Author: James Jarvis

James Jarvis covers county government, schools local politics, business openings, and development for both FFXnow and ARLnow. Originally from Fauquier County, he earned his bachelor’s degree in government from Franklin & Marshall College and his master’s degree in journalism from Georgetown University. Previously, he reported on Fairfax, Prince William, and Fauquier counties for Rappahannock Media/InsideNoVa.

News

Plan to support group homes for people in recovery meets resistance

By James Jarvis
An existing recovery residence in Arlington (via Google Maps)

A proposal to let up to eight people live in Arlington recovery residences has received the Arlington Planning Commission’s support, despite some pushback.

Prior to a unanimous vote on Monday, commissioners acknowledged some residents’ concerns about how existing recovery houses affect surrounding Arlington neighborhoods.

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Around Town

Arlington man’s litter crusade in Glencarlyn Park earns national attention

By James Jarvis
Alan Wile does his daily morning trash collection in Glencarlyn Park (staff photo by James Jarvis)

One Arlington man’s quiet mission to clean up a local park, first reported by ARLnow, has attracted the attention of media outlets across the nation in recent weeks.

Alan Wile, a retiree who spends his mornings picking up litter in Glencarlyn Park, has become an unlikely local celebrity after his story of daily trash collection was picked up by local CBS affiliate WUSA9 and subsequently shared by news outlets from Evansville, Ind. to Presque Isle, Maine and New Orleans.

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Around Town

Volunteers needed for acorn collection event at Arlington Nat’l Cemetery this weekend

By James Jarvis
Acorn collecting event sponsored by the Virginia Department of Forestry (courtesy of the Potomac Conservancy)

A local environmental nonprofit is looking for 100 volunteers to collect acorns at Arlington National Cemetery this weekend.

The goal of the collection event, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, is anything but nutty. It’s part of the Potomac Conservancy’s Tomorrow’s Trees program, which recruits volunteers to support reforestation projects throughout the D.C. area.

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Around Town

Arlington Eagle Scout candidates step up to restore trails at Potomac Overlook Park

By James Jarvis
Sam Cruley (left), Michael Corso and Nicholas Fletcher complete Eagle Scout projects fixing up Potomac Overlook Regional Park's trail system (courtesy of Sara Cruley)

Three Arlington scouts just wrapped up a series of heavy-duty trail restoration projects at Potomac Overlook Regional Park.

Sam Cruley, Michael Corso and Nicholas Fletcher — Eagle Scout candidates and long-time members of Arlington-based Boy Scout Troop 111 — spearheaded the efforts to combat erosion and upgrade some of the park’s popular walking trails.

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Schools

School Board eyes $65M budget increase for more staff and pay raises in FY 2026

By James Jarvis
APS School Board member Mary Kadera (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Arlington Public Schools is proposing to significantly increase its budget next year to support more staffing and a pay raise for personnel.

The proposal, which Superintendent Francisco Durán and the Arlington School Board discussed at a work session yesterday (Tuesday), calls for gradually adding 252 new full-time positions and a 3% cost-of-living increase over the next three years.

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News

Weekend closures planned as GW Parkway scenic views get a makeover

By James Jarvis
Construction and lane closures along the GW Parkway (via National Park Service)

Drivers on the George Washington Memorial Parkway may soon have clearer views of the Potomac, but they should also expect weekend lane closures during restoration work.

The National Park Service announced yesterday (Monday) that crews will “rehabilitate” 15 scenic vistas between the North Donaldson Overlook and Spout Run Parkway.

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News

Va. governor hopeful to headline women’s conference in Arlington this week

By James Jarvis
U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A candidate in the 2025 Virginia governor’s race is slated to visit Arlington this week for a conference on issues impacting women.

U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) is scheduled to serve as the keynote speaker at Rep. Don Beyer’s eighth annual women’s conference, titled “The Time is Now.”

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Schools

Kenmore seventh grader earns national recognition for space research project

By James Jarvis
Maedot Ayalew (courtesy of Society for Science)

A Kenmore Middle School seventh grader is receiving national recognition for a project studying massive bursts of plasma from the sun.

Maedot Tinsae Ayalew has been named one of 30 finalists in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, a contest that celebrates middle schoolers who excel in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

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News

Early voting starts in Arlington this week: Who’s running and how to cast your vote

By James Jarvis
Voting at Arlington Central Library on Nov. 7, 2023 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Early voting on national, regional and local candidates and issues begins this week in Arlington.

In addition to the presidential election, Arlington residents will vote on races for Arlington County Board, Arlington School Board, U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate, as well as bond referenda and a proposed Constitutional amendment.

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News

Arlington transit workers threaten strike, potentially disrupting ART bus service

By James Jarvis
Arlington transit workers hold practice picket outside ART bus facility at 1429 N. Quincy Street on Sept. 16, 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Arlington Transit (ART) workers are threatening to strike over a dispute about pay and work conditions.

About 80 ART workers staged a “practice picket” before dawn yesterday (Monday) in a show of solidarity and a signal that they are prepared to escalate the conflict with their county-contracted employer, France-based transportation company Transdev.

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News

Over one in five Arlington residents face food insecurity, new report reveals

By James Jarvis
Arlingtonians wait in line for holiday meals at the Arlington Food Assistance Center (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

More than one in five Arlington residents is experiencing food insecurity, according to a new report.

The Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) released its 2024 Hunger Report yesterday (Thursday), revealing that 23% of households in Arlington County struggle to afford enough nutritious food.

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Schools

New synthetic turf fields could debut at Kenmore Middle School in 2027

By James Jarvis
Kenmore Middle School's athletic fields are set to be converted to synthetic turf (courtesy of Arlington County)

Two new synthetic turf fields could be coming to Kenmore Middle School by spring 2027.

Pending final design approval and a proposed $2 million contribution from two local sports organizations, construction on the new fields is slated to begin in winter 2025.

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