News

Staff and volunteers at Virginia Cooperative Extension put on a showcase of the year gone by and plans for the future last week.

From healthier meals to more energy-efficient living, those serving Arlington out of the Fairlington Community Center shared their experience helping thousands of local residents this year and every year.


Schools

Planned program changes at the new home for the Arlington Career Center are prompting anger at a parent group supporting Arlington Tech.

Concerns are being raised that a shift in proposed programming at the forthcoming Grace Hopper Center, detailed by Superintendent Francisco Durán and staff to School Board members during a Nov. 18 work session, could dilute the specialty program and the opportunities it provides to students.


News

Arlington’s county manager is holding off on a firm stance regarding local control of roads currently controlled by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

County Manager Mark Schwartz told the Arlington County Civic Federation that he hasn’t ruled out the idea of the county assuming responsibility for Glebe Road and Langston Blvd, which are among the network of local roads under state control.


News

A series of public forums celebrating free speech is coming to Falls Church next year in celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday.

Members of the Falls Church250 Committee have tentatively agreed to sponsor a series of at least two dozen “soapbox” forums, giving residents the opportunity to speak about their views on the current state of national and local affairs.


Around Town

With age comes wisdom — sometimes, at least — and in the case of one Arlington group of civic leaders, it brings a sense of humor, too.

They call themselves the Geezers. Among their ranks are two retired judges, a trio of former elected officials, several lobbyists and — a Geezer-in-waiting — the current clerk of the circuit court.


News

Potential increases to towing fees and taxi rates are on the agenda as County Board members close out 2025.

Both matters will be considered at the Board meeting on Saturday, Dec. 13.


Around Town

A holiday toy drive born out of pandemic-era restrictions returned last weekend to the Yorktown neighborhood.

Knights of Columbus Arlington Council 2473 once again hosted a drop-off collection site for Toys for Tots, continuing a tradition of spreading cheer to local children.


News

A hearing on whether to study changes to the form of Arlington’s local government is scheduled to take place next week.

County Board members have set aside an entire evening — Wednesday, Dec. 17 beginning at 6 p.m. — to hear from the public and then decide whether to set up a task force looking at the hotly debated issue. Registration is open now.


Schools

Arlington Democrats have approved rules for the party’s 2026 School Board caucus, though whether it will be held remains to be seen.

Arlington County Democratic Committee on Wednesday nearly unanimously set in place rules for a springtime caucus that will only be required if more than one candidate files for the lone position on the ballot next year.


News

A proposal to add hundreds more homes to Pentagon City’s RiverHouse site is heading to the County Board this week with the Planning Commission’s blessing.

The Planning Commission voted unanimously last week to recommend approving JBG Smith’s plan to add more than 740 townhouses, stacked flats and multifamily units to the 36-acre parcel located along Army Navy Drive and S. Joyce Street.


News

Falls Church homeowners may or may not see a dip in real estate taxes next year as property assessments continue to rise.

At a Dec. 3 planning session of City Council members, there was general consensus around the desire to lower the current tax rate to offset expected higher home-assessment values. But doing so was left as a goal, rather than made a requirement, as city staff begins developing the fiscal year 2027 budget.


News

Candidates seeking to become Arlington’s next Democratic chair made their pitch to the party’s rank-and-file last week.

Tony Weaver and Paul Ruiz are vying to succeed Steve Baker, who has been at the Democratic helm for four years. Voting in early January will decide the race.


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