Arlington’s perpetual cat-and-mouse game with people attempting to avoid vehicle taxes continues.
“There are people who will do anything in their power to dodge the system,” Commissioner of Revenue Kim Klingler says. “It makes you want to find them even more.”
Reminder: Fair Starts Today — “Starting next Wednesday, Aug. 13, and lasting through Sunday, Aug. 17, this year’s fair at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 2nd Street S.) includes a relocated beer garden and a new partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation.” [ARLnow]
Burbs Hit Harder By DOGE — Federal spending cuts under the Trump administration have severely impacted Greater Washington’s economy, with significant job losses and reduced government contracts, particularly affecting Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland. Despite these challenges, there are positive trends in mobility, visitation, and the apartment rental market, suggesting resilience in the region. [WBJ]
Exposure in East Fall Church — “2800 block of N. Westmoreland Street… at approximately 7:00 p.m. on August 1, the female victim was walking outside when the male suspect approached her and attempted to engage her in conversation. The victim continued to walk past the suspect during which he exposed himself before fleeing the scene.” [ACPD]
Arlington Trivia on Local TV — “Annie Mae hosts this segment of Hometown Trivia in Arlington, VA.” [Fox 5]
Free ANC History Walk — “Arlington National Cemetery, in partnership with @USArmyMuseum, will host a free, two-hour guided walk at ANC on Friday, Sept. 12, at 9 a.m.” [ANC/X, NMUSA]
It’s Wednesday — Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms, potentially intensifying after 3pm, with a high temperature around 89°F and south winds at 3-6 mph. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation, with new rainfall amounts ranging from a tenth to a quarter-inch, or higher during thunderstorms. Later, the chance of precipitation will decrease to 40% with showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am. Anticipate a mostly cloudy evening with the temperature dropping to around 73°F. [NWS]
A recent event by the Arlington Historical Society marked the 250th anniversary of the founding of local and statewide militias in the Revolutionary War era.
The program held at the Ball-Sellers House on Saturday honored the establishment of the Fairfax militia in January 1775, followed by the creation of a statewide militia in August of that year.
Some projects are behind schedule in the Falls Church capital-improvement program (CIP), but they aren’t facing any major funding challenges.
Of the 37 active projects in the CIP, which range from roadway improvements to sports-field upgrades, 20 are listed as “on target,” six are “at risk” and 11 are “behind target,” according to a quarterly summary.
Firefighters rescued a woman from a second-floor window while responding to a house fire in Alcova Heights early this morning (Tuesday).
The Arlington County Fire Department responded to the blaze on the 3700 block of 8th Street S. around 5:45 a.m. First responders described a fire in the attic and smoke coming from the roof.
Arlington’s congressman is quarreling with the Department of Homeland Security following a visit to one of Virginia’s immigration detention centers.
The federal department publicly criticized U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D) in a press release after he visited Farmville Detention Center on Friday. It accused him of prioritizing detainees with criminal convictions over crime victims.
The bathrooms at Greenbrier Park near Yorktown High School were damaged over the weekend by a pair of teen vandals.
The incident happened just before 11 p.m. Sunday. On social media, a witness described encountering the suspects before they fled on foot.
Federal Takeover of D.C. — “President Donald Trump will federalize D.C.’s police department and deploy National Guard troops, he announced Monday, in historic restrictions on local control over the District. “This is liberation day in D.C. and we’re going to take our capital back,” the president said at a White House news conference. A White House official told NBC News that National Guard troops are expected to be on the ground Tuesday morning.” [NBC 4]
Questioning Crime Claims — “Violent crime in D.C. has been on the decline since 2023, when a generational spike in killings rendered the nation’s capital one of America’s deadliest cities, plunging communities into grief and igniting a local political crisis that escalated to Congress.” [Washington Post]
Beyer Blasts Takeover — “Trump’s “temporary” takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department is not intended to prevent crime, it is a soft launch of authoritarianism. Trump has a longstanding pattern of seeking showy displays of power.” [Press Release, Rep. Don Beyer/X]
Local Dems Release Statement — “Arlington Democrats stand in solidarity with our neighbors across the Potomac as they face Trump’s dangerous and undemocratic federal takeover of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and deployment of the National Guard. This action is a stark reminder that until D.C. achieves full statehood, its 700,000 residents will remain vulnerable to interference from leaders they did not elect.” [Arlington Democrats/Bluesky]
Trump Torpedoing Tourism? — “Ferguson said he fears groups will be tempted to cancel their meetings in light of the president’s claims, exacerbating an already difficult climate since Trump’s inauguration. Ferguson previously disclosed 41 groups that had scheduled events or were considering booking meetings in the District had canceled those plans or withdrawn their interest.” [WBJ]
Shirlington Circle Crash — “[Sunday] night around 10:30pm, Arlington & @AlexandriaVAFD units responded to a multi-vehicle crash at the Shirlington Circle exit. One vehicle was pinned in a T-bone collision. R109 removed the doors & roof for extrication. Driver transported with non-life-threatening injuries.” [ACFD/X]
Firefighters Remove Handcuffs — “R109 assisted in the removal of handcuffs that a child had accidentally placed on themselves. Due to the keyhole being inaccessible, they were unable to unlock the cuffs using the key. As a result, personnel carefully cut the handcuffs off to safely free the child without injury.” [ACFD/X]
Fair Starts Tomorrow — “The Arlington County Fair, one of the largest free events on the East Coast and a beloved Arlington tradition for nearly 50 years, opens its gates on Wednesday, Aug. 13, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. Held at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center and Park, the County Fair beings five days of rides, food, live entertainment, and community spirit to the heart of Arlington.” [Arlington County]
New Flood Maps — “Large swaths of the Washington region, including many of its roadways, rail lines and bus stops, are more vulnerable to flooding than was previously known, according to a new analysis and flood mapping from the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board.” [Washington Post]
It’s Tuesday — Expect patchy fog to clear by 8am, making way for partly sunny skies and a high near 91. A calm wind will pick up from the south around 6 mph in the afternoon. As for Tuesday night, it’ll be partly cloudy with a low of 74, and the south wind will continue at around 6 mph. [NWS]
Record demand has left Arlington’s largest food pantry with an $891,000 hole in its budget this fiscal year — and it may only get worse.
Almost one out of every 10 Arlington residents, 23,190 people, had an active referral to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) in fiscal year 2025.
A water main break on Columbia Pike resulted in a mass fish kill in Four Mile Run this weekend.
The infrastructure failure took place on Saturday at Columbia Pike and S. Dinwiddie Street, county spokesperson Peter Golkin told ARLnow.
Ten new food disposal bins have been installed around Arlington, further expanding composting options for people in apartments and condos.
The new bins were installed last week in Pentagon City and Colonial Village, on Columbia Pike and at the Court House and Clarendon Metro stations. They bring county’s total number of collection machines up to 24.
Arlington’s local elected officials are flexing their fundraising muscles as the sprint to Election Day begins.
Teams of two have paired up to sell the Arlington County Democratic Committee’s “Gold Card,” which provides access to upcoming party events while raising funds needed for get-out-the-vote initiatives.
