While a major portion of GW Parkway construction work is wrapping up in Arlington, another is scheduled to get underway next year.
From Spout Run Parkway up to the Beltway in McLean, paving is done and mainline construction is on track to conclude by the end of the month as a major rehab project announced in 2021 draws toward a close.
Two D.C. men are facing charges after an incident that started with a request to remove a mask in the Pentagon City Metro station.
It happened Thursday night around 5:45 p.m., with holiday shopping in full swing at the Pentagon City mall and the evening commute underway.
The Arlington Education Association (AEA) is calling for a boycott of Starbucks in solidarity with a unionization campaign.
The local teachers’ union announced yesterday (Thursday) that it had joined the “No Contract, No Coffee” campaign, urging the public not to patronize the coffeehouse until a contract is reached with Starbucks Workers United.
County Board Chair Swearing In — “The Arlington County Board Office invites the public to attend the swearing-in of Chair Takis Karantonis as a member of the Arlington County Board on Tuesday, December 16. The swearing-in will begin at 6PM with a reception to follow. This will be held at the County Board room on the 3rd floor of the Bozman Government Center, 2100 Clarendon Blvd.” [Arlington County]
Assault on Officer in Shirlington — “At approximately 3:27 p.m. on December 10, officers conducted a traffic stop and determined the driver was operating the vehicle with a suspended license. During the course of the investigation, the suspect, who was the driver of the vehicle, was instructed to exit the vehicle. Upon doing so, the suspect ignored commands and was detained by an additional responding officer while the initial officers continued their investigation. While detained, the suspect struck an officer.” [ACPD]
Falls Church Budget Worries — “Burdened by preliminary projections of a revenue gap for the coming fiscal year of between $2.7 and $5.4 million due to wider conditions impacting its local economy, the Falls Church City Council voted Monday to adopt a “guidance” document for upcoming budget deliberations filled with cautionary language.” [FCNP]
It’s Friday — Expect partly sunny skies and a high near 38 degrees with a light west wind of 3 to 6 mph. As night falls, the sky will turn mostly cloudy with the temperature dropping to a low of around 28 degrees. The wind will remain calm throughout the night. [NWS]
County crews are working to repair a “large water main break” in Pentagon City.
The break happened this morning near the intersection of S. Hayes Street and 15th Street S., resulting in a partial road closure and some 100 units in a high-rise building to lose water pressure.
A proposed exception to restrictions on military flights around Reagan National Airport is prompting outcry among some federal officials.
U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D) and five other members of Congress representing Virginia joined the chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as well as D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, in crying foul yesterday (Wednesday).
Arlington’s county manager is holding off on a firm stance regarding local control of roads currently controlled by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
County Manager Mark Schwartz told the Arlington County Civic Federation that he hasn’t ruled out the idea of the county assuming responsibility for Glebe Road and Langston Blvd, which are among the network of local roads under state control.
A series of public forums celebrating free speech is coming to Falls Church next year in celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday.
Members of the Falls Church250 Committee have tentatively agreed to sponsor a series of at least two dozen “soapbox” forums, giving residents the opportunity to speak about their views on the current state of national and local affairs.
Local Home Has Santa Mailbox — “In the front yard of an Arlington home, there is not just a mailbox. There is the mailbox — a portal that, for hundreds of neighborhood kids, is a direct line to Santa Claus… Six years ago, [the homeowners] say Santa asked if he could place a mailbox on their property — because, he told them, they were the kind of people who made kindness happen.” [WUSA 9]
Crash in Courthouse — “Pretty bad wreck in front of Government Center at Clarendon @ Veitch.” [Brian Gannon/X]
So Long, Seamore’s — “Looks like @seamores is definitely done in Clarendon. Signage coming down.” [ARLnow/X]
Funding for Local AI Startup — “Pryzm, an Arlington-based developer of an AI procurement system for government and industry, announced that it has raised $12.2 million in seed funding. The round was led by Andreessen Horowitz’s (a16z) American Dynamism fund.” [Potomac Tech Wire]
Local Company Acquired — “ManTech, the Herndon-based technology provider to the federal government, announced that it has acquired Arlington-based Elder Research, a provider of AI and data science services.” [Potomac Tech Wire]
Beyer Backing RCV Bill — “The Ranked Choice Voting Act would require RCV for all primary and general congressional races beginning in 2030, allowing voters to express their ranked support for multiple candidates. This would make our elections fairer and more representative and create a more positive politics.” [Press Release]
Lots of Startup Funding — “A wave of unusually large funding rounds has washed over Greater Washington’s tech sector this fall. Six companies have secured nine‑figure investments in the span of eight weeks valued cumulatively at over $1.4 billion, a level of late‑stage capital the region hasn’t seen in years, if ever.” [WBJ]
Update on Snow Chances — “It’s possible that Friday’s system will pass through during the afternoon-to-evening rush hour, causing slick travel. Saturday night’s system, ending Sunday morning, would occur at a time with far fewer people on the roads if it materializes.” [CWG]
It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies with a high temperature near 37 degrees and northwest winds blowing at 13 to 15 mph, occasionally gusting up to 29 mph. Cloud cover will increase tonight, dropping the temperature to around 27 degrees while a west wind blows at 5 to 9 mph. [NWS]
Crime is on track to drop in Arlington this year, reversing a trend of increasing criminal incidents over the past several years.
Total reported offenses are down about 4% compared to this time in 2024, according to preliminary numbers in the Arlington County Police Department’s crime data hub.
Preparations to replace a 1970s-era office building with a townhouse development are getting underway off of Columbia Pike.
Crews have begun preparing a 63,000-square-foot office building at 2300 9th Street S. for demolition, which is expected to begin in early 2026.
Potential increases to towing fees and taxi rates are on the agenda as County Board members close out 2025.
Both matters will be considered at the Board meeting on Saturday, Dec. 13.
