controversy

Schools

W-L students give away books they say could be ‘banned’ under new bill

By Jo DeVoe
Washington-Liberty High School students browse copies of "Beloved" and "Maus" (courtesy photo)

(Updated at 4:25 p.m.) This afternoon, a group of Washington-Liberty High School students are giving their peers more than 100 copies of two politically controversial books.

The books are “Beloved,” Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel following a Black family during the Reconstruction era, and “Maus,” Art Spiegelman’s award-winning graphic novel about the Holocaust and his father’s life during World War II. Both have explicit content that has some parents and politicians questioning their place in schools.

Go to W-L students give away books they say could be ‘banned’ under new bill Read more
News

First responders facing possible job loss petition county to reverse vaccine mandate

By Jo DeVoe
A vaccine recipient at Arlington County's vaccine clinic (via Arlington County/YouTube)

A group of Arlington County first responders and staff from other departments are petitioning the county to reverse course on its vaccine mandate.

Those who elect not to get the vaccine risk losing their jobs come February, per the county’s updated vaccine policy, shared with ARLnow.

Go to First responders facing possible job loss petition county to reverse vaccine mandate Read more
Schools

UPDATED: Yorktown Principal Decries ‘Unacceptable Behavior’ at Homecoming Game

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 2:15 p.m.) Yorktown High School’s homecoming football game Friday night was marred by “unacceptable behavior” by a group of students during halftime.

That’s according to principal, Kevin Clark, who sent a scathing email to Yorktown families on Saturday, ahead of the school’s homecoming dance.

Go to UPDATED: Yorktown Principal Decries ‘Unacceptable Behavior’ at Homecoming Game Read more
News

Conditions at Serrano Apartments Continue to Improve, But Concerns Remain

By Jo DeVoe
Serrano Apartments (photo via Google Maps)

Work continues at the Serrano Apartments to improve living conditions for residents of the affordable housing complex.

Repair and maintenance work started in earnest after advocates brought to light the deteriorating conditions of the Columbia Pike complex in May. Since then, the County Board has kept tabs on housing nonprofit AHC Inc., which owns the building, and its commitment to make things right.

Go to Conditions at Serrano Apartments Continue to Improve, But Concerns Remain Read more
Schools

Staff Shortages Cause ‘Frustrating and Unacceptable’ Start to New APS Virtual Learning Program

By Jo DeVoe
Arlington Public Schools headquarters (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated 9:25 a.m. on 9/8/21) The new virtual learning program in Arlington Public Schools, available to anyone uncomfortable with going to school in-person, has gotten off to a rocky start due to severe teacher shortages.

During the first week of school, 340 of the more than 700 students enrolled in the program were assigned subs rather than permanent teachers, and many did not receive class schedules. Instead, many virtual students saw their classes canceled or they were shuffled into multi-grade classes and “virtual waiting rooms” without teachers or monitors.

Go to Staff Shortages Cause ‘Frustrating and Unacceptable’ Start to New APS Virtual Learning Program Read more
News

EXCLUSIVE: Customer Service Complaints for Washington Gas Spike Amid Staffing Shortages

By Jo DeVoe
Washington Gas truck (file photo)

Washington Gas’s customer service, or reported lack thereof, has prompted a flood of calls to Virginia’s utilities regulator.

The State Corporation Commission tells ARLnow that its utilities regulation division is receiving upwards of 30 calls a day from Virginians who say they can’t reach the Washington Gas customer service call center or are experiencing long wait times.

Go to EXCLUSIVE: Customer Service Complaints for Washington Gas Spike Amid Staffing Shortages Read more
News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Langston Blvd Plan Meets Resistance — “Following this May’s release of area planning maps and a presentation on density from consultant AECOM, a furious screed was published by Lyon Village Civic Association president John Carten. Though the process is still in the community engagement phase that precedes concrete recommendations, the hint of possible changes in the General Land Use Plan prompted the Lyon Village group to predict a parade of horribles.” [Falls Church News-Press]

New Clarendon Apartment Building Sold — “Trammell Crow Residential has sold the Alexan Earl, a 333-unit multifamily building at 1122 N. Hudson St., to Lincoln Property Co. for $192 million… The Earl represents the first phase of the long-planned Red Top Cab redevelopment… Shooshan continues to plan for the second phase, a roughly 250-unit building fronting Washington Boulevard at the intersection with 13th Street North. It expects to start demolition this fall.” [Washington Business Journal]

Go to Morning Notes Read more
News

Apartment Management Tells Parents to Get Kids Off Their Lawn

By Jo DeVoe

An apartment complex in Lyon Park recently issued a warning to tenants saying the only place for child’s play is the playground.

A note provided to ARLnow, addressed to the residents of Washington & Lee Apartments (2200 2nd Street N.), said “children are to be playing in the playground and in no other areas,” in bolded, italicized and underlined letters.

Go to Apartment Management Tells Parents to Get Kids Off Their Lawn Read more
News

Shared Use of Softball Fields Divides Neighbors in Aurora Highlands

By Jo DeVoe
Community use of a softball field at Virginia Highlands Park during the pandemic (photo courtesy Aurora Highlands Civic Association)

(Updated at 4:35 p.m.) Tensions are rising in the Aurora Highlands neighborhood, as residents engage in a letter-writing, petition-signing tug-of-war over the softball fields at Virginia Highlands Park.

A pair of letters to the County Board from members of the Aurora Highlands Civic Association (AHCA), sent this month and in April, as well as a petition launched today (Thursday), illustrate a deepening divide between sports fans and open space advocates, who envision divergent futures for one diamond field in the park near Pentagon City.

Go to Shared Use of Softball Fields Divides Neighbors in Aurora Highlands Read more
News

Dog Pee Dispute Roils Lyon Village Neighborhood on Nextdoor

By ARLnow.com
Pet deterrent mat in front of a Lyon Village home and its bushes (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A Lyon Village homeowner’s attempt to deter dogs from peeing on his prized bushes has prompted a major controversy on the local Nextdoor social network.

A post about the plastic “spikes” placed between the bushes and the sidewalk prompted outrage, hundreds of comments and even — reportedly — calls to police, despite the fact that it turned out to be a commonly-used product.

Go to Dog Pee Dispute Roils Lyon Village Neighborhood on Nextdoor Read more
View More Stories