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 ambulance fees are increasing to at least $1,000 per trip

By Scott McCaffrey
An ACFD ambulance drives down Wilson Blvd (file photo by Jay Westcott)

Fees for Arlington ambulance trips are going up in July, with baseline costs increasing to between $1,000 and $1,500.

The newly approved Fiscal Year 2026 budget will raise fees for transport to $1,000 for basic life support and $1,500 for advanced life support, plus $18 per mile. Current rates are $750 and $1,000, depending on the level of service, plus $15 per mile.

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Schools

Potential cuts to special education funding could add more difficulties for APS budget

By Scott McCaffrey
APS director of secondary special education Kenneth Brown (screenshot via APS)

Possible reductions in federal funds for special education could put more stresses on Arlington Public Schools’ budget proposal.

“There are questions, concerns, uncertainties” about the Trump administration’s plans for special education funds, said Kenneth Brown, the school system’s director of secondary-level special education, at an April 10 School Board meeting.

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Schools

School Board candidates call for better public engagement at APS

By Scott McCaffrey
School Board candidates June Prakash and Monique "Moe" Bryant (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The two candidates vying for the Democratic School Board endorsement in Arlington say school leaders must do better in listening and acting on community input.

“Conversations need to be happening with staff, students and community,” said June Prakash, who is competing with Monique “Moe” Bryant for the seat being vacated by Board member Mary Kadera.

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News

New Green Valley farmers market draws a crowd with fresh produce and hot bites

By Scott McCaffrey
Green Valley farmers market (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

With beautiful weather and tables loaded with local goods, the new Green Valley farmers market’s second week in business attracted a host of vendors and shoppers.

The market’s opening day earlier this month had been marred by a combination of cold and rainy weather. On Friday, however, plentiful sunshine and temperatures in the 70s — combined with plentiful fresh produce and ready-to-eat offerings — made for an almost picture-perfect evening from 4-7 p.m.

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News

New county fees raise concerns for Arlington performing arts groups

By Scott McCaffrey
The Arlington Cultural Affairs building at 3700 S. Four Mile Run (via Arlington County)

Arlington County is changing the way it bills performing arts groups for services, raising concerns among some advocates.

Beginning July 1, the county will shift from charging groups a 10% surcharge for tickets to charging an hourly fee for each staff member or contractor who provides services at a county- or school system-owned theater facility.

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News

New accessory dwelling policy approved in unanimous Falls Church vote

By Scott McCaffrey
An accessory dwelling unit by Backyard Homes in North Arlington (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Falls Church City Council has reached a compromise on accessory dwelling units, allowing for by-right development on most single-family parcels.

The unanimous 7-0 vote followed public discussions with the public last summer and nearly a year of further deliberation. Most public speakers showed up in support of the decision, although some controversy remains on issues such as setbacks.

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News

Falls Church property owners might not get lower taxes after all

By Scott McCaffrey
City Council member Erin Flynn voiced concerns about the tax burden (screenshot via Falls Church)

The Falls Church City Council is keeping the door open to maintaining the same tax rate in the coming fiscal year.

Council members unanimously voted on Monday night to advertise a maximum tax rate of $1.21 per $100 assessed valuation — unchanged from the current rate.

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News

Northern Va. ‘trophy’ offices will likely stay valuable in turbulent times, analysis finds

By Scott McCaffrey
The Rosslyn skyline (Photo courtesy of Clyde Group)

Though federal workforce reductions will likely cause fluctuations in office space this year, Northern Virginia’s most sought-after properties are expected to remain valuable.

A new data analysis from Savills US notes some “encouraging signs of recovery” in the first quarter of this year, but anticipates a bumpy ride for the region’s commercial properties as shakeups at the federal level play out.

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News

New Arlington conservation proposal raises concerns about loopholes and red tape

By Scott McCaffrey
The stump and lumber of a large willow oak at 502 N. Jackson Street (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Planned changes to local preservation guidelines have some local officials concerned about needless bureaucracy as well as loopholes for developers.

Several members of the county’s Park and Recreation Commission voiced skepticism after they received a briefing on proposed changes slated for Arlington County Board consideration in June.

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News

Arlington’s pedestrian advisory panel seeks to maintain influence, despite restructuring

By Scott McCaffrey
Sunset above Langston Blvd and the bike/pedestrian bridge (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A new directive to focus more on big-picture advocacy and less on specific projects has Arlington’s Pedestrian Advisory Committee seeking more guidance about its role.

Some committee members say they understand the reasoning behind County Manager Mark Schwartz’s request last month. However, they don’t want to give up entirely on providing input about individual projects or policies — which they see as an important public service.

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News

New tax revenue data drives fresh economic concerns in Falls Church

By Scott McCaffrey
Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields (screenshot via City of Falls Church)

New data on sales tax and meals tax revenues in Falls Church might show the first headwinds of a looming economic storm, leaders say.

Sales-tax revenues in the city were flat in February despite the opening of a Whole Foods supermarket in early February. Revenue from the city’s meals tax also wasn’t as high as officials had anticipated.

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Schools

Questions over state and federal funding may delay APS budget adoption

By Scott McCaffrey
Virginia State Capitol in Richmond (staff photo)

Concerns about state and federal revenue could lead to a delay in the adoption of Arlington Public Schools’ new budget.

Superintendent Francisco Durán said Thursday that he may ask to postpone the planned May 1 approval of the $845 million spending plan to May 15.

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