Todd Ketch has had a busy summer at his Pedego Electric Bikes shop in Old Town. Six months ago, he was worried that the pandemic was driving away too many locals and tourists, but that business has steadily gained speed as fewer of his customers are commuting to the office and want to get around town fast without parking issues.
Other stores, like Big Wheel Bikes, have seen demand increase so much over the last few months that there’s a waitlist for new bicycles.
Beyer Criticizes Trump Defense of Wisconsin Shooter — “The President stands at the White House podium and defends a man, his supporter, charged with murdering two Americans. This is not surprising, but it is a dark moment for the country. It puts the lie to Trump’s talk of “law and order” — his rhetoric incites violence and murder.” [Twitter]
City Hall Lit Purple for Opioid Awareness — “To raise awareness and understanding of addiction prevention and treatment on International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31, and National Recovery Month in September, the City is lighting City Hall purple with spotlights tonight through September 1.” [Facebook]
Even as the city sorts out how to handle issues of diversity and institutionalized racism in the school system, Alexandria is commemorating the 100th anniversary of a local school for Black students built in part by local supporters and parents.
In September 1920, the Parker-Gray School opened on Wythe Street where the Charles Houston Recreation Center is today. The school started as an elementary program, but added a high school in 1932. The school operated as the city’s lone Black high school.
Starting September 8, Alexandria City Public Schools will require a new digital meal pass or family pin for anyone picking up meals at its food distribution points around the city.
The school system has given away free food at more than a dozen schools and neighborhood popup locations for months. Up to this point, however, no registration was required and the food was free.
After some initial success, Visit Alexandria has announced the ongoing Restaurant Week deals will be extended for an additional week.
Currently, over 60 restaurants across the city are offering takeout, delivery, or curbside pickup meals-for-two at $49. A full list of participating restaurants is available online.
A 30-year-old Alexandria man has been arrested on two counts of public indecency and is being held without bond in the city jail.
Harry Ross, who is a convicted sex offender, was arrested at around 4 p.m. on August 22 for allegedly exposing himself and masturbating in public in the area of Quaker Hill Court, according to the Alexandria Police Department.
As the city suffers the latest death by COVID-19, the seven-day positivity rate is now the lowest in the region at 4.5% of residents tested for the virus, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
On Friday, the city reported that an Alexandria resident in their 50s died from the virus, bringing the death toll to 62. There are now or have been 3,378 cases of coronavirus in the city.
Hundreds of captivated Alexandrians watched a T-Rex scream on the big screen on Eisenhower Avenue on Saturday night, as a sold-out viewing of Jurassic Park kicked off the first show of the Alexandria Drive-In Theatre.
“We are over the moon,” Kelly Grant, Chief Operating Officer for ALX Community, told ALXnow on Saturday night. “The movie is playing, we’ve got over 215 cars all going and the food trucks are running.”
Judith Jones, Founder of At Home in Alexandria, Dies — “Jones was one of the three founders of At Home in Alexandria, a nonprofit that supports older adults. A former Alexandria resident, Jones was beloved by her family and friends and well-respected by her colleagues and students. A scientist and businesswoman, she served as a mentor to many.” [Alex Times]
Beyer Says Trump Incites Violence — “The country wants justice. The people want peace, reform, progress. They reject violence. Trump wants division. He celebrates brutality. He incites violence. Above all, Trump does not want to talk about his failure to keep Americans safe amid a pandemic that has killed 182,000.” [Twitter]
Thunderstorms will continue throughout Saturday in Alexandria, as the remnants of Hurricane Laura — now a tropical storm — moves its way out of the area. The city remains under a hazardous weather outlook all day, according to the National Weather Service.
Tonight, expect scattered showers and thunderstorms before 10 p.m.
(Updated at 7:10 p.m.) The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Alexandria until 10:45 p.m.
NWS advises people to shelter in place.
