ARLnow - Arlington and Falls Church, Va. local news

Morning Notes

Published September 1, 2020 at 6:00AM

It’s September — With a flip of the calendar, it is now September. Including today, there are 122 days remaining until 2021. There are nine weeks until Election Day. [YouTube, Wall Street Journal]

NORAD Exercises This Week — “We will conduct air defense exercise Falcon Virgo between midnight and 5:30 a.m. (ET) Sept.1-3 in the Washington, D.C. area. The exercise includes U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft, a U.S. Army C-12, a U.S. Coast Guard MH-65D helicopter, and a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182T. Some portions of the exercise may involve flights at approximately 2,500 feet and may be visible from the ground.” [Facebook]

Around Town

Bank Branch on Lee Highway to Close

By ARLnow.com

Published August 31, 2020 at 3:55PM

SunTrust Bank branch at 4710 Lee Highway, set to close (photo via Google Maps)

The SunTrust Bank branch at 4710 Lee Highway, near the Lee Heights Shops, is set to close later this year.

The bank notified customers of the impending closure in a recent letter. The branch is scheduled to close its doors at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 8.

A post from EcoAction Arlington

Apply for a free tree; Fall 2026 Tree Planting now open

Published May 27, 2026 at 4:45PM

EcoAction Arlington, through the Tree Planting Program, offers Arlington residents the chance to receive free native trees to help grow our urban canopy. Tree Stewards are available to help you choose the best tree for your property.

If you live in a neighborhood other than the 13 listed under the Tree Canopy Equity Program and are a property owner, including those of single-family homes, townhouses, condos, and places of worship, you may apply for a free native tree to be planted on your property. Before applying, please review ‘Our Process’ on our website and take a look at the Tree Planting Program Species List for a list and description of available trees for the Fall 2026 Tree Planting Cycle.

Apply Here!

Opinion

Making Room: Single-Family Zoning Won’t Save Starter Homes in Arlington

By Jane Green

Published August 31, 2020 at 3:00PM | Updated October 17, 2022 at 11:26AM

One recurring argument against upzoning is that Arlington needs single-family zoning to protect affordable starter homes from expensive redevelopment.

Without restricting lots to one unit, the thinking goes, a developer would be willing to pay a substantial sum to demolish small homes and replace them with multiple units, reaping the profit.

Around Town

Consignment Shop For Parents and Kids Coming to Westover

By Vernon Miles

Published August 31, 2020 at 2:15PM

Those who mourned the closing of Finders Keepers in Westover (5906 Washington Blvd) should be happy to know a new consignment shop is coming to the same space, but with some significant new changes.

True to the consignment store spirit, Amber Scivolette is taking a second-hand retail space and breathing new life into it — Finders Keepers is becoming Blossom and Buds Consignment.

Event

Summer Solstice Ceremony: Radiance, Expression and Being Seen

June 21, 2026 2:00 pm -5:00 pm

Ballston Park

1050 North Stuart Street

Arlington, Virginia 22201

Website Contact Social

A collaborative Summer Solstice gathering hosted by Inner Seasons and Spiritual Enhancements.

The Summer Solstice marks the peak of the sun’s power, the moment in the Wheel of the Year when light is at its fullest expression. In many traditions, this is the season of radiance, visibility, and creative fire. It is the time when nature stands unapologetically in her fullness, inviting us to do the same.

Feature

Arlington Startup Chosen By U.S. Army To Build Virtual Tech Summit

By Joseph Ramos

Published August 31, 2020 at 1:30PM

Will Dickson, Lead of FedTech's accelerator program at the technology summit in 2020

Sponsored by Monday Properties and written by ARLnow, Startup Monday is a weekly column that profiles Arlington-based startups and their founders, plus other local technology happenings. Monday Properties is proudly featuring Shirlington Gateway. Say hello to the new 2800 Shirlington, which recently delivered a brand-new lobby and upgraded fitness center. Experience a prime location steps from the Village at Shirlington shopping and dining hub. Spec suites with bright open plans and modern finishes will be available soon.

Ballston-based FedTech was chosen to build a virtual technology summit for the United States Army.

News

Police: Suspect Sprayed Man with Fire Extinguisher, Threw Wine Bottle at Amazon Office Window

By ARLnow.com

Published August 31, 2020 at 12:30PM | Updated August 31, 2020 at 12:50PM

(Updated at 12:50 p.m.) A 26-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly caused some minor mayhem in Crystal City last night.

Police say they the suspect, who was drunk, first asked a man for money, then — when the victim refused — struck him several times and sprayed him with a fire extinguisher.

News

Transportation Commission Votes To Not Recommend Route 50 Changes

By Joseph Ramos

Published August 31, 2020 at 11:00AM | Updated August 31, 2020 at 11:26AM

Members of the Arlington Transportation Commission meeting on August 27 (image via Arlington County)

The Arlington Transportation Commission voted 8-2 at its meeting last week to not recommend that the County Board submit a funding application for proposed changes to Route 50.

The project would, among other changes, widen the roadway to add dedicated turn lanes.

News

Coronavirus Hospitalizations in Arlington Reach Nearly Three Month High

By ARLnow.com

Published August 31, 2020 at 10:00AM | Updated August 31, 2020 at 10:19AM

(Updated at 10:20 a.m.) The rate of new coronavirus hospitalizations in Arlington has climbed to the highest point since early June.

The Virginia Dept. of Health has reported 18 new COVID-related hospitalizations in the county over the past week, the highest seven-day total since June 9.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published August 31, 2020 at 8:45AM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:13AM

Groups to Review Arlington’s Form of Gov’t — “Two citizen engagement groups have launched exploratory projects that delve back in Arlington’s racial history. The Arlington Civic Federation last month assembled a task force to review that and other questions about modernization — such as whether the county manager should be elected. And a new group called the Arlington Alliance for Representative Government is planning to boost political participation through ‘education, policy development, advocacy and innovation.'” [Falls Church News-Press]

Latest on Intel Official’s Death — “The wife of a high-ranking CIA operative who shot and killed himself two weeks after their wedding has claimed that he was intending to murder her and ‘take me to the afterlife.’ Sara Corcoran, 46, said that Anthony Ming Schinella, the most senior military affairs analyst in U.S. intelligence, was suffering from PTSD after being involved in four wars, and after almost 30 years in the CIA. Schinella, 52, died on June 14 in Arlington, Vi”rginia.” [Daily Mail]