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

Historic Episcopal church in Glencarlyn closing after 130 years

By Scott McCaffrey
White church sign reads 'St. John's Episcopal Church' with worship details and contact info; brick church building in background.
St. John's Episcopal Church in Glencarlyn (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

A church that has been part of the Glencarlyn neighborhood for more than 130 years is about to close its doors.

St. John’s Episcopal Church will hold its last regular worship service on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 9 a.m. A final community service of thanksgiving is planned for mid-September.

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Around Town

‘Little City Sips’ returns to Falls Church this weekend, building on past success

By Scott McCaffrey
Ireland's Four Provinces in Falls Church (staff photo)

Falls Church will be hosting another sip-and-stroll program this weekend, looking to build on the success of a concept that debuted in June.

The city’s second Little City Sips event will take place on Saturday from 5-10 p.m. in an area bounded by W. Broad Street, Park Avenue, Little Falls Street and N. Washington Street.

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Schools

School Board members conflicted over proposal for shorter elementary school year

By Scott McCaffrey
Man in a navy suit and red tie speaks at a podium with a microphone, standing beside a yellow banner that reads 'Every Student Counts'.
Corey Dotson details proposed calendar changes to School Board members (screenshot via APS)

A staff proposal to remove a net of two days of instruction for Arlington elementary schoolers brought noncommittal comments from School Board members.

The proposal would rearrange instructional time in October and March to accommodate parent-teacher conferences at the elementary school level. It would result in 178 days of class, leading to some heartburn among School Board members who have pledged not to go below 180 days each year.

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Schools

New president of Arlington teachers union seeks collaboration with APS leaders

By Scott McCaffrey
Woman with shoulder-length dark hair and glasses speaks at a microphone, wearing a red blouse, beside a banner that says 'EVERY STUDENT COUNTS'.
Arlington Education Association president Danielle Jones (screenshot via APS)

The new president of the Arlington Education Association (AEA) says she hopes for a cooperative relationship with school leaders over the coming year.

“The strongest districts are built on collaboration, transparency and mutual respect,” Danielle Jones said at the Aug. 13 School Board meeting.

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Schools

Arlington elementary schoolers could get fewer than 180 days of class this year

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

A late start to the school year and other logistical challenges could result in Arlington elementary schoolers getting fewer than 180 days of instruction this year.

School Board members are reviewing a proposal to alter the 2026-27 elementary school calendar to provide more opportunity for meetings between teachers and parents in October and March. This would result in just 178 instructional days for elementary-school students.

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News

Proposed historic marker highlights 150 years of history at Reeves Farmhouse

By Scott McCaffrey
A two‑story house under renovation: one side with exposed wood siding and windows, the other wrapped in Tyvek with a portable toilet nearby outside a chain‑link fence.
Reevesland property during renovation in August 2026 (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

A new historical marker honoring the Reeves Farmhouse property is up for consideration this week at the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB).

The vote, slated for Wednesday, comes as renovation and expansion work continues on the property, which will be used to provide housing and services to adults with intellectual disabilities.

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News

Commission seeks more funding to treat mold, despite Arlington landlords’ objections

By Scott McCaffrey
Scientist wearing gloves and goggles swabbing a red agar plate in a lab setting.
Mold testing (via Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Unsplash)

Arlington’s Tenant-Landlord Commission is seeking more state support in treating and testing for mold, despite protests from some industry representatives.

The commission is recommending legislative approval of a statewide mold-remediation fund and free mold testing for Virginia residents. Members placed the issue atop their recommendations to County Board members in advance of the 2027 General Assembly session.

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Schools

Washington Wizards help ‘tip off’ upcoming school year at APS

By Scott McCaffrey
Group of five people posing with a red basketball jersey #26 at a Wizards-themed event, cheerleaders flank the center holder under balloon arches.
Claremont Immersion Elementary School principal Liza Aldana-Broughman and Washington Wizards cheerleaders (photo courtesy APS)

Local students got in the back-to-school spirit last week with some help from the Washington Wizards.

Featuring appearances by Wizards mascot G-Wiz, the Wizards Dancers and DJ Chalant, the “Back-to-School Tip-Off” celebration provided students with backpacks filled with school supplies and free haircuts on Friday at Claremont Immersion Elementary School.

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News

Climate action panel criticizes skewed demographics in recent survey

By Scott McCaffrey
Flooding from July 8, 2019 storm in Arlington (via Arlington County)

Members of an Arlington advisory panel are expressing concerns that feedback on the county’s proposed Climate Action Plan doesn’t fully represent the broader community.

Jason Schwartz, representing the Housing Commission on the county’s Climate Action Plan Advisory Group, raised concerns about the underrepresentation of renters and those living in multifamily properties in an online survey being used as a planning tool by staff.

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Schools

APS seeks to train more special ed teachers through new GMU partnership

By Scott McCaffrey
Superintendent Francisco Durán (screenshot via Arlington Public Schools)

Arlington school leaders are getting creative about recruiting and retaining special education teachers.

Arlington Public Schools has embarked on a partnership with George Mason University’s Project Patriots initiative, giving current staff the ability to earn required degrees and obtain special-education certification while still working full-time for the school system.

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News

Pedestrian advocates raise concerns about VHC Health proposal on S. Carlin Springs

By Scott McCaffrey
Renderings of the proposed VHC Health facility at 601 S. Carlin Springs Road (via Arlington County)

Arlington’s Pedestrian Advisory Committee is voicing concerns about a proposal for a new behavioral health complex on S. Carlin Springs Road.

Some of the concerns are related to the site itself, while others relate to broader existing challenges along S. Carlin Springs.

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Around Town

Environmental advocates recruit new ‘EcoAmbassadors’ to serve Arlington

By Scott McCaffrey
Six volunteers at a community table for EcoAmbassadors, with brochures and signage in the background.
Janice Morris, Anya Motayed, Rob Nutter, Joan McIntyre, Amy Hjerstedt and Leslie Louden at Aug. 4 EcoAmbassadors information session (photo by Bill Campbell)

An Arlington environmental organization is recruiting a new class of “EcoAmbassadors” to lead grassroots efforts and build community coalitions.

The initiative is a joint effort of EcoAction Arlington and Virginia Cooperative Extension. The five-week training program begins in September for volunteers ages 16 and older.

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