No racial or ethnic group in Arlington comes close to earning enough household income to afford median priced single-family homes in Arlington, and some groups struggle to afford median-priced condominiums, according to new data.
Even the county’s white population, which has by far the largest median household income, is “nowhere near” being able to afford median priced single-family housing, said Keith Waters of the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University.
Arlington County police are investigating shots fired in the Green Valley neighborhood.
The gunfire rang out around 10 p.m. Friday night near The Shelton apartment complex. No injuries were reported but a bullet damaged a window in a nearby residential building.
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 record number of fifth graders from Germany have come to Arlington this year through the county’s sister city program.
Students, parents and civic leaders from the city of Aachen arrived in the United States on Oct. 8 and will stay through Oct. 16. They are being hosted by Arlington families representing 16 public and four private schools, in a quarter-century collaboration sponsored by the Arlington Sister City Association.
Outlets Reject Pentagon Press Rules — “Fox News, the former employer of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, on Tuesday joined a chorus of news outlets refusing to sign an agreement with the Pentagon that could limit journalists’ rights to gather or report information not officially authorized for release.” [Axios, Associated Press, Washington Post]
Regional Economy on the Brink — “Twenty-two states are either in a recession or on the precipice of a downturn, according to an intriguing analysis from Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics… in trouble are the states most exposed to federal job cuts, like Virginia and Maryland. Unemployment in Washington, D.C., was 6% in August, the highest in the country.” [Axios]
Controllers Giving Flyers to Fliers — “‘Hi – good morning. I’m an unpaid air traffic controller.’ That’s what a worker said as he approached travelers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Tuesday morning. As the government shutdown hits the two-week mark, Tuesday is the first day air traffic controllers won’t get a full paycheck, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. On Oct. 28, they won’t get paid at all.” [NBC 4]
Arlington Restaurants on TV — “Chamber President & CEO Kate Bates and Chair-Elect @bismahahmed_ joined @fox5dc to kick off the start of #ARLRestaurantWeek, hosting a speed tasting of three meals from La Posada, Maison Cheryl, and Celtic House.” [Arlington Chamber/X]
Police Plan Community Meetings — “The Arlington County Police Department’s (ACPD) Community Engagement Division invites the public to the fall quarterly community meetings covering community issues, crime prevention tips and quality of life concerns.” [ACPD]
WETA Radio Weathers Cuts — “WETA, with its offices down the road in Shirlington, has been on the air 24-7 through the thick and thin over many years here, through the Great Recession and the Covid pandemic, with comforting voices spinning the hits, so to speak, from Handel, to Haydn, to Mozart to Beethoven… the station has had to lay off five percent of its staff and folks hope there will be no more if the public steps up to help.” [FCNP]
Local Firm Sells Unit — “Trident Maritime Systems, an Arlington-based developer of integrated maritime systems, said it has sold its UK business to Alexandria-based private equity firm DC Capital Partners.” [Potomac Tech Wire]
No Plastic for Leaf Collection — “Mr. Autumn Man Knows: Leaves placed in plastic garbage bags can’t be composted and won’t be collected. Place leaves and other yard waste at the curb only in paper bags and the green curbside cart.” [Arlington DES/X]
New Legal Notice — Convenience store seeks off-premises beer and wine license; 30-day objections. [Public Notices]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny skies and a high temperature near 70 degrees with a north wind at 8 to 11 mph, gusting up to 21 mph. For Wednesday night, the skies will remain clear, and the temperature will drop to around 45 degrees. The north wind will persist at approximately 9 mph. [NWS]
Join the Rosslyn BID and Arlington Arts at the 34th Rosslyn Jazz Fest 2026 featuring live jazz, food trucks, local vendors, and family-friendly activities in the heart of Rosslyn! This year’s lineup is bringing a diverse mix of performers and bands redefining the jazz music genre including Plena Libre, Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars, Parlor Greens, and Dogo du Togo & the Alagaa Beat Band.
Good Tuesday 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 — Oct 14, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect sunny skies and a high temperature near 70 degrees with a north wind at 8 to 11 mph, gusting up to 21 mph. For Wednesday night, the skies will remain clear, and the temperature will drop to around 45 degrees. The north wind will persist at approximately 9 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“Difficulties in life are intended to make us better, not bitter.”
– Dan Reeves
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.
Missing Middle’s critics are launching another round of opposition as Arlington County returns to accepting permit applications for this kind of construction.
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit over Arlington’s Expanded Housing Option filed an emergency motion yesterday (Monday) in the Supreme Court of Virginia. They’re seeking to block a Virginia Court of Appeals order that allows the county to resume issuing permits for multifamily construction in previously single-family-only neighborhoods.
A man is dead after police say he was last seen fleeing from state troopers on the 14th Street Bridge.
On Oct. 1, an early morning car chase that started on I-95, on charges of reckless driving, ended on the 14th Street Bridge after the suspect’s vehicle was disabled by spike strips deployed on I-395, according to Virginia State Police.
The intersection of Wilson Blvd and N. Fillmore Street is blocked due to a crash involving an overturned vehicle.
The reported two-vehicle crash happened around 2:15 p.m., sending one of the vehicles tumbling onto its side. The occupants were able to get out prior to emergency responders arriving on scene, according to scanner traffic.
A joint grand opening is planned in Green Valley this weekend for a new hair salon and bridal boutique under the same roof.
The Dahnistry Room and Root & Bloom, located at 2112 and 2114 S. Shirlington Road, both open for business at noon on Saturday. Root & Bloom owner Nataki Green described the ventures as “two Black woman-owned businesses proudly rooted in South Arlington.”
