News

Karantonis Plans Re-Election Bid — County Board member (and likely 2025 chair) Takis Karantonis plans to seek a new term next year, he confirmed to ARLnow this week. Karantonis, first elected in 2020, plans to focus on economic-development issues during his re-election bid, likely to be formally announced in December or January. —Scott McCaffrey

Armed Robbery on Columbia Pike — “At approximately 7:30 p.m. on November 6, police were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect entered the business and went to the counter to make a purchase. Before the transaction could be completed, the suspect brandished a firearm, made threatening statements towards the employee and demanded they open the cash register. The suspect subsequently fled the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.” [ACPD]

N. Va. Burbs Slightly Redder — “The Northern Virginia suburbs shifted slightly toward President-elect Donald Trump in Tuesday’s election, defying conventional wisdom about the D.C. area’s status as an increasingly blue bulwark, according to unofficial returns.” [Washington Post]

Spotlight on Ranked Choice Voting — “Arlington County became the first locality in Virginia to use ranked-choice voting for city and county governing bodies in the general election Tuesday. But three years after a law went into effect giving localities the option to adopt ranked-choice voting, only Arlington County and the city of Charlottesville have adopted the method.” [Virginia Mercury]

New Bike-Comfort Map Debuts — The Arlington County government has published its 2024 bike-comfort map, aimed at giving bicyclists real-world information on biking conditions and using more data than previously had been available. [BikeArlington]

F.C. Planning Director Departing — “Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields notified the City staff that the highly accomplished and popular young City Director of Planning Paul Stoddard will be leaving the City at the end of November to accept a position as a deputy planner for the City of Alexandria.” [FCNP]

Record High Temperature — “A record high temperature of 84 degrees was set at Washington National DC yesterday. This breaks the old record of 81 degrees set in 2022.” [IEM]

It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 70 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind that will increase to 5-10 mph in the morning and potentially gust up to 20 mph. The clear conditions will continue into Friday night, with a low around 45 degrees. The north wind will remain around 10 mph, with gusts reaching up to 18 mph. [NWS]

Water Disruption on the Pike — From the Columbia Pike Partnership: “On Wednesday, November 6, a water service line near Columbia Pike & S Edgewood Street was damaged during construction… Affected buildings include: 1029 through 1045 S Edgewood Street, 2820 Columbia Pike, 2602 through 2704 Columbia Pike.” [Twitter]

Thanksgiving Pie Recommendations — “Thanksgiving and pie go together like turkey and gravy, and now is the time to place those orders. Find classic apple, pumpkin and cherry, as well as elaborate flavors like pumpkin dulce de leche or pecan chocolate maple, at these area bakeries.” [Arlington Magazine]

I-395 Ramp Closure Tonight — “The northbound I-395 ramp to Shirlington Circle will be closed [Thursday] night, with traffic diverted to Parkfairfax. The Virginia Department of Transportation said the closure is expected to last from 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, to 4 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, for rehabilitation work on the Shirlington Circle south rotary bridge.” [ALXnow]

Starbucks Holiday Drinks Return — “Starbucks rolls out its 2024 holiday menu Thursday that for the first time includes holiday refresher drinks… Seasonal beverages include the returning Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte, the nondairy Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte and Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai.” [Axios]

It’s Thursday — Showers are possible, mainly before noon, followed by partly sunny skies and a high near 77. The calm wind will shift to northwest at 5 to 7 mph in the morning, with a 40% chance of precipitation. For Thursday night, there is a slight chance of showers, while the sky remains mostly clear, with temperatures around 50. [NWS]