The Planning Commission has unanimously supported a plan to convert two vacant, 1980s-era office buildings in Pentagon City into a major residential project.
The 8-0 vote on July 6 paves the way for July 18 County Board consideration of the plan by JM Zell Partners and Lincoln Equities Group for 601 and 701 12th Street S. The team seeks to create 607 residential units, plus nearly 30,000 square feet of retail space and ancillary office use.
Transportation improvements on the Annandale Road corridor will be able to move forward in Falls Church, thanks to $30 million in newly approved regional funding.
The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority’s board of directors approved the funding on July 9 as part of a $776 million fiscal year 2026-31 package of projects for localities across the region. All told, $1.26 billion had been requested by participating localities.
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
Treasurer Special Election Set — Circuit Court Chief Judge Judith Wheat on Friday set the special election for county treasurer to run concurrently with the Nov. 3 general election. The winner will serve the remaining year of the term of Treasurer Carla de la Pava, who resigned last week after 12 years in office. Kim Rucker, who was chief deputy under de la Pava and is serving as treasurer in the interim, is expected to run. —Scott McCaffrey
Sexual Battery Investigated — Police are investigating a sexual battery reported at a business on the 1100 block of S. Hayes Street in Pentagon City. A man approached a female employee in an employee-only area and touched her inappropriately before she pushed him away, according to police. No injuries were reported and the investigation is ongoing. [ACPD]
Hashmi Questions Dominion Merger — Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi (D) is urging state regulators to take twice their usual time reviewing Dominion Energy’s proposed $67 billion merger with NextEra Energy, citing ratepayer concerns. In a July 6 letter to the State Corporation Commission, she asked that the companies answer 64 questions before the deal proceeds. The push comes as Dominion says customer bills will rise an average of $8 a month. [WJLA]
Mixed Grades on College Boards — Six months after Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) pledged to depoliticize the governing boards of Virginia’s public colleges, some Republicans accuse her of overreach after she ousted the head of Virginia Tech’s board and named more than 100 board appointees. Democratic lawmakers agree the appointment process needs fixing but differ on how. [Washington Post]
AI Boom Offsets Federal Cuts — D.C.-area firms drew $3.8 billion in venture capital over the 12 months ending in June, $1.8 billion more than the prior period, as an AI investment surge cushions an economy dragged down by federal cuts. The funding is largely concentrated in N. Va., according to CBRE. [WBJ]
Beyer’s Air Standards Bill — Rep. Don Beyer (D-Arlington) introduced the Modernizing Aeronautical Standards Act, which would direct NASA and other agencies to study whether U.S. aircraft design standards match today’s airspace conditions. The benchmark “has not been comprehensively reevaluated in nearly 50 years,” Beyer said. [Press Release]
It’s Monday — Expect mostly sunny skies Monday with a high near 84 and an east wind of 2–7 mph. It stays mostly clear overnight, with a low around 65. [NWS]
New Legal Notice — Applying for off-premises wine and beer convenience store license. [Public Notices]
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.
Good Friday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Jul 10, 2026.
Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.
Here is what’s going on Saturday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Here are the events planned for Sunday:
Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with rain likely in the afternoon and a high near 85°F. Winds from the north at 5 to 7 mph and a 60% chance of rain, with under a tenth of an inch of new rainfall, though higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms. In the evening, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 8 PM, tapering off to a chance until 11 PM, with a low around 68°F. Light northeast winds and similar precipitation conditions as throughout the day are expected. See more from Weather.gov.
“Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.”
– Babe Ruth
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. 👋
Live standup comedy in Arlington on Friday July 31 starring Jim Bryan, Kim Villamera, and Greg Billet.
Friday, July 31, 2026
One of the goals of those seeking to revamp Arlington’s governance structure is an end to holding at least one County Board election every year.
Had it not been for a quirk of political fate, that might have happened nearly 60 years ago.
Those headed to their final resting places at a historic North Arlington church graveyard may benefit from a change in the size of a new pathway.
Walker Chapel United Methodist Church and Cemetery (4102 N. Glebe Road) is seeking approval of the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) to widen the proposed path along a portion of its property from the approved 36 inches to 44 inches.
A new Finnish-style sauna and cold plunge is seeking to open in the Bluemont neighborhood this winter.
Sauna Jungle, previously known as Arlington Sauna, has filed a building permit at 5210 Wilson Blvd with the goal of opening late this year or in early 2027.
Despite receiving most of what it wanted, Arlington came up short in winning regional funding for some key transportation projects.
Three of the county’s 13 submissions for the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority’s FY2026-31 Six-Year Program failed to be funded. A final vote was taken at the authority’s July 9 board meeting.
Arlington itself isn’t exactly wine country, but some of Virginia’s most celebrated vineyards are just a short drive west — close enough for a scenic trip and a pleasant afternoon of tasting and touring.
Here are the nominees for “Best Winery Near Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.
Did we miss your favorite winery? Write it in!
Voting will close in two weeks.
Three weeks ago, we voted on the Best Sandwich Shop in Arlington. The results are now official:
