A man has been sentenced for setting fires at three restaurants in Crystal City earlier this year and reportedly trying to frame a past employer.
Timothy Clark Pollock last Friday received the maximum 10-year sentence for arson of an unoccupied building, but all but two and a half years is suspended, according to court records. The remaining years of Pollock’s sentence would apply if he violates the terms of his probation after his release.
A hearing on whether to study changes to the form of Arlington’s local government is scheduled to take place next week.
County Board members have set aside an entire evening — Wednesday, Dec. 17 beginning at 6 p.m. — to hear from the public and then decide whether to set up a task force looking at the hotly debated issue. Registration is open now.
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
A new 234-unit affordable housing building near Rosslyn was honored with a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday (Monday).
The 12-story building at 1300 N. Pierce Street, in the Radnor-Fort Myer Heights neighborhood, comes with 110 below-ground parking spaces and a mix of apartment sizes: 84 one-bedroom units, 100 two-bedroom units and 50 three-bedroom units, according to a press release.
Arlington Democrats have approved rules for the party’s 2026 School Board caucus, though whether it will be held remains to be seen.
Arlington County Democratic Committee on Wednesday nearly unanimously set in place rules for a springtime caucus that will only be required if more than one candidate files for the lone position on the ballot next year.
*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.
D.C. Late to Bridge Crash — “When the DC units got to the crash in Virginia on I-395N just before the bridge, they discovered @ArlingtonVaFD was on the scene. Arlington had been dispatched 22 minutes earlier. That was 7 minutes before DC was sent to the wrong bridge. That speaks to the complete lack of coordination OUC has with neighboring jurisdictions.” [Dave Statter/X]
Robbery in Rosslyn — “Two female victims were outside the business when they were approached by the male suspect who asked them for cigarettes, when they refused, the suspect allegedly displayed a knife and both victims left the area and went inside the business. The suspect followed the victims inside the store, encountered a third victim, displayed a knife, collected merchandise and subsequently exited the business without payment.” [ACPD]
Odd Airport Press Conference — “Pull-up competition between Secretaries Kennedy and Duffy” at Reagan National Airport, during a press conference announcing grants for family-friendly improvements to U.S. airports. [Washington Post, CSPAN/X, Sec. Sean Duffy/X]
National Airport Models — “LEGO vs Gingerbread DCA. Which one is better.” [Reagan Airport/X]
Officials Seeking State Transit Funds — “Northern Virginia’s local and legislative leaders are preparing for a full-court press — and perhaps an uphill battle — in wringing additional transit funding out of the General Assembly.” [ALXnow]
More Homes in Tysons? — “If Tysons continues to evolve from commercial suburb into Fairfax County’s urban core, as planners hope, it will need more than 10,000 new homes by 2040 to accommodate the influx of residents, a recently released study found.” [FFXnow]
Upcoming Snow Chances — “With this cold pattern set to continue through at least early next week, any system that develops has some potential to produce wintry precipitation. At the moment, we’re tracking three systems that could pass near the D.C. area now through the weekend… The third system, on track to come through between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, could be more impactful.” [CWG]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 35 with calm winds turning south at 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Tonight, it will be mostly cloudy with a low around 30 and south winds at 8 to 10 mph. [NWS]
Good Monday 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 8, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect sunny skies and a high near 35 with calm winds turning south at 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Tonight, it will be mostly cloudy with a low around 30 and south winds at 8 to 10 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
– John Wooden
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.
A proposal to add hundreds more homes to Pentagon City’s RiverHouse site is heading to the County Board this week with the Planning Commission’s blessing.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously last week to recommend approving JBG Smith’s plan to add more than 740 townhouses, stacked flats and multifamily units to the 36-acre parcel located along Army Navy Drive and S. Joyce Street.
A new bus route will offer Shirlington residents a direct connection to D.C. during rush hour.
The new A29 route will run between Van Dorn Street Station and Metro Center via the I-395 express lanes, with stops at Beauregard Street, Mark Center and Southern Towers in Alexandria in addition to the Shirlington Transit Center.
Two nature centers in Arlington are collecting letters to Santa Claus along with food donations this holiday season.
Both the Gulf Branch Nature Center (3608 Military Road) and the Long Branch Nature Center (625 S. Carlin Springs Road) are collecting Santa letters through Dec. 24.
