🌱 Man Arrested Trying To Rob Gun Armory + Falls Church School Budget

Hi all! Michelle Paul here with your fresh copy of the Falls Church Patch newsletter, filled with all the local information you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Windy and milder. High: 55 Low: 33.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and breezy. High: 60 Low: 36.

Business owners and marketers in Falls Church: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories in Falls Church today:

1. A 22-year-old man was arrested after reportedly attempting to rob the Nova Armory gun store in Clarendon on Wilson Blvd. The suspect allegedly entered the store with a ski mask on and, when prompted to remove the mask, ignored the request. When an employee confronted the suspect, they attempted to strike the employee before fleeing the scene. Officers eventually apprehended the suspect on a Metro Transit bus and arrested him. (ARLnow)
2. The Falls Church School Board received unanimous approval Tuesday for an increase in the school budget for the 2024 fiscal year — including being the first commonwealth of Virginia to offer paid parental leave. The approved budget increase of almost $2 million in local funding, and 5.1 percent above the 2023 budget, aligns with the Falls Church County Public Schools Strategic Plan while providing teachers and staff the support they deserve. Some of the benefits expected to most impact the school staff include an increased sick leave payout, parental leave, and health rate adjustments for part-time employees. (Falls Church News Press)
3. Down the road in D.C., it is time for the annual pool clean/scrub of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The pool is drained and cleaned annually right as spring approaches, just in time for more visitors to come with the warmer weather. A Super Scrubber is used to clean the pool thoroughly removing algae, animal droppings, and other buildup. In addition to the usual cleaning, the pool also will be needing repairing to a pipe prior to the pool being refilled. (FOX 5 DC)

Today and tomorrow in Falls Church:

Saturday, March 4

• Feel Good EcoSavvy Gardening Symposium - Live via Zoom (10:00 AM)
• Book And Media Sale - Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (10:00 AM)
• "Texture, A Photography Show" - 700 W. Broad St. (11:00 AM)

Sunday, March 5

• Newcomer Reception - The Falls Church Anglican (9:00 AM)
• Kundalini Yoga With Salt Therapy - 929 W. Broad St. (11:00 AM)
• Last Chance For DIAGNOSED - Creative Cauldron (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Two of the best things in life: pizza and puppies. Come visit Pupatella and treat yourself and your pup to a slice or two and really enjoy the moment. (Mosaic District via Instagram)
• Mt. Daniel students celebrated Read Across America day on Mar. 2 and partook in various activities to make the day more enjoyable like reading out loud, dressing as characters of stories, and more. The Falls Church City Schools teachers did a fantastic job of getting the students involved this year for another successful year. (Falls Church City Schools via Instagram)
• Spring is right around the corner — and so is the opening of Cherry Hill Farmhouse! Opening day is Apr. 1 and the celebration will involve ice cream, games, and much more family fun. Open house hours are every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. from April to October. (The City of Falls Church via Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• ORS Interactive, Inc. - Northern VA Certified Food Managers — (Visit website)

Featured events:

• Book and Media Sale! (March 4)
• The DC Big Flea March 4-5th (March 5)
• Win $2,000 at the Alexandria Wedding Showcase! (March 5)
• Maryland Lyric Opera Presents: VERDI'S OTELLO (March 5)
• Arlington Philharmonic Concert "Music in Bloom" (March 5)
• Last Chance for DIAGNOSED (March 5)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar on March 7th and 8th at Marymount University (March 7)
• Parenting Expert and Author Lynn Lyons Presents: Improving Your Family’s Emotional Health (March 15)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday! See you soon for another update.

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.