The East Falls Church Metro station is getting 20 new bike racks following security concerns along N. Sycamore Street.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) plans to install 10 U-racks and 10 “smart racks” at East Falls Church in February, according to a project page.
Having first learned to play the precision football position of a long snapper, Brady Owens found himself developing into a talented tight end.
Owens honed those skills into becoming a standout player during his four-year high-school career playing for Arlington’s Yorktown Patriots.
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
The Arlington County Board is throwing its weight behind a region-wide proposal to provide more funding for Metro.
County Board members on Tuesday voted unanimously to encourage General Assembly action on the regional DMV Moves plan for sustained increases in transit funds.
Federal Job Loss Tally — “Over the past year, an estimated 41,500 federal jobs in the D.C. region have been eliminated, according to a report released this week by George Mason University’s Stephen Fuller Institute for Research on the Washington Region’s Economic Future. That includes about 15,000 jobs that have been lost since August, either through deferred resignations or layoffs, and had not shown up in previously released data.” [WBJ]
Lower Local Spending — “Consumers are spending less in the DMV — and D.C. is taking the biggest hit, according to a new Brookings report… Four years of regional consumer data show declines across both visitor and local spending. Local spending this year is just 1.1% below 2024.” [Axios]
GW Parkway Speed Camera Bill — “Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) today introduced legislation that would allow for revenue generated from speed camera enforcement on roads within the National Park System, such as the George Washington Memorial Parkway, to be reinvested for safety improvements, road maintenance, and related infrastructure needs in the parks where violations occur.” [Press Release]
Arrest After Vape Store Theft — “Two employees of a local business in Arlington CHASED and HELD DOWN a theft suspect at N Barton Street & Ninth Street until police arrived to take the male into custody.” [DMV Live/FB]
Another Theft Arrest — “Police in Arlington, Virginia nabbed a lululemon Grand Theft (FELONY) suspect, who stole over $1,000 worth of clothes from the popular store on King Street in Alexandria.” [DMV Live/X]
Near Starbucks at DCA — “Our coffee game just got bigger with the opening of a new Starbucks near Gate C25. Come and enjoy your favorite seasonal brews and specialty drinks.” [Reagan Airport/X]
Compass Bankruptcy ‘Likely’ — “Compass Coffee has agreed to voluntarily relinquish its Ivy City roasting plant and will likely file for bankruptcy by Dec. 31… It’s unclear whether the homegrown coffee chain with about two dozen locations intends to liquidate or restructure its debts through the bankruptcy process and how those plans could impact its local stores.” [WBJ]
Rain and Wind Tonight — “A strong cold front will cross the area Thursday night through early Friday. As it does so, broken lines of heavy showers and perhaps a couple thunderstorms whip up the potential for gusty winds across the region, especially between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. … Jeff Halverson, Capital Weather Gang’s severe weather expert, notes the potential for gusts as high as around 50 mph.” [CWG]
It’s Thursday — Rain chances increase after 4pm, with increasing clouds and a high near 54. Winds will shift south at 5-8 mph in the morning. Thursday night will see rain as temperatures rise to around 55 by 3am, accompanied by south winds at 8-17 mph and gusts up to 29 mph. New rainfall amounts ranging between half and three-quarters of an inch are expected. [NWS]
*Mamistad Groups meet IN PERSON-only the introductory Zoom call is virtual. :)
Pregnancy and new mom groups are a lifesaver when it comes to normalizing those feelings we just can’t be prepared for.
The U.S. government admitted Wednesday that the actions of an air traffic controller and Army helicopter pilot played a role in causing a collision last January between an airliner and a Black Hawk near the nation’s capital, killing 67 people.
It was the deadliest plane crash on American soil in more than two decades.
Good Wednesday 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 — Dec 17, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Rain is likely after 4pm, with increasing clouds and a high near 54. Morning winds will shift south at 5-8 mph. There’s a 30% chance of precipitation. Thursday night will see temperatures rise to around 55 by 3am, accompanied by south winds at 8-17 mph and gusts up to 29 mph. Rain is expected, with a 100% chance of precipitation and new rainfall amounts ranging between half and three-quarters of an inch. See more from Weather.gov.
“Every artist was first an amateur.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! 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.
Arlington County’s tax revenue was millions of dollars short of what was expected in the first months of this fiscal year, resulting in cutbacks on some expenditures.
County revenue from real estate taxes and taxes on public consumption — like sales, meals and lodging taxes — was $13 million behind projections during the first four months of the fiscal year that began July 1, County Manager Mark Schwartz said in a County Board briefing yesterday (Tuesday).
A 33-year-old D.C. man is facing an array of charges after a violent incident in Crystal City last night.
The alleged assault happened shortly before midnight, near the intersection of 23rd Street S. and S. Eads Street — at the start of Crystal City’s restaurant row.
Arlington and Falls Church have both ranked as some of the most livable localities in the nation for the second year in the row.
Arlington was at the top of the charts for “large communities” and Falls Church was No. 2 among “small communities,” according to a new ranking of U.S. localities from the American Association of Retired People (AARP).
