Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Jun 1, 2026

By ARLnow.com

Good Monday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Jun 1, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high of around 75°F and northeast winds blowing at 7 to 9 mph. Tuesday night will be mostly clear with a low temperature near 57°F and a gentle north wind. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”
– William James

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

Thanks for reading! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.

News

Police search for hours but find no evidence of shooting after gunshots heard

By ARLnow.com
U.S. Park Police helicopter overhead in 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Numerous officers and a police helicopter searched the area around Glencarlyn Park early Monday morning after reports of gunshots being heard.

Despite the search, “there was no evidence recovered of shots being fired,” Arlington County police said today in a crime report.

Go to Police search for hours but find no evidence of shooting after gunshots heard Read more
Sponsored

USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation honors local leaders at Tennis Creates Gala

By Sponsor
Image from USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation honors local leaders at Tennis Creates Gala
Malika Andrews, 2026 Tennis Creates Gala Host
Gabrielle Berg, Northern Virginia Tennis for Fun Chapter Founder, 2026 Youth Leader of the Year Awardee
Khoi Truong, Lake Braddock Boys Tennis Coach, 2026 Coach of the Year Awardee
Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck, U.S. Navy (ret.), 2026 Tennis Creates Impact Honoree
1/5

Game, set, Gala! On Saturday, Nov. 14, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s annual Tennis Creates Gala, presented by QTS, comes to The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, celebrating the transformative power of tennis.

The evening raises critical funds to make the sport accessible to all across Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and eastern/southern West Virginia.

Every dollar goes back into local communities through programs like Girls Rule the Court™, which has served more than 2,000 girls, along with Junior Player Scholarships and Tennis in Schools. Gala funds also help restore public courts. Over the last three years, the Foundation has invested $505,000 across 17 public facilities.

Emceeing the evening is Emmy Award-winning ESPN journalist Malika Andrews, host of NBA Today and NBA Countdown, who joined ESPN’s tennis coverage this year for the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.

Andrews has pointed to the electric moment American tennis is having, with stars like the DMV’s own Frances Tiafoe reaching the 2026 US Open men’s semifinals, and says she’s grateful for the chance to support the sport at the local level.

Joining the celebration is new USTA CEO Craig Tiley, who took the helm of the national governing body in July after over 20 years at Tennis Australia. As he leads the USTA toward its goal of 35 million players by 2035, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation drives the grassroots work to grow the sport right here in the region.

The Foundation will present its Tennis Creates Impact Award to Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck, U.S. Navy (ret.), 63rd Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, recognizing his leadership in fostering character, community, and well-being through tennis.

The heart of the night is the 2026 Tennis Creates Awards, honoring local changemakers. Alexandria’s Leigh Ann Jackson receives the Adult Leader Award for coaching Girls Rule the Court at Groveton Elementary, where she has served 130 students over five seasons and championed the program’s expansion to Hybla Valley.

Arlington’s Gabrielle Berg earns the Youth Leader Award for founding a Northern Virginia chapter of Tennis For Fun, which runs free year-round clinics for people with special needs in partnership with the Arlington YMCA. Burke’s Khoi Truong, head coach at Lake Braddock Secondary School, is the 2026 Coach of the Year.

They’ll be joined by fellow honorees Dr. Ellen Markowitz (Community Champion), James Skinner (Provider Champion), and Janelle Nichols (Tennis in the Classroom Awardee).

Tickets and tables are now available. Can’t make it? Make a gift to USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation or bid in the silent auction to help put a racquet in the hands of the next generation of players.

The Tennis Creates Gala takes place Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean, VA 22102.

For more information, visit TennisCreatesGala.com.

Schools

School Board commits to middle school renovations but seeks to lower costs

By Scott McCaffrey
Supporters of improvements to Thomas Jefferson Middle School made their case at the Dec. 18, 2025 School Board meeting (courtesy Melinda Wuellner)

A divided School Board last Thursday backed a 22% cut in the anticipated future cost of a renovation/expansion project at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, but left the door open to more discussion.

The 3-1 vote, with one abstention, reduces the cost estimate to $130 million, from an initial $168 million proposed by Superintendent Francisco Durán and staff.

Go to School Board commits to middle school renovations but seeks to lower costs Read more
Around Town

Pizza Paradiso Pronto opens at Water Park with fast-casual pies

By Katie Taranto
"Now open" sign at Pizza Paradiso Pronto (staff photo)

A quick service version of Pizza Paradiso has opened a new location at the National Landing Water Park.

Pizza Paradiso Pronto is currently “soft opening” its new fast-casual pizzeria at 1611 Crystal Drive in Crystal City, serving up personal pies and pizza by the slice, as well as salads, paninis and craft beer. Guests can now try a taste ahead of the shop’s official opening this Friday.

Go to Pizza Paradiso Pronto opens at Water Park with fast-casual pies Read more
Event

Rally for Marriage Equality

Poster for a rally supporting marriage equality by NAACP Arlington Branch; Oct 17, 2026, 1:00 PM at Courthouse Plaza; rainbow flag image included.

Event location

Courthouse Plaza

2250 Clarendon Blvd

Arlington, Virginia 22201

Add to Calendar

Join Equality Arlington and the NAACP Arlington Branch for a Rally for Marriage Equality on Saturday, October 17 at 1 PM at Courthouse Plaza by the fountains (2250 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201)! All are welcome to rally for the marriage equality constitutional amendment as we get-out-the-vote on the first day of early Saturday voting in Arlington. Hear stories from Arlington couples on the importance of the marriage equality amendment and learn more about supporting the “YES on Constitutional Amendment Question 2” campaign!

Please RSVP to attend the rally at: https://forms.gle/KMYPsX1ggUBVH27x9

Go to Rally for Marriage Equality Read more
News

Langston Blvd stumbling stones extol ‘the victory of humanity’ over cruelty

By Scott McCaffrey
Halls Hill/High View Park stumbling stones unveiling (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The treatment of those enslaved by Bazil and Elizabeth Hall on their 330-acre Arlington farm in the 1850s was known to be excessively cruel even by the brutal standards of the era.

Last Saturday (May 30), eight of those who lived in bondage on the farm were honored with the latest “stumbling stones” placed through the Memorializing the Enslaved of Arlington initiative.

Go to Langston Blvd stumbling stones extol ‘the victory of humanity’ over cruelty Read more
Around Town

Il Radicchio closes longtime location ahead of redevelopment, announces plan to open elsewhere

By Katie Taranto
Il Radicchio between Rosslyn and Courthouse (staff photo)

After three decades, a family-owned Italian restaurant has announced plans to relocate as its current home is slated for redevelopment.

Il Radicchio closed over the weekend at 1801 Clarendon Blvd, where it has served wood-fired pizzas, pasta and other Italian fare since 1994. Its closure comes as the site at Wilson Blvd and N. Rhodes Street, roughly between Rosslyn and Courthouse, is set for redevelopment into an apartment building.

Go to Il Radicchio closes longtime location ahead of redevelopment, announces plan to open elsewhere Read more
Sports

Yorktown softball team wins its first Liberty District tournament

By Dave Facinoli
The Yorktown Patriots gather with the Liberty District tournament softball banner (courtesy of Yorktown softball)

Behind the standout performance of a talented freshman and the help of her many teammates, the Yorktown Patriots made history in girls softball.

The high-school team won the Liberty District tournament for the first time when the third-seeded Patriots edged the host and top-seed Langley Saxons, 2-1 in extra innings, in the May 28 championship game.

Go to Yorktown softball team wins its first Liberty District tournament Read more
News

Pickleball play begins, dedication ceremony nears at Walter Reed complex

By ARLnow.com
Pickleball players at Walter Reed Community Center (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Play is already underway, and Arlington officials on Wednesday, June 10 will celebrate the opening of a new six-court pickleball complex at Walter Reed Community Center.

It is the county’s first dedicated outdoor pickleball facility, using former multi-court space at the community center.

Go to Pickleball play begins, dedication ceremony nears at Walter Reed complex Read more
News

Arlington rents down year-over-year, but remain highest in region

By Scott McCaffrey
Valen apartment building at 2050 S. Bell Street (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Despite a year-over-year decline, Arlington’s apartment market in May retained its position as most expensive in the region and fifth most expensive urban area nationally.

The county’s median apartment-rental rate of $2,609 — $2,457 for one-bedroom units, $2,969 for two bedrooms — was down 1.4% year over year, according to figures reported May 28 by Apartment List.

Go to Arlington rents down year-over-year, but remain highest in region Read more
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