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

Feedback requested on a Crystal City apartment building proposal pitched as development on a ‘human scale’

By Dan Egitto
Renderings of JBG Smith's proposed "Block W" redevelopment in Crystal City (courtesy JBG Smith)

Tomorrow (Friday) is the last day to submit feedback on a proposed 370-unit apartment building in Crystal City.

The design is less than half the height recommended in the Crystal City Sector Plan, but developer JBG Smith argues that it would function on a more “human scale.”

Go to Feedback requested on a Crystal City apartment building proposal pitched as development on a ‘human scale’ Read more
Around Town

Owner of Arlington’s Wild Birds Unlimited looks to fly the coop, ending 32-year career

By Dan Egitto
Michael Zuiker (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

The owner of Arlington’s Wild Birds Unlimited is seeking to retire after 32 years in the birding business —  right after he finds a successor.

Michael Zuiker wants to make it clear: the long-standing storefront in the Lee Harrison Shopping Center in Yorktown isn’t going anywhere. But after more than three decades, Zuiker is looking for someone new to fill his role of chatting with customers, keeping up with change and encouraging busy Arlingtonians to take time to enjoy the natural world.

Go to Owner of Arlington’s Wild Birds Unlimited looks to fly the coop, ending 32-year career Read more
Around Town

Ship’s Hatch announces departure from Crystal City in another blow to underground shopping center

By Dan Egitto
Ship's Hatch in February 2024 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

After more than 45 years of business, Ship’s Hatch is lifting anchor from its place in Crystal City’s underground mall.

The eye-catching store founded in the 1970s will still sell merchandise and take personalized engraving orders online at shipshatch.com. But at the end of this month, its whimsical porthole windows and array of military gifts and souvenirs will set sail from the subterranean shopping plaza at 1677 Crystal Drive.

Go to Ship’s Hatch announces departure from Crystal City in another blow to underground shopping center Read more
News

Arlington attorneys file suit over deputy accused of catfishing 15-year-old, killing her mother and grandparents

By Dan Egitto
Austin Edwards (via the city of Riverside)

Two Arlington attorneys are suing a Virginia sheriff’s office over a brutal triple homicide carried out by a deputy who, court documents allege, was hired illegally.

The deputy, 28-year-old Austin Edwards, reportedly lied about his age while soliciting sexual photos from a 15-year-old girl in California in 2022. When the teen rejected Edwards’ advances, he drove to California, claimed authority as a deputy to gain entry into a home and killed her mother and grandparents, according to legal filings.

Go to Arlington attorneys file suit over deputy accused of catfishing 15-year-old, killing her mother and grandparents Read more
News

Arlington agency, parks dept. remain at odds over how to cull deer as new data suggests levels are too high in local forests

By Dan Egitto
Deer grazing in the forest (via Arlington County Dept. of Parks and Recreation/YouTube)

The concentration of deer in Arlington’s parks is up to 16 times above desired levels, based on a newly released analysis of county data.

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) has raised doubts about the new numbers, which county staff revealed at a virtual information session last Thursday. What the numbers mean for Arlington’s much-debated deer management strategy remains to be seen.

Go to Arlington agency, parks dept. remain at odds over how to cull deer as new data suggests levels are too high in local forests Read more
Schools

‘My son’s life mattered’ — Arlington advocates demand better after-school programs to fight teen overdoses

By Dan Egitto
Children advocating for more after-school programs in Arlington (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

(Updated 2/19) Advocates are calling for Arlington County to invest $2 million in additional programs to stop students from dying of drug overdoses.

The mother of an Arlington ninth grader who died of an apparent fentanyl overdose in September joined over 250 others on Wednesday to demand additional funding for free after-school programs. Organizers say a scarcity of accessible, interesting programming makes students more likely to fall into drug addiction.

Go to ‘My son’s life mattered’ — Arlington advocates demand better after-school programs to fight teen overdoses Read more
News

Arlington is the safest county in the U.S. by these measures

By Dan Egitto
A crossing guard at an Arlington elementary school (file photo)

Arlington County residents are some of the safest in the country, by at least one measure.

Just 3.8 out of every 100,000 Arlington County residents died either by homicide or in a land transport collision between 2018 and 2022, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s a lower death rate than any other county in the nation with a population of at least 100,000 people.

Go to Arlington is the safest county in the U.S. by these measures Read more
News

Arlington seeks feedback as it considers widening Custis Trail and other improvements

By Dan Egitto
The Custis Trail (via Google maps)

Better signage and wider lanes may be on their way for the Custis Trail.

The four-mile paved trail between the Key Bridge and the W&OD Trail is “a very useful short cut for area cyclists” getting to downtown D.C., but has some missing signage and limited sight lines, says local bicycling guide BikeWashington.org.

Go to Arlington seeks feedback as it considers widening Custis Trail and other improvements Read more
News

VDOT proposes several changes to make Glebe Road safer between Columbia Pike and I-66

By Dan Egitto
An intersection along the stretch of Glebe Road that may be getting safety upgrades (via Arlington County)

Wider sidewalks, additional turning lanes and changes to bus stops are part of a newly released plan to make a busy stretch of Glebe Road safer.

The Virginia Department of Transportation on Monday announced possible changes to 2.4 miles of Glebe Road between Columbia Pike and I-66.

Go to VDOT proposes several changes to make Glebe Road safer between Columbia Pike and I-66 Read more
News

Harsher summers and young workers leaving could test Arlington in coming decades, panelists say

By Dan Egitto
A panel discussing what Arlington will look like in 2050 (via Arlington County)

An intensifying climate and ongoing impacts of the shift to remote work will transform Arlington over the next 25 years, experts say.

At the same time, the county’s workforce will need to become more nimble to keep up with changes driven by artificial intelligence.

Go to Harsher summers and young workers leaving could test Arlington in coming decades, panelists say Read more
Around Town

Arlington summer camp registration is one week away

By Dan Egitto
Cover of Arlington's 2024 summer camp catalog (via Arlington County)

Summer camp registration is just around the corner, with yet another change to smooth out the process.

Camp registration — historically a process plagued with problems for parents — was a relatively quiet affair last year after the county and its platform vendor tweaked the technology and made a few other changes.

Go to Arlington summer camp registration is one week away Read more
Around Town

The Ballston Target will lose its CVS this month as part of D.C.-area closures

By Dan Egitto
Signage announcing the closure of the CVS in the Ballston Target (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

The CVS Pharmacy inside the Target in Ballston is closing.

The pharmacy’s last pick-up date is Friday, Feb. 16, according to signage posted at a checkout desk inside the store at 740 N. Glebe Road. All prescriptions will be automatically moved to a different location.

Go to The Ballston Target will lose its CVS this month as part of D.C.-area closures Read more
View More Stories