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.

Schools

Superintendent seeks $250M to refurbish and expand TJ, Swanson middle schools

By Scott McCaffrey
Supporters of improvements to Thomas Jefferson Middle School made their case at the Dec. 18, 2025 School Board meeting (courtesy Melinda Wuellner)

Superintendent Francisco Durán has laid out a quarter-billion-dollar plan to renovate and expand two middle schools.

Downplaying concerns that the projects could crowd out needed improvements at other buildings, Durán on Thursday night described plans for Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Swanson Middle School. They include the following.

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Obituary

Longtime state delegate and circuit court judge James Almand dies at 77

By Scott McCaffrey
James Almand and family members at 2024 Optimist Club celebration (file photo by Scott McCaffrey)

James Almand, an Arlington native who served more than a quarter-century in the General Assembly and then nearly a decade on the circuit court, died May 14. He was 77.

“The totality of Jim Almand’s career as a legislator and judge is one of the greatest in Arlington’s history,” Clerk of the Circuit Court and former County Board member Paul Ferguson told ARLnow. “He was liked and respected by everyone who knew him.”

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Around Town

Girls on the Run 5K brings 3,000 students and boosters to Pentagon City

By Scott McCaffrey
A group of runners starts the Girls on the Run 5K (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Thousands of local youth and their supporters prepared for action in Pentagon City yesterday (Sunday) in one of two Girls on the Run 5Ks in Northern Virginia this weekend.

“Today is your day to shine,” said Caroline Woods, executive director of Girls on the Run Northern Virginia, as participants lined up near the starting line on S. Joyce Street, adjacent to RiverHouse.

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Schools

Marymount grads urged to embrace challenges, serve the greater good

By Scott McCaffrey
Marymount University undergraduates at 2026 commencement ceremony (via Marymount University/YouTube)

Members of Marymount University’s Class of 2026 celebrated graduation with encouragement to maintain their core values as they move through a complex and ever-changing world.

“Every setback carries a lesson. Every challenge carries an opportunity,” said Mario Murgado, a philanthropist and president/CEO of Florida-based Murgado Automotive Group, at the undergraduate commencement ceremony held yesterday (Sunday) at DAR Constitution Hall.

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News

Two more office buildings approved to become housing in Crystal City

By Scott McCaffrey
1901 S. Bell Street (via Arlington County)

The County Board has approved two more projects seeking to convert aging office buildings in Crystal City into residential buildings.

JBG Smith won approval to adapt a pair of empty, 11-story buildings constructed in the 1960s for housing — despite some residents’ objections about the limited community benefits that come with such projects. Under the plan, which County Board members unanimously supported at a Saturday meeting:

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News

Mechanical bull riding, festive contests planned for Falls Church 250th birthday bash

By Scott McCaffrey
Independence Day celebration (photo via Andy Calhoun/Unsplash)

Falls Church leaders are feeling bullish on the city’s upcoming celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday.

A mechanical bull, music, food and festive competitions are all in the works for the upcoming “Civic Jam” celebration, set for July 3 from 6-10 p.m. at Cherry Hill Park.

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News

Falls Church salutes centuries of women’s leadership at history walk

By Scott McCaffrey
Attendees view some of those honored at the 2026 Falls Church Women's History Walk (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The civic contributions of 70 women across multiple centuries were honored last weekend at the Falls Church Women’s History Walk.

“Their stories deserve to be remembered, celebrated and shared,” said Sally Ekfelt. She leads the Falls Church Women’s History Group, which sponsored the event at the historic Cherry Hill Farmhouse.

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Around Town

New play depicts true story of a local enslaved woman’s court battle for freedom

By Scott McCaffrey
Tia Thomas portrays Julia Roberts at Arlington HistoryFest (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The true story of a local enslaved woman’s legal fight to earn her freedom was brought to life in a series of performances this spring.

The name “Julia Roberts” is connected in most people’s minds with the successful Hollywood actress. But an earlier Julia Roberts played a seminal, but until now largely overlooked, role in local, state and national history.

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News

Proposed VHC Health facility needs more public input, County Board candidates say

By Scott McCaffrey
Bird's-eye view of VHC behavioral-health facility as submitted to county officials (via Earl Swensson Associates and Arlington County)

The three Democratic candidates for County Board are all in favor of extensive community input on a proposal for a new behavioral health facility in Glencarlyn.

“You need to listen — it needs to be community-first,” challenger Julie Farnam said at a debate hosted by the Arlington County Civic Federation on Tuesday.

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News

Ranked-choice ballot options for County Board will expand from 3 to 10 in 2027

By Scott McCaffrey
An ‘I voted in Arlington’ sticker (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Arlington voters next year will be able to select up to 10 candidates in ranked-choice elections, more than triple the number currently available.

New ballot scanners set to arrive in Arlington before this year’s Aug. 4 state primary allow for ranking up to 10 contenders. But existing ballot markers, used to assist voters with disabilities, will not be replaced until next year.

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News

Falls Church leaders reduce tax rate, but median homeowner will still pay $557 more

By Scott McCaffrey
The city hall of Falls Church (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Falls Church City Council members adopted a $134.5 million fiscal 2027 budget Monday night, but at the meeting warned of more significant budget challenges ahead.

On a 6-1 vote, Council members reduced the current real estate tax rate from $1.185 per $100 assessed valuation to $1.18 per $100.

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News

Controversial Langston Blvd townhouse proposal returns at next County Board meeting

By Scott McCaffrey
Renderings of proposed townhouses at 2134 N. Taylor Street (via Arlington County)

A controversial proposal to build 47 townhouses in the Waverly Hills neighborhood is returning for discussion at an upcoming County Board meeting.

Last month, Board members deferred a vote on the project, which staff opposes but neighborhood organizations and county advisory commissions largely support. It’s one of several items up for consideration at the Board meeting on Saturday.

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