is set to have even more affordable housing.

Speakers at an Arlington County Board meeting on Tuesday were divided in their thoughts about the Board’s unanimous vote to approve 88 units of additional affordable housing at 1900 S. Eads Street, in the Crystal City area.

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Around Town

New restaurant and bar coming soon to former Rebellion on the Pike space

By Dan Egitto
Rebellion on the Pike (file photo)

A new restaurant and bar is expected to replace the closed Rebellion on the Pike in a few weeks.

Cornerstone, at 2900 Columbia Pike, will offer a family friendly atmosphere around dinnertime and a place to grab a drink later in the night, co-owner Pete Fejeran tells ARLnow.

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Schools

School placed on lockdown after gun confiscated from student

By Dan Egitto
Langston High School Continuation Program (via Google maps)

(Updated at 1:40 p.m.) An Arlington school went into lockdown Wednesday after a student reportedly brought a gun to school.

All students at the Langston High School Continuation Program and New Directions secondary program are safe and the lockdown lasted about 30 minutes, Principal Kim Jackson-Davis said in an email to families Wednesday afternoon.

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