Three people are in jail after police say a man was beaten, robbed and threatened with machetes in two separate incidents.
The alleged incidents took place over the weekend just hours apart, on the same block of Columbia Pike, near the intersection with S. Four Mile Run Drive.
Vet Keeps Conducting Commitment — Arlington resident and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Arnald Gabriel fulfilled a 30+ year promise to conduct the Wheaton Municipal Band in Illinois on his 100th birthday, though he did so remotely due to health reasons. Despite age and distance, the World War II vet kept perfect timing, according to a segment on the CBS Evening News. [CBS News]
Back to School Patrols — “Arlington Public Schools will welcome students back into their classrooms on Monday, August 25… The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) will conduct a coordinated high-visibility transportation safety campaign in and around school zones to ensure the trip to class is as safe as possible.” [ACPD]
Jury Duty Process Starting — “The Arlington Circuit Court, which includes the City of Falls Church, will soon begin its annual juror qualification process. Juror Questionnaires will be mailed in August to approximately 35,000 randomly selected residents of Arlington County and Falls Church City.” [Arlington County]
Overdose Awareness Vigil — “Arlington County Government invites members of the public and media to attend the 4th Annual International Overdose Awareness Candlelight Vigil at Shirlington Library Plaza on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at 7 p.m.” [Arlington County]
New Metro Train Designs — “The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) unveiled three options today (Monday) for the exterior design of its incoming 8000-series rail fleet, which is expected to arrive next year.” [FFXnow]
It’s Tuesday — Showers are expected after 1pm, accompanied by cloudy skies and a high temperature near 73°F. A northeast wind will blow at around 9 mph, with a 30% chance of precipitation. Showers may continue into Tuesday night, mainly before 8pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a low of 67°F. The east wind will blow at 5 to 7 mph, and the chance of precipitation remains at 30%. [NWS]
For Tessa Cannon, books are more than stories. They’re a way to build community.
As the owner of The Wandering Shelf, an independent mobile bookstore that launched in Arlington in May 2025, Cannon brings books directly to readers across the community. Operating out of a bookstore van, she sells new and used books for all ages, along with book-themed merchandise, at events and locations throughout Arlington.
The idea grew from both her love of Arlington and her desire to expand access to independent bookstores.
“There are two main reasons I chose Arlington,” Cannon said. “First, I love Arlington and am one of its biggest fans. Second, Arlington is near communities with an incredible array of independent bookstores, yet at the time Arlington had only one bookstore selling new books. I wanted to grow our independent bookstore network and bring books to more Arlingtonians.”
As she prepared to launch the business, Cannon worked with Arlington Economic Development’s BizLaunch program, which connected her with a SCORE mentor and provided guidance through the startup process.
“BizLaunch was helpful in many ways,” she said. “They connected me with a mentor from SCORE, provided guidance on county-specific licenses and shared a fantastic Small Business Checklist. The BizLaunch website is filled with helpful resources.”
One customer interaction stands out as Cannon’s favorite business memory. A customer purchased a copy of I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman and returned a few weeks later to share how much she enjoyed it. Weeks after that, she came back with friends and the same copy of the book, now covered with notes and annotations from everyone who had borrowed and discussed it.
“It was a wonderful reminder of the gift that comes with sharing books with your community and how we are each impacted differently through the stories we read,” Cannon said.
Community remains at the heart of The Wandering Shelf’s mission. Cannon describes the business as “hyperlocal,” with charitable giving and community engagement focused on supporting Arlington residents.
Looking ahead, she hopes to grow the business into a small brick-and-mortar bookstore while keeping the mobile operation on the road.
“We dream of having a third space where people can rest, learn and connect with others,” Cannon said. “We plan to always keep the van running so we can continue meeting people in all the different pockets of Arlington.”
For now, The Wandering Shelf continues bringing books directly to Arlington readers, one stop at a time. For more information about The Wandering Shelf visit www.wanderingshelf.com or their Instagram @thewanderingshelf.va.
BizLaunch Update: Applications Open for the Arlington Growth Accelerator
Ready to take your business to the next level? The Arlington Growth Accelerator is designed for established small businesses looking to scale, strengthen operations and accelerate growth.
This hands-on program connects business owners with expert guidance, practical tools and a network of peers navigating similar growth challenges. Participants will gain insights on strategic planning, financial management, marketing, leadership and long-term business sustainability.
Whether you’re looking to expand your customer base, hire employees or position your business for its next phase of growth, the Arlington Growth Accelerator can help you build a roadmap for success.
Applications are now open. Learn more and apply at www.bizlaunch.org.
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 — Aug 18, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Showers are expected after 1pm, accompanied by cloudy skies and a high temperature near 73°F. A northeast wind will blow at around 9 mph, with a 30% chance of precipitation. Showers may continue into Tuesday night, mainly before 8pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a low of 67°F. The east wind will blow at 5 to 7 mph, and the chance of precipitation remains at 30%. See more from Weather.gov.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
– Nelson Mandela
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
Pentagon MMA has brought a special honor home to Arlington from the birthplace of Muay Thai.
The Arlington Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu Academy is now officially a certified and registered Muay Thai Gym Partner through the Sports Authority of Thailand and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, making Pentagon MMA the only Muay Thai academy on the East Coast to have earned this distinction.
While the Ferris wheels and games are probably the Arlington County Fair’s most iconic attractions, an entire second world could be found this weekend indoors.
Many fairgoers sought refuge from a 100-degree heat index inside the Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 2nd Street S.). There, they encountered vendors selling assorted wares, advocates seeking signatories for petitions, assorted competitions and more.
Whether autumn means sipping local ciders, decorating pumpkins with the kids, or enjoying live music, Fall Fest is packed with festive fun for all ages and the perfect way to spend a crisp October afternoon in Rosslyn!
Changes to the online back-to-school packet, updated cellphone policies and planning for projects to support student well-being are coming to Arlington Public Schools this year.
School leaders hope that some of the changes will deliver a smoother process leading up to the first day of class, which begins one week from today on Monday, Aug. 25.
By JOSH FUNK AP Transportation Writer
Flights in and out of Reagan National Airport in the Washington, D.C., area resumed around midday Monday after a morning fire alarm in the control tower halted all traffic.
Lanes on the Key Bridge were closed to traffic while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders visit D.C. today.
Some drivers began posting about the closure on social media during their commutes this morning (Monday). Further closures and traffic backups were also reported on the D.C. side of the bridge in Georgetown.
A man has been charged with first degree murder after allegedly shooting his mother to death inside an apartment in Virginia Square.
Logan Chrisinger, 27, is being held at the Arlington County jail on murder and two other charges.
The process of licensing a dog in Arlington is less onerous than it used to be, but efforts are underway to streamline it further.
Until recent years, dog owners were required to come to the treasurer’s office in person to present the required rabies certificate and pay the fee. More recently, an online option was added, but it remains a two-step process.
