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

Falls Church affordable housing proposal advances, after much debate

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

Falls Church leaders this week took a major step forward on a key affordable housing proposal, but ongoing divisions may imperil getting to the finish line.

Council members voted 6-1 authorizing staff to release a request for proposal (RFP), seeking development partners for the apartment buildings owned by the city in the 4.5-acre Virginia Village community.

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News

What $1,500 monthly rent gets you in Arlington: A tight squeeze or roommates

By Scott McCaffrey
Cavalier Club apartments are located in both Arlington and Fairfax counties (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Those with $1,500 to spend monthly on apartment rent in Arlington can expect either a tight squeeze or, more likely, finding roommates to share the burden.

A new national survey finds that $1,500 will result in an average 478 square feet of rentable apartment space in the county, the equivalent of a studio apartment.

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News

County Board candidates vow less bureaucracy, more business support

By Scott McCaffrey
County Board candidates Matt de Ferranti, Audrey Clement, Julie Farnam, David Sisson and James DeVita (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The incumbent County Board chair and four candidates seeking to oust him each say the county government needs less bureaucracy and more creativity in supporting the business and development communities.

“Our processes are not efficient enough,” Board Chair Matt de Ferranti acknowledged at a June 23 candidate forum sponsored by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.

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News

Federal cuts could imperil progress on homelessness, Arlington leaders warn

By Scott McCaffrey
A screening during the 2025 PathForward health fair for unhoused residents (courtesy PathForward)

Arlington leaders fear that federal cuts could threaten local and region-wide efforts that have helped prevent homelessness from ballooning in challenging economic times.

Arlington typically receives about $4.2 million in annual federal “continuum-of-care” grants. “If we have reduced federal support, it could risk a lot,” County Board member Julius “JD” Spain, Sr. said in a June 17 meeting.

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News

Arlington GOP to oppose abortion access, other Virginia ballot measures

By Scott McCaffrey
An anti-abortion protest in Clarendon in 2018 (file photo)

Arlington Republicans have voted to oppose three state constitutional amendments in November, focusing most efforts on fighting a measure to codify abortion access.

After some debate and a voice vote on Monday night, the county GOP opted to oppose three ballot measures that would provide formal constitutional support for reproductive rights, same-sex marriage and voting rights for felons.

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News

Improved communications with families a key goal of APS for new school year

By Scott McCaffrey
Superintendent Francisco Durán at budget work session (screenshot via Arlington County)

County school leaders gave the 2025-26 school year a mix of positive grades with a few incompletes, including the need for improved communication with families.

“There are some wonderful accomplishments,” Superintendent Francisco Durán said at the June 18 School Board meeting. “At the same time, we do have data that shows we have work to do.”

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Schools

Legendary Yorktown math teacher honored at ‘Whiz Mountain Day’ celebration

By Scott McCaffrey
Wilmer "Whiz" Mountain, right, and family members (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Wilmer “Whiz” Mountain was a teacher and mentor to more than 3,000 students during a three-decade career in the math department at Yorktown High School.

For that achievement, and for a lifetime of service in areas beyond education, Mountain was honored June 17 by the Optimist Club of Arlington.

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Around Town

Juneteenth festival at Wakefield brings calls for a ‘more just future’

By Scott McCaffrey
Hands on Drum DC performs at Juneteenth celebration (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

A local Juneteenth celebration drew calls to honor the past while working toward a better tomorrow.

The three-hour community festival — now in its third year and cosponsored by Challenging Racism and Arlington Public Schools — attracted a crowd of several hundred people to Wakefield High School on Friday.

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News

Parks and rec seeks to make more drinking fountains operate year-round

By Scott McCaffrey
Drinking fountain at Thomas Jefferson Park (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Arlington officials are working to modernize outdoor drinking fountains in county parks, but acknowledge the effort will take time.

It could be into the 2030s before all fountains are converted to year-round use, the Park and Recreation Commission was told on June 16.

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News

Arlington’s response to 2019 flash floods still under review by auditor

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

Arlington’s internal auditor is continuing to review the county’s response to flash floods in 2019 and resulting efforts to improve stormwater infrastructure.

This is one of several audits that auditor Wayne Scott and his deputy, Shirley Brothwell, will work on during the fiscal year that begins July 1.

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Schools

School Board approves $142M cost estimate for pricier TJ Middle School expansion

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)

School Board members have increased spending estimates for renovations to Thomas Jefferson Middle School, seeking to strike a balance between different proposals.

Board members voted 5-0 on June 18 to adopt the school system’s fiscal 2027-36 capital improvement plan, setting the stage for an $80 million school-bond referendum in the fall and future referendums down the road.

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News

Arlington residents remain less satisfied with county services than pre-pandemic

By Scott McCaffrey
Bozman Government Center in Courthouse (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Arlingtonians’ views of the county government performance and overall quality of life have not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, a new survey confirms.

While improving from the last resident-satisfaction survey conducted in 2022, overall grades on six key metrics remain down from 2018, according to data presented June 17 to County Board members.

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