Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: NoVA Leaders Debate Data Centers, Metro Funding And Affordable Housing

And check out Heirloom - Silver & Brass Restoration Services: Thursdays 10-4 on the Arlington Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Thursday August 27th Patch AM
Thursday August 27th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Morning Arlington! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Arlington-hosted summit puts data centers, Metro funding and housing under spotlight
  • Arlington lunch break turns into a $1.7 million lottery surprise
  • Why Arlington's spotted lanternfly swarms may soon start to shrink

Also on today's calendar: Heirloom - Silver & Brass Restoration Services: Thursdays 10-4 and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Heavy afternoon thunderstorms, with a high of 89 and low of 68 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: Humid with a thunderstorm, temps: high: 86, low: 68.
  • Saturday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 83 and low of 67 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. NoVA Leaders Debate Data Centers, Metro Funding And Affordable Housing (patch.com) — Regional leaders gathered at George Mason University's Fuse at Mason Square in Arlington to hash out how Northern Virginia should handle data center growth, long-term Metro funding and affordable housing. Arlington County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti pushed for coordinated regional action on transit and housing while stressing energy impacts from data centers, underscoring Arlington's central role in these high-stakes decisions.
   

2. Arlington Woman Wins $1.7 Million Lottery Prize During Lunch Break (patch.com) — An Arlington woman turned an ordinary lunch break into a $1.7 million jackpot by playing the Virginia Lottery's online MONOPOLY Super Spin game from home. While she chose to stay anonymous, lottery officials note that profits from games like hers sent more than $6.2 million to support Arlington's K-12 schools last fiscal year.
   

3. DC-area spotted lanternfly population may dwindle in coming years (fox5dc.com) — Arlington officials say spotted lanternflies have been present locally for about three years, but a county parks expert expects their numbers to peak soon and then decline. Wildlife in Arlington is increasingly preying on the insects, and tree-of-heaven removal is helping, though residents are urged to avoid sticky traps that can accidentally harm birds in local parks.
   

4. Arlington's new 'microtransit' program has provided 1,500 rides since April (arlnow.com) — Arlington's new microtransit pilot has already provided about 1,500 on‑demand rides since April, mainly linking riders to Ballston and East Falls Church Metro stations. The service covers much of northwestern Arlington and Westover, offers free first rides then tiered fares, and runs six days a week with wheelchair-accessible vehicles funded by county and state dollars through 2027.
   

5. Police: Arlington Man Fired Gun Through Windshield On Columbia Pike (patch.com) — Police say an Arlington man was charged with reckless handling of a firearm after a gun was fired through the windshield of a moving vehicle near Columbia Pike and South Dinwiddie Street Sunday night. No injuries or property damage were reported, and all three occupants went to the hospital as a precaution before the man was released on a summons.
   

📸 Around Arlington

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Arlington

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Arlington Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Arlington PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Final Week: Piano & More's Bach2School August Special Ends August 31 —Nicole Kovar Read on Patch
  • Baby budgie update.
    There are 4 healthy babies who are now primarily being fed by the dad. The parents know when to transfer responsibility. The 4th is their sibling… (Nextdoor Clarendon)
  • Is this your cat ?
    She is at Dolley Madison Towers building at 2300 24th Road South. 202-509-4841 (Nextdoor Long Branch Creek)
  • Arlington County Police Daily Crime Report for August 26, 2026-... (X: ArlingtonVaPD)
  • Applications now accepted for PARK(ing) Day 2026, Thursday, Oct. 1. Get a group together and submit your plan to transform a drab slab of curbside... (X: ArlingtonDES)
  • Marymount University posted a job opening for Assistant Flag Football Coach-1 in Arlington. Apply here.
  • Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Welcome Team Member (Front Desk Associate) in Arlington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Arlington here.

Ok Arlington! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Arlington