Arlington residents and its county government need to face an uncertain future by remaining committed to community values, Arlington’s new County Board chair says.
Takis Karantonis, who has sat on the Board since 2020, on Tuesday (Jan. 7) was elected unanimously to serve as chair for the coming year. After the vote, he laid out his priorities for 2025 and expressed his emotions about elevation to the top position in county leadership.
It’s been the practice for some years, but now peanuts and their derivatives are formally banished from food served in Arlington public-school cafeterias.
Cafeterias now must “provide exclusively peanut-free food,” an Arlington Public Schools policy implementation procedure (PIP) mandates.
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
A shuttered auto repair shop on Langston Blvd is being replaced with… an auto repair shop.
Signs for Metro Motor — a D.C.-area chain — now adorn the building at 5618 Langston Blvd, four months after the closure of Westover Service Center in the same space.
A new shop offering acai bowls, smoothies and other nutritious treats has opened for business in Courthouse.
With a vibrant, surfer-inspired atmosphere and tagline, “Welcome to Pineappleland,” Playa Bowls is bringing treats packed with fresh fruit to 2055 15th Street N. It is the company’s first Arlington location, joining nearby outposts in Alexandria, Fairfax and D.C.
Live standup comedy in Arlington on Friday July 31 starring Jim Bryan, Kim Villamera, and Greg Billet.
Friday, July 31, 2026
Arlington residents spent Monday shoveling sidewalks, clearing cars and cautiously navigating icy roads — at well as sledding and having fun — as snow blanketed the county.
People with shovels and a handful of vehicles creeping along snow-dusted roads were among the few signs of life in typically busy areas like Rosslyn and Crystal City. A few commuters could also be spotted bundled up against the cold, waiting for buses and trains to carry them through icy conditions.
Arlington Republicans are setting their sights on the 2027 Commonwealth’s Attorney race amid an ongoing dispute between the county’s police union and its top prosecutor.
It’s been decades since the GOP has fielded a candidate in that particular race. However, local Republican chair Matthew Hurtt has joined the Arlington Coalition of Police in sharply criticizing Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti following a Pentagon City homicide.
Arlington’s snow removal ordinance is in effect after yesterday’s storm.
According to the National Weather Service, 7.2 inches of snow fell at Reagan National Airport (totals of up to 9.3 inches were reported elsewhere in Arlington and Falls Church).
Delayed Opening for County — “Due to inclement weather, Arlington County Government facilities will open, and judicial court proceedings will begin at 10 a.m. on Tues., Jan. 7, 2025… The County Courthouse is closed. All scheduled court cases are postponed.” [Arlington County]
Be Careful Out There — “Even after roads have been plowed and treated, drivers should still use caution because they may encounter icy spots on the roadway. With freezing temperatures, roads that look wet may actually be icy, and motorists should use extra caution when approaching bridges, overpasses, highway ramps and shady areas where ice can form.” [VDOT]
Local Man Faces Explosives Charges — “A Virginia man arrested on New Year’s Day is facing multiple charges in connection with homemade explosives that were discovered in a suspected stolen vehicle, authorities said… Deputies responded, but could not immediately locate the vehicle. However, they later found it and its suspected driver, 19-year-old Jordan Alexander Sweetman of Arlington, at a nearby 7-Eleven.” [CBS News]
Man Bites Firefighter — “5000 block of Columbia Pike. At approximately 8:08 p.m. on January 3, police were dispatched to assist fire personnel on a medical call for service. While being transported to an area hospital, the male suspect bit a firefighter. The firefighter sustained minor injuries and did not require medical attention.” [ACPD]
Arlington Helps Out at Capitol — From ACPD: “Members of ACPD and ACFD, along with our law enforcement and military partners, provided enhanced security at the US Capitol today during the counting and certification of the electoral vote for the 2024 election. No matter the forecast, Arlington’s first responders are hard at work ensuring public safety.” [Facebook]
Community Police Academy Opens Apps — “The Arlington County Police Department is now accepting applications for the 29th Community Police Academy (CPA). The CPA is an educational program designed to enhance communication, collaboration, and mutual understanding between the police and the community they serve. Its goal is to increase participants’ awareness of how the Arlington County Police Department operates and its vital role within the community.” [ACPD]
Cemetery Closed Today — From Arlington National Cemetery: “Arlington National Cemetery will be CLOSED to the public and family pass holders on Tuesday, Jan. 7 due to inclement weather. Funeral services will be conducted as scheduled.” [Twitter]
Another Winter Storm? — “Another storm is possible, but far from definite, for the D.C. region on Saturday, possibly starting late Friday night. We’ll still have plenty of cold air in place so there’s definitely wintry potential. Some models show a storm coming north from the Gulf of Mexico, its low-pressure center hugging the Atlantic coast and giving us significant accumulating snow or a wintry mix.” [Capital Weather Gang]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 32 degrees accompanied by a northwest wind of 15 to 17 mph with gusts reaching 36 mph. Tonight, the skies will be partly cloudy, and the temperature will drop to around 18 degrees. The northwest wind will blow at 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. [NWS]
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 — Jan 6, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect sunny skies and a high near 32 degrees accompanied by a northwest wind of 15 to 17 mph with gusts reaching 36 mph. Tonight, the skies will be partly cloudy, and the temperature will drop to around 18 degrees. The northwest wind will blow at 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“Joy is not in things; it is in us.”
– Richard Wagner
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.
