News | ALXnow - Part 952

The Ultimate Barber is Back and Booked Three Weeks in Advance

Published June 29, 2020 at 5:20PM

Disposable capes, face masks and meeting by appointment-only — The Ultimate Barber is back in business. The four-year-old shop at 2712 Richmond Highway is booked three weeks in advance, and shop owner John Hall says that’s to be expected during hard times.

“Hair is always going to grow,” Hall told ALXnow. “During the Great Recession, our business actually went up. Folks needed something nice to make me feel good. Something about that haircut experience makes you feel like a brand new person, a different person. It takes some of the weight off just for a while, anyway.”

Planned Improvements for Duke Street and Del Ray Communities Pushed Back by COVID-19

By Vernon Miles

Published June 29, 2020 at 4:45PM | Updated June 29, 2020 at 5:02PM

As Alexandria starts to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the city’s long term planning priorities are shifting to meet needs exposed by the health crisis.

In a presentation to the Planning Commission last week, city staff said some projects that were in the planning stage will be pushed back, including:

Over 6,000 Alexandrians Remain Unemployed in Aftermath of Shutdown

By Vernon Miles

Published June 29, 2020 at 3:30PM | Updated June 29, 2020 at 5:09PM

Updated 5 p.m. — Original percentage of the estimated population was in error

In late March, around 225 Alexandrians filed continued unemplyment with the state. Three months later, as June winds to a close, 6,306 Alexandrians — or 4% of the city’s estimated population — are still unemployed, according to the Virginia Employment Commission.

Advocates Want Accelerated T.C. Williams High School Renaming Process

By James Cullum

Published June 29, 2020 at 2:10PM | Updated June 30, 2020 at 10:24AM

Alexandria African American activists and leaders virtually came out in force on Sunday to demand that T.C. Williams High School be renamed.

“When I first learned that the high school that I graduated from was named after a segregationist and a racist, I was appalled,” said Lindsey Woodson Vick, a T.C. grad, who organized and led Zoom chat with advocates for changing the school name. “We owe better to the people who came before us and the people who will come after us.”

Margaret Chisley Celebrates 109 Years in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published June 29, 2020 at 11:45AM | Updated June 29, 2020 at 3:05PM

Margaret Chisley has seen it all. The 109-year-old lifelong Alexandria resident celebrated in style on June 26 on her front porch behind a plastic screen as well-wishers drove by, waved signs and honked their horns.

“I’m so excited,” Chisley said behind the protective screen. “Thank you all so much.”

COVID-19 Update: Deaths Now at 57 and 2,317 Cases in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published June 29, 2020 at 10:25AM

There are now 57 reported coronavirus-related deaths in Alexandria, and there are now 2,317 cases in the city, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

The most recent death was reported on Saturday, June 27, and six additional fatalities that occurred in April and May were officially added to the death count on Friday, June 26.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published June 29, 2020 at 9:00AM

Alexandria Among Top Cities Where Women Find Success — “Here in Alexandria, more than two-thirds of women have a Bachelor’s degree or higher. The median income of women is more than $75,800. In addition, almost one-third (31.3 percent) of local businesses are owned by women.” [Alexandria Living]

Mayor Supports Governor Extending Rent Moratorium — “The extraordinary financial pressure facing residents of Alexandria who are experiencing unemployment or loss of income continues.‬ ‪Today, I supported the Governor of Virginia’s efforts to extend the moratorium on evictions to allow state/local rent relief programs to assist.” ‬[Facebook]

Alexandria Weekend Discussion

By James Cullum

Published June 26, 2020 at 5:15PM

It was a busy week in Alexandria, and there is plenty to talk about.

The city is moving forward with phase three of reopening its economy on July 1, and the news comes as the death toll from the coronavirus moved up to 50 and the number of cases steadily rise.

Alexandria Police Department Dismisses Officer for Unjustified Use of Force

By Vernon Miles

Published June 26, 2020 at 4:05PM

An Alexandria police officer has been dismissed and is facing criminal review after allegedly using unjustified force against an unarmed man.

“A white male officer reported using weaponless force against a white male subject’s leg, in order to take him to the ground,” the City of Alexandria said in a press release. “The subsequent investigation determined that the use of force was unjustified because no force was necessary.”

Alexandria Police Say Cruiser Spray Painted With BLM Messaging

By James Cullum

Published June 26, 2020 at 3:15PM

Police car lights (file photo)

An Alexandria Police cruiser was reportedly spray-painted with Black Lives Matter messaging in the West End on the late evening of June 23 or early morning of June 24.

No suspects have been found, according to police spokesman Lt. Courtney Ballantine.

Alexandria Virtual Summer School Scheduled to Start Early Next Month

By Vernon Miles

Published June 26, 2020 at 2:00PM

Students learning at home during the COVID-19 shutdown (Photo via ACPS/Facebook)

A summer learning program all Alexandria City Public Schools students will be expected to attend is scheduled to start on July 6 and will continue throughout that month.

According to ACPS, summer learning will be offered Monday through Thursday from July 6 to July 31. Pre-K through 8th-grade classes are scheduled to run from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. while high school classes are scheduled to run from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Class sizes are expected to be around 25-30 students together in a Zoom call.