ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

What an absorbing week in Alexandria.

Just as the ball gets rolling with reopening and loosened restrictions, the pandemic rears its ugly head. With coronavirus transmission levels climbing, Alexandria is once again recommending that residents go back to wearing face masks indoors.

Our weekly poll found that 37% of respondents (337 votes) don’t plan to wear masks indoors again unless required, 32% (291 votes) never stopped wearing masks and plan to continue, and 30% (275 votes) stopped wearing masks indoors and plan to start again.

In the meantime, Three Dog Night, Tanya Tucker, and more are scheduled to play at the Birchmere next month, and the Little Theatre of Alexandria has gone back to in-person performances with its latest farce, Neil Simon’s Rumors. The city’s annual sidewalk sale is also on track to be largest ever, with participation from more than 70 local boutiques on the pedestrian-only blocks between 700 and 1100 King Street.

Turning toward the Olympics, Alexandria boxer Troy Isley won his first contest earlier this week, but lost his second match in a close split decision on Thursday night. Next week, Alexandria City High School will host a watch party for alumnus star sprinter Noah Lyles, who is the favorite to win the gold medal in the 200 meter race.

Important stories

• Woman killed walking on Interstate 495 in Alexandria on Sunday morning
• ACPS to decide next week whether to require face masks when school restarts
• Newcomer Founders Bank eyes expansion to Alexandria
• Torpedo Factory Art Center goes back to requiring masks indoors
• Carjacking suspect suffers medical emergency while getting booked into Alexandria jail
• Rep. Beyer: Calls to defund police ‘one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard’
• GoFundMe launched for Will Nichols, retiring manager of St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub in Del Ray
• Report details life of Black Alexandrians post-Civil War in home slated for redevelopment
• Soul food brings flavor to multi-sensory African American walking tour in Old Town
• Alexandria exhibition for vintage and bizarre cars returns this fall

Top stories

1. Alexandria car dealership receptionist busted for alleged credit card fraud
2. One year of lane closures in Potomac Yard starts today
3. Man arrested after armed carjacking in West End
4. BREAKING: Potomac Yard Metro opening pushed back to September 2022
5. New Potomac Yard luxury condo community sells 30% of properties before construction starts
6. Residents protest against conditions at West End apartment complex
7. Local Democrat challenges Rep. Don Beyer in 8th District Primary
8. Cigar and vape shop to open on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray
9. EXCLUSIVE: Halal slaughterhouse opens, gives away free chickens for first two days in business
10. Without School Resource Officers, Superintendent wants more private security inside and police patrolling outside
11. Poll: Do you plan on wearing a mask indoors again?

Have a safe weekend!