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

Arlington is back to square one in creating taxpayer-funded tourism district

By Scott McCaffrey
Arlington Economic Development director Ryan Touhill (screenshot via Arlington County)

Arlington Economic Development is pursuing new options to market the county as a travel destination after the county attorney’s office halted its original plans.

At issue is whether Arlington County could use a 2021 state law to set up a tourism improvement district, or TID, to fund promotional efforts on behalf of the county’s hospitality industry. The county currently pursues such efforts in-house through the Arlington Convention and Visitors Service.

Go to Arlington is back to square one in creating taxpayer-funded tourism district Read more
News

North Arlington home with paranormal reputation could become historic district

By Scott McCaffrey
Happinest at 4120 41st Street N. (staff photo)

A home that could be Arlington’s next local historic district comes with ghost stories attached.

“It has had, over the years, a reputation of having paranormal activity,” said Pierre Yves Cossard, who has owned “Happinest” since 1980.

Go to North Arlington home with paranormal reputation could become historic district Read more
Schools

Falls Church School Board incumbent challenges ‘pledge’ to keep fundraising local

By Scott McCaffrey
Falls Church School Board candidates (courtesy Citizens for a Better City)

A Falls Church civic group’s effort to ensure that local elections maintain a local focus was subject to some debate at a recent candidate forum.

All but one candidate for both City Council and School Board have signed onto a commitment to campaign in a positive manner and refrain from taking large donations from people and groups outside the community. Incumbent School Board member Lori Silverman, however, pushed back on some aspects of the “pledge” at a recent candidate forum.

Go to Falls Church School Board incumbent challenges ‘pledge’ to keep fundraising local Read more
News

County Board orders more study of towing fees before considering changes

By Scott McCaffrey
A-1 Towing is among firms authorized to conduct trespass tows in Arlington (file staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Arlington County Board has requested more study on possible increases to towing rates before making a decision.

Board members unanimously rejected a staff and advisory-panel recommendation to hold a November public hearing and potentially increase maximum towing rates from the current $155 ($135 plus $20 surcharge) to as much as $210.

Go to County Board orders more study of towing fees before considering changes Read more
News

County Board adds resources for federal workers, condemns hate speech at monthly meeting

By Scott McCaffrey
A town hall for federal workers and contractors at Central Library in February (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Arlington officials have added online resources in support of county residents impacted by the ongoing federal shutdown.

The updates include links to local, state and federal supports for those impacted since Oct. 1 as either federal workers of contractors. Tens of thousands of federal workers live or work in Arlington, one of the highest concentrations in the D.C. area.

Go to County Board adds resources for federal workers, condemns hate speech at monthly meeting Read more
News

American Legion post in Arlington View celebrates namesake Pearl Harbor hero

By Scott McCaffrey
American Legion Dorie Miller Post 194 at the Arlington County Fair (via Post 194)

As it celebrates its namesake’s birthday this week, an American Legion post in Arlington View is working for more visibility across Arlington and the region.

At almost 80 years old, American Legion Dorie Miller Post 194 & Auxiliary Unit is one of several American Legion posts named to honor Doris “Dorie” Miller, who was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Go to American Legion post in Arlington View celebrates namesake Pearl Harbor hero Read more
News

Arlington nonprofit celebrates 25 years of serving immigrant communities

By Scott McCaffrey
SEEC leaders cut cake to mark 25th anniversary (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Leaders of the Shirlington Employment and Education Center used its 25th-birthday celebration to further commit to supporting the people that the organization helps.

SEEC, as it is known, provides “trust, hard work and hope” for the county’s immigrant population, board chair Chris Concepcion said at an Oct. 10 dinner held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

Go to Arlington nonprofit celebrates 25 years of serving immigrant communities Read more
News

Unopposed Del. Lopez working to boost turnout for Democratic ticket

By Scott McCaffrey
Dels. Alfonso Lopez, Patrick Hope and Adele McClure (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

There’s only one candidate running unopposed in Arlington this fall. But that doesn’t mean Del. Alfonso Lopez is taking election season off.

Lopez (D-3) is raising funds and rallying the troops in hopes Democrats will be “picking up tons of seats” in the House of Delegates.

Go to Unopposed Del. Lopez working to boost turnout for Democratic ticket Read more
News

Early voting started strong and has held steady, Arlington election officials say

By Scott McCaffrey
A voting dropbox in Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington voters are casting ballots ahead of Election Day in numbers that could set a new high for years that don’t include the presidential race.

“We’re on track to see record early voting turnout in a non-presidential election,” county election director Gretchen Reinemeyer told ARLnow. “As of the end of Monday, there’s been a 48% increase over the same timeframe in 2021.”

Go to Early voting started strong and has held steady, Arlington election officials say Read more
News

Arlington pedestrian and bicycle panels push back against changes in roles

By Scott McCaffrey
A long row of Capital Bikeshare bicycles (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Some members of two Arlington advisory bodies are unhappy with changes being imposed on their groups’ responsibilities.

A joint meeting of the Bicycle Advisory Committee and Pedestrian Advisory Committee last week offered a chance for the groups reporting to County Manager Mark Schwartz to lay out the new ground rules that Schwartz has requested. But the general sentiment on those advisory groups was that the  changes could be costly to transportation planning in the long run.

Go to Arlington pedestrian and bicycle panels push back against changes in roles Read more
News

Halls Hill native recalls making history with Civil Rights-era lawsuit over voting in Arlington

By Scott McCaffrey
Portia Haskins speaks at the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

As a 23-year-old voter in still-segregated 1960s Virginia, Portia Haskins was convinced she had followed all the rules in order to cast a ballot in Arlington.

Election officials disagreed, saying she had failed to pay the appropriate poll tax still required in the Old Dominion, maintained in part to disenfranchise Black voters.

Go to Halls Hill native recalls making history with Civil Rights-era lawsuit over voting in Arlington Read more
View More Stories