News

The chair of the Arlington County Republican Committee is not planning to seek the soon-to-be vacant chairmanship of the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV).

But Matthew Hurtt has strong ideas about the qualities required of the next party leader — including the need to devote 100% of their effort to the position.


News
Snow, holiday lights and the Clarendon Metro station on Friday night (courtesy George Brazier)

Big Crowd for Wreath Event — “Each year, before Wreaths Across America Day, family pass holders visit Arlington National Cemetery to honor their loved ones by placing a wreath at their grave or columbarium niche. This year, 2025, marked the most-attended Family Pass Holder Day since the event’s inception, and we would like to express our deepest apologies for the delayed entry into the cemetery and to those who were unable to participate today.” [ANC/X, ARLnow/X]

Looking for Hit-and-Run Driver — “This is video from a hit and run crash on N. 26th Street between N. Glebe and N. Wakefield around 6 p.m. Saturday. The white Toyota truck with a contractor rack struck and totaled a parked car. It continued east toward Military Road with significant right front damage.” [Dave Statter/X]

Regional Water Warning — “New research from the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin shows the region’s water supply could fail to meet the area’s needs by 2030, in the event of an extreme drought. Changing weather patterns and increased water would strain the Potomac River, which serves as the primary — and, in some cases, sole — water supply for water companies in D.C., Virginia and Maryland.” [WTOP]

Data Center Power Bill — “Virginia lawmakers are considering legislation that would give utility companies authority to delay service to the state’s largest power users, which could have ramifications for data center development in Northern Virginia. A draft bill… seeks to amend the state’s duty‑to‑serve statute by explicitly allowing utilities to postpone providing service to customers whose demand is expected to exceed 90 megawatts — enough power for about 27,000 homes.” [WBJ]

New Legal Notice — ABC application: restaurant selling alcohol on/off premises; 30-day objections. [Public Notices]

It’s Monday — Expect a slight chance of snow from 8am to 2pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 32. The northeast wind will be 8 to 11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph, and a 20% chance of precipitation. Monday night, the clouds will gradually clear, and the temperature will drop to around 20. The north wind will be around 6 mph, becoming calm in the evening. [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.


Sponsored

Welcome to Kami’s Korner where we’ll take a deep dive into Arlington’s condominium market by focusing on what’s coming next. From emerging developments to shifting trends, this space will spotlight the opportunities and insights shaping the future of condo living in Arlington.

Many of you have asked about best practices when it comes to buying a new condominium. Some of us only want new and are willing to pay a premium for the best in current design. There are several recommendations and insights here that will help you get what you want.

First decide what type of condominium you need… size, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, parking needs, or separate office, followed by a list of wants such as level of building service, amenities on-site, space for dining for six, balcony, open floor plan, and natural light. (Here she goes again.) Not to be sexist about it, but females generally are better shoppers and come with a preconceived set of non-negotiables.

Identify the areas you would consider living, such as Arlington or Old Town… but not wanting to go as far as Tysons, Reston, or DC. People don’t buy condominiums in places they aren’t familiar with or already spend time in, unless relocating entirely. Many upcoming communities put up signage and a website first which makes early interest hyperlocal. Register as a VIP on the website early and you will get regular communication, time to consider the offering, and learn when pre-sale will begin.

Once open, come early in pre-sale. You’ll get the pick of the litter. This is particularly important if you want something larger and are interested in the best views. Prospects are smart and pick the best floorplans first. If you have some idea of your ideal size and price point it makes good use of everyone’s time. Once you make a selection, expect to leave a 10% deposit as this is pretty standard in the industry. The developer generally has their own contract and it’s written much in their favor but not unreasonably so. Pricing this early is usually not negotiable… the price is the price. But you can purchase with some confidence since all buyers are getting the same terms and the developer has a shared interest in protecting values through delivery while sales are ongoing.

You do not need to be fully qualified for financing to come out and look but it’s wise to have some idea of what you can afford. Most builders give incentives for paying cash or using their title company and lenders. Often your contract might even offer a short financing contingency in exchange for considering them.

Once firmly under contract, a buyer might have 12- 18 months to prepare for the move. How blissful. This is one of the best parts of buying early in pre-sale. Moving is daunting, especially if you have been in your current homes for 30 years and the thought of moving seems excruciating. Decide what to take, sell/donate, and hire a proper interior designer to space plan and create a unique home that reflects your tastes. All with the time to do it properly.

Something to note. Finishes have gotten more high end, brands carry weight, and there is less customization offered these days. Gone are the days of going to a design center. If you know you are getting a Sub Zero refrigerator included you probably won’t ask if there are other options available. (more…)


Around Town

Good Friday 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 — Dec 5, 2025.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. What we know about the discount grocery store coming to Falls Church (10485 views)
  2. NEW: Another Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Friday night (13764 views)
  3. Union Kitchen closes in Ballston after five years (8533 views)
  4. Long-delayed Columbia Pike redevelopment project moves toward final approval (8353 views)
  5. Feedback sought on 47-unit townhouse project off of Langston Blvd (7068 views)
  6. Decline in visitors at Arlington hotels raises concerns for local economy (6873 views)
  7. Clarendon code-enforcement efforts earn mixed reviews from neighbors (6293 views)
  8. Police: Alexandria man driving wrong way threatened traffic safety worker in Clarendon (5809 views)
  9. JUST IN: Two hour delay for Arlington Public Schools due to snow (5420 views)
  10. Car slams into bus shelter near Ballston, sending glass and trash flying (6246 views)
  11. Former elected officials raise concerns about moving too fast on Arlington governance changes (4248 views)
  12. New GOP challenger seeks to take on Beyer in 2026 (4087 views)
  13. Winter Weather Advisory issued ahead of “potential winter commuting hazard” Friday (4063 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

🌤️ Saturday’s forecast

Patchy fog is expected to clear by 11am, making way for a partly sunny day with a high of around 42. Winds will be light and variable. For Saturday night, the sky will be mostly clear, and temperatures will drop to around 29 accompanied by light and variable winds. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

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

We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! 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. 👋


Schools

A special “stumbling stone” unveiling last week taught Gunston Middle School sixth graders about the harsh lives of those enslaved across Arlington — and in their very neighborhoods.

The stones, the latest in a series being placed across the county, recognize the lives of Sina and George, a mother-son duo enslaved during the mid-1800s in the area where the school is now located. While the full story of their lives is not known, research has uncovered some information:


Event

Internationally acclaimed pianist Carlos César Rodríguez joins NCE for a luminous performance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s beloved Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, “Elvira Madigan,” celebrated for its elegance, lyricism, and timeless appeal. Artistic Director and violinist Leo Sushansky takes center stage in Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, a cornerstone of the violin repertoire, offering a deeply personal and passionate interpretation of its sweeping romantic lines.

The program is further enriched by Florence Price’s Adoration, a work of profound beauty and spiritual warmth, and Johan Svendsen’s Romance, cherished for its lyrical charm and expressive simplicity.


Sports

With only two players with significant experience returning, questions proliferated for the Wakefield Warriors when the squad opened the boys high-school basketball season Tuesday night (Dec. 2).

Senior guards Jeremiah Poole and Dyson Beaty — a starter and top substitute, respectively, from last season — are those top returners. The duo and their teammates began answering those concerns when Wakefield routed the visiting Falls Church Jaguars, 70-39, in its first contest.


Sports

It’s nearly winter and the local prep basketball season has just begun. Yet the sport of baseball was front and center in a unique event held Nov. 30 at Bishop O’Connell High School.

Despite chilly and rainy weather, some 60 players ages 11 to 14 from throughout the metro area gathered at the Arlington private school for a free Thanksgiving-weekend instructional camp.


News

A crash this afternoon near Ballston pulverized a bus shelter and littered a sidewalk with strewn trash.

The reported single-vehicle crash happened just before 1 p.m. Friday on the 3900 block of Wilson Blvd, at the entrance to the parking lot of the &pizza, Gold’s Gym and other businesses.


Weather

The snow may be mostly over but we’re not done with wintry hazards.

A light freezing rain is expected tonight between 7 p.m.-1 a.m., potentially leading to a “a light glaze of ice” and “very slippery sidewalks, roads and bridges,” according to the National Weather Service.


News

A recent health fair sponsored by a local nonprofit gave at-risk county residents valuable support going into the winter months.

The event, presented by PathForward, served 74 individuals, including those staying at the organization’s two 24-hour programs — the Homeless Services Center and Residential Program Center — along with clients using other PathForward services and those supported by other safety-net providers.