The Falls Church city government continues to chip away at its staff vacancies, but faces ongoing challenges with public safety recruitment.
The 8% vacancy rate recorded across all city departments in early November “is, I think, the lowest we’ve been since the pandemic,” City Manager Wyatt Shields told members of the City Council’s government-operations committee on Nov. 26.
Members of the Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC) are looking for ways to stay relevant despite new limitations on their responsibilities.
After County Manager Mark Schwartz directed the committee to focus less on individual capital projects, members are discussing working through commissions that report to the County Board to provide input on issues they deem important.
I-66 Crash on Camera — “Not sure how this happened. It’s on westbound I-66 underneath the ramp coming from Glebe Rd./Fairfax Dr. @VSPPIO and @ArlingtonVaFD still working to clear the scene.” [Dave Statter/X]
Art Sale This Weekend — “Looking for one-of-a-kind gifts this holiday season? The studio artists of The Studios at Arlington Arts (formerly LAC Studios) will hold their Annual Holiday Sale & Open House on Saturday (10:00am – 4:00pm) December 6, 2025. The Studios at Arlington Arts are located at 3700 South Four Mile Run Drive.” [Arlington County]
Delays at DCA — “Air passengers are slowly getting to their destinations following a weekend winter storm in the Midwest that created nightmares for those who traveled by air… As of Sunday night, Reagan National alone had over 450 delays, according to industry tracker Flightaware.” [DC News Now]
Bad Brains from Inner Ear — “The explosive power of D.C. punk rockers Bad Brains is legendary, and newly discovered live recordings from 45 years ago are adding to the legend. In a full-circle moment, the soon-to-be released double album has ties to Don Zientara’s Inner Ear Studio, in Arlington, Virginia, where Bad Brains did their first demo session.” [WTOP]
It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies and a high around 43 today, with winds from the northwest at 5-10 mph becoming lighter in the afternoon, and possible gusts up to 18 mph. Monday night could bring snow and sleet between 1am and 4am, transitioning to rain and sleet, with a 70% chance of precipitation, clouds increasing, and lows around 30. Southeast winds will be 3-5 mph, and there may be less than half an inch of snow and sleet accumulation. [NWS]
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Second Leaf Pass Starts Today — “Crews will complete second passes to vacuum leaves Monday-Saturday. Look for orange signs posted around your neighborhood 3 to 7 days before collection starts. Note: The date on the sign marks the beginning of the leaf collection window. Leaves may not actually be collected on that date, but should be left at the curb from that date until they are collected.” [Press Release]
Where the Leaves Go — “Know when the vacuum truck is coming by; rake to the curb ahead of time. Some 50K cubic yards of leaves are collected and turned into super-sustainable, publicly available mulch each year.” [Arlington DES/X]
Small Biz Saturday Ideas — “Just as good things come in small packages, great things come from small businesses. This year, shop local and you can get more than a good bargain. Here are three ways to give and get in Arlington, Falls Church and McLean.” [Arlington Magazine]
Local Holiday Bars — “The local cocktail scene is fire, and during the holiday season restaurants are leveling up with themed—and lavishly decorated—pop-up bars. We dare you to feel grinchy while sipping handcrafted cocktails from a ceramic cat wearing a bowtie, a glass snowman and other Insta-worthy drinkware. Get festive at these spirited spots.” [Arlington Magazine]
Snow Possible Next Week — “By Tuesday, the next chance of precipitation arrives, although the storm track is still uncertain. Rain, snow and/or a wintry mix is possible depending on how much cold air is in place; it’s also possible much of the precipitation stays to our south.” [CWG]
It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 41 accompanied by a west wind blowing at 14 to 17 mph, gusting up to 34 mph. For Friday night, the weather will be mostly clear with a low of around 27, as the west wind continues at 7 to 10 mph and gusts reaching up to 20 mph. [NWS]
One person died and another two were seriously hurt after what police described as a stabbing along N. Glebe Road.
The incident happened early Wednesday evening in the Buckingham neighborhood, south of Ballston.
In expectation of large crowds in the run-up to Thanksgiving, a pair of road closures will be in effect in Clarendon tonight (Wednesday).
The Arlington County Police Department is closing off Wilson Blvd and Clarendon Blvd between N. Highland Street and Washington Blvd “to accommodate the expected increase in nightlife activity.”
Updated markers are coming to Shirlington next year in honor of a husband and wife who made waves in Arlington civic life for more than half a century.
The Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HARLB) has approved a request from Federal Realty Investment Trust to replace the existing markers honoring Edmund and Elizabeth Campbell.
Arlington’s namesake U.S. Navy ship has a new commanding officer.
Navy Capt. Vince Libasci relieved Capt. Ian Scaliatine as commander of the USS Arlington during a Nov. 14 ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk.
Thanksgiving Safety Tips — “Are you ready for #Thanksgiving? We are checking items off our holiday to do list: Turkey is thawing. Ingredients for pumpkin pie purchased. Turkey fryer safety tips reviewed. Smoke alarms tested.” [ACFD/X]
Letter: Better Labels, Less Waste — “As we gather for Thanksgiving this week and enjoy leftovers in the days that follow, it’s important to notice how much of our food ends up wasted. Did you know that America throws away up to 40% of its food each year? Much of this waste results from confusion over food labeling.” [Letter to the Editor]
Letter: County Should be Cautious — “At a time of national economic uncertainty, Arlington should project stability and predictability. Yet between the Board’s unexpected endorsement of rent control and now a rushed effort to explore restructuring the Board itself, the message to employers and investors is one of institutional unpredictability. That is the last thing Arlington needs.” [Letter to the Editor]
Doctoral Student Danced With Stars — “We’re celebrating a Marymount connection to the ballroom! Inna Brayer ’25 a former DWTS pro dancer & now an Ed.D. student is researching how arts education strengthens academic success, resilience & social-emotional growth in teens.” [Marymount University/X, Marymount University]
Congressional Probe into FCPS — “Fairfax County Public Schools is one of just three districts nationwide facing a federal investigation by the U.S. House Committee on Education and Workforce, which alleges Jewish students are being harassed and subjected to open antisemitism.” [FFXnow]
Alexandria Housing Authority Woes — “In the wake of the restructuring of Alexandria’s public housing authority and its board of commissioners, the organization has temporarily halted eviction proceedings against its tenants.” [ALXnow]
D.C. Mayor Won’t Run Again — “D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser won’t run for reelection, ending months of speculation over whether she would seek a fourth term.” [NBC 4]
Cold Holiday Weekend — “It’s going to be chilly in D.C. on Thanksgiving… NWS is warning of a “polar vortex,” an area of cold air around the Arctic, hitting the country this week, bringing chilly temps and snow across the country right when AAA projects record holiday traffic.” [Axios]
It’s Wednesday — Expect rain before 7am, followed by patchy fog until 9am, then cloudy skies will gradually clear with a high near 70. A southwest wind will blow at 9-11 mph, gusting up to 21 mph. There’s a 30% chance of precipitation. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy and breezy, with a low of 38 and winds gusting up to 39 mph. Thanksgiving Day will be partly sunny with a high of 44, and winds gusting up to 28 mph. [NWS]
The former Key Bridge Marriott building is no more, leaving behind a void on a piece of prime real estate in Rosslyn.
Virtually nothing remains of the notorious closed hotel at 1401 Langston Blvd, which began demolition in February after being declared a “public nuisance” in May 2024.
The Thanksgiving holiday will bring closures to some Arlington County offices and services on Thursday and Friday.
All public libraries in Arlington will be closed on both days, as will almost all community centers and administrative offices at the parks department. The Long Bridge Aquatics and Fitness Center will be open from 6 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, however.
A 60-year-old Alexandria man is behind bars after an Arlington jewelry store was robbed late Monday afternoon.
The robbery happened around 4:15 p.m. at a small jewelry store on the 2700 block of Washington Blvd in the Lyon Park neighborhood, south of Clarendon.
