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

Ebbin measure aimed at local-government transparency delayed for more study

By Scott McCaffrey
Sen. Adam Ebbin (via adamebbin.com)

Arlington leaders had their worries addressed, but concerns expressed by leaders in Fairfax County helped to kill, for 2025, a bill aimed at ensuring transparency in local-government decisionmaking.

The measure, patroned by Virginia Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-39), had sailed through the upper chamber unanimously on Jan. 31.

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Pike leaders envision economic-development gains in wake of transportation pains

By Scott McCaffrey
Columbia Pike approaching S. Greenbrier Street, before and after transportation upgrade (Arlington County)

With three years of a sometimes harrowing transportation-improvement effort coming to a close by the end of the year, the Columbia Pike corridor is primed a new chapter of growth.

“We are, together, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel” on road, transit and pedestrian/bicyclist upgrades up and down the 5-mile corridor, said Hui Wang of the Arlington Department of Environmental Services.

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‘Second signature’ towing debate has arrived in Falls Church

By Scott McCaffrey
Advanced Towing tow truck outside the company's lot in Ballston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Falls Church officials appear split on whether it’s a good idea to impose a “second signature” requirement before vehicles are towed from private property.

But before the matter circles back to City Council members for a final decision, it will move through at least one advisory body and a public-review process.

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News

Bill to ease liquor restrictions gets support from Arlington restaurateurs

By Katie Taranto and Scott McCaffrey
Drinks at Salt in Rosslyn in 2021 (courtesy of Salt)

A state bill that would loosen restrictions on liquor sales is picking up support from members of Arlington’s restaurant scene.

Restaurants with mixed beverage licenses in Virginia are mandated to make at least 45% of sales from food and no more than 55% of sales from liquor-based mixed beverages. Senate Bill 1163 would lower the food sale requirement to 30%, allowing higher revenue percentages from liquor — something multiple restaurant owners told ARLnow they would welcome.

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Democratic School Board contenders, challenger to Del. Hope kick off campaigns

By Scott McCaffrey
Monique Bryant (screenshot via Arlington Democrats)

Arlington Democrats now have two candidates vying for an open School Board seat.

Monique “Moe” Bryant and June Prakash formally kicked off campaigns Wednesday night (Feb. 5) at the monthly Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting.

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News

Electoral Board: One fewer early-voting site would work for June primary

By Scott McCaffrey
Voting at Arlington Central Library on Nov. 7, 2023 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Arlington Electoral Board believes three, rather than four, early-voting locations should be fine for June’s primary election.

Board members voted 3-0 Tuesday (Feb. 4) to ask County Board members to consider removing Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center from the list of early-voting sites for the primary.

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News

Deer culling efforts unlikely in Falls Church as leaders plan hunting ban

By Scott McCaffrey
Deer in a local neighborhood (Flickr pool photo by Wolfkann)

Deer culling efforts are unlikely to get off the ground in Falls Church any time soon, city leaders indicated this week.

“There’s no evidence that there’s an overpopulation of deer,” the city’s animal-control officer, James Overholt, told City Council members during a Monday night work session.

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Centennial of Bozman’s birth a chance to reinvent ‘Arlington Way’

By Scott McCaffrey
William and Ellen Bozman in 1990s (via GazetteLeader archives)

The upcoming birth centennial of an Arlington civic icon may be an opportunity to reimagine “the Arlington Way” of community-based, consensus government.

County Board Chairman Takis Karantonis tells ARLnow he wants to use the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late Board member Ellen Bozman in April both to honor her legacy and lead to the county into the future.

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Before fatal plane crash, Arlington advocates fought crowded airspace for years

By Dan Egitto and Scott McCaffrey
Police and fire boats search the Potomac River the morning after the mid-air collision and crash, with the crash site visible in the background (Staff photo by James Jarvis)

Last week’s fatal aircraft collision over the Potomac River reverberates with many Arlington leaders’ longstanding concerns about the county’s crowded airspace.

In the immediate aftermath of the collision near Reagan National Airport — which claimed the lives of 64 people on a regional jet and three soldiers on a military helicopter — U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) is calling for permanent changes.

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County leaders: Be neighborly in clearing snow after storms

By Scott McCaffrey
Sidewalk crews in Crystal City on Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

County leaders are urging local residents to connect with neighbors and help one another if February and March bring more snow.

“This is an opportunity for people to renew their relationships with their neighbors and say, ‘Let’s team up and help,'” County Manager Mark Schwartz said during a Tuesday (Jan. 28) County Board snow briefing.

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