Arlington’s county attorney is warning leaders to think carefully about the pros and cons of any potential governance changes.
Also, to become a city — an option sought by some advocates of changing the local governance structure — Arlington would have to wait until at least 2032, County Attorney Ryan Samuel told County Board members on Tuesday.
Bank Robbery Arrest — Police have charged a D.C. man, 36, after a bank robbery in the Crystal City area. The suspect handed a teller a note demanding cash on July 21 in the 1400 block of S. Eads Street, then fled, according to police. No weapon was shown and no one was hurt. [ACPD]
Arrest At Arlington House — A man is being held without bond after allegedly assaulting a federal officer at Arlington House, the historic mansion at Arlington National Cemetery. Prosecutors say he was cited for trespassing July 13, found the next morning in a second-floor bedroom and injured an officer while resisting arrest. [Patch]
Sentencing For Abuse Images — An Arlington man, 35, was sentenced to nine years in prison for receiving child sexual abuse material, federal prosecutors said. Investigators recovered dozens of illicit images and videos from his devices after searching his home last October. The FBI’s Washington Field Office investigated the case. [Justice Department]
Goldman Buys Pentagon City Tower — An affiliate of Goldman Sachs has bought The Milton, a 253-unit apartment high-rise at Pentagon Centre in Pentagon City, for $142.3 million — about $562,000 a unit. Seller Kimco Realty developed the 11-story building at 1446 S. Grant Street in 2022 and is reshaping the Costco-anchored shopping center. [WBJ]
VC Fund Eyes Arlington — Roadrunner Venture Studios, an Albuquerque-based startup investor, plans to open its first office outside New Mexico in Arlington this fall, likely in Rosslyn or Pentagon City. CEO Adam Hammer told WBJ the space would serve as a hub for portfolio companies meeting with federal officials in defense, energy and biotech. [WBJ]
Ube’s Having A Moment — Ube, the sweet purple yam long popular in Filipino cooking, is booming across the D.C. area — including at Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream in Westover. Owner Toby Bantug, who once pulled it from the menu, said it’s now “our most popular flavor in all three shops,” outselling vanilla. [WTOP]
Eataly Confirmed For Tysons — Eataly has confirmed it’s coming to Tysons Corner Center, its first location in the D.C. region. The New York-based Italian food and retail chain will open in 2027 in the two-story space vacated by American Girl, featuring restaurants, quick-service counters and an Italian marketplace. [FFXnow]
It’s Thursday — Look for sunny skies Thursday with a high near 80 and a light north wind at 3–7 mph. It stays mostly clear overnight, with a low around 63. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
A large-scale redevelopment project at the site of a Rosslyn parking garage that featured in the Watergate scandal was approved with robust support from Arlington officials.
The County Board unanimously voted in favor of the 831-unit project at 1401 Wilson Blvd and 1400 Key Blvd, which will feature two 27-story residential towers, 602 parking spaces and 29,000 square feet of retail, including a grocery store.
All five candidates running for County Board say they will protect the Barcroft Sports & Fitness Center and its gymnastics programming from elimination.
Candidate James DeVita said that, if elected, he “absolutely” would support both.
County Board members say further steps to protect students along S. Carlin Springs Road will be in place before classes resume in late August.
“We want to be responsive — all of us care and have been engaged,” Board Chair Matt de Ferranti said in response to concerns raised at the Board’s Saturday (July 18) meeting.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) is pushing for more regulations on data centers as part of a new package of artificial intelligence bills introduced in Congress yesterday (Tuesday).
The legislative agenda, titled “A Framework for America’s AI Future,” is Warner’s plan for the United States to develop AI responsibly. Virginia’s senior senator said the bills resulted from years of work examining AI’s impact on the economy, national security, competition and American workers.
Falls Church is staying true to its reputation as a Democratic bastion, based on voting trends leading into the Aug. 4 primary.
Of the 346 ballots cast as of July 20, a total of 324 — or 94% — have been in the Democratic primary for 8th District U.S. House of Representatives. The remaining 6% have been cast in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.
Cart Robbery Foiled — An Arlington man, 71, was arrested after police say he filled a shopping cart at a business in the 2500 block of 9th Road S. and tried to leave without paying Monday morning. An employee confronted him and the two struggled over the merchandise before the man fled on foot, leaving everything behind, according to police. He was later identified and charged with attempted robbery. [ACPD]
Rosslyn Cyberwarfare Unicorn — Twenty Technologies, a Rosslyn-based cyberwarfare startup, saw its valuation jump to $1.2 billion after a $30 million investment from California venture firm Khosla Ventures. The company became the nation’s first venture-backed cyberwarfare unicorn last month and plans to grow its technical team. [WBJ]
Arlington’s Miss Virginia USA — Arlington resident Justus Kelley was crowned Miss Virginia USA 2026 and will compete for the national title in August. Kelley says she’s the first Miss Virginia who’s also a mom. [N. Va. Magazine]
Student Rockers Take the Stage — Students in Aspire Afterschool Learning’s no-cost summer program have formed a rock band, The Jackson Nine, headlining a free music festival Sunday at the Arlington Mill Community Center (909 S. Dinwiddie Street) from 4 to 6 p.m. Donations support the South Arlington nonprofit’s programs. [Press Release]
Westover Cottage Hits Market — A 1914 stucco cottage in Westover is on the market for $1.35 million. The three-bedroom, four-bathroom home on N. Nicholas Street has been expanded to nearly 2,800 square feet and features a finished basement, a front-yard gazebo and manicured gardens. [N. Va. Magazine]
Past the Summer Peak — The first half of climatological summer was the District’s fourth-warmest on record, averaging 79.8 degrees, or 2.2 degrees above normal, Capital Weather reports. The region is now past the peak, with average temperatures easing from here through the rest of summer. [Capital Weather]
It’s Wednesday — Expect partly sunny skies today with a high near 86 and a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon. Winds will blow from the west at 7–12 mph. An evening storm is possible before skies turn mostly cloudy overnight, with a low around 65. [NWS]
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Police have arrested a suspect following a bank robbery in Crystal City yesterday (Tuesday).
The suspect, Brian Frances, 36, is accused of robbing the Bank of America at 1425 S. Eads Street, across from Amazon’s HQ2, around 12:20 p.m.
Despite economic challenges, Arlington’s new director of economic development believes the county is poised to enter a positive era.
“We are in a transformational moment,” Anna Nissinen said during the July 14 meeting of the Economic Development Commission.
A Falls Church man has been arrested after allegedly trying to prevent police from entering a hotel room containing the dead body of a 78-year-old woman.
The Falls Church Police Department announced the investigation of a “suspicious death” following the incident at the Sonesta Suites (205 Hillwood Avenue). Police said they were dispatched around 10:10 a.m. last Tuesday for a welfare check on a guest.
It likely won’t be needed, but the Arlington County Democratic Committee has finalized plans for a caucus to select the party’s nominee for county treasurer.
Democrats have set Friday as the filing date for caucus contenders. Prospective candidates will have a three-hour window — from 4-7 p.m. — on that date to bring their paperwork to the committee’s headquarters in Shirlington.
