Three options have emerged as county leaders attempt to determine the future of the newly unoccupied Lee Community Center.
The county could upgrade the building, expand the facility or demolish it and construct something entirely new.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Thursday rejected dueling partisan bills to pay federal workers during the government shutdown, with both Republicans and Democrats deflecting blame as many employees are set to miss their first full paycheck at the end of this week.
With unpaid staff and law enforcement standing nearby, Republicans objected as Democrats proposed a voice vote on their legislation to pay all federal workers and prevent President Donald Trump’s administration from mass firings. Democrats then blocked a Republican bill to pay employees who are working and not furloughed, 54-45.
The tennis courts at Bluemont Park are getting a multimillion-dollar overhaul aimed at creating a regional showplace for the sport.
County Board members unanimously approved a $6.5 million construction contract on Tuesday for a project that began the planning phase in 2018 but was halted during the pandemic era before being restarted. While advocates spoke to the need for improvements to the crumbling facilities, the vote also earned flak from a local pickleball enthusiast.
A recent forum quizzed Falls Church City Council candidates on what local governments can do to blunt ever-increasing costs of child care and preschool services in Northern Virginia.
It was, one incumbent noted, the first time the issue had been raised during a candidate forum in her memory.
Lost and Found Closed at DCA — “The ongoing federal government shutdown is starting to impact travelers at Reagan National Airport. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that its Lost and Found office at the airport is now closed until further notice. A sign posted outside the office on Wednesday said to travelers that all inquiries must now be submitted online.” [DC News Now]
Beyer Blasts White House Work — “The White House belongs to the American people, not to one person. Past presidents rightly consulted with Congress before construction projects. Donald Trump taking a wrecking ball to one of America’s greatest symbols is awful and illegal, and sadly also an accurate metaphor.” [Rep. Don Beyer/X, Axios]
Book Sale Starts Today — “Our Fall 2025 Book Sale will take place – October 23 to 26, 2025… The sale is held in the garage of the Central Library located at 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22201. The specialty books room is in the Quincy Room (first floor of the library by the Quincy Park entrance).” [FOAL]
F.C. School Board Debate — “The one and only actual debate among the five candidates seeking election to the Falls Church School Board was held on the Learning Stairs at the new Meridian High School last week, and while there was little of substance that the five women disagreed upon, the biggest matter may turn out to be not issues at all so much as basic qualifications. That would go to the question of whether or not concrete experience as an educator would be grounds for whether or not someone should be elected to the board.” [FCNP]
Lower Pet Adoption Fees — “The Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) is lowering its adoption fees for adult cats and dogs to help potential adopters find their boo this weekend. From Oct. 24 to Oct. 26, adoption fees will be lowered to $70 for all adult dogs and cats.” [DC News Now]
Postal Drug Bust — “On October 22, 2025, the Postal Inspection Service Washington Division – Contraband Interdiction and Investigations Task Force seized approximately 10,000 pills containing fentanyl that were destined for Washington, DC.” [USPIS/X]
Lt. Gov. Race Fake Debate — “After his Democratic opponent declined all of his debate requests in the Virginia lieutenant governor race, Republican John Reid decided he’d hold a 40-minute one anyway — against a version of her generated by artificial intelligence. The fake voice of state Sen. Ghazala F. Hashmi (D-Richmond) got to make the first opening statement.” [Washington Post]
New Legal Notice — Restaurant seeks license for beer, wine, mixed beverages on/off-premises. [Public Notices]
It’s Thursday — Expect a sunny day with a high around 62 degrees, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 7 to 14 mph and gusts reaching up to 23 mph. On Thursday night, the skies will be mostly clear with the temperature dropping to around 41 degrees, and a northwest wind blowing at 5 to 7 mph. [NWS]
County Board members have taken the first steps in considering changes to the community’s 93-year-old governance structure.
The action marks “the beginning of a long discussion, a very long path,” Board Chair Takis Karantonis said at a meeting yesterday (Tuesday).
For the past two years, Marymount University has been among a small but growing group of higher education institutions leading the charge in offering degrees in AI.
The private university based in the Old Dominion neighborhood, which launched its AI program in fall 2023, currently offers a Bachelor of Science degree in the subject and an accompanying minor and graduate certificate.
Virginia is for lovers, and so is a new public art installation near Falls Church City Hall.
The art piece, which plays into the commonwealth’s iconic slogan while promoting the Little City as “a unique travel destination,” consists of a set of steel letters spelling out LOVE.
An open house about a planned expansion to Green Valley’s Drew Park is happening next week.
Part of a long-anticipated project to create a new Drew Park Master Plan, the event will let community members provide input and learn more about the future of the recreation area at 2310 S. Kenmore Street, between John Robinson, Jr. Town Square and Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School.
The effort to memorialize people enslaved in Arlington is receiving an additional push over the coming month before it takes a winter break.
Six “stumbling stone” ceremonies have been planned through mid-November at locations across the county. They began Saturday in the Arlington View neighborhood with the unveiling of three new bronze markers embedded into the sidewalk.
A proposal to designate an Arlington Mill garden-apartment complex as a local historic district will not move forward following opposition from the property owner and neighborhood civic association.
Members of the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) voted Oct. 15 not to embark on a staff study of the historical significance of the 1940s-era Haven Columbia Pike apartments. The vote concluded a three-year gestation period after the proposal was submitted by local activist Bernie Berne.
Cybersecurity Firm Acquired — “Dataminr, a New York tech firm that helps businesses and government agencies spot threats to their operations, has acquired Arlington cybersecurity company ThreatConnect Inc. for $290 million… Datminr’s local office is in the Courthouse section of Arlington and ThreatConnect’s office is nearby in Ballston. Bailey said both local offices will remain open for now, though he’s open to a potential consolidation in the future.” [WBJ]
Local Consumer Sentiment Turns Negative — “Consumers and businesses in Greater Washington are growing more pessimistic about economic conditions locally, as the region faces rising unemployment from federal cuts and the uncertain economic effects of a government shutdown. That’s according to the Metropolitan Consumer Sentiment Index, a quarterly index.” [WBJ]
Unemployment Measure Rising in Va. — “In the first two weeks since the government shutdown began on Oct. 1, about 1,250 initial claims for unemployment listed a federal employer, VEC Commissioner Mitch Melis told the Commission on Unemployment Compensation Monday.” [VPM]
Leaf Collection Coming Soon — “The fall vacuum leaf collection season starts in a few weeks… Vacuum Leaf Collection Program: Nov. 10–Dec. 19 (no collection on Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving Day).” [Arlington County]
Chatty Robber in Va. Square — “3300 block of Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 11:34 a.m. on October 19, police were dispatched to the report of a robbery by force. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect entered the store, engaged an employee in conversation, assaulted them, collected merchandise and exited the business without payment. No injuries were reported.” [ACPD]
ACFD Training in Ashton Heights — “You may notice fire department crews training in the 3400 block of 3rd St N this week. Training will occur daily from 0800–1700 through October 25, 2025. Please use caution in the area and allow crews space to work safely.” [ACFD/X]
Day of the Dead Events — “Dia de los Muertos—or Day of the Dead—is a Mexican holiday that falls on Nov. 1 and 2, when families and friends celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died. Unlike Halloween, the idea is not to spook, but rather embrace the spirits of the dead. Here are some spots where you can honor lives well lived.” [Arlington Magazine]
It’s Wednesday — Clouds will increase throughout the day as the temperature reaches a high near 64°F. West winds will blow at 8 to 14 mph, occasionally gusting as high as 24 mph. For Wednesday night, expect mostly clear skies with a low of 44°F and a west wind of approximately 7 mph. [NWS]
