News | ALXnow - Part 962

Superintendent Hutchings Outlines Future of Schools Through Pandemic

Published May 6, 2020 at 5:30PM | Updated May 6, 2020 at 5:54PM

In a video posted yesterday, Alexandria Superintendent Gregory Hutchings described the school’s approach to educating students at home and how those plans have evolved and will evolve throughout the pandemic.

“Our continuity of learning plan is how we teach and learn from home,” Hutchings said. “It ensures all our students are learning while we’re at home. The plan was initially meant to take us through spring break, but as you know… [Gov. Northam] decided all schools will remain closed through the academic year.”

Chadwicks Cautious of Fully Reopening, Thanks Alexandrians for Support

By James Cullum

Published May 6, 2020 at 4:55PM | Updated May 6, 2020 at 8:15PM

Chadwicks at 203 Strand Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s been an incredible challenge, but Chadwicks owner Trae Lamond is hopeful everything will get back to normal with his business… eventually.

The 39-year-old Lamond was forced to lay off a majority of his 50 full and part-time staffers, and since March the favorite bar and restaurant for many Old Town residents has been working with a skeleton crew of about 17 employees.

Southern Towers Extends Rent Payment, Strikers Still Hoping for Rent Freeze

By Vernon Miles

Published May 6, 2020 at 3:30PM | Updated May 6, 2020 at 3:48PM

A pair of strikes filled the streets outside Southern Towers late last month and on May 1, but despite some extended support for renters out of the job due to COVID-19, those who helped stage the earlier protests said the fight to stop rent from being charged to those without a job will continue to go on.

“Bell Partners has extended its previously-announced measures to help residents financially impacted by COVID-19 into May,” a spokesman for Bell Partners, which operates Southern Towers, said. “The due date for May rent has been pushed back to May 20 and late fees have been waived.”

Alexandria Businesses Brace for a Cautious Reopening Next Week

By Vernon Miles

Published May 6, 2020 at 2:15PM

After Gov. Ralph Northam’s announcement that restrictions could start easing up on Virginia businesses next week, some Old Town businesses are already preparing for steps on how to cautiously reopen.

A representative of the Old Town Boutique District said in an email that various businesses that had previously been closed are taking steps to reopen while still offering some degree of social distancing.

Pacers Partners with Potomac Running to Provide Shoes During Pandemic

By Vernon Miles

Published May 6, 2020 at 11:30AM | Updated May 6, 2020 at 2:10PM

Running store Pacers, which has a flagship store in Alexandria, announced today (Wednesday) that it is partnering with the Potomac River Running Store and Switzerland based ON Shoes to donate 5,000 shoes to frontline workers and regional organizations impacted by the pandemic.

Pacers and Potomac River Running Store will be in charge of identifying and distributing the stores to individuals or groups impacted by the pandemic. Each store will receive 2,500 shoes of various sizes and types.

ACPS Opens Two Food Distribution Pop-Ups, Asks for Shutdown Feedback

By James Cullum

Published May 6, 2020 at 10:30AM

Packed lunches at T.C. Williams High School (now Alexandria City High School), March 16, 2020. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools has added two more mobile pop-up breakfast and lunch distribution locations for “grab and go” meals for children over the age of two.

The new locations are The Fields of Alexandria at 4309 Duke Street and Bennington Crossing Apartment Homes at 441 North Armistead Street.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 6, 2020 at 9:00AM

‘Le Refuge’ Restaurant Founder Passes Away — “Jean-Francois Chaufour was born in born in Tavers, France June 7, 1952. He and his wife, Francoise, both hailed from the Loive Valley area and came to the United States together in 1976 and started working as servers in the metropolitan area. After many years of hard work and saving, they pursued the American dream of opening their own establishment.” [Zebra]

Beyer Provides COVID-19 Updates — “I’ve compiled a series of summaries of financial assistance (direct payments, unemployment, paid leave, & more), plus housing, food, and small business resources.” [Twitter]

BREAKING: Pedestrian Struck and Killed by VRE Train Behind Potomac Yard Movie Theater

By James Cullum

Published May 5, 2020 at 8:15PM

A VRE train heading south through Potomac Yard (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A pedestrian was killed this evening by a Virginia Railway Express train behind the Regal Cinemas at Potomac Yard, according to Alexandria Police.

The person died at the scene, and the incident occurred at around 6:30 p.m., according to Alexandria Police spokesman Lieutenant Courtney Ballantine.

Inova Alexandria Hospital Resumes Elective Procedures, Visitation Still Minimal

By James Cullum

Published May 5, 2020 at 5:15PM | Updated May 5, 2020 at 6:07PM

Inova Alexandria Hospital at 4320 Seminary Road (staff photo by James Cullum)

Inova Alexandria Hospital resumed elective surgeries and other elective procedures on Friday, and hospital President Dr. Rina Bansal says that the number of patients in the intensive care unit is going down.

Visitation is still restricted at the hospital, although patients are allowed into the facility with a companion.

Local Advocates Say Alexandria Needs to Do More to Stop Trash Overflow

By Vernon Miles

Published May 5, 2020 at 4:35PM

One attempted solution to a trash problem in Alexandria has allegedly created another, though the city said it’s working to manage the problem.

In response to the increased demand for recycling services at homes in Alexandria, the city has been encouraging residents to take their surplus recycling materials to a facility at 4251 Eisenhower Ave.

Vola’s Dockside Grill and Riverside Taco in Old Town Reopen

By Vernon Miles

Published May 5, 2020 at 3:15PM

A pair of waterfront eateries have joined the ranks of other restaurants across the city reopening for takeout and delivery.

Vola’s Dockside Grill and Riverside Taco Company, both located at 101 N. Union Street at the foot of King Street on the waterfront, are reopening today (Tuesday). Both restaurants will be open every day from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.