News

Update 2/20/26: The felony charge has been dropped, but the driver was found guilty of two misdemeanors: assault and battery and property damage under $1,000. He has received a suspended six-month sentence.

A 58-year-old Arlington man is in jail after police say he purposely struck a bicyclist with his car following an argument.


News

Arlington officials have added online resources in support of county residents impacted by the ongoing federal shutdown.

The updates include links to local, state and federal supports for those impacted since Oct. 1 as either federal workers of contractors. Tens of thousands of federal workers live or work in Arlington, one of the highest concentrations in the D.C. area.


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

Changes are coming to a longtime pizzeria and American restaurant in Courthouse.

The family that had owned Fire Works Pizza since 2010 is departing, having passed the torch to local restaurateur Fitzgerald Lewis earlier this month. The entrepreneur, whose resume also includes the Clarendon restaurants Green Pig Bistro and Buena Vida, intends to refresh the 15-year-old restaurant with new furnishings and a new name next year.


News

Someone who was helping a motorist change a tire on the side of I-395 in Arlington was struck and seriously injured by a passing driver.

The incident happened early Friday morning (Oct. 17), around 12:45 a.m., near the Pentagon and the Route 1 interchange.


Event

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.


Around Town

A fast casual Middle Eastern restaurant is now open on Restaurant Row after relocating from Water Park.

Falafel Inc opened last week at 500 23rd Street S. after departing its previous Crystal City kiosk at 1601 Crystal Drive. The D.C.-based chain, known for its affordability and award-winning falafel, replaces a bank that closed in 2023.


News

A woman crushed by a falling tree on Pimmit Run Trail last month was later pronounced dead at the hospital, ARLnow has learned.

The incident happened around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 23, near the Arlington-Fairfax County border. Two people were walking on a relatively remote section of the trail when “a tree fell striking one of the individuals,” U.S. Park Police said.


Sports

The Washington-Liberty Generals need victories in their final two regular-season games to outright win a third straight Liberty District football championship.

But it won’t be easy. The first-place Generals (7-1, 4-0) are set to face tough opponents following a bye week.


News

A paranormal investigator and researcher of strange happenings in Northern Virginia is hosting a series of talks at Arlington Public Library starting today (Monday).

Alex Matsuo, the author of “Haunted Northern Virginia” and other books about supernatural mysteries and explorations, will speak about “scientific ghost hunting” at Glencarlyn Library from 6:30-7:30 p.m. today.


News
“No Kings” protest in Ballston on Saturday (courtesy Randy Swart)

Courthouse Hotel for Sale — “The owner of an Arlington extended-stay hotel is abandoning its plan to convert the property to residences and is now looking to sell the property instead. Five years after winning approval for the conversion, Fulton, Maryland-based Sunburst Hospitality has tapped KLNB and HREC Investment Advisors to market for sale the 187-room Arlington Court Suites Hotel at 1200 N. Courthouse Road.” [WBJ, Bisnow]

Rowdy Group in Ballston — “Police and EMS called a short time ago to Ballston Quarter for a large crowd, a fight, and one injured. The group of young people left the mall heading east on Wilson Blvd. and then south on N. Randolph with @ArlingtonVaPD watching closely.” [Dave Statter/X]

Prosecutor Still Supports Jones — “Jay made the point better than I have the last few days: the AG, arguably even more so than the governor, is the office that can effectively protect Virginia communities from the President’s authoritarian rampage. We can’t think that electing Spanberger alone will be enough.” [Parisa Dehghani-Tafti/Bluesky]

Mail Ballot Deadline — “The last day to request a mail ballot for the November 4, 2025 General Election is next week on, Fri. Oct. 24 at 5pm! All registered voters are eligible to vote by mail.” [Arlington Elections/X]

Diocese on Abortion Amendment, IVF — “Since the 2022 Dobbs ruling returned the regulation of abortion to the states, abortion proponents have been on the march. They successfully enacted extreme abortion policies through ballot initiatives approved in 14 out of 17 states, amending their state constitutions. Unless we act, Virginia is next.” [Arlington Catholic Herald, Diocese of Arlington]

Funding for Local Company — “Lightshift Energy, an Arlington-based developer of battery energy storage projects, said it has landed a new $75 million credit facility… it will use the funds to support its pipeline of energy storage projects across the East Coast, at a time when the U.S. is experiencing increased demand for energy storage.” [Potomac Tech Wire]

More EDVA News — “Fresh from indicting two of Trump’s top political targets in her first three weeks on the job, interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan this week continued to push prosecutors at her Eastern District of Virginia office to move quickly to charge another politically sensitive case: a Democratic state lawmaker who has been under investigation since the Biden administration, according to three people familiar with the discussions.” [MSNBC]

Lanternflies Threatening Va. Wine — “If you needed another reason to crush those spotted lanternflies, here’s one that may hit close to home: they’re threatening your wine. The spotted insects have developed a taste for grapevines — their favorite host after the tree of heaven.” [Washington Post]

New Legal Notices — Restaurants seek on/off-premise ABC mixed-beverage license; objections due 30 days. [Public Notices, Public Notices]

It’s Monday — Expect a sunny day with highs near 65 degrees and west winds blowing at 13 to 15 mph, gusting up to 28 mph. The night remains clear with lows around 44 degrees, and the west wind slowing to 6 mph before becoming calm during 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.