Updated 1 p.m. — The Dominion Energy outage map shows the situation at Potomac Yard has been resolved
Earlier: Dominion Energy is reporting a large power outage enveloping Potomac Yard and crossing into the Del Ray and Braddock neighborhoods, leaving 3,570 customers without power.
Stuck at home? Potomac Kempo has been teaching Japanese martial arts virtually through the pandemic.
The dojo has a number of locations in Alexandria, and while hundreds of students are starting to come back the business is transitioning from offering online-only services.
Beyer Warns of Looming Economic Catastrophe — “For months we’ve propped up the economy with strong government stimulus, especially unemployment benefits. Those benefits will expire in 25 days amid dire state and local government shortfalls. McConnell and Trump remain opposed to extending them. Economic catastrophe looms.” [Twitter]
ACPS Asks for Community Input With Reopening Survey — “We are aware that the situation we are facing is unprecedented, constantly changing, and requires a degree of flexibility from all of us. You will be asked to make a decision about your commitment to return to school in late July. By that time you will have a clear idea of our anticipated reopening plans for the fall to assist you in your decision.” [ACPS]
Alexandria Police arrested a 25-year-old Black man in May on multiple charges, including driving under the influence, assault on police, obstruction of justice with force, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Police also found a silver-colored Taurus Hy-lite revolver fully loaded in the center console, in addition to several open bottles of beer and six round of ammunition hidden in a wine bottle in the front passenger door, according to the affidavit.
Abyssinia Market & Coffee House in Old Town had a promising reopening on Saturday, but the cafe has closed again after the owner said a white man came in on Sunday, spat on her and vandalized the store when he was told he had to wear a face mask.
Abyssinia Market owner Lily Damtew said Sunday was off to a good start after the first customer came in wearing a mask.
The Del Ray Cakery‘s sugar cookie sales have been so strong during the pandemic that founder Rebecca Underly is thinking about rebranding her business. Now she wants to primarily sell cookies and she’s even come up with a new name — The Del Ray Cookie Co.
After selling hundreds of cookie bouquet packages and more than 500 cookie kits for families to decorate their own baked treats at home during the pandemic, Underly is starting to think she’s found her niche.
After ten weeks of consistent downward trending, Alexandria saw its first uptick in new unemployment filings at the end of June.
Data released for the Virginia Employment Commission noted that for the week of June 27, there were 481 new unemployment claims — nearly 100 more claims than the 386 claims filed the week before and the first time new filings have gone up from the previous week since new claims peaked at 2,578 new claims on April 4.
Rosslyn-based gym E60 Fitness announced yesterday (Sunday) that the business is planning to open a second location this summer at West Alex — a new apartment at 3445 Berkeley St.
The gym will occupy 3,200 square feet of the new building, which is scheduled to open this summer. An employee at E60 fitness said the company is tentatively eyeing a September opening.
The number of coronavirus cases increased by four since yesterday, and there are now 2,380 overall cases, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
The number of fatalities remains at 57. There have been no new deaths since June 27.
Former ACPS Chief Executive Officer Decries School System Leadership — “Some ACPS leadership and staff recognized a downward shift in my influence about a year ago. I remained focused. Then, this past December, after a disagreement about how to de-escalate transportation employee complaints, my position of chief operating officer, among other positions, was eliminated by the school board as part of what came off as a hastily generated restructuring plan by Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings Jr., Ed.D.” [Alex Times]
City Buys 10K Face Masks for Local Nonprofits — “This week, Griffin, Jenelle, and Caroline helped bag some of the 10,000 masks purchased by the City of Alexandria for distribution to local nonprofits!” [Facebook]
The July 4 holiday weekend is here, and it’s hard to believe that 2020 is more than halfway over. Not only has the year flown by, but so has the last week.
Alexandria joined the rest of Virginia in entering into the third phase of its reopening, the oldest resident in the city turned 109, a police officer was charged with assault and battery for a January arrest
