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

Spring2ACTion Breaks Online Giving Record, Raises $2.45 Million for Local Nonprofits

By James Cullum

Published April 16, 2020 at 10:15AM | Updated April 16, 2020 at 10:34AM

ACT for Alexandria raised $2.45 million for more than 150 local nonprofits during its 10th annual fundraiser — breaking the record for the most funds raised in a single day.

In total, 8,453 donors raised $2,455,401 for 156 nonprofits in Alexandria during the Spring2ACTion event on Wednesday.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 16, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated April 16, 2020 at 10:18AM

City Hotlines Available to Stem Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault — “During a crisis like COVID-19, the risk for intimate partner and domestic violence increases. The City of Alexandria Sexual Assault Center and the Domestic Violence Program want survivors and victims to know they are not alone. Both programs are open during the COVID-19 health crisis, hotlines are available 24/7 and advocates are ready to listen and help.” [Facebook]

Gov. Northam Extends Executive Order by Two Weeks — “That means that gatherings of more than 10 people will remain banned, and entertainment and recreation and personal care businesses will remain closed, until at least May 8. In addition, restaurants are limited to carry-out or delivery orders only.” [Alexandria Living]

News

BREAKING: 2 More COVID-19 Deaths, Now 273 Cases in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published April 15, 2020 at 9:05PM | Updated April 15, 2020 at 11:54PM

Inova Alexandria Hospital at 4320 Seminary Road (staff photo by James Cullum)

Two more people have died of COVID-119 in Alexandria, bringing the death toll to six, according to the city’s daily announcement.

There are also 26 new positive cases of the virus in the city, bringing the total to 273 cases (including the fatalities). There have been 229 new cases in April alone.

News

Burke and Herbert Bank Issues 400 PPP Loans, and 600 Loans are Pending

By James Cullum

Published April 15, 2020 at 3:15PM

Burke and Herbert Bank at the corner of Fairfax and King Street in Old Town (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

As the COVID-19 pandemic has rocked Alexandria’s economy, Virginia’s oldest banking institution — Burke and Herbert Bank — has approved nearly 400 U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program loans to small businesses, and there are 600 still pending, according to bank president and CEO David Boyle.

“We’ve approved just about 400 loans,” Boyle told ALXnow. “We have about 1,000 applications, so we have 600 or so that are still pending in various forms and we started actually closing and funding loans this week. So the money’s actually finding its way into the borrowers’ checking accounts and such this week.”

News

Police: Alexandria Man Arrested For Pointing Gun at Neighbor

By James Cullum

Published April 15, 2020 at 2:00PM

Alexandria police (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A 40-year-old Alexandria man is in jail for alleged cocaine possession and pointing a gun at his neighbor.

Devonte Burgess was arrested at his home in the Mayflower Square apartments in the 5900 block of Quantrell Avenue on the evening of April 8. He was charged with possession of cocaine, weapon possession by a felon and brandishing a weapon.

News

The Spring2ACTion Fundraiser is Today, $500K Already Raised in Early Giving

By James Cullum

Published April 15, 2020 at 10:15AM

The Spring2ACTion fundraiser for the city’s nonprofits is off to a strong start, with more than $500,000 raised from early giving, according to ACT for Alexandria CEO Heather Peeler.

“This year we are asking every donor as part of the checkout process to make an additional gift to the ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund,” Peeler said. “So far, that has raised more than $15,000.”

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 15, 2020 at 9:00AM

Goodhart Group Buys Alexandria Hospital Staff 100 Meals From Mason Social — “Our General Manager, Mark delivered 100 meals to Alexandria Hospital this evening on behalf of @thegoodhartgroup. We love partnering with our community to help support each other during this time of uncertainty.” [Facebook]

GoFundMe Campaign Started for Business Owner With Cancer — “I can’t go anywhere, and I’m riddled with anxiety with everything going on. As you can imagine it’s extra tough to get supplies. Especially with the things I need, supplies are cleared and simple things like hand sanitizer, masks, and gloves are hard to come by.” [Zebra]

News

BREAKING: Two More COVID-19 Fatalities in Alexandria, Cases Climb to 248

By James Cullum

Published April 14, 2020 at 8:55PM | Updated April 18, 2020 at 1:55PM

The emergency room at Inova Alexandria Hospital. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Two more Alexandrians have died of COVID-19, the city announced on Tuesday, bringing the total number of deaths to four.

There are also seven new positive cases of the virus, putting the total at 248 in the city (including the four fatalities). The city’s health department is not releasing any information on the fatalities unless there is “a public health need to do so.”

News

Virginia Tech Unveils First Renderings of Academic Building

By James Cullum

Published April 14, 2020 at 5:15PM | Updated April 14, 2020 at 10:14PM

Virginia Tech has released drawings of what its first of three academic buildings will look like.

“This project is a bellwether for what we are trying to achieve through our new campus, creating a place that provides the space and environment to foster collaboration and the creation of bold new ideas,” said Lance Collins, the incoming vice president and executive director of the Innovation Campus, said in a statement.

News

Tall Ship Providence Visitor Center to be Named After Sen. John Warner

By James Cullum

Published April 14, 2020 at 4:30PM

Running along the Alexandria waterfront with the Tall Ship Providence in the background (staff photo by James Cullum)

Former Virginia Senator John W. Warner has agreed to let the Tall Ship Providence Foundation to use his name for its recently approved visitor center complex.

“As the only Secretary of the Navy to serve in the Navy and Marine Corps, combined with his 30-years of service in the Senate, we are thrilled to recognize his contributions to our country,” Clair S. Sassin, the foundation’s executive director, said in an email.

News

Carpenter’s Shelter Opens Temporary Homeless ‘Safety Shelter’ at Charles Houston Rec. Center

By James Cullum

Published April 14, 2020 at 2:00PM

Carpenter’s Shelter opened a 40-person temporary safety shelter at the Charles Houston Recreation Center on Monday, and up to 40 chronically homeless people will be sleeping on mats on the basketball court.

The Carpenter’s Shelter David’s Place/winter shelter is now closed for the season and does not provide the same space for distancing as Charles Houston (901 Wythe Street).

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