GazetteLeader | ARLnow

Forum: Is present governance working in Arlington, Alexandria?

Published October 5, 2024 at 7:30AM

Advance Arlington (formerly the Arlington Committee of 100) will host a forum – “Governing in the 21st Century: Are Local Governments in Sync with Their Constituents” – on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at George Mason University’s Arlington campus.

Arlington County Board Chairman Libby Garvey and Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson will discuss the current state of local governance and whether residents of the community have input into decision-making.

News

Arlington leaders pleased with progress on food-scrap pilot

By GazetteLeader

Published September 29, 2024 at 11:30AM

A food scraps bin in Rosslyn (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A three-month-old pilot program to divert food scraps from Arlington’s waste stream is paying dividends, the county government said Sept. 23.

More than 11,000 pounds of food waste has been collected since the launch of the Solid Waste Bureau’s pilot program in early July, officials said. Over 1,000 pounds of food scraps and food-soiled paper are being composted in a typical week.

News

State prison officials announce decline in recidivism rate

By GazetteLeader

Published September 29, 2024 at 10:30AM

Jail cell (Photo by Syarafina Yusof on Unsplash)

Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) Director Chad Dotson announced today that for the 11th straight year, Virginia has achieved one of the lowest recidivism rates for re-incarceration in the nation.

Data from the VADOC shows that the Commonwealth’s 19% three-year re-incarceration rate for State Responsible (SR) inmates among the FY2019 cohort is tied for the second-lowest in the United States with Minnesota.

Schools

School officials in wait-and-see mode on phone-pouch pilot plan

By GazetteLeader

Published September 29, 2024 at 9:30AM

The Arlington Public Schools Syphax Education Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Today’s pop quiz: What do kangaroos, wombats, koalas and students at a number of Arlington schools all have that others do not?

The answer: pouches.

News

Is task force the way to go in updating governance structure?

By GazetteLeader

Published September 28, 2024 at 4:30PM

Arlington County government headquarters in Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Is a county-government task force the way to advance the ball down the field on proposed changes to the governance structure that has been in place in Arlington for nearly a century?

That’s a request being made by the Arlington County Civic Federation. Whether county officials take the group up on its proposal remains to be seen.

Events

Political equivalent of speed-dating coming to Arlington

By GazetteLeader

Published September 28, 2024 at 3:30PM

Voting stickers seen on June 8, 2021 at the Walter Reed Community Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

It’s the political equivalent of speed dating – called “candi-dating” or “candidating” (take your pick) – and the League of Women Voters of Arlington & Alexandria City is hosting a chance for Arlington residents to get to know candidates for local office without the long-term commitment of a full-blown candidate forum.

The event will be held on Sunday, Oct. 6 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Walter Reed Community Center.

Events

Two ‘Coffee with a Cop’ events on the horizon in Arlington

By GazetteLeader

Published September 28, 2024 at 2:30PM | Updated October 1, 2024 at 12:03PM

File photo

The Arlington County Police Department will mark “National Coffee with a Cop Day” with two happenings on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

“These morning and afternoon events are welcome to all and are a great informal engagement opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns, get to know neighbors and meet officers from different sections of the department,” police officials said.

Around Town

Free tree ‘whips’ being made available to Arlington residents

By GazetteLeader

Published September 28, 2024 at 1:30PM

Marymount University volunteers plant trees in Arlington in 2023 (courtesy Gaston Araoz)

The Arlington Department of Parks and Recreation is accepting requests for up to 500 young native trees that will be provided free, one per household, next month.

“The trees you plant are part of our mission to expand and enhance Arlington’s urban-tree canopy,” county officials said. “This annual program is very popular and has yielded many beautiful trees and benefited our community.”

Events

Upcoming canine fashion show to benefit Jane Franklin Dance

By GazetteLeader

Published September 28, 2024 at 12:30PM

Ruff the Runway 2024 flyer (via Jane Franklin Dance)

“Ruff the Runway,” a dog fashion show and fundraiser to support Jane Franklin Dance, will be held on Monday, Oct. 14 at 4 p.m. at Snouts & Stouts Indoor Dog Park and Bar, 2709 S. Oakland St.

“Strut your mutt down the runway and compete for fantastic prizes,” organizers said. “Whether your pooch is polished, pampered or just plain adorable, this is their time to shine!”

Events

Car show to benefit Wakefield Class of 2025 in the works

By GazetteLeader

Published September 28, 2024 at 11:30AM | Updated September 28, 2024 at 1:17PM

Wakefield High School entrance in February 2023 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The second Wakefield High School car show is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26 at 8 a.m. in the school’s front parking lot.

The event is a fundraiser for the Class of 2025. There will be a food vendor in the parking lot.

News

Washington-Liberty wins big over rival Yorktown in football

By GazetteLeader

Published September 23, 2024 at 6:00PM | Updated October 1, 2024 at 4:00PM

Generals led 46-0 at halftime of county rivalry game

The result wasn’t unexpected, but the blowout margin of victory was a surprise to many when the Washington-Liberty Generals hosted and defeated the Yorktown Patriots, 46-16, in this season’s annual all-Arlington clash between the neighborhood high-school rivals.

News

Ancillary revenue helping the bottom line at local airports

By GazetteLeader

Published September 23, 2024 at 6:00PM | Updated October 1, 2024 at 12:48PM

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Less revenue coming directly from airline operations is being more than offset by tangential revenue – from parking, concessions and the like – at Northern Virginia’s two commercial airports.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority on Sept. 18 reported that year-to-date revenue from aviation operations totaled $582 million through August, up 2.9 percent from the year before and 7.1 percent higher than budgeted.