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 holds off on program to crack down on noisy vehicles

By Scott McCaffrey
"No Loud Mufflers" sign at the corner of Army Navy Drive and S. Joyce Street in 2022 (staff photo)

Arlington officials have opted against moving forward with a program to monitor and issue tickets to owners of unusually loud vehicles.

While Fairfax County is moving forward with preparations for a pilot program starting early next year, Arlington is in wait-and-see mode. In response to an ARLnow inquiry, a county spokesman gave the reasoning:

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News

Police chief pushes back on County Board vote to end Flock camera use

By Scott McCaffrey
A Flock Safety camera in Ballston in 2024 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Two key public safety leaders openly raised concerns last night (Tuesday) about a County Board vote to end the use of Flock license-plate readers.

“There are some crimes that, without this, will not be solved,” Police Chief Andy Penn told Board members, responding to a Sept. 15 vote to discontinue the use of 41 Flock Safety cameras around the county.

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News

ACPD getting new K9 to sniff out concealed electronics

By Scott McCaffrey
German Shepherd wearing a dark vest labeled 'DO NOT PET' lying on grass in a park.
A stock photo of a police K9 (via Elianna Gill/Unsplash)

A K9 specialized in detecting electronic storage devices is coming to the Arlington County Police Department through a unique partnership.

Board members on Sept. 19 authorized the county manager to accept the donation of a Labrador retriever from OUR Rescue, which has sponsored more than 150 placements worldwide.

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News

Car tax delinquency rises slightly in Arlington, though overall rate remains tiny

By Scott McCaffrey
Woman speaking into a handheld microphone, smiling, wearing a dark sleeveless top or blouse in a talk setting.
Treasurer Kim Rucker speaks to Arlington Democrats (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Arlington’s tax-delinquency rate ticked up slightly over the past year, but remains at a level the county’s new treasurer says is not cause for worry.

The county’s 0.2% delinquency rate for fiscal year 2026 was up just a hair from 0.18% in 2025 and 0.17% in 2024, Treasurer Kim Rucker told ARLnow on Sept. 21.

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News

County Board candidates divided over views on ICE, parking permit changes

By Scott McCaffrey
Three adults sit at a white panel table during a formal discussion: a man in a suit on the left, a man in a dark blazer in the middle, and a woman in blue on the right holding papers.
Candidates Matt de Ferranti, David Sisson and Audrey Clement at Lyon Village forum (screenshot via Lyon Village Citizens' Association)

County Board candidates tackled questions on immigration, residential parking and housing during a Sept. 21 forum sponsored by the Lyon Village Citizens’ Association.

County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti acknowledged there’s next to nothing Arlington officials can do to intervene in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sweeps across Northern Virginia.

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News

Arlington leaders acknowledge safety concerns around government headquarters

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

County Board members on Saturday acknowledged community concerns about public safety in the shadow of their own headquarters.

“It is deeply concerning to us,” County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti said after a member of the public pressed the issue at the Sept. 19 Board meeting.

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Schools

Nine Yorktown alumni inducted into high school’s hall of fame

By Scott McCaffrey
Four men pose for a group photo at a Yorktown Patriots event, standing in front of a blue backdrop with Patriots logos and text.
Yorktown Hall of Fame and Inspiration 2026 honorees Lt. Gen. Charles "Chip" Roadman II, Harvey Ernest, Bruce Hanson and Dr. Scott Taylor (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

New inductees to the Yorktown High School Hall of Fame & Inspiration praised the school’s impact on their lives during a Sept. 18 induction ceremony.

“This feels like time travel,” said retired Air Force Lt. General Charles “Chip” Roadman II, a member of Yorktown’s inaugural Class of 1962.

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News

Historical Society celebrates 70 years of achievements in Arlington

By Scott McCaffrey
Arlington Historical Society's Ball-Sellers House was represented in a 2026 community parade (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The Arlington Historical Society has modernized its operations and outreach, but challenges remain for the nearly 70-year-old organization, leaders said.

Five former Historical Society presidents gathered Sept. 10 to assess the state of the organization. Their verdict was mixed.

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News

New historic marker in Penrose honors Black troops during Civil War

By Scott McCaffrey
A group of uniformed veterans standing on a sidewalk beneath a historical marker that reads 'Camp Casey,' with American and other flags in the background.
Reenactors from 23rd U.S. Colored Troops at unveiling of Cape Casey marker (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

A new marker in Penrose honors 5,000 Black U.S. Army troops who trained in Arlington during the Civil War.

From 1863-64, two military regiments trained at Camp Casey: the 2nd and 23rd U.S. Colored Infantries. A historic marker adjacent to Towers Park at 801 S. Scott Street, two blocks north of Columbia Pike, was dedicated on Saturday.

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News

Revived community radio station receives cautious response from Arlington leaders

By Scott McCaffrey
Woman with blonde hair and white glasses speaking at a formal hearing, seated at a table with a microphone in front of her.
Becky Meiers speaks to County Board members (screenshot via Arlington County)

Boosters of a resurrected community radio station acknowledge they will have to build trust before establishing deep bonds with the county government.

Given the county government’s past experiences with Arlington Independent Media (AIM), “we know [a relationship] will take time to build,” Becky Meiers, who with Ted Schneider cofounded Radio Arlington, told the County Board.

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News

Equality Arlington joins statewide coalition supporting same-sex marriage

By Scott McCaffrey
Equality Arlington Vice President Samantha Perez speaks outside an Arlington School Board meeting (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A local LGBTQ+ advocacy group has joined a statewide coalition seeking to pass one of three Virginia constitutional amendments on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Equality Arlington is now part of the Virginians for Marriage Equality Coalition, working to support an amendment that would enshrine same-sex marriage in the Virginia Constitution.

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Around Town

Local artists hosting tours of Arlington studios this weekend

By Scott McCaffrey
Artist Johnny stands in his studio, smiling, with colorful abstract paintings and painting tools in the background.
Local artist Johnny Dukovich in his studio (photo courtesy Melanie Kehoss)

The ninth annual Arlington Visual Art Studio Tour is returning this weekend with works from nearly 60 artists.

Artists will be displaying their works and welcoming the community. Studios in South Arlington will be open on Saturday, Sept. 26, with those in North Arlington open Sunday, Sept. 27 — both days running 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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