News

Arlington County has canceled all outdoor Dept. of Parks and Recreation programming after 11 a.m. Monday due to the Extreme Heat Warning.

The cancellation affects league practices, games, and other partner outdoor programming at county outdoor facilities. Summer camp participants will be notified directly via email and phone if their programs are canceled, closed early, or relocated.


Weather

The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for Arlington and Northern Virginia, effective from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday.

Heat index values are expected to reach up to 110 degrees, creating dangerously hot conditions that significantly increase the risk of heat-related illnesses. An Extreme Heat Watch is also in effect for Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening, as the heat wave continues.


Sponsored

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.

1. Trying to Write a Will Without Legal Guidance

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.

2. Forgetting to Update Your Will

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.

3. Overlooking Federal Estate Tax Planning

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.

4. Not Planning for Minor Children

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.

5. Choosing the Wrong Executor—or Not Naming One at All

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.

Don’t Forget the Rest of Your Estate Plan

A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:

  • A revocable living trust
  • A durable power of attorney
  • An advance medical directive
  • A transfer-on-death deed for your home

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.

The Bottom Line

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.

PJI Law, PLC: Estate Planning Attorneys in Fairfax, VA

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


Schools

More partnerships with civic and business leaders could be coming to Arlington Public Schools as the school system seeks to rebuild relationships that suffered during the pandemic.

Superintendent Francisco Durán spotlighted a work-based readiness program at a meeting with School Board members earlier this month. He said that enhancing the program is one of the primary goals of a partnership improvement plan.


Announcement

At Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS), one of the region’s largest and most established human services nonprofits, we believe every child deserves to walk into the classroom on the first day of school feeling confident, prepared, and ready to learn. But for many local families, the excitement of a new school year is overshadowed by the financial stress of buying school supplies. By helping families meet this essential need, we can ease financial pressure and give students the tools they need to succeed from day one.

This summer, NVFS is bringing together individuals, businesses, and community partners from across Northern Virginia, to provide new backpacks and essential school supplies to more than 1,500 local students in kindergarten through 12th grade.


Around Town

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 — Jun 20, 2025.

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

  1. BREAKING: Nearly 12,000 without power in Arlington and Falls Church (27985 views)
  2. Nonprofit: Affordable housing crisis deepening in N. Va. (12243 views)
  3. UPDATED: Severe storm with considerable damage potential closing in on Arlington (10853 views)
  4. Two APS schools lose Title I designations while another joins the list (8990 views)
  5. Two-bedroom apartment rentals now top $3,000/mo across Arlington (7675 views)
  6. BREAKING: Karantonis and Hope well ahead in local primary vote (7354 views)
  7. More crime concerns in Green Valley drive calls for county support (6563 views)
  8. Giant Lego model of Reagan National Airport to debut next week (6393 views)
  9. D.C. soul food chain gets new life at ghost kitchen near Shirlington (6246 views)
  10. Free tree and shrub planting applications close next week (5808 views)
  11. Man accused of exposing himself near children had numerous recent arrests (5628 views)
  12. New emergency assistance fund for fired federal workers launches in Arlington (4463 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

Expect mostly sunny skies and a high near 91 degrees, with calm winds turning southerly at 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Saturday night will be mostly clear with a low of around 74, accompanied by south winds at around 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.”
– Will Rogers

🌅 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! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋


Around Town

The weekend is here and so is a new episode of the ARLnow podcast.

In the latest episode, Lene, Dan and Vernon discuss a few notable local news stories in Arlington from the past week, including:

Let us know what you think about the new podcast format in the comments or via email.

Watch below on YouTube, or listen to the podcast via iTunesSpotifyAmazonAudacyTuneIn or your favorite listening app.


News

Leaders of the Arlington Young Democrats are hoping to have an impact on what could be a key downstate legislative race.

The group will be throwing its organizational efforts behind Lily Franklin in House District 41 in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg area.


News

The Falls Church City Council has approved a pay increase and health-care coverage for themselves and their successors.

The raise will go into effect a year from now, while Council members will become eligible for the city’s health insurance plan next month.


Weather

A regional drought watch that has been in effect across the D.C. area since July 2024 has officially been lifted.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments announced the decision today, citing improved water supplies thanks to late spring rains and — for awhile, at least — cooler temperatures. The region has returned to the normal stage of the Regional Water Supply and Drought Awareness Response Plan, COG said.


Opinion

Going out for a casual bite or grabbing takeout for the game? Several restaurants, sports bars and chicken shops in Arlington serve wings with a variety of sauces and marinades to choose from.

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

Did we miss your favorite restaurant? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for the Best Bagel Shop in Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Longtime Arlington Institution. The results are now official:

  1. The Italian Store
  2. Quarterdeck
  3. Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe

Announcement

As the summer is winding down, Art House 7 is gearing up for August Classes! Offerings include painting, drawing, cartooning, mixed media, and printmaking. Some highlights: Animals of the Serengeti, k-2nd; Digital Art, 4th-6th grades; Painting Metal with Watercolor, Adults. Classes are 3-4 weeks: a short commitment for a lot of creative output. Check out everything on our website.

August Classes at Art House 7: