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.

Opinion

How Dolly Parton and her theme park touched the life of an ARLnow reporter

By Scott McCaffrey
Female country singer in a sparkling white outfit, strumming a glittery white guitar on stage and singing into a headset mic.
U.S. singer Dolly Parton performs at Glastonbury music festival, England, Sunday, June 29, 2014. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)

Mary Jo Jaynes, a classified-ad sales representative at the Northern Virginia Sun newspaper, was adamant she’d come in on her day off to answer the phones on a Saturday morning back in early November 1996.

The Sun that day was getting a phone call from Dolly Parton, and Mary Jo wanted to be the one to field it.

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News

Falls Church leaders consider new tax on commercial property

By Scott McCaffrey
Two female panelists at a conference table with microphones; the woman on the left in a red top is speaking and gesturing, while the woman on the right in a beige blazer listens.
Mayor Letty Hardi and Council member Laura Downs (screenshot via City of Falls Church)

Falls Church City Council members have begun cautious discussions about a possible new tax on commercial and industrial property owners.

Under state law, the city has the ability to levy a surcharge of up to 12.5 cents per $100 assessed valuation on non-residential properties, so long as the funding supports new transportation initiatives.

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News

Impacts of N. Va.’s data center boom could reach Arlington, leaders say

By Scott McCaffrey
FILE - Cars drive past data centers that house computer servers and hardware required to support modern internet use, such as artificial intelligence, in Ashburn, Virginia, July 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

The proliferation of data centers in Northern Virginia could end up affecting even urbanized communities like Arlington, officials said at a recent forum.

“We are all connected,” County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti said of regional data-center impacts at the 11th annual Northern Virginia Regional Elected Leaders Summit.

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News

Incoming Advance Arlington chair seeks new ways to connect with residents

By Scott McCaffrey
Man in a white linen shirt smiles, standing beside a large American flag outdoors. (informative portrait)
Tony Weaver, the 2026-27 Advance Arlington president (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The 2026-27 chair of Advance Arlington wants to maintain some of the organization’s traditional elements while adding new ways to connect with the community.

Tony Weaver described his plans as “aspirational.”

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News

Falls Church taps Prince William parks and rec director for next city manager

By Scott McCaffrey
Man in a blue suit stands at a podium and speaks to an audience, with two panelists listening in a formal room behind him.
Incoming City Manager Seth Hendler-Voss speaks to the audience as City Attorney Sally Gillette and City Manager Wyatt Shields look on (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The Falls Church City Council has settled on its next city manager.

Seth Hendler-Voss, the director of parks and recreation in Prince William County, will succeed Wyatt Shields as the city’s top appointed official, the Council unanimously voted yesterday (Monday).

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Schools

School Board considers three new categories for excused absences

By Scott McCaffrey
An Arlington Public Schools bus (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

School Board members are expected to expand options for excused absences in the upcoming school year.

To comply with changes to state law, three new categories may be added to the existing 13 qualifying for excused absences at Arlington Public Schools:

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News

Summer housing market was lukewarm in Arlington and Northern Virginia

By Scott McCaffrey
Real estate for sale sign (photo illustration by ARLnow)

Arlington’s tepid real estate market has been emblematic of Northern Virginia and the commonwealth as a whole this summer.

“We’re seeing a market where inventory is growing in some segments while remaining incredibly constrained in others,” said Ryan McLaughlin, CEO of the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.

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News

Arlington’s spotted lanternflies may reach a turning point in 2028 or 2029

By Scott McCaffrey
Spotted lanternfly in Ballston (staff photo)

Arlington residents should expect a couple more seasons of spotted lanternfly infestations before the invasive species’ numbers start to decline.

Birds, bats and perhaps even a specialized type of wasp will likely help to thin the ranks of the lanternflies, which have been damaging native trees and plants since they became a common sight in Arlington around summer 2024.

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News

Independent candidate challenges Rep. Beyer, targeting ‘frustrated’ voters

By Scott McCaffrey
Smiling middle-aged man with short gray hair in a white shirt, standing in front of framed art photographs on a wall behind him.
8th District independent candidate Tim Sharman (courtesy Sharman campaign)

An independent candidate challenging U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) on Nov. 3 knows the odds are stacked against him, but thinks he can break through with voters.

“I’m running to win,” Tim Sharman told ARLnow after the Virginia Department of Elections certified his campaign paperwork.

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News

Falls Church advocates want affordable housing project to focus on lowest incomes

By Scott McCaffrey
Virginia Village properties on S. Maple Avenue, Shirley Street and Gibson Street (via City of Falls Church)

A key Falls Church civic group wants the Virginia Village affordable housing project to focus at least partly on low-income residents.

Citizens for a Better City (CBC) is calling for at least half of the new units in the project to go to those earning 30% or less of area median income (AMI). Advocates say this income bracket is “largely ignored” in the city’s existing affordable-housing efforts.

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News

National Chamber Ensemble celebrates 20 years of concerts and community in Arlington

By Scott McCaffrey
A quartet performing on stage: violinists/flutists and a cellist with a pianist, in front of a cityscape backdrop.
The National Chamber Ensemble's opening night 2025 (photo by Angela Anderson)

As the Arlington-based National Chamber Ensemble prepares to mark its 20th anniversary, the organization’s artistic director sees a healthy future for classical music.

The organization “has become a sustained Arlington-based cultural institution, presenting seasons year after year, working with outstanding local and international artists,” Leo Sushansky told ARLnow in an interview coinciding with announcement of the organization’s 20th-anniversary schedule.

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News

Falls Church faces slippery path to cracking down on businesses’ unplowed sidewalks

By Scott McCaffrey
Ice-covered sidewalk on W. Broad Street after January 2026 storm (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Falls Church officials plan to concentrate outreach efforts on commercial and retail corridors in their efforts to maintain snow-free sidewalks this coming winter.

However, city leaders will have to wait for legislative approval before attempting to levy fines on those who fail to follow snow-removal guidelines.

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