Arlington has failed to collect more than $1 million in security alarm registration fees over the past four years, according to county data.
The Arlington County Board passed an ordinance in 2020 requiring all alarm owners to pay a $25 annual registration fee for every alarm system. Based on the estimated 13,492 systems in the county at the time, the county was expected to generate an additional $337,000 in revenue every year.
A proposed $4.5 billion investment plan for Arlington County includes more investment in clean energy, mental health services and emergency preparedness over the next decade.
The proposal, presented by County Manager Mark Schwartz on Tuesday, is nearly $600 million bigger than the previous 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) passed in 2022. It involves the county taking on more debt, including $174 million in bond referenda for voters to consider in November.
Starting a business often begins with recognizing a need, and for professional organizer Kathryn “Katie” Kersavage, that need was closer than she realized.
Kersavage officially launched Organized by Katie in March 2026, turning more than 15 years of informal experience helping friends and family declutter into a professional service designed for real life. Based in Arlington, the business helps residents organize their homes in ways that are functional, sustainable and tailored to individual needs — not just picture-perfect aesthetics.
“I help people declutter, organize and create spaces in their home that function for real life, not just Instagram,” Kersavage said.
Organized by Katie offers a flexible approach, working on projects of all sizes, from simple refreshes to full-scale downsizing. Kersavage also acknowledges the emotional and mental challenges that often come with letting go of belongings, an aspect she believes sets her work apart.
“For me, it’s not just about doing the work,” she said. “It’s about understanding why someone feels the way they do and creating a plan that addresses their concerns.”
Kersavage balances her organizing business alongside a full-time role as a senior program manager at a tech company, which allows her to offer evening and weekend appointments — a key benefit for busy Arlington residents.
As a new entrepreneur, she worked with Arlington Economic Development’s BizLaunch program to navigate the early stages of launching her business. She credits BizLaunch with helping her understand the business registration process and the marketing and promotional resources available to small businesses in Arlington. (more…)
Tomorrow is the last day to share feedback about a dozen ideas for the future of Arlington libraries.
Arlington Public Library is conducting the survey as it seeks ways to serve the broader community beyond books and a quiet space.
School’s out and summer’s the perfect time to try something new. Youth Beginning Fencing (ages 7–12) at Nova Fencing and Archery Club builds focus, coordination, and confidence. Twice a week for 4 weeks, gear included. New session starts June 22 — reserve your child’s spot today!
NAACP Considering Legal Options — “Arlington’s NAACP branch is upping in the ante in its efforts to gather more information about inmate deaths at the Arlington County Detention Facility. Members of the civil-rights group voted May 20 to hire an attorney to provide advice and take court action, if necessary, to force the Sheriff’s Office and county government to provide more information about the deaths.” [Gazette Leader]
APS Mulls LGBTQ Policy — “The issue of LGBTQ students drew differing views during public feedback and discussion among a steering committee set up as part of the strategic-plan effort. Some argued that the group requires more protections and services, while others contend that the school system’s focus should be the well-being of all students. There also were concerns raised that the school system’s focus on emotional health could be to the detriment of overall academic rigor.” [Gazette Leader]
TSA Nabs More Guns at DCA — “TSA officers at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, [intercepted] two loaded guns within two days last week in passengers’ carry on bags. On Thursday, May 23, officers found a 40 caliber handgun with 14 rounds, including one in the chamber. The next day a .380 caliber handgun with seven rounds, including one in the chamber, was found in the bag of a Florida man.” [WTOP]
ART Ridership Rising — “For the first three months of 2024, ridership on the ART system totaled 593,291, up 19 percent from a year before and with all three months posting year-over-year increases. The 218,570 passengers in March (the latest month for which figures had been reported at the meeting) was the highest monthly figure since the onset of COVID in March 2020.” [Gazette Leader]
List of Longtime Local Eateries — “Sometimes we diners are so busy looking for the hot and new that we forget about the tried and true — restaurants that have been providing consistent, homey cooking out of the spotlight’s glare… Here are some treasured dining spots that have been serving hungry locals for 25 years or more.” [Arlington Magazine]
Solar Power Event Tonight — “Thursday, 6:30pm, Central Library: Raise your power game and explore the world of solar technology, its economics and financing options.” [Twitter, Solar United Neighbors]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 74 with a north wind around 10 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 53 and a northwest wind at approximately 7 mph. [NWS]
Are you interested in learning about how Continuing Care Retirment Communities work, but don’t know where to start? Join our free workshop at 5:00 on Tue., 6/16 to learn more and ask questions!
If you are interested in learning more about Continuing Care Retirement Communities (also known as “Life Plan Communities”), whether for yourself or for a loved one, please join our free workshop on Tuesday, June 16 from 5:00-7:00 at the Arlington office of Long & Foster.
Good Wednesday 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 — May 29, 2024.
Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect sunny skies and a high near 74 with a north wind around 10 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 53 and a northwest wind at approximately 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
– Nelson Mandela
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thank you for reading!
There was a large police presence at a North Arlington condo building this evening.
ARLnow saw a number of Arlington County police cruisers outside of the Carlyn Place condo building at 4390 Lorcom Lane, near the Lee Heights Shops, around 5:15 p.m. Wednesday. It followed what was described as a “domestic” incident earlier in the afternoon, involving someone tossing items out of one of the units, hitting cars below.
Arlington County is no longer trying to take a home on Columbia Pike by eminent domain.
The effort — part of a planned road safety project — sparked a controversy that led to criticism from the family of the elderly, disabled homeowner, as well as from the local NAACP and several candidates for County Board.
Move over National Arboretum, the D.C. area’s “best spot to take in Mother Nature” is in Arlington, according to WTOP.
The radio station’s Matt About Town segment says that Arlington National Cemetery is the best place to quietly take in nature’s splendor.
The annual return of the Armed Forces Cycling Classic will prompt extensive road closures in Crystal City and Clarendon this weekend.
Sections of Crystal Drive and other Crystal City roads will be closed on Saturday, according to a news release:
The Arlington Home Energy Hub is a new resource provided by Arlington County to help residents make their homes more energy efficient, healthier and powered by clean energy. Arlington residents can now explore a new webpage with information and resources to learn about, plan for and implement home energy upgrades.
The Home Energy Coach is a new resource that provides free, virtual technical support to help Arlington residents make energy upgrades. Home Energy Coaches are available to help with any type of energy upgrade, such as installing new heating and cooling equipment, improving insulation and adopting solar energy. Homeowners can meet with a Home Energy Coach individually and renters can join a group coaching session. To get started, Arlington residents can submit an interest form online and a Coach will follow up with more information.
