Alexandria’s continued unemployment claims continued a monthlong streak of increases going into February, as the number of initial claims continues to decline.
There have been increases in continued claims for a month in Alexandria. The Virginia Employment Commission reports that there were 1,442 continued claims for the week ending Feb. 6, a 5% increase from the previous week’s total of 1,367 claims.
The owner of a hookah lounge has filed a special use permit to operate a hookah lounge and restaurant in the West End.
Diko Bar and Lounge would take over at the former home of the all-vegan Chez Hareg Cafe at 5245 Duke Street. The 1,200-square-foot location is next door to Shooter McGee’s, across the street from the Canterbury Square Condominiums and near the Alexandria Fire Station 208.
It might take until the summer until the COVID-19 vaccine is widely available in Alexandria, according to Mayor Justin Wilson.
With just 2,000 vaccine doses expected to be received weekly in the city and more than 36,000 residents on the waiting list, Wilson asked for patience over the weekend on Facebook. He also said that CVS pharmacies are being given a small supply of the vaccine.
For all the earlier talk of doom and gloom early in the coronavirus financial forecasts, City Manager Mark Jinks’ proposed FY 2021 budget seems relatively painless.
As laid out by Jinks, the operating budget is a 1.9% proposed increase over last year’s, with a 2 cent real estate tax rate reduction, no major service reductions, and fully funds the proposed school CIP and operating budget.
GoFundMe Raises $29K for Family of Bishop Ireton Student — “It is with a heavy heart that the BI community mourns the death of our fellow classmate Andrew Benson, who was taken from us much too soon. He was one of the nicest people we knew and was a member of the BI varsity soccer team. He played fullback and was an avid soccer player and was one of the hardest workers on the team. He always had a smile on his face and he never failed to make you smile with a joke or make a stressful or hard day a little better. Please donate if you can or remember him in your thoughts and prayers. All proceeds go to the family and to help with funeral arrangements.” [GoFundMe]
Holy Cow Honors Sue Kovalsky with ‘Burger of the Moment’ — “Sue, we appreciate you! This #BOTM is for you.” [Facebook]
Up to five inches of snow and up to a quarter of an inch of ice is being anticipated Thursday and Friday in Alexandria.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the region that will be in effect from 3 a.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. on Friday.
Popular sandwich franchise Jersey Mike’s Subs has opened a new location at 360 S. Pickett Street in the West End Village.
The new location opened between Taste of Asia and Mediterranean Bakery and Cafe in the former location of Ace Wig and Hair, but has been empty since at least 2018.
Electric scooter company LINK has been issued an operating permit in Alexandria, and 200 of its e-scooters have been spread out across the city.
LINK, which is owned by Massachusetts-based Superpedestrian, is offered in nearby Arlington and more than a dozen cities around the world, including Madrid, Spain, and Rome, Italy.
A plan to reinvigorate the Torpedo Factory is headed to the City Council for review early next month after a quick introduction last Tuesday.
The city took over the Torpedo Factory Art Center in 2016 and relations with the artists in the facility have sometimes been tense, with disagreements over how leases should be handled and some artists expressing frustrations at ongoing rent during the pandemic.
Alexandria Police are investigating the death of a 49-year-old homeless woman who was found in the 4100 block of Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria early Tuesday morning.
The woman was spotted by a passerby at around 5:30 a.m., according to police. The public was notified of the incident via Twitter just after 7 a.m. and one lane of north bound traffic on Mount Vernon Avenue was briefly shut down.
Alexandria City Councilman Mo Seifeldein has abandoned his recently announced campaign for mayor and will not seek reelection.
The news came out Monday night in a tweet from Seifeldein’s now-locked Twitter account.
