Author: James Cullum

Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.

News

BREAKING: Three More Deaths as COVID-19 Cases Surpass 800 in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published May 1, 2020 at 10:35AM | Updated May 1, 2020 at 12:54PM

Three more people have died of COVID-19 in Alexandria as the city has surpassed the 800 case mark.

There are now 24 deaths related to the virus, and there are now 802 cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria, an increase of 48 cases since yesterday, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 1, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated May 1, 2020 at 10:48AM

Tenants & Workers United Rent Protest Today at 4:30 p.m. — “Join our Caravan or take Action from home this Friday at 4:30PM. The caravan will be from 5pm and will go though Arlandria-Chirilagua to send the message to FREEZE RENTS in VIRGINIA. Don’t have a car?? You can take action from your window/balcony by: Wearing Red or swinging any red cloth; Make a sign with a message to the property managers to cancel rent; Make noise with your pots & pans! Take pictures or videos and use #CANCELRENTVA on social media.” [Facebook]

Inova Nurse Recruitment Team Gives Thanks With Photo Collage — “Our Inova Careers Nursing Recruitment team wanted to show support to our frontline workers who are making an incredible sacrifice to keep us all safe!” [Facebook]

News

Continued Unemployment Claims Increase 23% in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published April 30, 2020 at 3:15PM | Updated April 30, 2020 at 5:54PM

The number of continued claims for unemployment rose by 23% in Alexandria for the week ending April 25 over the previous week ending April 18.

There were 4,881 continued claims for unemployment benefits in Alexandria for week ending April 25, according to the Virginia Employment Commission. The new figure is an increase of 1,132 continued claims over the week ending April 18, when there was a total of 3,749 continued claims in the city.

News

ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund Raises $777K, Local Nonprofits Get Most of it

By James Cullum

Published April 30, 2020 at 2:00PM | Updated April 30, 2020 at 5:00PM

Food at ALIVE! (Photo via ALIVE!/Facebook)

The ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund has raised more than $777,000 from 780 donors, and has given away $619,000 to 67 nonprofits in and around Alexandria.

“There is nothing like the power of collective action, when we all take a small step that can add up to something really big,”ACT for Alexandria Executive Director Heather Peeler told ALXnow.

News

COVID-19 Update: Cases Jump to 754, No New Deaths

By James Cullum

Published April 30, 2020 at 10:15AM | Updated April 30, 2020 at 11:54AM

A woman is tested for COVID-19 at a Neighborhood Health testing facility outside Casa Chirilagua in Arlandria (Staff photo by James Cullum)

There are now 754 cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria, an increase of 54 cases since yesterday, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

That is the largest jump in new or probable cases since the first case was announced in the city on March 11. No additional deaths were reported. The city broke the 700 case mark yesterday.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 30, 2020 at 9:00AM

T.C. Senior Wins $40K Scholarship — “What does it feel like to get a SURPRISE ZOOM CALL from U.S. Senator Mark Warner, Lisa Collis, and daughters Gillian, Eliza & Madison…telling you that you are the first recipient of the Collis Warner Family Scholarship worth $40,000? Just ask T.C. Williams High School Senior Foziya Mohammed! Mohammed received the call this afternoon…’I am shocked and excited! I was nervous I thought this was a call about some kind of problem with my scholarship application. I’m not nervous anymore! Thank you so much. I would tell all of the younger students at T.C. that hard work pays off!'” [Facebook]

Police Respond to Domestic Violence Service Call — “The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a weapon violation in the 1400 block of South Highview Lane. A helicopter is assisting and expect police activity in the area.” [Twitter]

News

Bellies & Babies Owner Reinvents Herself, Stays Upbeat During Pandemic

By James Cullum

Published April 29, 2020 at 5:40PM | Updated April 29, 2020 at 5:56PM

Lee Raynes, owner of the Bellies & Babies consignment shop on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Lee Raynes says she’s got this one. There’s no dampening of her spirits, because the new owner of Bellies & Babies is on a spiritual journey and the pandemic is just a bus stop.

Raynes bought the Del Ray consignment shop from owner Dawn Luepke last fall and took over at the beginning of the year. She had two months of a mild winter’s worth of business before COVID-19 effectively shut down foot traffic along Mount Vernon Avenue and limited the number of customers she could let into the shop.

News

Alexandria is Putting Homeless Families in Hotel Rooms During COVID-19

By James Cullum

Published April 29, 2020 at 3:15PM | Updated April 29, 2020 at 10:34PM

Alexandria is putting many of the city’s homeless in hotel rooms for the foreseeable future.

“While many of our hotels are suffering significant losses of their own, they have been willing to partner with the City to assist in the response,” Mayor Justin Wilson told ALXnow. “To ensure that our homeless populations can maintain safe social distancing, these hotel partnerships have been critical.”

News

Police, Sheriff, Fire Department Honor Alexandria Hospital Staff

By James Cullum

Published April 29, 2020 at 11:50AM | Updated May 2, 2020 at 12:00AM

More than 100 law enforcement officials and first responders showed their appreciation Inova Alexandria Hospital staff on Tuesday. Hospital doctors and nurses were applauded by Virginia State Police, Alexandria Police and Fire department officials holding signs, which thanked them and called them heroes.

“This is amazing, because there’s a war zone that we face every day,” nurse Keylin Mejia told ALXnow.

News

BREAKING: Another Death as COVID-19 Cases Jump to 700 in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published April 29, 2020 at 10:15AM | Updated April 30, 2020 at 9:52AM

COVID-19 cases in Alexandria (ALXnow)

Another person has died and there are now 700 Cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria, an increase of 47 cases since yesterday, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

That is the largest jump in new or probable cases since the first case was announced in the city on March 11, and the city is asking residents to continue to stay home except for essential trips to the pharmacy, doctor or grocery store.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 29, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated April 29, 2020 at 9:39AM

Tenants and Workers United Organizes Rent Protest in Arlandria Friday — “Join our Caravan. THIS FRIDAY at 4:30 P.M.” ️[Facebook]

Here’s an Updated List of Alexandria’s Nonprofit Needs — “This list is updated on a regular basis, so check back regularly to see the latest items needed to support our most vulnerable populations during this critical time. Thank you for caring for our community!” [Volunteer Alexandria]

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