A marker noting the history of Clarendon’s former Joyce Motors site will be back before the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) later this month.
HALRB members on Sept. 16 proposed a variety of design and wording changes to the sign, which will be placed near the intersection of 10th Street N. and N. Irving Street.
Road Rage in Rosslyn — Police reportedly detained, then released, a driver on N. Fort Myer Drive Wednesday night after being told he may be armed. “The investigation determined the drivers had been involved in a minor crash in DC and a verbal dispute continued as they entered into Arlington. No weapons were involved,” ACPD said. [Dave Statter/X]
Ranked Choice Refresher — “Whether you’re new to Ranked Choice Voting or simply want a quick refresher, we encourage you to take a moment to watch and share this video! Arlington County will use ranked choice voting for the office of County Board (1 seat) in the Nov. 3 Election.” [Arlington County/Bluesky]
Spirit Halloween Takes Sears — “This year’s pop-up Spirit Halloween store in Mason District is located in the Sears building at 6211 Leesburg Pike in Seven Corners.” [Annandale Today]
State Laws Boost ADUs — “New state laws are making it easier to build ADUs across Maryland and Virginia.” Virginia’s law, which takes effect next summer, requires localities to allow accessory dwelling units by-right on single-family lots. Arlington and Alexandria already allow them. [Axios]
Isaias Rain on the Way — The remnants of Hurricane Isaias, expected to make landfall on the Gulf Coast tonight, are likely to bring rain late Saturday or Sunday, tapering by Monday morning. “Rain totals are still uncertain, but a review of the latest model data suggests 1 to 2 inches as a reasonable range.” [Capital Weather]
Below-Normal Snow Predicted — “Big El Niños sometimes mean big winter snows, but AccuWeather isn’t buying it. In its winter outlook released Wednesday, it forecasts below-normal snowfall for the DC area and many major cities in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.” [Capital Weather]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly sunny skies today with a high near 75 and northwest winds at 2–7 mph. It will be mostly cloudy tonight, with a low around 54. [NWS]
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The Arlington County Board has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to stop construction of President Donald Trump’s planned 250-foot arch in Memorial Circle.
The suit, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, makes the Board the first government body to take legal action against the monument. It criticizes the speed at which the project has moved without going through the full review process.
Supporting the physical and mental health of public safety personnel was the theme of this year’s Arlington County Crime Solvers luncheon.
“When we’re all stronger, we all serve the community so much better,” said Sheriff Jose Quiroz, speaking at the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year event, held Oct. 8 at Cafe Sazon on Columbia Pike.
Arlington Democrats are honoring the legacy of former Virginia Sen. Janet Howell, who died Aug. 2 at age 82.
Howell represented the 32nd District for 32 years before retiring after the 2023 election. For much of that time, the district included portions of northern and western Arlington.
The U.S. Army found many systemic breakdowns that led to last year’s midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River, and recommended numerous steps the military should take to prevent future tragedies.
The military has not publicly released its report on the deadliest plane crash on U.S. soil in over two decades, but eventually shared it late last week with many of the families of the 67 people who died.
The union representing thousands of flight attendants said Wednesday it has safety concerns about President Donald Trump’s proposed triumphal arch that will be on final approach to Reagan National Airport.
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA President Sara Nelson said the 250-foot (76 meter) arch compounds multiple safety concerns that she said have gone unaddressed from a deadly January 2025 crash over the Potomac River that killed 67 people.
A representative from the Virginia Department of Transportation this week defended the agency’s balance between prioritizing cars and other forms of transportation.
Heidi Mitter, VDOT’s bicycle-pedestrian planning coordinator, told members of Arlington’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and Pedestrian Advisory Committee that VDOT doesn’t want to impede making roadways more friendly to pedestrians and bicycles.
Falls Church officials are pressing for a fast-tracked effort to create a bus rapid transit (BRT) route running through the city’s core.
At the same time, City Council members Justine Underhill and David Snyder are seeking attention to detail and careful branding for the BRT line planned to run down Route 7 from Tysons to Alexandria.
Marine One Gets DCA Backstop — “Following a safety incident involving communication issues between President Donald Trump’s Marine One helicopter and Reagan National Airport in August, a new protocol has been set up to make sure air traffic controllers are notified that the president’s helicopter is about to take off.” [Washington Post]
Ballston &pizza to Reopen — The &pizza in Ballston, which had posted signs saying it was closed “until further notice,” is shut for electrical repairs and is expected to reopen soon, a spokesperson told ARLnow. [ARLnow]
Longtime Race Director to Retire — Jay Jacob Wind, an Arlington resident who has been director of hundreds of foot races, including nearly 60 marathons, since 1981, will direct his final race on Oct. 17. The 76-year-old said age was creeping up on him, limiting his mobility. Wind also has competed in large numbers of races, including nearly 200 marathons. [RunWashington]
Arlington on $22K a Year — A doctoral student and wellness studio assistant manager who makes $22,223 a year and carries $450,000 in debt logs a week of spending in Arlington. “Prior to this, I was paying $2,600 for a one-bedroom in Arlington, VA. I now live with my partner…” [Refinery29]
No Lasting Harm From Sewage Spill — “DC Water says expanded testing of the Potomac River found no evidence of lasting harm from the January 19, 2026 sewer rupture that released an estimated 240 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River and nearby tributaries over eight days.” [MoCoShow]
Kennedy Center Closure Fallout — The Kennedy Center has been closed since Sept. 15. Washington Post culture critic Philip Kennicott told WAMU that because the region is “a federal place but a local city, the Kennedy Center was kind of our big local institution as well, our local center.” [WAMU]
Data Centers Up, Economy Down — “Northern Virginia business leaders are souring on the state of the regional economy, but a majority are optimistic about the financial impact of data centers locally.” Some 47% of the 169 surveyed are pessimistic about the national economy, up from 38% last quarter. [FFXnow]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies today with a high near 77 and west winds of 5–15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Tonight will be clear, with a low around 54. [NWS]
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Arlington County is reviewing its social media controls and protocols following a politically charged retweet from the Arlington Alert system.
Arlington Alert, a county-operated page providing notifications on weather events, local traffic and other time-sensitive incidents, reposted a tweet earlier this week that targeted immigrants in the United Kingdom using disparaging terms.
Several groups known for their protests against President Donald Trump are hosting get-out-the-vote rallies in Arlington next week.
Organizers in the “No Kings” movement are planning a nationwide day of voter participation on Saturday, Oct. 17.
