Author: Katie Taranto

Katie Taranto is a reporter at Local News Now, primarily covering business, public safety and the city of Falls Church. She graduated from the University of Missouri in 2024, where she previously covered K-12 education at The Columbia Missourian. She is originally from Macungie, Pennsylvania.

Around Town

Clarendon-born acai chain South Block taps new president ahead of expansion

By Katie Taranto
South Block in Ballston (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Clarendon-born smoothie, acai and juice chain South Block has announced a new president as it rolls out national expansion plans.

Restaurant industry veteran Steve Heeley will guide South Block through its next chapter alongside founding CEO Amir Mostafavi, the company announced in a press release last week.

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Around Town

Arlington ‘spraygrounds’ reopen for the season this weekend

By Katie Taranto
Sprayground at Virginia Highlands Park (file photo)

With summer on the horizon, “spraygrounds” across Arlington are set to reopen tomorrow (Saturday).

Arlington is home to seven parks with splashing and water features. These will reopen from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. this Memorial Day weekend, with the exception of Penrose Square, which is closed for repairs.

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Events

Crystal City’s Water Park kicks off summer concert series this weekend

By Katie Taranto
Musicians at a previous Water Park outdoor concert (courtesy of Water Park)

Another series of outdoor weekend concerts is kicking off in Crystal City this weekend.

Water Park’s free Saturday Summer Concert Series begins at 6 p.m. this Saturday at 1601 Crystal Drive, with a concert by soul musician Bryan Lee.

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News

ACFD honors beloved firefighter’s life with heartfelt radio tribute

By Katie Taranto
Firefighter Lloyd Edwards smiling for a photo on the job (courtesy of ACFD)

A beloved firefighter who died earlier this month was honored yesterday (Tuesday) with an emotional radio farewell from the Arlington County Fire Department.

The announcement that came across Arlington airwaves around 3:30 p.m. started like dispatches for significant incidents, with three long beeps. But unlike others, the message that followed was a moving tribute to the life of firefighter Lloyd Edwards.

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Around Town

Five Guys opens at Reagan National, two other restaurants coming soon

By Katie Taranto
Customers at Five Guys' new location at Reagan National Airport (via Ronald Reagan National Airport/Facebook)

A new Five Guys has arrived at Reagan National Airport, and two other dining options are opening there soon.

The burger joint is located near gate D35, and the forthcoming restaurants are Makers Union and Wiseguy Pizza, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority announced today.

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Around Town

‘The Dark, Unbound’ fantasy bookstore and cafe plans Falls Church opening

By Katie Taranto
A poster for The Dark, Unbound at 112 W. Broad Street (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

A bookstore and cafe with a taste for the mystical, metaphysical and macabre has announced plans to open in Falls Church.

The Dark, Unbound plans to sell books by “underrepresented voices in the fantasy, science-fiction, speculative fiction and horror genres,” in a cozy, moody atmosphere. It is in the works at 112 W. Broad Street, where Dominion Camera closed in September.

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News

Arlington wellness duo seeks to support first responders’ mental health needs

By Katie Taranto
Donna Young (left) and Leslie Geer (courtesy of the Arlington County Police Department)

Behind Arlington’s public safety employees and first responders are a pair of social workers supporting them through therapy and mental health services.

Donna Young and Leslie Geer joined the county as public safety wellness coordinators in 2023. Equipped with backgrounds in clinical social work, the duo spearheads employee wellness trainings, ensures agencies have adequate wellness policies and offers short-term therapy and mental health services.

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Around Town

New play equipment for dogs arrives in Rosslyn’s Gateway Park

By Katie Taranto
New play equipment for dogs at Gateway Park (courtesy of R-Dogs)

Dogs in Rosslyn are sure to have a ball with some new play equipment that was placed in Gateway Park’s dog park over the weekend.

Volunteers from R-Dogs, the dog park’s nonprofit sponsor, installed new ramps and a platform for four-legged friends at 1300 Langston Blvd on Sunday, bringing their pets along for an inaugural play-date.

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News

Arlington firefighter loses home in fire, raises $35K on GoFundMe

By Katie Taranto
The Friday morning fire at the Zunigas' residence in Gaithersburg (courtesy of David Zuniga)

After an Arlington firefighter lost his home in a fire last week, a fundraiser to support his family has raised over $35,000.

Fire Capt. David Zuniga became aware of the blaze around 5:30 a.m. on Friday when his 18-year-old daughter got up to prepare for a friend’s graduation.

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News

Paving for bike lane project brings Crystal City road closures this week

By Katie Taranto
Paving on Crystal Drive, which is also slated for bike paving work, in May 2025 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A bike lane paving project in Crystal City is beginning tomorrow (Tuesday).

Paving on Crystal Drive and S. Clark Street, previously slated for completion today, is beginning later than expected because of last week’s storms. Motorists should expect lane closures, no street parking and a full crosswalk closure at 23rd Street S.

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Around Town

Mister Days launching DIY bellini bar, brunch menu in Clarendon

By Katie Taranto
Mister Days in Clarendon (staff photo by Jared Serre)

New brunch eats and do-it-yourself bellinis are coming to Mister Days in Clarendon for the first time this weekend.

The cafe and bar at 1101 N. Highland Street is soft opening a weekend brunch menu from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday), along with discounted bellinis at its new “Bubbly Bellini Bar” through the rest of May.

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News

Youngkin criticizes County Board for limiting ACPD interactions with ICE

By Katie Taranto
The Arlington County Board meeting on May 13, 2025 (via Arlington County)

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has voiced disapproval over the Arlington County Board’s decision this week to limit police interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The County Board voted Tuesday to bar the Arlington County Police Department from initiating contact with ICE. In a post on X yesterday (Thursday), the governor criticized the change, calling it a “dereliction of duty.”

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