Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Oct 3, 2025

By ARLnow.com

Good Friday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Oct 3, 2025.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. Even more spotted lanternflies expected in Arlington next year, but removing a specific plant can help (28553 views)
  2. Restaurant and beer garden plans November opening at renovated Falls Church motel (13779 views)
  3. Man accused of smashing windows at two Clarendon businesses this weekend (11979 views)
  4. ACPD: Man robbed by gun-toting suspect in Ballston last night (10111 views)
  5. APS probably won’t sell buildings even if enrollment drops continue, official says (6875 views)
  6. NEW: Police still looking for car chase suspect who leaped from 14th Street Bridge (4875 views)
  7. Weekend guide: Federal worker deals and things to do Oct. 3-5 in Arlington and Falls Church (4783 views)
  8. Enforcement issues in Montgomery County could inform gas-powered leaf blower ban in Arlington (4207 views)
  9. Here are some effects of a government shutdown if Congress, Trump don’t reach a deal (4057 views)
  10. Road closures planned for AI event in Crystal City this week (3506 views)
  11. Arlington unemployment up 38% over 2024 as regional leaders brace for more (3268 views)
  12. ACPD: Knife-wielding suspects carjacked man in Crystal City early Tuesday (3047 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

☀️ Saturday’s forecast

Patchy fog can be expected before 8am, followed by sunny skies and a high near 77 with light and variable wind. The night will be clear, with lows around 55 and a gentle south breeze. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Certainty is the enemy of growth.”
– Mark Manson

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! 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. 👋

News

County Board candidates mostly upbeat on office-to-residential building conversions

By Scott McCaffrey
A rendering of a proposed adaptive reuse project at 2200 Crystal Drive (rendering by Brick Visual, courtesy of JBG Smith)

County Board candidates largely expressed interest in efforts to convert aging office buildings to residential and hotel uses at a recent candidate forum.

“There are huge opportunities,” Board Chair Takis Karantonis said during the Sept. 30 event sponsored by Arlingtonians for Our Sustainable Future.

Go to County Board candidates mostly upbeat on office-to-residential building conversions Read more
Sponsored

Ask Eli: Community support after condo fire, a personal connection

By Eli Tucker

This regularly scheduled column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Eli and his team in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach him directly at [email protected].

On Friday, I learned that the house fire at the Hyde Park condominium in Ballston was the home of my friend, Greg, his wife Caroline, and their beloved dog, Maisie. I’m sure you saw it in Wednesday’s ARLnow news cycle.

Greg and Caroline were not home when the fire occurred, but they tragically lost their dog Maisie, a loss that overshadows the loss of their personal belongings.

A Bit About Maisie

Maisie lived in the Ballston neighborhood since she was born almost six years ago. She loved meeting old friends and new, between her walks at home and her frequent training walks in Old Town, she had more than either of her parents did. She loved every dog and cat and person she ever met, but she never got over her mistrust of squirrels.  She will be missed as much as she was loved.

Support Lost Dog Rescue in Honor of Maisie

Please consider donating to Arlington’s Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation in Maisie’s memory.

Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and is an exemplary nonprofit that helps homeless pets find their way to loving homes through rescue and adoption.

There is nothing Greg and Caroline would appreciate more than knowing that Maisie’s memory is helping support the well-being of other dogs and cats.

Leave a Kind Word for Greg and Caroline

If you would like to share well wishes with Greg and Caroline, please leave a comment, and I’ll make sure it gets back to them.

News

Mount Olivet’s 170-year history comes to life with historic re-enactments

By Scott McCaffrey
Catherine Aselford portrays one of the founders of Mount Olivet United Methodist Church (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Historical re-enactors brought names from the past to life at the Mount Olivet United Methodist Church Cemetery last weekend.

The event, which involved re-enactors portraying some of the notables interred on the grounds, was hosted jointly by the church and the Arlington Historical Society. It was an opportunity to celebrate 170 years of “education, healing and spiritual growth,” said Mary Waters of the church’s history committee.

Go to Mount Olivet’s 170-year history comes to life with historic re-enactments Read more
Announcement

Taste of: Beach / Mountain Vacations / Picnics or Wolf Trap Event

By Arrowine & Cheese

Wine & Food Tasting Event at Arrowine, Saturday, August 15, 1- 4 p.m.

Summer adventures are calling — whether you’re packing up for the Beach, escaping to the Shenandoah Mountains, planning a picnic, or heading out for a romantic night of music at Wolf Trap. And if you want those moments to be stress‑free, delicious, and perfectly paired, we’ve got just the tasting for you.

Go to Taste of: Beach / Mountain Vacations / Picnics or Wolf Trap Event Read more
News

Justice Dept. fires key prosecutors in Eastern District of Va. office already beset by turmoil

By The Associated Press
The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department fired a top national security prosecutor amid criticism from a right-wing commentator over his work during the Biden administration, further roiling the prominent U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia after the ousting of other senior attorneys in recent weeks, according to people familiar with the matter.

Michael Ben’Ary, who was chief of the office’s national security section, was fired Wednesday just hours after Julie Kelly, a conservative writer and activist, shared online that he previously worked as senior counsel to Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco during the Biden administration, two people familiar with the matter said. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters.

Go to Justice Dept. fires key prosecutors in Eastern District of Va. office already beset by turmoil Read more
News

Hopes fade for quick end to shutdown as Trump readies layoffs and cuts

By The Associated Press
The Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Capitol Building, as seen from near the Netherlands Carrollon in 2020 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hopes for a quick end to the government shutdown faded Friday as Democrats refused to budge in a Senate vote and President Donald Trump readied plans to unleash layoffs and cuts across the federal government.

On the third day of the shutdown, another Senate vote to advance a Republican bill that would reopen the government failed on a 54-44 tally — well short of the 60 needed to end a filibuster and pass the legislation. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the chamber would not be open for legislative business next week, a move meant to force the Senate to work with the government funding bill that has been passed by the House.

Go to Hopes fade for quick end to shutdown as Trump readies layoffs and cuts Read more
Legal Notice

Notice: Upstream Dumbarton Street Culvert

By Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice of Willingness
Dumbarton Street Culvert Replacement

The Arlington County Department of Environmental Services is accepting comments regarding the project to replace the culvert that carries Little Pimmit Run under N. Dumbarton St.

Information related to the project is available for review at the Arlington County Department of Environmental Services, 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22201, (tel.703-228-4488). Please call ahead for staff availability. Information is also available online: Visit www.arlingtonva.us and search “Upstream Dumbarton Culvert”.

Arlington County invites public comments related to the project. Comments must be received in writing at [email protected] or by mail at the address listed above (ATTN: Aileen Winquist) by October 24, 2025. Please reference “Dumbarton Culvert Replacement Project” in the subject line.

If your concerns cannot be satisfied, Arlington County is willing to hold a public hearing. You may request that a public hearing be held by sending a written request to Aileen Winquist at Arlington County Department of Environmental Services, 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22201 on or prior to October 24, 2025. If upon receiving public comments it is deemed necessary to hold a public hearing, notice of date, time and place of hearing will be posted.

Arlington County ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or require special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact Arlington County Department of Human Rights at 703-228-3559.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 23 CFR 771, an environmental document in the form of a Programmatic Categorical Exclusion (PCE) is currently being prepared under an agreement between the Federal Highway Administration and the Virginia Department of Transportation.

As required by the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106, and 36 CFR Part 800, the potential effect of the proposed improvements on properties that are either listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places will be included in the PCE. When approved, the PCE will be publicly available on the project website.

Arlington County #: ZSD45              State project #:   2816-000-943                           Federal #:     BFP-5B01(697)                         UPC: 121825                                                                                                

Culvert map
Around Town

Award-winning ‘Tiki Thai’ restaurant plans new Crystal City location

By Katie Taranto
Suite 10 at the Reva, where Tiki Thai plans to open (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

An award-winning Thai restaurant from Reston is laying the groundwork for a new location in Crystal City.

Tiki Thai has signed a lease on the ground floor of Reva at 244 19th Court S. and plans to fill one of the apartment’s empty retail bays within a year, owner and chef Porntipa Pattanamekar told ARLnow.

Go to Award-winning ‘Tiki Thai’ restaurant plans new Crystal City location Read more
Opinion

Poll: The best coffee shop in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Whether it’s a morning coffee run or an afternoon pick-me-up, Arlington’s coffee shops are ready to make your specialty iced latte, cold brew or hot cup of joe.

Here are the nominees for “Best Coffee Shop in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Did we miss your favorite cafe? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for the Best Mortgage Lender in Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Japanese Restaurant in Arlington. The results are now official:

  1. Yume Sushi
  2. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ 
  3. Boru Ramen & Sushi 
Events

Courthouse ‘Death Cafe’ will feature a spirited discussion on mortality

By Katie Taranto
Outside the Courthouse Library (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A grave conversation is coming to Courthouse Library next week.

A sold-out “Death Cafe,” seeking to “increase awareness of death” and put society’s stigmas about it to rest, will involve a free two-hour group discussion over tea and cake next Tuesday. Volunteer and Courthouse resident Stephanie Dillemuth hopes to help attendees “make the most of their finite lives.”

Go to Courthouse ‘Death Cafe’ will feature a spirited discussion on mortality Read more
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