Parking meter in a performance parking zone in Ballston (staff photo)
A recent conversation with an expert on parking policy delved into the complexities of attempting to improve transportation infrastructure in Arlington.
Efforts now underway in Arlington are helping to break a century-old national focus on the automobile as primary, and sometimes lone, transportation option, said Henry Grabar, author of “Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World.”
Armed Forces and first responders, including members of the Arlington County Fire Department, attend a ceremony to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Pentagon (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
NEW YORK (AP) — Americans are marking 24 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks with solemn ceremonies, volunteer work and other tributes honoring the victims.
Many loved ones of the nearly 3,000 people killed were joining dignitaries and politicians at commemorations Thursday in New York, at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Candidates for Falls Church office at pledge-signing event (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
All six candidates for Falls Church City Council seats have agreed to abide by a “candidate integrity pledge.”
The six contenders for the three Council seats on the Nov. 4 ballot formally signed their support for the pledge during a candidate meet-and-greet social event held Sept. 5 at the Falls Church Arts Gallery.
Memorial Event This Morning — “The County’s wreath-laying ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Ellen M. Bozman County Government Center. A moment of silence will be held at 9:37 a.m., when the plane struck the Pentagon and 184 lives were lost. The event will also be livestreamed on the County’s YouTube channel.” [Arlington County, YouTube]
Pilot Aborts DCA Landing — “An airliner aborted a landing attempt at Reagan National Airport on Monday morning after pilots spotted a maintenance vehicle on the runway, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and air traffic control communications. Republic Airways Flight 4528 was arriving from Detroit around 7 a.m. An air traffic controller initially cleared the plane to land on the airport’s main runway before asking pilots to circle to the shorter Runway 33.” [Washington Post]
Statements on Kirk Assassination — “Political violence has no place in a just society. This horrible violence at Utah Valley University is incredibly tragic, unacceptable, and should be universally condemned – my thoughts are with the Kirk family.” [Sen. Mark Warner/X, Gov. Glenn Youngkin/X, Diocese of Arlington]
Robbery in Ballston — “Wilson Boulevard at N. Randolph Street. At approximately 5:35 p.m. on September 9, police were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, it was determined the female victim was walking in the area when the male suspect, who is known to her, approached and began yelling at her. The suspect then allegedly forcefully stole her backpack, displayed a knife and made verbal threats towards the victim.” [ACPD]
Car Flips on I-395 — “A slow-motion rollover on I-395N this morning. Watch the red car. Somehow, it turned over in slow, stop-and-go traffic just before Exit 8A to Washington Blvd.” [Dave Statter/X]
North Weds Fmr. Secretary — “In what can only be described as a uniquely Washington love connection, Oliver North and Fawn Hall — two public faces of the Iran-contra scandal in the late 1980s — were married last month. North, 81, was widowed in November when his wife of 56 years, Betsy, died. Hall, 66, was widowed 20 years ago. The couple wed Aug. 27 in Arlington County, Virginia, according to the marriage license.” [Washington Post]
Financial Woes for Compass — “A lawyer for Compass Coffee is warning that the popular local chain could be forced to declare bankruptcy if a D.C. court rules against it in a dispute with its landlord over allegations of unpaid rent at its Ivy City roasting facility… Compass’ revenue has fallen by more than 50% from pre-pandemic levels” [WBJ]
Va. Grows Lots of Pumpkins — “By the numbers: The Old Dominion produced 54.1 million pounds of pumpkins in 2024, according to USDA data,” making Virginia the No. 8 pumpkin growing state in the nation. [Axios]
It’s Thursday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high around 80 degrees and a gentle north wind at 6 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear with lows near 60 degrees. [NWS]
A blocking S. Walter Reed Drive in May (courtesy Nate Whiting)
It’s an imperfect system, but Arlington Alert remains Arlington County’s go-to way of informing tens of thousands of residents about local emergencies.
The county’s emergency communication system, which counts over 35,000 members of the public as users, is designed to keep people informed about local traffic, hazardous weather and other major events.
An ARLnow reporter receives a Covid-19 shot on Wednesday, Sept. 10 without having a prescription (staff photo by Vernon Miles)
Amid shifting federal guidelines on Covid-19 vaccines, some pharmacies around Arlington are now offering the shots without requiring a prescription.
Only days ago, all CVS locations in Virginia required a prescription for most patients to receive the latest version of the vaccine. That’s no longer the case, CVS spokesperson Amy Thibault told ARLnow today (Wednesday).
Design proposal for 2500 Wilson Blvd (via Arlington County)
Two redevelopment proposals, $4.9 million for street improvements and planned renovations at Lacey Woods Park are all on the agenda for an upcoming County Board meeting.
Other agenda items include $365,810 in arts grants, $500,000 for “digital equity grants” and $150,000 in funding for local food security initiatives.
Signage announces changes to Falls Church trash collection (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
After months of discussion, the Falls Church City Council has unanimously voted to change how the city funds residential trash collection and recycling.
City Council members voted 7-0 yesterday (Monday) to shift from a trash system funded through general taxes by all property owners, to one where only those in single-family homes and townhouses pay the cost.
Stairs from the Court House Metro station platform (Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar)
9/11 Memorial Event Tomorrow — “Arlington County Government invites the community to join neighbors, County leaders and staff, and first responders as we commemorate the lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and express gratitude to those who responded that day. The County’s wreath-laying ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m.” [Arlington County]
Sexual Battery in Ballston — “4200 block of Fairfax Drive. On September 8, police received an online report for a late sexual battery. It was determined at approximately 11:10 a.m. on September 5, the male victim was inside a business when the male suspect approached him from behind, grabbed his buttocks and fled the scene.” [ACPD]
Traffic Issue in East Falls Church — “While this area has always been busy, the situation deteriorated several months ago after a flashing yellow light was added to the turn lane for eastbound Route 29 drivers turning onto North Fairfax to access the I-66 westbound ramp… The flashing yellow works adequately at other times of day, when there are breaks in westbound Route 29 traffic. However, during the morning rush, such breaks do not exist, and the brief green arrow is the only safe time to turn.” [Letter to the Editor]
Readers’ Choice Voting FYI — Our “Best HVAC Company” poll is getting a ton of votes! Unfortunately, many are a result of inauthentic voting patterns. As with all Reader Choice polls, those votes will be discarded before the final results are announced… If your business is nominated, you’re welcome to encourage your customers to vote, but repeat voting will not work.” [ARLnow/X]
Eatery Catches Flak for WH Catering — “Good Company Doughnuts posted this earlier today about catering for the White House, but it appears to have since been deleted.” [Jessica Sidman/X, Reddit, Jessica Sidman/X]
Beyer Blasts Qatar Blast — “Netanyahu is so hellbent on sabotaging peace talks designed to stop the killing and free hostages that he is now literally blowing up negotiations. The U.S. should not support what Israel is doing. Trump is either complicit in this strike and lying, or was played for a fool.” [Rep. Don Beyer/X]
Insulin Cost Investigation — “Attorney General Jason Miyares today announced that his Office is investigating several insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) for potential violations of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act related to the manufacture, promotion, reimbursement, and sale of insulin.” [Office of the Attorney General]
Morning Chill Returns — “Both Reagan National and Washington Dulles International airports had their coldest low temperatures of the season so far. National dipped to 56 degrees and Dulles 46 this morning.” [CWG/X]
It’s Wednesday — Showers are likely in the morning, followed by mostly cloudy skies and a high near 72 with a north wind around 7 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. For Wednesday night, expect partly cloudy conditions, a low around 60, and a north wind between 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]
Two men allegedly tried to rob a mail carrier in Arlington this past Friday afternoon.
Arlington County police were dispatched to N. Columbus Street just north of Route 50 — in the Arlington Forest neighborhood — around 12:45 p.m. on Sept. 5, for reports of an attempted robbery by two men, one of whom implied having a gun.