Arlington Public Schools’ recent decision to stop posting on the social-media platform X is getting some scrutiny from a School Board member.
Miranda Turner at the Feb. 27 Board meeting sought clarification of the reasons behind leaving the platform — formerly Twitter — and the 21,000 people who followed APS’s main X account (among smaller school-level accounts).
VDOT Warns of Text Scam — “Locals around the region may have received texts recently for ‘unpaid toll bills’ — be aware that this is part of a ‘smishing’ scam making the rounds nationwide. Smishing is a type of data phishing scam that uses text messages to lure people into giving personal information. The text going around gives a URL and tells the receiver to put the address into their Safari browser and open it.” [ALXnow, VDOT/X]
Resolution for Crash Victims — “Congressman Don Beyer… delivered floor remarks during debate on House Resolution 153, ‘Expressing condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims of the crash of American Eagle Flight 5342 and PAT 25, and for other purposes.’ The legislation passed without objection on a voice vote.” [Press Release]
DCA Aircraft Incidents — “The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating why multiple commercial flights about to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport, near Washington DC, repeatedly received midair collision alerts over the weekend when there were no other aircraft nearby.” [CNN]
F.C. Considers Tax Rate Cut — “Mayor Hardi said at Monday’s Falls Church City Council meeting that it was important to emphasize how the recent years’ strong commercial development gains in the City will make matters relatively smooth for the City taxpayers, with prospects for 5.9 percent growth in both the City and school budgets to go along with the 2.5 cent rate decrease. Sixty-five percent of the budget growth is coming from real estate, and half of that is from new construction, she noted.” [FCNP]
Garvey Calls for More Cooperation — “Looking at the current destruction of the federal government [former Arlington County Board member] Garvey sees cooperation among local governments as critical. She said, ‘local government is the only functioning government we are going to have,’ so it will be essential for local jurisdictions to work together.” [About Alexandria]
Beyer Skips Trump Address — “Congressman Don Beyer is skipping President Donald Trump’s address to Congress tonight (Tuesday, March 4)… Instead of attending the speech, Beyer said he plans to spend the week supporting federal workers and holding events for his constituents.” [ALXnow, Rep. Don Beyer/X]
Loudoun Data Center Revenue Boom — “Loudoun’s fiscal 2026 proposed budget includes nearly $795 million derived just from personal property taxes on data centers’ internal computer equipment. That single stream represents about a quarter of the county’s entire general fund revenue budget, and more than the county’s entire general fund personnel budget.” [WBJ]
It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and potential thunderstorms this afternoon, with a high near 64 and breezy south winds at 15-21 mph, gusting up to 37 mph. Precipitation chance is 100%, with rainfall amounts between half to three-quarters of an inch. Wednesday night, showers are likely with a possible thunderstorm, a low around 43, and south winds at 9-15 mph shifting west after midnight, gusting up to 22 mph. The nighttime precipitation chance is at 70%. [NWS]
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 — Mar 4, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect showers and potential thunderstorms after 4pm, with a high near 64 and breezy south winds at 15-21 mph, gusting up to 37 mph. Precipitation chance is 100%, with rainfall amounts between half to three-quarters of an inch. Wednesday night, showers are likely with a possible thunderstorm, a low around 43, and south winds at 9-15 mph shifting west after midnight, gusting up to 22 mph. Precipitation chance is at 70%, with amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, though higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
– Milton Berle
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.
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As fears of immigration arrests flare, a network of Arlington organizations has been quietly but rapidly mobilizing to help undocumented residents and hinder immigration enforcement.
Local communities were already on the alert when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement carried out multiple raids in Northern Virginia yesterday and today (Tuesday).
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.
BlerDCon, an annual convention celebrating Black fandoms of sci-fi, comics, gaming and more, is happening this weekend in Crystal City.
Named for a portmanteau of “Black” and “nerd,” BlerDCon aims to entertain and create an inclusive environment for fans of “nerdy or geeky things.” Celebrity guest Janelle Monae is expected to join this year’s convention, which includes cosplay meetups, speaker panels, games, anime and more.
A D.C. man accused of initiating a gunfight at a Ballston apartment building early New Year’s Day did so with an illegally modified handgun, according to police.
The handgun that Malachi Rawlings allegedly used was equipped with an extended magazine and an auto sear device, “converting [it] from semi- to fully automatic,” an officer wrote in a criminal complaint.
Struggling with the decision to build new or renovate your existing home? Get clarity from Arlington’s top experts at a free event next week.
Join ARLnow and local real estate columnist Eli Tucker for an evening featuring leading professionals from MR Custom Homes, DeFalco Home Design, Alair Homes, and US Bank. They’ll share insider knowledge on what really works in today’s Arlington market.
When: Tuesday, March 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Arlington Central Library Auditorium (1015 N. Quincy Street)
What: Panel discussion followed by exclusive audience Q&A
Get straightforward advice on costs, timelines, financing options, and which approach might be right for your specific situation.
Space is limited! RSVP here to secure your spot.
A Turkish restaurant near Ballston closed due to a kitchen fire yesterday (Monday) but intends to open today.
Multiple fire trucks arrived at Istanbul Grill around 1 p.m. yesterday after a reported structure fire at 4617 Wilson Blvd.
“Stumbling stones” honoring the lives of people enslaved in pre-Civil War Arlington will soon be coming to more local neighborhoods.
An additional 15 of the brass memorial markers are slated to be placed in seven neighborhoods in coming months, part of a joint initiative of the Arlington Historical Society, Black Heritage Museum of Arlington and the county government.
