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’s 2001 bicentennial offered a chance to review the past, look to the future

By Scott McCaffrey
Coverage of 2001 bicentennial kickoff with Al Eisenberg as the "Spirit of Arlington" and County Board Chair Jay Fisette beside him (photo by Beth Cruz, Sun Gazette, via Charlie Clark Center for Local History)

This reporting was supported by the ARLnow Press Club. Join to support in-depth local journalism — and get an exclusive early morning email with a preview of that day’s planned news coverage.

When plans were announced for Arlington’s bicentennial celebration in 2001, one question emerged among county residents: It was the bicentennial of what, exactly?

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Around Town

Falls Church to re-create historical reading of Declaration of Independence on July 4

By Scott McCaffrey
The Falls Church at 115 E. Fairfax Street (via The Falls Church/Facebook)

This July 4, Falls Church residents will have the chance to hear the Declaration of Independence read out from the same spot it was proclaimed nearly 250 years before.

Tradition holds that the document was read from the steps of The Falls Church sometime in September 1776, marking the first time many in the local area had heard the rallying cry for independence.

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Around Town

Aurora Hills library celebrates 100th anniversary, tracing its history in community

By Scott McCaffrey
Aurora Hills branch manager Megan Wianecki cuts a cake celebrating the library's 100th birthday (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Community leaders and neighborhood residents celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Aurora Hills branch library on Saturday.

Megan Wianecki, manager of the branch library, said the day’s events were not just a celebration of the centennial, but all those who support the library and community.

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News

County Board candidates support creating at least some district-based seats

By Scott McCaffrey
County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

All three Democratic candidates for County Board say they support at least some district-based representation on the governing body.

While the five seats on the Board are all currently at-large, some advocates have called for creating voting districts as part of potential future governance changes. Current County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti and challengers James DeVita and Julie Farnam endorse the concept, at least to some extent.

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Schools

School Board members debate scope, strategy of TJ Middle School upgrades

By Scott McCaffrey
Sign held at School Board 2025 hearing (courtesy Thomas Jefferson Middle School PTSA)

Significant divisions appear to remain among School Board members on the scope of a planned renovation and addition to Thomas Jefferson Middle School.

Three design concepts — with costs of $130 million, $140 million and $168 million — are still on the table, while at least one School Board member has not given up on the possibility of a complete replacement.

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News

Contributions of Black Arlington physicians honored in new memorial plaque

By Scott McCaffrey
Memorial marker honoring Drs. Harold Johnson and Edward Morton (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Ceremonies honoring two local pioneering Black physicians took place on Saturday afternoon with both descendants and civic leaders in attendance.

A commemorative plaque honoring Dr. Harold Johnson and Dr. Edward Morton was unveiled at a new pocket park located on the grounds of VHC Health at 19th Street N. and N. Edison Street.

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News

Falls Church leaders seek ‘creative options’ for major affordable housing project

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

Falls Church leaders are weighing a few options as they decide the fate of a major affordable housing project.

City officials plan to rehabilitate or redevelop at least a portion of the 40 fourplex apartment buildings on the Virginia Village site through a future partnership with a housing developer. A work session on Monday focused on refining the request for proposal that will be put out, soliciting partnerships.

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News

Falls Church, Fairfax coordinating on upgrades to Route 29 corridor

By Scott McCaffrey
S. Washington Street and S. Maple Avenue in Falls Church (via Google Maps)

Falls Church and Fairfax County officials are collaborating on street upgrades on the Route 29 (S. Washington Street) corridor.

The city’s Planning Department and Department of Public Works are participating in the effort, working with their Fairfax counterparts as the county’s Route 29 Active Transportation Study moves forward.

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News

Native American exhibits return to Gulf Branch Nature Center after six years

By Scott McCaffrey
A portion of a Native American exhibit at Gulf Branch Nature Center (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Two exhibits relating to Native American history are back on display at Gulf Branch Nature Center, six years after being removed for rehabilitation.

The exhibits were removed in 2020 “after years of natural aging and exposure of the organic items and signage on display,” said Jerusalem Solomon, communications/engagement manager for the Department of Parks and Recreation.

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News

New VFW commander aims to build on Arlington post’s recent successes

By Scott McCaffrey
Fritz Gottschalk and Mike Cantwell at the Clarendon War Memorial (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The new commander of an Arlington Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post wants to maintain what is working well while expanding the organization’s footprint in broader civic life.

During a Memorial Day open house, Fritz Gottschalk succeeded Mike Cantwell as commander of John Lyon VFW Post 3150.

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Schools

APS public-private construction plans raise some concerns amid fiscal constraints

By Scott McCaffrey
2025 construction work at the Grace Hopper Center, located next to the current Arlington Career Center (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Arlington school leaders have more work to do in sketching out how they might use public-private partnerships to construct new facilities in an era of fiscal constraints.

Superintendent Francisco Durán’s proposed fiscal 2027-36 capital improvement plan, unveiled May 14, makes reference to potential future partnerships to help defray costs of constructing and maintaining new facilities.

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Schools

School Board commits to middle school renovations but seeks to lower costs

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)

A divided School Board last Thursday backed a 22% cut in the anticipated future cost of a renovation/expansion project at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, but left the door open to more discussion.

The 3-1 vote, with one abstention, reduces the cost estimate to $130 million, from an initial $168 million proposed by Superintendent Francisco Durán and staff.

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