Eleanor Mahshie and Eve Yungman are normally rivals on the basketball court. But they capped their standout high-school basketball careers by being teammates on the same squad in a season-ending all-star game.
The Arlington residents and seniors were members of the 6D North Region girls squad in the long-running annual Northern Virginia Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s (NVWBCA) Suburban Classic All-Star Games. The two contests — for seniors only — played March 15 at Oakton High School.
Plans to cover only a portion of a quarter-mile pedestrian bridge between Crystal City and Reagan National Airport are raising concerns among some local residents.
Officials from Arlington’s Department of Environmental Services have proposed to cover the CC2DCA multimodal connection on the western portion as it passes above rail lines, then on the eastern portion as it approaches the airport. For aesthetic reasons, however, the current plan is to leave the bridge open to the sky as it passes over GW Parkway.
No matter your age, having a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family. A properly prepared will ensures your wishes are carried out, helps reduce family disputes, and can make the estate administration process much smoother.
Unfortunately, many Virginians make avoidable mistakes that can create unnecessary stress and expense for their loved ones. Here are five of the most common.
Online templates and DIY wills may seem like an easy way to save money, but they often create bigger problems later. Virginia law has specific requirements for a valid will, including proper signatures and witness requirements. Even small mistakes can leave a will open to challenges or delay the administration of an estate.
A will shouldn’t be something you create once and forget. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, buying a home, or losing a loved one can all affect your estate plan.
Reviewing your will every few years—or after a major life event—helps ensure it still reflects your wishes and keeps your loved ones protected.
Virginia no longer has a state estate tax, but federal estate taxes may still affect larger estates. As home values and investments continue to grow, more families may find themselves closer to the federal exemption than they expected.
Planning ahead can help minimize tax consequences and preserve more of your estate for your beneficiaries.
For parents, a will does more than distribute assets—it allows you to name a guardian for your minor children. Without that designation, a court may ultimately decide who will care for them.
Many families also choose to establish a trust so inherited assets can be managed responsibly until children reach an age or milestone they determine is appropriate.
Your executor is responsible for carrying out your wishes, paying debts, and distributing your assets. Selecting someone who is organized, trustworthy, and capable of handling those responsibilities is just as important as deciding who inherits your property.
It’s also essential to clearly identify your beneficiaries. Vague language or outdated information can create confusion and, in some cases, disputes among family members.
A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:
Together, these documents can help protect your finances, outline your healthcare wishes, and simplify matters for your family if you’re ever unable to make decisions yourself.
A well-prepared estate plan provides peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. By avoiding these common mistakes and keeping your documents up to date, you can help ensure your wishes are honored while reducing stress for your family in the future.
If it’s been several years since you’ve reviewed your will—or you’ve never created one—it may be time to speak with an experienced Virginia estate planning attorney about your options.
At PJI Law, PLC, we work with clients across Fairfax and Northern Virginia to build estate plans that reflect their intentions and align with Virginia law. Our estate planning attorneys take the time to review your assets, beneficiary designations, business interests, and family structure so your plan works as intended.
Whether you’re creating your first will or revisiting an existing one, our team will help you avoid the mistakes that can undermine your entire estate plan.
Call (703) 865-6100 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary consultation today.
PJI Law, PLC
3900 Jermantown Rd, 2nd Floor
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
(703) 865-6100
https://pjilaw.com
The earlier Tornado Watch for Arlington and the D.C. area has been cancelled.
Despite the high-end severe storm threat fizzling, additional storms are expected Monday evening.
At Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS), one of the region’s largest and most established human services nonprofits, we believe every child deserves to walk into the classroom on the first day of school feeling confident, prepared, and ready to learn. But for many local families, the excitement of a new school year is overshadowed by the financial stress of buying school supplies. By helping families meet this essential need, we can ease financial pressure and give students the tools they need to succeed from day one.
This summer, NVFS is bringing together individuals, businesses, and community partners from across Northern Virginia, to provide new backpacks and essential school supplies to more than 1,500 local students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
The storms haven’t even arrived yet but there’s already a power outage in Arlington.
About 1,000 Dominion customers are without power in the Ballston area due to an “equipment problem,” according to the power company’s website.
Due to the extended period of extreme heat forecasted for the next several days in our area, the Civic Jam event originally scheduled for Friday, July 3, 2026, has been postponed to Friday, July 24, 2026.
Commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary of the United States of America at Civic Jam! Celebrate the City of Falls Church’s diverse community, civic engagement, and classic summer fun. Jam out to live, local music, sip on local brews, enjoy tasty treats and eats, and a full evening of festivities for all ages on Friday, July 3, 2026, from 6 to 10 p.m.
The Virginia General Assembly passed every bill in Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s “Affordable Virginia Agenda” before adjourning its 2026 session over the weekend — though lawmakers left Richmond without a budget deal.
The 16-bill package, which Spanberger and Democratic legislative leaders announced in December, targets the cost of housing, healthcare and energy. Arlington Dels. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D) and Patrick Hope (D) each carried legislation in the package.
The Arlington County Board has voted to restrict, but not eliminate, the placement of campaign signs and other signage on county medians.
In a 4-1 vote, a majority of Board members said the compromise is a reasonable middle ground that will reduce clutter without severely impacting candidates’ ability to get their messages out.
Arlington Transit (ART) bus service is riding a post-Covid bump up in customer satisfaction.
A survey of 2,000 riders conducted on buses late last year found a 92% overall satisfaction rate, according to data presented March 10 to the county’s Transit Advisory Committee.
Another ABC Store Theft — Police are investigating another theft from the Virginia ABC store on N. Quincy Street, with a man stealing alcohol and heading toward the Ballston Metro station, according to The DMV Live. [The DMV Live/X]
Dandelion Inks Geothermal Deal — Arlington-based Dandelion Energy has partnered with Toronto’s Diverso Energy to finance geothermal systems for homebuilders, shifting the roughly $30,000 upfront installation cost to a monthly lease of $10 to $40. “The biggest home volume is in the Southeast, Southwest and Texas,” CEO Dan Yates said. “This gives us an opening to try in those regions.” [WBJ]
Potomac Pipe Back Online — The ruptured Potomac Interceptor sewer line is back in operation after emergency repairs, DC Water said Saturday. The pipe leaked 250 million gallons of raw sewage into the river after rupturing Jan. 19, and additional remediation work could take months. [Associated Press]
Southwest Ditching Dulles — Southwest Airlines will end service at Dulles International Airport on June 4 as part of an ongoing operational overhaul. The airline currently flies from Dulles to Phoenix and Denver and says it will continue “robust” service at BWI/Marshall Airport and Reagan National. [WBJ]
New Legal Notice — Administrative plan available; public hearing May 1, 2026, 6–7:30pm. [Public Notices]
New Legal Notice — Applicant seeks wine/beer on/off-premises license; objections due in 30 days. [Public Notices]
Severe Weather Threat — “DMV gang – here’s what you need to know for MONDAY’s severe weather threat: – ROUND 1 might include a couple supercells w/tornado threat from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – ROUND 2 is a squall line with widespread straight-line winds (60-75 mph) and a maybe couple embedded spin-up tornadoes.” [Matthew Cappucci/X]
It’s Monday — Showers and strong thunderstorms are likely today, starking mid-morning, with a high near 73 and south winds of 13–18 mph gusting to 38 mph. Temperatures crash tonight, dropping to around 30 after storms end around 2 a.m. [NWS]
Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by Industrious. ARLnow has been in an Industrious office for years and we love the convenience — you get to focus on your work rather than worrying about brewing your own coffee or keeping the copy machine stocked. Industrious has several Metro-accessible coworking locations in Arlington.
Flickr pool photo by Alan Kotok
Arlington Public Schools will dismiss two hours early Monday, due to the risk of severe weather.
The announcement was made just after 7:30 p.m. Sunday, after similar announcements from Fairfax County and Montgomery County schools. FCPS will dismiss even earlier: three hours early.
Local entrepreneur MaryBeth Powers is being featured on an episode of Women in Power, a series that highlights inspiring women whose passion, perseverance, and purpose have made a meaningful impact in their communities.
The episode shares the remarkable story behind Teddy’s Turmeric Tamer®, an all-natural daily wellness topper for dogs that was born from love and determination. After MaryBeth’s beloved dog, Teddy, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and given just 2–4 weeks to live, she refused to give up hope. Through extensive research and a commitment to natural wellness, she created a unique blend of premium ingredients to support Teddy’s health. Teddy went on to enjoy three more years filled with love, comfort and quality of life.
