News | ALXnow - Part 956

Here’s Photographer Billy Sabatini’s Pictures of a Quiet Alexandria in April

Published May 19, 2020 at 11:30AM | Updated May 19, 2020 at 1:43PM

Waterfront Park under COVID-19. (Photo by Billy Sabatini)

In mid-April, Alexandria photographer Billy Sabatini took to Alexandria’s streets and found them empty. The coronavirus pandemic created a strange opportunity for him to take photos of places he visited hundreds of times, but never quite like this.

“It was really kind of eerie, because we’ve all been to these places especially at the foot of King Street where there’s always mobs of people during these spring days,” Sabatini told ALXnow. “There was nobody around at all. There was no sound, either, and it was very strange and very peaceful.”

Governor Announces 3,000 Free COVID-19 Tests for Alexandria, Cases Jump to 1,544

By James Cullum

Published May 19, 2020 at 10:15AM

As Alexandria’s COVID-19 cases continue to surge, Governor Ralph Northam on Monday announced that 3,000 free COVID-19 tests will be administered in Alexandria on May 25, and that the state’s most impacted areas will get additional testing throughout the remainder of the month.

Virginia Department of Health and the Alexandria Health Department have not announced where the tests will be administered. There have been 4,986 tests administered in the city so far, and details are being finalized on where the new tests will be conducted.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 19, 2020 at 9:00AM

City Helps World Central Kitchen Give Out 1,250 Meals — “On May 14, City staff and volunteers distributed 1,250 hot meals to 350 families in the third food distribution organized in Alexandria by World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit food distribution organization founded by chef José Andrés. Local nonprofit ALIVE! also distributed 800 pounds of food at the event. This food distribution will take place again at Casa Chirilagua on May 21 and Ramsay Elementary School on May 28.” [City of Alexandria]

10,000 Maniacs Show at The Birchmere Rescheduled to November — “his show has been RESCHEDULED AGAIN, now for Friday November 20, 2020! All 3/20/20 & 5/31/20 tickets will be honored on the new date. Refunds available through Ticketmaster if you cannot attend the new date. If you purchased at The Birchmere Box Office, please hold on to your tickets until we reopen. Tickets for 11/20/20 on sale now!” [Birchmere]

Alexandria Police Looking For Missing Man in West End

By James Cullum

Published May 18, 2020 at 9:00PM | Updated May 19, 2020 at 11:34AM

(Updated at 11:30 p.m.) The missing man has been found, Alexandria police say.

The Alexandria Police Department are looking for a missing 67-year-old man who was last seen in the area of Sanger Avenue and Essex Court in the city’s West End.

ACPS Recommends Pre-Labor Day Start for 2021-2022 School Year

By Vernon Miles

Published May 18, 2020 at 5:00PM

ACPS headquarters and clock (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria City Public Schools reiterated in a School Board meeting last Friday (May 15) that the upcoming school year won’t start before Labor Day (Sept. 7) but the next school year likely will.

In a memo to the board, Chief Human Resources Officer Stephen Wilkins said that Calendar Committee recommended the 2021-2022 school year start at on Aug. 28. School officials warned, however, that this could change depending on the long-term impact of COVID-19.

Potomac Yard Senior Living Facility Returning to Alexandria With Revisions

By Vernon Miles

Published May 18, 2020 at 3:30PM

A planned senior care facility called The Landing in Potomac Yard is returning to the city for approval of some changes to reflect new city guidelines.

Silverstone Healthcare Co. is applying to the City of Alexandria to increase the size of a project at 2602 Main Line Blvd., originally approved in 2018, from 150 units up to 190 units in one building but with an overall decrease in units.

Bourbon Donuts, Grill and Chill Packages, and Other Alexandria Specials for Memorial Day

By Vernon Miles

Published May 18, 2020 at 2:30PM

With Visit Alexandria pivoting from external tourism to keeping locals engaged, the city-sponsored organization has written up a guide for celebrating Memorial Day (Monday, May 25) in Alexandria.

Northern Virginia, including Alexandria, is not scheduled to start lifting coronavirus restrictions until May 29. There are still more restaurants and retail locations starting to reopen as they adjust to social distancing rules. The Visit Alexandria site has a list of local eateries with Memorial Day specials. Jast as with Cinco De Mayo, some local restaurants are offering interesting or unusual items.

Neighborhood Health Tests Hundreds in Arlandria, Executive Director Says Too Soon to Open Northern Virginia

By James Cullum

Published May 18, 2020 at 11:50AM

Alexandria’s Hispanic population has the most number of COVID-19 infections, and on Saturday hundreds of residents in the city’s Arlandria neighborhood got free COVID-19 tests.

The tests were provided by the community health nonprofit Neighborhood Health, which partnered with the city for the event and tested 236 residents. Neighborhood Health will receive the test results from LabCorp within 48 hours of the testing and then reach out to the residents.

There Are Now 1,510 COVID-19 Cases in Alexandria, No New Deaths

By James Cullum

Published May 18, 2020 at 10:15AM

There are now 1,510 cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria, an increase of 34 cases since yesterday and there are no new deaths associated with the virus, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

There are 34 fatalities (including one probable death) related to the virus, and a woman and man in their 80s are the latest victims. Their deaths were announced by VDH on Saturday. Additionally, out of the 1,510 cases, 176 have been deemed probable cases.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 18, 2020 at 9:00AM

Group to Sue City for Pollution Near Recycling Center — “After a 7 On Your Side Investigation aired about the amount of Styrofoam piling up along the banks of the Potomac River in Alexandria, Virginia, organizers with Advocates for Clean & Clear Waterways, a new non-profit, has informed the City it plans on suing.” [WJLA]

DASH Bus Requiring All Riders to Wear Face Masks — “Based on guidance from the Alexandria Health Department, the Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) will require all passengers to wear face coverings while using DASH buses beginning Monday, May 18, 2020. The measure will help protect DASH employees and passengers from contracting the COVID-19 virus and is consistent with the actions of the agency’s regional transit partners, including WMATA, Frederick Transit, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County Transit. This precaution will remain in effect until further notice.” [DASH]

There Are Now 1,476 Cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published May 17, 2020 at 4:00PM | Updated May 17, 2020 at 10:20PM

COVID-19 cases in Alexandria (ALXnow)

(Updated at 10:00 p.m.) There are now 1,476 cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria, an increase of 16 cases since yesterday and there are no new deaths associated with the virus, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

There are 34 fatalities related to the virus, and a woman and man in their 80s are the latest victims.