Arlington residents and businesses with icy sidewalks may begin hearing from the county starting today (Tuesday).
County Manager Mark Schwartz ended a pause on enforcement of Arlington’s snow removal ordinance at 9 a.m. today, dispatching code enforcement inspectors to begin ensuring compliance. Parking enforcement will also resume “on a limited basis” this week, according to a press release.
A Special Weather Statement has been issued for Arlington, with forecasters warning of more possible snowfall.
From the National Weather Service:
We’re off to a busy start since opening last month, and with continued momentum and expansion ahead, our team is searching for the right person to step into a key leadership role within our restaurant group.
As we continue to grow, we’re currently seeking an Operating Partner to help lead day-to-day operations, develop strong teams, and deliver the high-energy guest experience our restaurants are known for.
Wood & Iron Gameday has grown across the Richmond region since opening in 2017. Known for its house-made elevated bar food and fresh-squeezed cocktails, Wood & Iron delivers a lively atmosphere that’s perfect for watching the big game or gathering with friends any day of the week. (more…)
Reduced hours at the Shirlington Transit Center, driven by vandalism concerns and budget constraints, prompted criticisms during last week’s bitter cold.
The transit center at 2975 S. Quincy Street cut its hours to 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekdays and eliminated Saturday hours entirely on Nov. 14. It was a significant reduction from the center’s previous hours of 5:30 a.m. to midnight.
ICA Language Services (ICA), a family-owned, woman-led small business based in Arlington, is celebrating its 40th anniversary, marking decades of supporting the U.S. military and diplomatic community through language training and testing.
Founded in April 1986 as Inlingua Foreign Language Center, a 6-classroom language school, ICA expanded under the leadership of Deidre Doyle, an entrepreneur with a background in organizational management who joined the company the same year. As a military spouse, she had developed a deep understanding of military organizations and culture, helping shape ICA into a trusted provider of language training and testing for military professionals. Doyle became a partner in 1993 and sole owner in 2009, when she changed the name to ICA Language Services.
School buses are crisscrossing county streets and students are steeling themselves for the first day of school in 11 days.
Yes, class is back in session this morning for Arlington Public Schools students, to the great relief of many beleaguered parents.
The decision to keep schools shuttered all last week, while piles of “snowcrete” covered the sidewalks (and in some cases, roads) near schools, prompted acceptance from some and grumbles from others. Why, some asked, had conditions around schools not been addressed earlier in the week, potentially making it harder to clear now?
The grumbles grew louder this week, amid Monday’s closure and today’s two-hour delay. Some questioned whether it’s even safe now for kids to go back.
“As of 7:30 A.M. there is no safe approach to Claremont Elementary or Wakefield High School from S Columbus St.,” local resident Joel Weger wrote this morning. “There has been no snow cleared on S. Chesterfield Rd for the entire length of school property. For Claremont snow has been cleared from only one side of the school.”
That was echoed by another local resident who lives near Wakefield.
“I’m not a parent but I see the kids walking to school everyday and parents taking their littles ones to the bus pick up spots,” wrote Julia Itani. “While walking my dog in the neighborhood there were many times I almost fell and we couldn’t walk safely. I can’t imagine students walking every morning while there’s piles of ice.”
Others suggested that a loss of learning outweighs what they see as marginal safety improvements from keeping schools closed longer. Even today’s delay was too much for some.
“I am writing to express my deep disappointment and continued frustration with the county’s repeated school closures and delayed openings due to snow and ice,” wrote Gregory Cohen, a “concerned and gobsmacked parent,” in an email this morning. It was one of several addressed to the County Board and School Board that ARLnow was CCed on in recent days.
“From a parent’s perspective, these decisions do not appear to be data-driven, outcome-oriented, or transparent. Delays in particular seem to accomplish little beyond creating unnecessary hardship for working families,” Cohen wrote. “A two-hour delay does not meaningfully improve road conditions, does not reduce childcare challenges, and often results in the same ultimate outcome: lost instructional time with no measurable safety benefit.”
What do you think — did APS strike the right balance by staying closed for five school days (Friday was a scheduled off day) and opening on a delay today? (Neighboring Fairfax notably took the same approach.)
Or should schools have opened up earlier? Or stayed closed longer? Let us know below.
Join us for the 12th Arlington Triathlon in Memory of Anne Viviani. This youth-only swim-bike-run event for ages 7-15 takes place Sunday, June 7th at Washington-Liberty Aquatics Center. It features a time-trial pool swim, a circuit bike course on closed streets, and an on-road run to the finish on the track. For registration, sponsorship information and more, please visit our website at www.triathlonfamilyusa.com. The race benefits the Arlington Triathlon Club, Arlington’s award-winning, elementary school-based multi-sport training program, the longest-running youth triathlon program of its kind in the country.
A rising number of syphilis infections in Arlington is driving a push to do better at testing and treating the sexually transmitted infection.
In the most recent data, from 2024, Arlington’s rate of syphilis infection — 31.2 cases per 100,000 population — was nearly 50% higher than the Virginia rate of 21.4 cases per 100,000, and was more than double that of Northern Virginia as a whole (14.3 cases per 100,000).
Limited Trash Collection Continues — “Regular Tuesday curbside collection for Feb. 3, but trash and recycling only, plus requested cart servicing. No organics, no special pick-up for metal, e-waste or brush.” [Arlington DES/X]
Potomac River Frozen — “The Potomac River was completely frozen today between NW DC and Arlington following a >1 week stretch below freezing.” [Vortrexed/X]
Warning About Walking on River — “MPD is aware of individuals attempting to walk on the iced over Potomac River near the Georgetown waterfront. Walking on iced over DC waterways is extremely dangerous. Your putting your life, and the lives of first responders, at extreme risk!” [MPD/X]
Courthouse Library Closure — “Due to a water leak, Courthouse Library will remain closed Monday, February 2. Please continue to check the Library’s website for Courthouse Library’s status this week as repairs are evaluated.” [APL/X]
Cemetery Closed Again — “For the safety of our visitors and family pass holders, Arlington National Cemetery will remain closed through Wednesday, Feb. 4. Funeral services will continue as scheduled.” [ANC/X]
Sewage Spill Update — “More than a week after part of a major D.C. Water sewage pipeline collapsed, causing more than 200 million gallons of untreated wastewater to spill into the Potomac River, concerns are rising about the impact on wildlife and experts warn that the cleanup and emergency repair costs will likely be several million dollars.” [Washington Post]
Stratford Integration Story — “This is the part of the story that always gives me chills. A congressman, Joel Broyhill, visited the Deskins home in the Hall’s Hill neighborhood to threaten Ron’s father’s job as an @ArlingtonVaFD firefighter for being part of the school integration lawsuit. Carroll Deskins bravely showed Broyhill the door. Ron Deskins had a 34 year career as a @ffxfirerescue firefighter, retiring as a captain.” [Dave Statter/X]
Free Super Bowl Sunday Rides — “Preparing to combat that time of the year when… one-third (33%, 2023) of U.S. traffic deaths involve drunk drivers,* a local nonprofit organization announced today that free safe rides will be offered to would-be drunk drivers throughout the Washington-metropolitan area during this weekend’s Super Bowl LX.” [Press Release]
Fairfax Conference Center? — “As he approaches his 18th anniversary as CEO of Visit Fairfax, Barry Biggar has the same item atop his to-do list as when he started on the job: a conference center. “We needed it 25 years ago, we need it today,” Biggar said during a Jan. 28 presentation to the Fairfax County Planning Commission.” [FFXnow]
Temp Rises Above Freezing — “The thermometer ticked up to 33 in D.C. at 2 p.m. It’s the first time the city has risen above 32 since January 23 at 8 p.m. That’s a streak of 233 hours at or below freezing, now done. Although we closed in on 10 straight days, based on full calendar days this will end up a nine-day streak at or below freezing. This is tied for 5th longest on record since 1872.” [CWG/X]
It’s Tuesday — A mix of rain and snow is possible in the late afternoon, with increasing clouds and a high near 39. The chance of precipitation is 20%. For Tuesday night, snow is likely mainly before 1am with a cloudy sky and a low around 27. The wind will turn calm, then shift to north around 6 mph after midnight. The chance of precipitation rises to 60%, with new snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. [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 — Feb 2, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect a mix of rain and snow after 4pm, with increasing clouds and a high near 39, accompanied by light and variable wind. The chance of precipitation is 20%. For Tuesday night, snow is likely mainly before 1am with a cloudy sky and a low around 27. The wind will turn calm, then shift to north around 6 mph after midnight. The chance of precipitation rises to 60%, with new snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. See more from Weather.gov.
“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.”
– Friedrich Nietzsche
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.
An Arlington man is headed to Super Bowl LX with his hearing dog this weekend after being named the Pittsburgh Steelers’ “Fan of the Year.”
The team chose Hayden Shock, a 33-year-old employee of the General Services Administration, as its top fan last fall. Shock, who has followed his Air Force father’s fandom since he was around six years old, will be joined at this weekend’s Super Bowl by his dad, as well as Abby, his service dog.
A scholar-led lecture series based in D.C. is expanding into Arlington for the first time later this month.
Profs and Pints, which launched in 2017 and has since expanded into several other metro areas, is coming to Highline RxR (2010 Crystal Drive) beginning on Feb. 22.
