A 20-year-old man is behind bars after police say he seriously injured an employee of a business in Ballston.
The assault happened early Saturday morning on the 800 block of N. Glebe Road, according to the latest Arlington County Police Department crime report. Initial reports suggest the business was the Westin hotel and the victim was a 60-year-old employee, who was left bleeding from the head.
Domino’s Pizza is getting ready to open in a new spot in Falls Church, about a mile and a half away from the chain’s current location in the city.
“Coming soon” signage has appeared outside 438 S. Washington Street, where Domino’s plans to relocate from its current store at 1106 W. Broad Street.
Game, set, Gala! On Saturday, Nov. 14, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s annual Tennis Creates Gala, presented by QTS, comes to The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, celebrating the transformative power of tennis.
The evening raises critical funds to make the sport accessible to all across Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and eastern/southern West Virginia.
Every dollar goes back into local communities through programs like Girls Rule the Court™, which has served more than 2,000 girls, along with Junior Player Scholarships and Tennis in Schools. Gala funds also help restore public courts. Over the last three years, the Foundation has invested $505,000 across 17 public facilities.
Emceeing the evening is Emmy Award-winning ESPN journalist Malika Andrews, host of NBA Today and NBA Countdown, who joined ESPN’s tennis coverage this year for the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Andrews has pointed to the electric moment American tennis is having, with stars like the DMV’s own Frances Tiafoe reaching the 2026 US Open men’s semifinals, and says she’s grateful for the chance to support the sport at the local level.
Joining the celebration is new USTA CEO Craig Tiley, who took the helm of the national governing body in July after over 20 years at Tennis Australia. As he leads the USTA toward its goal of 35 million players by 2035, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation drives the grassroots work to grow the sport right here in the region.
The Foundation will present its Tennis Creates Impact Award to Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck, U.S. Navy (ret.), 63rd Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, recognizing his leadership in fostering character, community, and well-being through tennis.
The heart of the night is the 2026 Tennis Creates Awards, honoring local changemakers. Alexandria’s Leigh Ann Jackson receives the Adult Leader Award for coaching Girls Rule the Court at Groveton Elementary, where she has served 130 students over five seasons and championed the program’s expansion to Hybla Valley.
Arlington’s Gabrielle Berg earns the Youth Leader Award for founding a Northern Virginia chapter of Tennis For Fun, which runs free year-round clinics for people with special needs in partnership with the Arlington YMCA. Burke’s Khoi Truong, head coach at Lake Braddock Secondary School, is the 2026 Coach of the Year.
They’ll be joined by fellow honorees Dr. Ellen Markowitz (Community Champion), James Skinner (Provider Champion), and Janelle Nichols (Tennis in the Classroom Awardee).
Tickets and tables are now available. Can’t make it? Make a gift to USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation or bid in the silent auction to help put a racquet in the hands of the next generation of players.
The Tennis Creates Gala takes place Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean, VA 22102.
For more information, visit TennisCreatesGala.com.
Northern Virginia local news veteran Emily Leayman is joining ARLnow and its sister sites in the role of Senior Reporter.
Leayman was previously an editor at Patch, where she covered numerous major local news events, as well as stories of more hyperlocal interest in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County and elsewhere. Leayman’s 8+ year tenure at Patch followed a stint reporting on education policy and two years as editor-in-chief at her college newspaper in Pennsylvania.
There wasn’t a local champion, but the annual George Long Holiday Hoops Tournament again proved a popular boys high-school basketball event, with multiple side stories emerging.
The 23rd annual tourney, which has included eight teams every year, has been held at Wakefield High School each time, this year Dec. 26, 27 and 29.
Join us for a 5k (~3 mile) fun run/walk around the neighborhood followed by an outdoor yoga session next to Reclining Liberty!
The artist behind Reclining Liberty made a shirt for this day only. It comes with every run and yoga ticket — or take one on its own for $25.
Fireworks will be going off on the National Mall this evening (Monday) in celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday.
The fireworks display will culminate six nights of projections on the Washington Monument that have sought to turn the historic structure into “the world’s tallest birthday candle.”
Controversy over the removal of an iconic tree in Lyon Park is prompting an in-person conversation between neighborhood civic leaders and county leadership.
An aide for County Board Chair Takis Karantonis acknowledged some community members’ frustration in a Dec. 29 follow-up with Natalie Roy, who leads the Lyon Park Citizens Association. Karantonis “would like to offer a meeting to discuss this matter,” Sandra Calixto-Mendoza said in the letter to Roy.
The Arlington real estate market is expected to see a modest rise in sales and prices in 2026, despite economic challenges that may hamper growth.
In the single-family sector, Arlington’s projected 3.8% rate of price growth is on the higher end for jurisdictions in a new 2026 market forecast, released Dec. 29 by the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR) and Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University.
Arch Construction Imminent? — “President Donald Trump said in an interview Wednesday that construction of his long-teased Triumphal Arch is expected to begin “sometime in the next two months.” That would put the start date ahead of July 4, 2026 — as the White House ramps up preparations for the nation’s 250th anniversary next year.” [Politico, WJLA]
Roosevelt Bridge Rescue — “Below Grade Rescue: Inbound Theodore Roosevelt Bridge #DCsBravest responded/located a person beneath the bridge within construction scaffolding. A rope rescue operation was conducted by special operations units. One adult male transported serious/non-life threatening.” [DCFEMS/X, WJLA]
Venezuela Operation Reaction — “I’ve always opposed American attacks on Venezuela and I oppose them now. You don’t need sympathy for Maduro to grasp that attacking another country for unclear, shifting rationales without domestic support or a clear plan for the day after won’t make us safer. The Administration lied to Congress and launched an illegal war for regime change and oil. Foolhardy and wrong.” [Rep. Don Beyer/X, Press Release]
More on Hall’s Hill Fire — “The smoke was also visible from nearby Fire Station 8, located just off Langston Boulevard. Firefighters saw the smoke and rushed to Jones’ home on North Emerson Street, quickly working to put out the flames. The quick response was especially meaningful for Jones. In 2016, the Arlington fire station was nearly relocated to a less populated area. Jones and others in the community fought to keep it in place.” [WUSA 9]
Va. Dems Plan Amendments — “Some of the furthest-reaching actions the Virginia General Assembly is likely to take this year could happen in the first few days after the legislature convenes: votes on four proposed amendments to the state constitution affecting same-sex marriage, abortion access, voting rights and redistricting.” [Washington Post]
New Va. Laws — “Starting Thursday, technology companies must limit social media use among children under 16 in Virginia… The Virginia social media law that passed last year will require platforms like Instagram and TikTok to limit use among minors under 16 to one hour a day in an effort to address concerns about the effects on youth mental health.” [Washington Post]
Companies Say Tow Fee Too Low — “Michael Reynolds, of the A-1 Associates towing firm, said his company was forced to move out of Arlington prior to the pandemic “because it was too expensive to operate,” adding that Arlington now has only one towing business that does trespass towing. Reynolds told the board that tow fees provide for many things, including real estate, location and cost, and hiring qualified employees.” [WTOP]
Crash on 14th Street Bridge — “Another right lane driver just had to get to left side exit 10C on I-395N just before the 14th Street Bridge. They got there, but also sent a pickup truck across three lanes to the other side of the highway, and apparently hitting another vehicle in the process.” [Dave Statter/X]
Snowy Owl Spotting — “DC bird spotters are heading to Hains Point right now after a Snowy Owl was spotted on the shore at National Airport. Don’t have my big lens today sadly.” [Andrew Leyden/X]
It’s Monday — Expect partly sunny skies with a high near 45 and a southeast wind shifting to the south between 5 and 10 mph in the morning. Winds may gust up to 18 mph. By Monday night, skies will be mostly cloudy and the temperature will drop to around 35. The south wind will decrease to about 6 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 Jason Gooljar
Linda Kathleen Stalls Beverly, 76, died Thursday, December 11, 2025.
She made friends wherever she went and cared for the communities she served throughout her lifetime. She will be deeply missed, but her memory will live on in everyone who knew her well.
