News

Local Real Estate Still In Demand — “The median time from listing to ratified sales contract across the Washington region for the week ending Aug. 4 was 23 days, according to new figures… Among major jurisdictions in Northern Virginia, Arlington had the lowest median trajectory from listing to ratified contract at 16 days (down from 22 a year before).” [Gazette Leader]

Layoffs for Clarendon Media Firm — “Arlington, Virginia-based Axios is the latest media company to slash jobs — its first significant cuts since Axios was founded in 2016. Axios is laying off 10% of its staff, or around 50 employees, according to an employee memo from CEO Jim VandeHei, who cited a rapidly changing media landscape as reason for the cuts.” [WTOP, New York Times]

Trespassers Atop Rosslyn Tower — From Alan Henney: “This evening at the new Hilton construction site in Rosslyn.” [Twitter]

Local Senior Program is Growing — “As it continues celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Arlington Neighborhood Village (ANV) program is seeing sustained growth on a number of fronts… Membership has grown from 393 members at the end of 2023 to 426 members as of July 1, an 8-percent increase.” [Gazette Leader]

Controversy Involving F.C. Official — “The deputy director of the D.C. Department of Buildings resigned after being fined $25,000 when she was found to have been secretly holding a second job and serving as an elected official in Falls Church, Virginia, while on D.C. government time.” [NBC 4, Washington Post]

Watching Debby — “Tropical Storm Debby — which has drenched areas from Florida to southeast North Carolina — is readying for its final act. Its remnants are poised to sweep through the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast between Thursday and Saturday morning, bringing potential for considerable flooding.” [Capital Weather Gang, Twitter]

VDOT Ready for Storm — “VDOT crews stand ready to respond to road hazards and any damage resulting from the storm. Ahead of the storm, crews have been inspecting drainage facilities and clearing them where necessary, readying trucks and equipment, and coordinating debris and tree removal crews to be on standby.” [Press Release]

It’s Thursday — Expect showers and potential thunderstorms, with a high near 80 and east winds at 10-13 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. There’s an 80% chance of rain, with half to three-quarters of an inch expected. Thursday night, anticipate similar conditions with a low around 75, southeast winds at 11 mph, and three-quarters to one inch of rainfall. [NWS]

Flyover Planned Today — From AlertDC: “The US Military will conduct a flyover in the National Capital Region over Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024, at 11:21 AM.”

Temporary Closure for Museum — “It’s soon to be last call to visit the Arlington Historical Museum in the one-time Hume School on Arlington Ridge Road, as the museum is slated to close Aug. 17 for an estimated three to four months. The closure is… part of a larger renovation effort.” [Gazette Leader]

Remembering Frank O’Leary — “A celebration-of-life service for long-serving Arlington Treasurer Frank O’Leary will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24 from to 2 to 5 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 5115 Little Falls Road. O’Leary, who died June 7 at age 80, was first elected county treasurer in 1983 and served for more than three decades before retiring.” [Gazette Leader]

Emergency Declaration for Va. — “Today, Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency for the Commonwealth of Virginia based on National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center forecasts that indicate a tropical storm with significant rainfall and flooding across the entire Commonwealth could cause transportation difficulties and power outages.” [Press Release]

T.S. Debby Rainfall Forecast — “The National Weather Service is predicting about 3 to 5 inches across much of our region, but locally higher and lower amounts are possible. The chance of rain will gradually increase as the workweek progresses… The most substantial slug of rain is probable Friday into Saturday as the center of Debby’s remnant circulation moves through.” [Capital Weather Gang]

It’s Wednesday — Showers and thunderstorms are expected, becoming more likely after 2pm, with a cloudy high of 86°F. The night will remain cloudy, with a low around 72°F, northeast winds around 8 mph, and a continued 70% chance of precipitation. [NWS]

Rosslyn Going Out of Circulation — “The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced start of the planned phase down of DC Circulator service beginning October 1, 2024, culminating with service ending December 31, 2024… Effective October 1, 2024, the following route adjustments will be implemented: Termination of Rosslyn-Dupont Circle (RS-DP).” [PoPville]

Rent Remains High — “The median apartment-rental cost in Arlington grew at seven times the national rate month-over-month in July, and stands near the very top among the nation’s 100 largest urban areas. The county’s median rental rate of $2,621 ($2,468 for one-bedroom units, $2,982 for two bedrooms) was 85 percent higher than the month’s national median rental rate of $1,414 and 19 percent higher than the Washington region’s median rate of $2,198.” [Gazette Leader]

National Night Out with ACPD — “[Today] is National Night Out 2024! We can’t wait to see you at community events across the County from 5-8! Remember to lock your doors and turn your exterior lights on before joining us for an evening of FUN!” [ACPD, Twitter]

Phone Policy Has School Board Support — “Arlington School Board members seem fully committed to implementing a stopgap strategy for limiting student-phone accessibility in class prior to the start the 2024-25 school year… Moving ahead to have something in place at the start of the academic year drew fire last month from the president of the County Council of PTAs, who said it circumvented public input.” [Gazette Leader]

Get Ready for Debby — From Gov. Glenn Younkin: “As Tropical Storm Debby brings powerful wind and rain, I encourage all Virginians to be prepared for incoming weather & exercise caution.” [Twitter, Twitter]

Debby’s Precipitation Potential — “If the storm takes a track up the coast, then the Interstate 95 corridor from D.C. to New York could see periods of moderate to heavy rain Thursday into Saturday, as well as localized areas of flooding. Coastal areas could see flooding, rough waves and dangerous rip currents.” [Capital Weather Gang]

It’s Tuesday — Expect showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, with otherwise sunny skies, and a high near 95. Heat index values may reach 100. A south wind will blow at 6 to 9 mph, and there is a 50% chance of precipitation. For Tuesday night, showers and thunderstorms are likely between 8pm and 2am, with a low around 74. South wind will continue at 7 to 9 mph, and the chance of precipitation increases to 60%. [NWS]