Despite high numbers of new COVID-19 infections, Alexandria City Public Schools plan on fully reopening from winter break on Monday, Jan. 3.
“ACPS continues to use the current health and safety guidelines provided on our 2021-22 Health & Safety Guidance web page,” Julie Crawford, ACPS Chief of Student Services and Equity, told ALXnow. “At present, there is no change to our return plans after winter break.”
Alexandria Police are searching for a man that has been identified as the suspect behind a hit-and-run that injured an officer in Old Town early on Monday night (Dec. 27).
APD says that Nnanyereugo Onuoha is on the run driving a newer model Black Honda Pilot with Maryland tags 1EV8163.
Inova discourages ER visits for mild, asymptomatic COVID testing — “With demand for COVID-19 testing high, Inova Health System says emergency room visits should be reserved for emergency and critical needs.” [Patch]
New restaurants coming to Shirlington — “Chinese-Korean eatery opens first Virginia location; beer hall to take over Capital City Brewing spot.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]
(Updated 8 p.m.) Alexandria Police are investigating alleged drug possession and distribution at Episcopal High School, one of the most exclusive private boarding schools in the country.
On Dec. 8, police responded to a narcotics complaint at Episcopal and met with the school’s attorney, according to a search warrant affidavit. The officer was told that a week prior, on Dec. 1, two students were found to be allegedly under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
It was a warm holiday for Friends of Guest House residents in Alexandria, as a local realtor more than doubled her goal by receiving more than 130 sets of new pajamas and warm socks from the community.
The Friends of Guest House reentry programs help women transition back to the community from prison, and the pajamas and socks were given to 30 women in both of the nonprofit’s facilities.
New Year’s Day is right around the corner, and a number of Alexandria government offices are closing early on Friday (Dec. 31).
The city’s New Year’s Eve celebration has been canceled due to rising COVID numbers, but if you’re looking to get out on Friday, the Torpedo Factory Art Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Charles Houston and Patrick Henry Recreation Centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., as will the Chinquapin Park Recreation Center & Aquatics facility.
The City of Alexandria is planning to host a public meeting next month to discuss plans to overhaul Fort Ward Park.
The site was a fort constructed during the Civil War as part of a ring of defenses protecting Washington D.C. The site currently has a museum and frequently hosts reenactments of daily life during the Civil War.
Friends of Mount Vernon Trail replacing damaged boards — “Volunteers made multiple repairs to broken and rotting bridge deck boards this year. Help us by a few 2×8 replacement boards and screws by donating today” [Twitter]
Plastic bag tax starts Jan. 1 in Alexandria, Fairfax County — “Starting Jan. 1, businesses in Alexandria will be charging you 5-cents per single-use plastic bag that you use from local grocery stores, convenience stores and drug stores.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]
Alexandria police officers responding to a domestic situation at a high-rise apartment building Monday night were confronted by a wanted man who allegedly attempted to run over officers as he made good his escape.
Police responded around 7 p.m. to the Foundry Apartments at 2470 Manderville Lane, a couple of blocks from the Eisenhower Avenue Metro station, after a woman called police and said she was concerned about her ex-boyfriend, who reportedly had a knife and broke her phone.
Alexandria’s land records date back to the 18th century, and the city’s Clerk of the Circuit Court just secured more than $43,000 in grant funding to conserve those records and digitize them for public enjoyment.
This is the second year that the clerk’s office has been awarded the grant, which is made possible through the Circuit Court Records Preservation program from the Virginia Court Clerks Association and the Library of Virginia. Approximately $4.7 million was awarded to clerks offices throughout Virginia this year.
Alexandria set a new record of COVID infections on Christmas Day (Saturday, Dec. 25), according to the Virginia Department of Health. That beats the last single-day record of 316 cases, which was set just two days before.
As of today (Monday, Dec. 27), there have been 17,814 reported cases of the coronavirus in Alexandria, which is more than 1,700 new cases since this time last week. The number of deaths from the virus remains at 157.
