Unemployment dropped just in time for the holidays in Alexandria, as the city’s continued claims fell to their lowest level since April.
The figures from the Virginia Employment Commission reveal that there were 1,223 continued claims for the week ending Dec. 19, a 15% drop from the previous week’s total of 1,442 continued claims. That’s the lowest number of continued claims since the week ending April 4, which saw 1,710 claims.
Bridgette Adu-Wadier, editor of T.C. Williams High School’s Theogony student newspaper, has selected by PBS as one of the nation’s top 20-Under-20 up and coming storytellers.
In addition to acting as editor for the school’s paper, Adu-Wadier has written about racial inequalities in the school and other controversies at the school. Adu-Wadier also produces and moderates a series of panels with local journalists called Behind the Headlines.
As Alexandria’s COVID-19 caseload continues to grow, the city is encouraging residents to participate in an upcoming virtual discussion with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
There are now 7,230 cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria, and the death toll has risen to 87. The most recent fatality was a woman in her 40s, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Across Virginia, there are 344,345 cases and there have been 4,984 deaths.
No injuries have been reported after another shooting in Old Town North, this time on Monday night (Dec. 28) near the intersection of North Henry and Montgomery Streets.
“There were multiple shell casings recovered,” Alexandria Police spokesperson Amanda Paga told ALXnow. “A building was hit, but no injuries were reported. It is an ongoing investigation at this time.”
Bilbo Baggins Now for Sale — “Longtime Alexandria restaurant and pub Bilbo Baggins has closed its doors for good. The cozy eatery, which opened in 1980, closed in the spring when COVID-19 first struck. Since then, the family-owned restaurant has not reopened and the nearly 4,000-square foot property is now for sale for $2.8 million.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]
Reminder: Illegal Starting Jan. 1 to Hold Cell Phone While Driving — “Starting January 1st, the ‘Hands-Free’ law will go into effect. The law makes it illegal to hold a cell phone while driving.” [Twitter]
A manager who led 2020’s second walkout from Killer E.S.P. told her full story to Mother Jones.
The site included a writeup of Mary Gmaz’ exit from Killer E.S.P. in a series of profiles on people who quit their jobs in 2020.
Shortly after the City Council approved overall plans for the new Oakville Triangle, developers are coming back to the city next Tuesday (Dec. 5) with specific development applications for various pieces of the development.
Developers have submitted three applications for sites in the development area, including the creation of development blocks and the medical facility. The first application would lay out a street grid and infrastructure for the new development. In total, four development blocks would be created.
What a year, right?
Even though the fireworks, scavenger hunt and live musical performances have been called off, there are still opportunities to get a taste of Alexandria this New Year’s Eve.
There’s a room stacked floor-to-ceiling with archives in the headquarters of the Alexandria Gazette Packet overlooking King Street. The back wall of the second-floor conference room, where editorial meetings have been held for years, is lined with volumes ranging from the latest publications to the early 19th century.
It’s a quiet testimony from an award-winning newspaper as it launches a GoFundMe to survive the economic impact of the pandemic.
A drive-through only testing event is planned today at Ben Brenman Park (4800 Brenman Park Drive) from noon to 2 p.m.
The event is intended for those who live and work in the immediate area, including Cameron Station and other nearby neighborhoods. Walk-up testing will not be available at the event and limited parking is available.
The Virginia Tourism Bureau is going all-in on exploiting one Alexandria scene in the fairly mediocre new Wonder Woman movie.
A new display will feature a “Virginia is for Lovers” drum prop featured for a split second during one action sequence when a goon gets thrown through it.
