Author: Scott McCaffrey

A Northern Virginia native, Scott McCaffrey has four decades of reporting, editing and newsroom experience in the local area plus Florida, South Carolina and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. He spent 26 years as editor of the Sun Gazette newspaper chain. For Local News Now, he covers government and civic issues in Arlington, Fairfax County and Falls Church.

News

Decades before current governance debates, Arlington almost got key change in 1970

By Scott McCaffrey
Del. Mary Marshall and Gov. Mills Godwin, 1969 (via Charlie Clark Center for Local History)

One of the goals of those seeking to revamp Arlington’s governance structure is an end to holding at least one County Board election every year.

Had it not been for a quirk of political fate, that might have happened nearly 60 years ago.

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News

North Arlington cemetery seeks wider pathway for carts moving caskets

By Scott McCaffrey
Walker Chapel United Methodist Church (staff photo)

Those headed to their final resting places at a historic North Arlington church graveyard may benefit from a change in the size of a new pathway.

Walker Chapel United Methodist Church and Cemetery (4102 N. Glebe Road) is seeking approval of the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) to widen the proposed path along a portion of its property from the approved 36 inches to 44 inches.

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News

Arlington will receive $83M in regional funding for transportation projects

By Scott McCaffrey
15th Street S. and S. Eads Street (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Despite receiving most of what it wanted, Arlington came up short in winning regional funding for some key transportation projects.

Three of the county’s 13 submissions for the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority’s FY2026-31 Six-Year Program failed to be funded. A final vote was taken at the authority’s July 9 board meeting.

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News

Pair of 27-story residential towers in Rosslyn gets nod from Planning Commission

By Scott McCaffrey
Renderings of proposed apartment buildings at 1401 Wilson Blvd (via Arlington County/YouTube)

A proposal to replace two vacant office buildings in Rosslyn with about 830 residential units and retail has the support of the Arlington Planning Commission.

Planning Commission members on July 6 unanimously backed a Monday Properties plan for two 27-story mixed-use towers on 1400 Key Blvd and 1401 Wilson Blvd, a 2.1-acre site near Turnberry Tower. The plan comes with 29,000 square feet of retail, likely including a grocery store.

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News

Clarendon Alliance’s new executive director begins ‘listening tour’ of neighborhood

By Scott McCaffrey
Galin Brooks is the new executive director of the Clarendon Alliance (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The Clarendon Alliance’s new executive director plans to spend the coming months learning about the neighborhood.

“I’m on a listening tour,” Galin Brooks told ARLnow. “I want to understand what the priorities are, the challenges and the opportunities.”

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News

Advocates want $10M in stabilization funds to reopen Lee Community Center

By Scott McCaffrey
Entrance to former Lee Community Center (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Advocates for the shuttered Lee Community Center are making a last-minute bid to include renovation funding in the county’s updated capital improvement plan.

Jean Henceroth, president of the Leeway Overlee Civic Association, said $10 million in funding would allow for the upgrades needed to reopen the facility.

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News

Planning kicks off for special election to replace Arlington County treasurer

By Scott McCaffrey
A voter casts a ballot on April 21, 2026 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

For those planning on running for county treasurer, the county’s elections staff is ready to assist in completing the special-election paperwork.

“If anyone is interested in running, come see us,” said Gretchen Reinemeyer, the county’s election director, at the July 7 Electoral Board meeting.

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News

Cherrydale Library supporters seek accessibility upgrades to safeguard branch’s future

By Scott McCaffrey
Cherrydale Library (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Having saved the Cherrydale Library from closing, advocates now want the county government to address the building’s accessibility issues.

Making upgrades to reach Americans with Disabilities Act standards “will allow the library to better serve the neighborhood and the county, and strengthen its long-term viability,” said Michael Gessel, president of Citizens for Cherrydale Library, at a public hearing on the proposed FY27-36 capital improvement plan.

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News

With promised Crystal City library on pause, advocate calls for upgrades to Aurora Hills branch

By Scott McCaffrey
Entrance to the Aurora Hills branch library (via Arlington County)

With a promised community library for Crystal City on the sidelines for now, one library advocate has floated an alternate proposal.

Speaking at the July 7 public hearing on the county’s new 10-year, $4.3 billion capital improvement plan, Crystal City resident Michael Skros urged county leaders to focus instead on upgrading the nearby Aurora Hills branch library.

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Schools

Superintendent Durán to serve at least four more years at APS

By Scott McCaffrey
Superintendent Francisco Durán signs new contract (courtesy Arlington Public Schools)

School Board members have voted to extend Superintendent Francisco Durán’s contract by four years, to June 30, 2030.

“Thank you for your trust, your partnership and your steadfast commitment to our students,” Durán said in remarks directed to School Board members yesterday (Tuesday). “Public education is built on that collaboration.”‘

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Schools

New School Board chair pledges to focus on academics and fiscal stewardship

By Scott McCaffrey
2026-27 School Board Chair Miranda Turner (screenshot via APS)

Arlington’s new School Board chair is promising to work toward increasing academic outcomes and fiscal responsibility.

School Board members unanimously selected Miranda Turner as Board chair for 2026-27, succeeding Bethany Zecher Sutton.

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News

Encore Stage & Studio traces its roots to an imaginative summer show 60 years ago

By Scott McCaffrey
"Hunting Snark" scene from "A Pocketful of Preposterous Poems" (courtesy Phillip Graneto)

This reporting was supported by the ARLnow Press Club. Join to support in-depth local journalism — and get an exclusive early morning email with a preview of that day’s planned news coverage.

Sixty summers ago, “A Pocketful of Preposterous Poems” debuted at Lubber Run Park with performances running July 29-31, 1966.

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