Don’t drive this morning unless you absolutely have to.
That’s the message from local and state officials who are still working to clear roads amid freezing conditions.
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Flights Resuming at DCA — “Great news! Flights will gradually return to DCA on Monday. Confirm your itinerary directly with your airline. Thanks to our hard-working snow team who drove around the clock to plow, broom and de-ice the airfield.” [Reagan Airport/X]
Burglaries on Columbia Pike — “The suspect broke a window of a closed business in the 5500 block of Columbia Pike before fleeing the scene. A short time later, police were dispatched to another closed business in the 5000 block of Columbia Pike for a burglary alarm. It was determined at approximately 3:32 a.m., the suspect forced entry into the business by shattering a window, rummaged through the interior, stole merchandise and fled the scene.” [ACPD]
Robbery Suspects Arrested — “@ArlingtonVaPD looking for a pair of robbery suspects last night, quickly found them sitting at a bus stop six blocks away.” [Dave Statter/X]
Officers Go Sledding — “From assisting disabled motorists to braving a seriously gnarly sledding hill, ACPD has been hard at work today ensuring the weather doesn’t disrupt our commitment to caring for and connecting with our neighbors.” [ACPD/X]
Firefighters Help Motorist — “On the way back from a call, R109 stopped to give a helping hand. Looking out for our community, on and off the call.” [ACFD/X]
Possible Buyer for Compass — “Caffè Nero, a London-based chain of coffee houses, has cast a $2.9 million bid to acquire substantially all of Compass Coffee’s assets, ending more than two weeks of speculation about the identity of the stalking horse bidder following the D.C. company’s Jan. 6 Chapter 11 filing.” [WBJ]
WAMU Reporter Departing — “Just heard on “The Politics Hour” that WAMU Northern Virginia reporter @margaretbarthel is leaving to head abroad. Such a loss.” [Martin Austermuhle/X, Margaret Barthel/X]
Post Layoffs Coming — “Massive layoffs coming to Washington Post… rumor inside Post is that sports desk could be shuttered entirely… foreign desk will be hit hard too.” [Dylan Byers/X, Natalie Korach/X]
Alexandria Eatery on Yelp’s Top 100 — “A Del Ray restaurant is one of three Virginia eateries to make Yelp’s annual list of the “Top US Restaurants” released earlier this week. Matt and Tony’s All Day Kitchen + Bar just made the rankings, coming in at No. 100 out of the 100 spots featured.” [ALXnow]
Tysons Casino Bill Advances — “A Virginia Senate subcommittee has advanced the Tysons casino bill, setting it up for further consideration after its 2025 defeat in a House of Delegates committee. The Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology voted 5-3 today (Friday) in favor of the legislation from Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34) to add Fairfax County as an eligible host for a casino.” [FFXnow, Sen. Scott Surovell/X]
It’s Monday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 27 degrees and northwest winds from 11 to 16 mph, potentially reaching 28 mph. Monday night will be mostly clear and dangerously cold, with lows near 2 degrees and wind chills as low as -7, due to a west wind of 7 to 10 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. [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 Brian Gannon
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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.
1. Trying to Write a Will Without Legal Guidance
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.
2. Forgetting to Update Your Will
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.
3. Overlooking Federal Estate Tax Planning
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.
4. Not Planning for Minor Children
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.
5. Choosing the Wrong Executor—or Not Naming One at All
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.
Don’t Forget the Rest of Your Estate Plan
A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:
- A revocable living trust
- A durable power of attorney
- An advance medical directive
- A transfer-on-death deed for your home
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.
The Bottom Line
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.
PJI Law, PLC: Estate Planning Attorneys in Fairfax, VA
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
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Arlington County community centers, libraries and other facilities will be closed Monday as the cleanup continues from today’s winter storm.
About 7-8 inches of snow and sleet fell in Arlington. Hours of sleet has resulted in an especially dense and heavy covering over local roads and sidewalks, making plowing and shoveling more difficult.
Heavy sleet has continued throughout the afternoon in Arlington, bringing total accumulation up to over half a foot.
The National Weather Service warned of impacts on morning commutes in an update this afternoon, advising that “travel could be nearly impossible” as a result of the sleet, snow and possible freezing rain later today. ARLnow measured 7 inches of snow and sleet in North Arlington as of 2 p.m.
Live standup comedy in Arlington on Friday July 31 starring Jim Bryan, Kim Villamera, and Greg Billet.
Friday, July 31, 2026
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Some restaurants around Arlington and Falls Church are offering incentives for those brave enough to face the snow and sleet on foot today (Sunday).
Others made the call to close during the harsh winter weather.
Arlington Public Schools will be closed tomorrow (Monday) due to the snowstorm.
All schools and offices will be closed, and all extracurricular activities, games, team practices, field trips, adult education classes, and programs in schools and on school grounds are canceled, APS announced at noon today.
All flights at Reagan National Airport have been canceled today (Sunday) due to the winter storm.
Travelers are advised to check with their airlines to confirm or rebook, the airport announced earlier this morning.
Roads in Arlington are snow- and sleet-covered as of 9 a.m., leading to driving difficulties even for the professionals.
As of 8 a.m., 5 inches of snow accumulation were measured in North Arlington by ARLnow, as an increasing amount of sleet started mixing with the flakes.
Northbound I-395 and S. Glebe Road are reopening after an earlier closure caused by a vehicle that crashed into a propane tank along the highway.
“Units are on scene of a propane leak from a 500-gallon tank at the N. Glebe Rd exit on I-395 northbound after a vehicle struck the tank,” the Arlington County Fire Department said on social media at 7 p.m. “I-395 northbound is closed for the foreseeable future. The driver was not injured. Crews are actively working to mitigate the leak.”