Arlington County police are investigating gunshots fired in the Shirlington neighborhood this morning.
Several shots were fired around 2:30 a.m. Friday inside one of the neighborhood’s parking garages, on S. Randolph Street. Police searched the area but could not find anyone injured or anything damaged, nor did they find the shooter.
Donald Trump did slightly better in Arlington in 2024 than 2020 and 2016. But the difference was slight, the chair of the Arlington County Democratic Committee told his party’s rank-and-file.
“Arlington did its job” in turning out the vote for presidential candidate Kamala Harris, Democratic chair Steve Baker said at the committee’s Dec. 4 monthly meeting.
FDIC on Chopping Block? — “The Trump transition team has started to explore pathways to dramatically shrink, consolidate or even eliminate the top bank watchdogs in Washington. In recent interviews with potential nominees to lead bank regulatory agencies, Trump advisers and officials from his newfound Department of Government Efficiency have, for example, asked whether the president-elect could abolish the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., people familiar with the matter said.” [WSJ]
Reminder: Wreath Weekend — “About 75 tractor-trailers loaded with handmade balsam wreaths will arrive in the county starting on Friday in preparation for the event expected to draw several thousand volunteers. Large crowds and heavy traffic are expected during the annual Wreaths Across America event on Saturday, which is one of two events bringing road closures to Arlington this weekend.” [ARLnow]
Summer Camp Registration Dates — “We’re excited to announce the registration dates for 2025 Summer Camps in Arlington County! Feb. 3: Early registration for those who are enrolled in DPR’s fee reduction program. Feb. 12: Registration for camps led by our partners. Feb. 19: Registration for Parks & Rec Camps.” [Arlington County]
Fairfax Leader Blasts Maryland — “A Virginia elected official said Maryland leaders don’t want traffic on the Capital Beltway to get better, and the reason, he said, is jobs. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay was referring to traffic near the Wilson Bridge and the Legion Bridge.” [NBC 4, Twitter]
Housing Proposal for Potomac Yard — “Developer JBG Smith announced plans today for 750 new residential units in Potomac Yard. The developer said the plan is to build a mix of multifamily, townhome and committed affordable units on the southern portion of the neighborhood across from the Potomac Yard Metro station… The proposed developments are on vacant lots south of the Metro station and south of where the planned arena would have been.” [ALXnow]
Storm Next Week? — From the Capital Weather Gang: “Watching — possible signal for some kind of Mid-Atlantic storm in about a week. We don’t think cold will be entrenched enough for a snowstorm in DC but mountains have a better chance. It’s worth monitoring. 3 model scenarios shown here.” [Twitter]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly sunny skies during the day with a high temperature close to 41°F and a gentle breeze from the northeast. Heading into Friday night, the skies will turn mostly cloudy with temperatures dipping to about 28°F, accompanied by a 6 mph northeast wind. [NWS]
Flick pool photo by Jason Gooljar
A vehicle illegally parked in front of the Rosslyn fire station led to a delayed response to a crash last night — the latest example of parking issues along one of Arlington’s busiest corridors.
Following a call about a crash with injuries shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday, Fire Engine 110 notified dispatch that it could not leave the station at 1535 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington leaders will likely seek regional funding for a major pedestrian/bicycle connector trail in Crystal City.
County Board members on Saturday (Dec. 14) are expected to request $8 million from the pool of $25 million to $30 million that will be available next year from tolling on I-395 and I-95.
A man initially stopped for fare evasion at the Pentagon City Metro station is now facing a series of charges, including assault on police.
The incident happened Wednesday afternoon and involved an officer deployed to the area as part of a retail crime crackdown.
A perennial Arlington County Board candidate’s lawsuit against The Washington Post has been dismissed.
A district court judge in D.C. threw out Audrey Clement’s suit — which alleged age discrimination and defamation — following oral arguments this week, court records show.
The demise of the GazetteLeader news organization in late September left Arlington with just a single weekly print news publication.
Should the survivor, the Arlington Connection, someday follow the trend of print publications moving online or disappearing entirely, that could be the end of the community’s legacy of physical newspapers — one that spans more than two centuries.
The Arlington Housing Commission is considering whether to study possible ways to revive Missing Middle zoning changes.
The Expanded Housing Option is currently off the books following a circuit court judge’s ruling this summer.
In his nearly two decades as Arlington’s public-health director, Dr. Reuben Varghese has never been short of new challenges to tackle.
Among them: Ebola. West Nile Disease. H1N1 influenza. Monkeypox. The fallout — literally and figuratively — from a potential nuclear strike. And of course, COVID-19.
More ACPD DUI Patrols — “The annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign aims to drastically reduce drunk driving… From December 11, 2024 – January 1, 2025, motorists nationwide can expect to see increased messaging about the dangers of driving under the influence, coupled with increased saturation patrols to identify and apprehend impaired drivers.” [ACPD]
Arlington Officer Profiled — “Christin Oesterling at one point was unsure of her career path, then while in college studied her criminal justice because she did not like ‘the bad guys.’ During that course of study her future was set, and she was motivated to become a police officer.” [Police Magazine]
Art in Crystal City Station — “Have you noticed the vibrant animated art by [George Mason University] students in our Metro system? You can find these eye-catching displays at stations like Crystal City, Farragut North, NoMa-Gallaudet U, Gallery Place – Chinatown, L’Enfant Plaza, and Metro Center.” [Bluesky]
Letters to Santa — From Arlington’s Dept. of Parks and Recreation: “Drop your letter to Santa off in one of our special mailboxes outside Gulf Branch and Long Branch Nature Centers! Ensure timely delivery to the North Pole by sending them in by Dec. 15 and make sure to let us know where Santa can send his postcard back.” [Twitter]
Nearby: BRT Study Moves Forward — The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission board on Dec. 5 voted to solicit bids to study the easternmost segment of the Tysons-to-Alexandria bus-rapid-transit (BRT) line planned for the Route 7 corridor. The final study area will be from Seven Corners east to Alexandria. A contract award is slated for springtime. [FFXnow]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high of 41 degrees, accompanied by a southwest wind blowing at 10-14 mph and gusts reaching up to 22 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear with a low of 26 degrees. The northwest wind at 6 mph will become calm during the evening. [NWS]
Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar
A local senior citizen missing since late October has been found dead, according to Arlington County police.
Police had been looking for 79-year-old Michael Hendrickson since he was reported missing three weeks ago. He was last seen leaving his condo building near Pentagon City in a blue Land Rover, ACPD previously said.
