Falls Church leaders are seeking a compromise on a new ambulance fees agreement with Arlington County.
In addition to increasing the amount that the City of Falls Church pays for fire and ambulance services, the proposed agreement would cap the amount of revenue that the city can receive from ambulance transport fees at $295,000 annually.
Fmr. Assistant Fire Chief Dies — “It is with deep sorrow that the Arlington County Fire Department announces the passing of former Assistant Fire Chief, Benjamin M. Barksdale Jr., after a courageous battle against occupational cancer. Chief Barksdale served our community and this department with honor and devotion for twenty-four years, rising through the ranks from Firefighter to Assistant Fire Chief.” [ACFD/Facebook]
GOP Warns Against MAGA Event — “This is an event being run by a verified grifter. The event advertises “no refunds” and your money does not go to an organized political entity. If you have already purchased a ticket, it will not be refunded. Attendees beware.” [Arlington GOP/X]
Fentanyl Deaths Down in Va. — “Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced new data from the Virginia Department of Health Office of the Chief Medical Examiner show fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Virginia declined 44 percent year over year and are down over 46 percent from its peak in 2021.” [Press Release]
Another Assault at Metro Station — “At approximately 6:04 p.m. on April 28, an officer on patrol in the Pentagon City Metro Station stopped the juvenile female suspect for fare evasion. While in custody, the suspect began acting disorderly, ignored commands and assaulted three officers. The officers did not report any injuries.” [ACPD]
ACPD Camps Filling Up — “ACPD’s Safety Patrol Camp application is now CLOSED! The last few spots for ACPD’s 2025 Summer Camps are going fast! Applications for the below camps will be open until Sunday, May 4 at 11:59 p.m. OR until all spots are filled!” [ACPD]
Group Adding Asian Representation — “Just days before the start of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Very Asian Foundation brought its powerful literacy initiative, The May Book Project, to Carlin Springs Elementary School in Arlington, Virginia. The project’s mission: to ensure students can see themselves and their classmates reflected in the books they read.” [WUSA 9]
Looking Back on ‘Little Saigon’ — “By car, on foot, by boat and several planes, they made their way to Northern Virginia, in the shadow of the Pentagon, where a tiny Vietnamese enclave had been growing since the 1960s — the manifestation of decades of U.S. intervention in Southeast Asia. Within a few years, that strip of shops anchored by the Nguyens’ store became known as ‘Little Saigon.'” [Washington Post]
Lt. Gov. Candidate Spat Continues — “A lawyer for John Reid, the GOP’s nominee for Virginia lieutenant governor, sent a cease-and-desist notice to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s top political adviser Monday, escalating a political spectacle that began last week when the governor asked that Reid abandon his bid over racy social media posts that Reid says are not his.” [Washington Post]
It’s Wednesday — Expect mostly cloudy skies that eventually turn sunny, with temperatures reaching around 80°F and a 20% chance of precipitation. The night will be partly cloudy with lows near 60°F. [NWS]
Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar
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
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 — Apr 29, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
A few showers might occur after 2 pm, followed by mostly cloudy skies that eventually turn sunny, with temperatures reaching around 80°F. The northwest wind will blow gently at 8 mph, and there’s a 20% chance of precipitation. The night will be partly cloudy with lows near 60°F and light eastern winds. See more from Weather.gov.
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
– T. S. Eliot
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.
Arlington police are contacting immigration enforcement more than they used to.
As of last week, the Arlington County Police Department had contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement 17 times since the start of the year. This is ACPD’s highest rate of voluntary cooperation with the federal agency since the county began publishing these numbers in 2022, according to data provided to ARLnow.
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.
A nonprofit providing meals to older Arlington County residents is on track to receive county funding for the first time.
The county plans to provide $105,000 in direct support to the Arlington Meals on Wheels program in the coming fiscal year. This is the first time that the nonprofit has asked for local funding in response to a growing community need.
About two dozen bus stops in Arlington and Falls Church are scheduled to be eliminated at the end of June as part of a Metrobus “redesign” project.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) plans to remove at least 19 Arlington Metrobus stops and three Falls Church stops on June 29, the agency told ARLnow.
Heavy fire in a duplex sent a plume of thick smoke up over Arlington’s Green Valley neighborhood this morning.
The blaze broke out shortly before 10:45 a.m. Arriving firefighters reported encountering a structure “fully involved” on the 2400 block of S. Monroe Street, a block away from Drew Elementary School.
Jersey Mike’s is now open on Columbia Pike.
The New Jersey-born sandwich franchise opened over the weekend on the ground floor of Westmont Apartments as the building continues to fill out its retail bays.
All-day festivities in honor of Cinco de Mayo are coming to Shirlington this weekend, shutting down a portion of Campbell Avenue.
An outdoor celebration with live music and food deals is happening at Guapo’s Restaurant on Saturday. The party at 4028 Campbell Avenue starts at 11 a.m. and will last all day.
