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.

Schools

Audits reveal gaps in financial oversight at APS, prompting plans for reform

By James Jarvis
APS internal audit director Alice Blount-Fenney (via APS)

A series of recent internal audits at Arlington Public Schools have revealed inconsistencies in the school system’s financial management practices.

The audits, which reviewed spending from 2022 to 2024, found that APS lacks clear policies for managing purchasing card usage, fuel expenses and school activity funds. They also highlighted limited training for employees overseeing these areas and weaknesses in oversight systems.

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News

After 140 years, faith-based D.C. nonprofit expands to serve South Arlington families in need

By James Jarvis
Central Union Mission staff greet visitors at the grand opening of their new Arlington facility (staff photo by James Jarvis)

After 140 years of serving D.C.’s most vulnerable residents, a faith-based nonprofit is expanding into Northern Virginia with a new facility in South Arlington.

Central Union Mission hosted an open house at its new Mission: NOVA Center yesterday (Tuesday) at 5401 7th Road S., on the property of Greenbrier Baptist Church. Strategically located in a high-poverty, diverse area near Long Branch Nature Center, the facility aims to be a one-stop shop for those in need, offering a wide range of resources to help individuals and families regain stability.

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News

Yorktown High School alumna earns prestigious public service scholarship

By James Jarvis
Elal Tilahun (courtesy of Elal Tilahun)

A Yorktown High School alum has secured a prestigious scholarship to continue pursuing youth advocacy and educational reform in East Africa.

Elal Tilahun, a political science junior at Tulane University, is among 100 students from 88 colleges across 44 states and territories who have been awarded the Voyager Scholarship for Public Service.

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News

APS kicks off 2024-25 school year with new safety and enrichment initiatives

By James Jarvis and Dan Egitto
Arlington Public Schools buses (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

As the 2024-25 school year starts today, Arlington Public Schools is launching several new initiatives to tackle student safety and enrichment.

Approved changes for this year include a new attendance policy for high school athletic events, a new after-school program pilot, and an extra five-day weekend in November.

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News

County Board announces plans to fire Human Rights Commission and clarify its role

By James Jarvis
Inside the renovated Ellen M. Bozman County Government Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Arlington County Board has announced plans to dismiss all current members of the Human Rights Commission.

Following months of mounting tension, the County Board plans to revise the commission’s charter and clarify members’ duties. Commissioners who wish to stay would have to reapply for the role “with an explicit understanding of the HRC’s clarified duties and responsibilities,” Board Chair Libby Garvey said in an email yesterday (Thursday).

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Around Town

Photos: 2024 Arlington County Fair kicks off with thrilling rides and tasty treats

By James Jarvis
Scene from the 2024 Arlington County Fair (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Excitement is in the air as the 2024 Arlington County Fair kicks into gear.

As the sun set on Thomas Jefferson Community Center park yesterday (Wednesday), hundreds gathered to enjoy the first night festivities and enjoy heart-stopping rides, sweet treats and classic games.

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News

Remembering Steve Oxenrider: A ‘pillar’ in Arlington education and prolific James Bond collector

By James Jarvis
Steve Oxenrider on the Jordan/Syria border in January 2013 (via Steve Oxenrider/Facebook)

Stephen Oxenrider, a beloved former Arlington Public Schools teacher, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 12, after nearly two years of battling pancreatic cancer. He was 73.

Oxenrider taught English as a Second Language (ESL) for 35 years in Arlington, beginning at Kenmore Middle School before transferring to Swanson Middle School, where he stayed until retiring in 2007, per his obituary.

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Around Town

Meet the 87-year-old Arlingtonian who cleans Glencarlyn Park every morning

By James Jarvis
Alan Wile picks up trash along the Long Branch Trail in Glencarlyn Park (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Nearly every morning for the past four years, an Arlington 87-year-old has made the trek from his apartment in Ballston to Glencarlyn Park to scour the recreation area for litter.

Alan Wile typically leaves his home around 7 a.m. and spends the next two to three hours combing the trails and picnic areas of the 100-acre park. He collects an average of three to four bags of trash each day — everything from beer bottles and cans to discarded diapers and plastic bags.

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News

Public access to ‘View of DC’ deck continues, for now, despite planned closure

By James Jarvis
'The View of D.C.' observation deck in Rosslyn overlooking the Potomac on Aug. 1, 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Despite plans to close to the public, the doors to the View of DC observation deck in Rosslyn remain open for now while the property’s new owner finalizes some last-minute details.

Yesterday (Wednesday) was intended to be the last day visitors could access the deck at 1201 Wilson Blvd, according to the Arlington Economic Development website. The Arlington County Board last week agreed to exchange public access to the lookout, which offers free 360-degree views of D.C. and Northern Virginia, for a $14 million investment in renovations at nearby Gateway Park.

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News

Arlington County selects top climate official amid calls for more community engagement

By James Jarvis
Jennifer Fioretti, who was named Assistant County Manager for Climate Policy (courtesy of Arlington County)

Arlington has a new top climate official to steer the county toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 — a goal that some activists fear the county is not on track to meet.

Jennifer Fioretti, previously deputy director of the Dept. of Parks and Recreation, has been named Assistant County Manager for Climate Policy, the county announced in a press release. She will oversee the development of policies that engage both county government and the broader community in achieving Arlington’s environmental goals.

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Schools

Research by Arlington high schoolers spotlighted at San Diego geo-mapping conference

By James Jarvis
W-L High School students present at Esri conference in San Diego in July 2024 (courtesy of Esri)

Three Arlington high school students presented research at one of the world’s largest data visualization conventions this month.

Rising Washington-Liberty High School seniors Karin Anderson and Annie Trucano, along with recent graduate Kaitlyn Fado, traveled to San Diego to present at a conference attended by about 17,000 industry professionals. Their presentations at the 2024 Esri User Conference showcased the effects of climate change, invasive insect species and urban planning challenges in the DC area.

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News

The tale of two comebacks: Arlington footbridge earns second life thanks to land grant

By James Jarvis
A small pedestrian footbridge linking Arlington Forest and Barcroft is set to be replaced after tree damage (staff photo by James Jarvis)

After succumbing to falling trees for the second time in nearly 50 years, the quaint footbridge linking the Barcroft and Arlington Forest neighborhoods is on the brink of its second rebirth.

On Monday, the Arlington County Board approved the transfer of a small parcel of land, owned by Dominion Energy and located between 416 S. Abingdon Street and 500 S. Abingdon Street, to rebuild a recently fallen footbridge that has provided safe passage to residents crossing a stream known as Grandma’s Creek since the 1940s.

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