Weather

(Updated at 7:35 a.m.) Arlington will be under both a Wind Advisory and, later, a Wind Chill Advisory on Friday.

The wind is expected to whip up starting Friday morning, then temperatures will plummet throughout the day. The combination will lead to dangerous conditions for anyone outside.


Sponsored

This regularly scheduled column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Eli and his team in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach him directly at [email protected].

Question: Why would anybody waste thousands of dollars each year on condo fees?

Answer: Most people associate paying condo fees with throwing money down the drain, but most people do not look at condo fees the right way.

In this June 20 article, the Wall Street Journal reported a study by Angi (formerly Angie’s List) that home maintenance and emergency repairs have increased by 85% and 175%, respectively, from 2019 to 2025.

By comparison, condo fees in Arlington increased by an average of just 32% from 2019 to 2025, making them a steep bargain for condo owners compared to other homeowners.

What Do Condo Fees Pay For?

For those who haven’t spent time studying condo budgets, some of the main expenses in a condo budget include:

  • Maintenance, Emergency Repairs, and Utilities: general upkeep and operations of the building
  • Reserves: a building’s savings account for major repairs or replacement of things like the roof, elevators, carpet, etc
  • Property Management/Staff: contracts for a property manager, front desk, janitorial services, and engineer
  • Master Insurance: this policy usually protects everything except your personal items and improvements within each unit

(more…)


News

The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office, which runs the county jail, will be ending voluntary cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In a letter to local activists and lawyers, Sheriff Beth Arthur said she will be updating ASCO policy regarding undocumented people after consulting with her attorney.


Event

Join us for a crown-worthy evening at Penrose Square as we celebrate Arlington’s own Sandra Bullock with a special outdoor screening of Miss Congeniality.

Before the movie, create your own tiara with our friends at MOCA Arlington, then settle in for a hilarious night under the stars with one of the most beloved comedies of the 2000s.


Opinion

We’re three days away from Christmas and in the midst of Hanukkah — and holiday travel is in full swing, storm and all.

While the winter storm is causing travel havoc, illnesses are also disrupting holiday plans. Covid is on an upswing locally while, at the same time, numerous other viruses — including but not limited to flu and RSV — are circulating.


News

Police Recruits Graduate — “The Arlington County Police Department is committed to recruiting individuals from all backgrounds who possess the necessary qualifications to serve our diverse and inclusive community. Session 147 reflects this commitment and consists of nine men and five women. They hail from six different states, Costa Rica, Nepal and England. Thirteen of the officers hold higher education degrees, including two with advanced degrees. Two officers are military veterans, having served in the United States Army. Session 147 includes officers fluent in Spanish, Nepali and American Sign Language.” [ACPD]

Vacuum Leaf Collection Ends — From Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services: “Crews have wrapped up scheduled leaf vacuuming across Arlington. Still raking? Use the green cart (also for food scraps) and paper bags for year-round weekly curbside pick-up. Plastic bags can’t be composted/collected.” [Twitter]


Around Town

We may not get a gondola over the Potomac River anytime soon, but a new startup may make intra-county gondola travel a reality someday.

Swyft Cities promises to provide one- to five-mile aerial connections around “densely developed areas, including corporate campuses, airports, universities and tourism districts,” according to TechCrunch, which named the startup the winner of a transit-oriented pitch contest earlier this year.