News

Fmr. Firefighter Pleads Not Guilty — From ARLnow’s Jared Serre: “Ex-@ArlingtonVaFD employee Brian Holmes, accused of assaulting police officers during the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, pleaded not guilty in federal court this morning, per court records.” [Twitter]

Search for Missing F.C. Man — “A vehicle driven by an 80-year-old critically missing man from the Falls Church area was found Sunday night in Arlington, but the man has not been located, according to Virginia State Police. The 2008 Toyota Tacoma driven by Robert Howard Williams was discovered around 8:16 p.m., in the 5700 block of Fairfax Drive near Westover Park.” [Patch]

Local Home Project Profiled — “This Arlington, Virginia, property had enviable views of D.C. that weren’t being maximized. So the architect and owners pivoted.” [Arlington Magazine]

Arlington Jobless Rate Falls Slightly — Arlington’s unemployment rate of 2.2% in October was down from 2.3% a year before, according to new state data. The county recorded about 158,000 residents in the civilian workforce and about 3,700 seeking jobs. Across Northern Virginia, the jobless rate of 2.6% was down from 2.7% a year before. –Scott McCaffrey

Avg. Weekly Wage Among Top in U.S. — The average weekly wage for those working in Arlington during the second quarter of 2024 was $2,243, eighth highest among the 370 most populous localities in the nation. The average income nationally for the quarter was $1,390. [Bureau of Labor Statistics]

Retired ACPD K-9 Dies — “It is with great sadness the Arlington County Police Department and the members of the K9 Unit announce the passing of retired K9 Jax, a 10 year-old Belgian Malinois. K9 Jax loyally served the Arlington community alongside his handler, Lieutenant B. Morrison, from 2015-2021 as a patrol and narcotics detection K9.” [Instagram]

Fairfax Wants Loud Car Law — “The [Fairfax County] Board of Supervisors’ legislative committee took steps last Tuesday (Nov. 26) to request [state] legislation allowing the county to host a pilot program that would use technology to catch drivers whose after-market mufflers pump out more noise than the 85 decibels allowed under state law.” [FFXnow]

Virginians Still Love Tito’s — “Tito’s Handmade Vodka is Virginia’s most popular spirit for the seventh year running, with people spending $75 million on the brand at Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority stores, the agency said… After Tito’s, Hennessy Very Special cognac was the state’s second-best seller.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Tuesday — The weather will be sunny but brisk, reaching a high of 41 degrees, with a northwest wind at 9 to 11 mph and gusts up to 21 mph. Tuesday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 24 degrees, and a west wind of 5 to 7 mph. [NWS]

WaPo Ed. Board Spotlights Arlington — “There are some signs reform is beginning to happen. A YIMBY — yes in my backyard — movement is scoring victories in places such as Arlington, Virginia, where leaders are pushing to cut zoning rules that bar building townhouses, garden apartments and other affordable housing options.” [Washington Post]

More Clarendon Craziness — From Dave Statter: “EMS called to Bar Bao for someone with a cut head a short time ago. Based on all of the calls for injured people at the place it must be very dangerous inside those doors. At the same time, police have gone twice within a few minutes to Angolino’s Pizza for someone who wouldn’t leave.” [Twitter]

Metrobus Changes — “The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) is moving forward with a service-wide redesign of its bus routes, including in a few areas of Northern Virginia, improving where people want to travel and simplifying services by the summer… The proposal… consolidates and streamlines service between Shirlington and South Fairlington.” [Virginia Mercury]

It’s Monday — Expect sunny conditions with a high of around 38 degrees and a northwest wind between 7 and 9 mph. For Monday night, the sky will be mostly clear with temperatures dropping to a low of around 26 degrees while the northwest wind continues at 6 to 8 mph. [NWS]

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Record Food Assistance Need — “The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) served supplemental groceries to 4,533 families – over 11,000 individuals – during their annual ‘Turkey Week’ distributions from November 18-23. While these statistics are record-breaking for the non-profit organization, AFAC was prepared.” [Press Release]

Wild Thanksgiving Eve in Clarendon — From Dave Statter: “To cap a Thanksgiving Eve and early morning of Clarendon mayhem, there was this . Someone crossing the middle of Washington Blvd. at Wilson Blvd. and getting hit by a car. The early report is injuries were not considered serious.” [Twitter]

Feds Going Back to Office? — “After the pandemic, the top localities for remote work in Virginia were almost all in Northern Virginia. Falls Church saw its remote workforce surge from 6.81% to 28.67%, one of the highest rates in the country. Arlington County went from  6.71% to 26.99%. Loudoun County went from 7.88% to 23.51%. Fairfax County went from 6.65% to 21.69%.” [Cardinal News]

New Funding for STEM Startup — “Lingo, an Arlington startup founded in 2020 … has sold over 10,000 do-it-yourself coding kits to schools and nonprofits in nearly every state and D.C. to introduce teenagers to the possibilities of careers in STEM … [Aisha] Bowe, who serves as CEO, wants to expand the number of schools and nonprofits the company can reach. She hopes to grow her six-person team to help achieve this effort, which will be aided by the $2.3 million funding deal she raised from outside investors in late October.” [WBJ]

Robbery on Columbia Pike — “At approximately 9:17 p.m. on November 26, police were dispatched to the report of a robbery by force. Upon arrival, it was determined the three male suspects entered the business, collected merchandise and attempted to exit the store without payment during which the two male victims, who were patrons of the store, confronted them. The suspects subsequently assaulted the victims before fleeing the scene on foot.” [ACPD]

Local GOP on Threats Against Appointees — From the Arlington County Republican Committee: “This is what we’re up against — violent, radical leftists who will stop at nothing to hold onto power and threaten and intimidate Republicans. Get bent.” [Twitter]

Second Vacuum Leaf Pass Starting — Arlington kicks off the latter half of its annual vacuum leaf collection service this Saturday. The second leaf collection pass is scheduled to wrap up Dec. 18. [Arlington County]

ART Union Ratifies Contract — “Arlington Transit workers overwhelmingly ratified their first contract with Transdev as members of ATU Local 689 this week. After months of negotiations, the ratified contract marks another major step forward for ART workers who will now be working under a strong union contract which guarantees competitive pay and improved working conditions.” [Press Release]

Nearby: Whole Foods Moving — “The clock is ticking on Whole Foods Market’s time in Idylwood. The grocery store has rolled out signs at its Idylwood Plaza location (7511 Leesburg Pike) announcing that it will relocate “soon” to Falls Church City, where it will anchor the new Broad and Washington development at 103 E. Broad Street.” [FFXnow]

It’s Friday — Expect a mostly sunny day with temperatures reaching around 47 degrees, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 5 to 11 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. The night will be mostly clear, with the temperature dropping to around 28 degrees, and a west wind persisting at 8 to 10 mph. [NWS]