(Updated at 7 p.m.) Alexandria City Public Schools will be closing Monday until April 14 — after spring break — due to the coronavirus outbreak, Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr. announced in an email at noon on Friday.

“Although the Alexandria Health Department is not recommending schools to close at this time, multiple issues are impacting the ability for our schools to function effectively and efficiently,” Hutchings wrote. “Therefore, all ACPS schools will be closed as of Monday, March 16, 2020. We are currently planning to close until after spring break (April 6-13, 2020) and will continue to monitor the situation throughout this period of time.”

ACPS has a plan to feed students on free and reduced lunch. Starting Monday, the school system will provide free emergency meals for “any child under 18 and any family who needs it.”

According to the school system, there are two ways to access food while schools are closed:

• Individual Meals to Go: Any child between the ages of 2 and 18 – whether or not they are eligible for Free or Reduced Price Meals – can pick up a meal to go in a bag. Stop by the Chinquapin Drive side of T.C. Williams High School (door 14) between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. to pick up a meal-to-go. You do not need to fill out any forms to pick up a meal-to-go.
• Family Meal Packs: You can order a family meal pack online and pick it up at the drive through pick-up point outside Chinquapin Recreation Center (Chinquapin Drive side of T.C. Williams High School, door 14) between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m the following day. If transportation is an issue, please remember to check the box to request meal delivery. Fill out the form to request a family meal pack: https://www.acps.k12.va.us/emergency-mealform

ALXnow was the first to report the closure on Friday morning, and the news comes a day after Hutchings appeared in a web conference with city and health officials, saying that the school system was not closing and was closely monitoring the pandemic.

Fairfax County closed schools Friday and cancelled all school trips and extracurricular activities. Loudoun County closed its schools from Thursday until March 20. Arlington Public Schools have cancelled or postponed non-essential events, schools in the District will be closed the remainder of the month starting March 16, and all public schools in Maryland are closing from March 16 through March 27.

Additionally, Bishop Ireton High School announced that it would be closed on Friday.

A message from Head of School Kathleen McNutt on Bishop Ireton’s closure on Friday, March 13, 2020. pic.twitter.com/rBwd7gOS20

— Bishop Ireton High School (@bishopiretonhs) March 13, 2020

The city reported its first presumptive positive case of coronavirus on Wednesday night, and earlier this week Hutchings reported that some students and staff at five schools were self-isolating in their respective homes.

The full message to parents is below.

Dear ACPS Families,

During the past several days we have heard concerns from parents and staff about keeping our schools open while the coronavirus response escalates in our region and around the country. Please know the safety and well being of our young people is always the top priority in ACPS. The mental, physical and emotional health of our students is at the forefront of our decision-making during this coronavirus situation.  

At this time, we have no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in our schools, and the Alexandria Health Department has not determined community-spread of the coronavirus in the City of Alexandria. We have a number of staff and students who are self-quarantining and will be out for several weeks. Closures in our region are also impacting our ability to fully staff our schools. 

Although the Alexandria Health Department is not recommending schools to close at this time, multiple issues are impacting the ability for our schools to function effectively and efficiently. 

Therefore, all ACPS schools will be closed as of Monday, March 16, 2020. We are currently planning to close until after spring break (April 13, 2020) and will continue to monitor the situation throughout this period of time. 

Our food services team is making arrangements for students to be provided meals while schools remain closed. Additional details will be sent later today. 

During our closure, a daily update will be sent out via ACPS Express around 1 p.m to all families and community members who are signed up to receive these updates. Sign up for ACPS Express now. There will be a webinar at 3 p.m. every day to answer questions from families. We will send more information with specific details about this on Monday, March 16, 2020.

Please make sure your contact information is current in our system so that you can receive all correspondence from the school division during this time. Please contact your registrar today if you need to update your contact information in our system. For more details, see the FAQ on the ACPS website, information below or visit our coronavirus webpage at www.acps.k12.va.us/coronavirus.

We thank you for your support during this difficult time and appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve our students and staff throughout this closure. More details about operations during closure will be provided later today. Daily updates will begin on Monday, March 16, 2020. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools

PARENT FAQs 

What work will be happening in our school facilities while schools are closed?
Every building will be deep cleaned while schools are closed. Other contracted work will continue as planned.

How can I get internet access at home?
Sign up for Comcast Internet Essentials. Visit www.internetessentials.com.

• Comcast is offering a FREE 60 day service and then $9.95/month
• New customers receive a free self-install kit that includes a cable modem with a Wi-Fi router.  There will be no term contract or credit check and no shipping fee.
• For assistance call 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.

How do I continue to get updates?
Make sure your contact information is up to date and you are able to receive information at this critical time. 

Any member of the community can sign up to receive updates via ACPS Express. Sign up for ACPS Express now. An update will be shared via ACPS Express daily at 1 p.m.
An outline of emergency communication methods can be found on the ACPS website.

How will my child learn while schools are closed?
Instructional packets are going home today for elementary school students. Those students who have access to Chromebooks will be taking them home today. Instructional packets will be posted on the ACPS website for easy access.

Will there be other instructional supports?
ACPS-TV will be running educational content from 9 a.m. through noon each day. More information will be sent out on Monday.

Will there be continued access to food?
ACPS School Nutrition Services is continuing to develop a plan for providing food for students in need. Further information about meal availability will be communicated in the near future. 

Families in need may also contact our local food pantry at https://www.alive-inc.org/ or 703-837-9300.

What should I do if someone in our family experiences coronavirus-like symptoms?
Individuals who need medical care should contact their primary care physician to report their illness or contact Neighborhood Health.

Will Rec and/or Campagna programs be open?
Please check their websites: https://www.alexandriava.gov/Recreation and https://www.campagnacenter.org.

The intersection of N. Jordan and Duke Street, near the Foxchase shopping center, is closed due to a serious pedestrian crash.

“A pedestrian was struck,” said Alexandria Police spokesman Lt. Courtney Ballantine. “It’s serious enough that they’ve called in the reconstruction team.”

Ballantine said the person struck was an adult male. On social media, police urged drivers to avoid the area.

NOTIFICATION: North Jordan at Duke Street at is closed due to a serious traffic crash. Please avoid the area and expect police on scene.

— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) February 27, 2020

Via social media, a witness reported that the man was bleeding from the head after being struck.

The incident comes just three days after another pedestrian was struck at Duke Street and Diagonal Road and a month after Alexandria artist Alfredo DaSilva was killed while crossing Duke Street at an intersection not far from today’s scene. Earlier this week a driver was charged with a deadly pedestrian crash on Duke Street in November.

A petition to reduce the speed limit on a portion of Duke Street east of Jordan Street from 35 to 25 mph has garnered just over 100 signatures.

Map via Google Maps

(Updated at 7 p.m.) A T.C. Williams student was arrested at the school today (Thursday) and charged in the killing of two people on a rural Virginia Highway, NBC 4 first reported.

Ntombo Joel Bianda, 21, of Alexandria, and Ayanna Munne Maertens Griffin, 19, of Germantown, Maryland, were found shot to death along Route 58 in southern Virginia over the weekend.

The Alexandria Police Department confirmed to ALXnow that its officers were on scene at the high school for the arrest of a T.C. student. The case is being investigated by Virginia State Police, an APD spokesman said.

State police released the following press release about the arrest late Thursday afternoon.

An 18-year-old Alexandria male has been arrested and charged in Saturday’s double homicide in Halifax County. On Thursday (Feb. 13, 2020) morning, the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Appomattox Field Office took Mohamed A. Aly into custody without incident in Alexandria, Va. Aly has been charged with two counts of first degree murder and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Aly will be held at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Halifax, Va.

At 2:51 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 8), Virginia State Police responded to Route 58 in Halifax County near Melon Road. A silver 2009 Nissan Maxima was located in the median with Ntombo Joel Bianda, 21, of Alexandria, Va., and Ayanna Munne Maertens Griffin, 19, of Germantown, Md., found deceased and lying in the grass nearby. Both had suffered gunshot wounds.

“State police personnel have been working around the clock pursuing multiple leads related to this homicide investigation,” said Capt. David O. Cooper II, Commander of the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Appomattox Field Office. “We cannot thank the public enough for providing the tips and information necessary to aid our special agents with effecting an arrest so quickly.”

Since Saturday, the FBI Richmond Field Office, ATF and several other local law enforcement agencies have been assisting state police with the homicide investigation. State police has also been assisted with various evidentiary searches in Halifax County by K9 teams from the Virginia Department of Corrections and Bedford County Sheriff’s Office.

As the investigation remains ongoing at this time, the Virginia State Police is still encouraging anyone with information about this incident or individuals involved to contact us at 434-352-7128 or #77 on a cell phone or to email [email protected]. Anonymous calls are welcome.

A student at T.C. Williams tells ALXnow that the suspect, Mohamed Aly, “was telling all his friends” about the slaying. That account could not be immediately confirmed by police.

Aly was a popular student and a player on the varsity football team, and a few of his T.C. classmates expressed support for him on Snapchat Thursday night.

Via Twitter, T.C.’s athletic director discouraged players from speaking to members of the media.

ATTENTION: TC Football Players, students and athletes please do not respond to any media who reaches out to you! Let me know and we will handle it. @TCTitanFootball

— James Parker (@TCWilliamsAD) February 13, 2020

Just after 5 p.m., principal Peter Balas sent the following email to T.C. Williams families, acknowledging the arrest and saying that counselors will be available at the school “over the next few days.”

Dear T.C. Williams Parents and Guardians,

We are writing to inform you that a T.C. Williams High School student was arrested today for his alleged involvement in a crime that occurred outside of the City of Alexandria and our community. We are complying with authorities as they conduct their ongoing investigation, and we are referring all questions to Virginia State Police. It is ACPS policy to not comment on an active police investigation.

This situation was handled today according to protocol, and the safety and security of our students and staff were never at risk. Protecting members of our school community is always our top priority, and we take any matter relating to the safety of our schools very seriously. As a precautionary measure, additional security will be in place at the school tomorrow.

We should expect that there will be a variety of reactions to what has occurred, and the most important thing we can do is to be supportive and encourage an open expression of emotions. Counselors will be available for students and staff members at the school over the next few days. We encourage your child to reach out for support as needed. We will be monitoring students carefully over the next few weeks. If you feel that your child or family needs assistance, please contact the school administration at 703-824-6800, and we will do everything we can to help you.

Sincerely,

Peter Balas
Principal
T.C. Williams High School

A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for Bianda’s memorial fund. So far it has raised just over $7,000.

James Cullum contributed to this report

(Updated at 9:10 p.m.) A serious crash blocked N. Van Dorn Street just west of Seminary Road Wednesday morning.

The two-vehicle crash happened at the intersection of Van Dorn and Kenmore Avenue around 7:20 a.m. One person was trapped in a vehicle after the wreck but was later freed and brought to a local hospital, according to the Alexandria fire union.

In all, three people suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Traffic was detoured around the crash scene, leading to major delays on eastbound N. Van Dorn Street, starting around Landmark Mall.

DASH says its AT5 bus was affected by the detour. A second crash was also reported on Van Dorn, to the west of the crash with entrapment.

As of 9:30 a.m. first responders were working to reopen portions of the roadway.

More via social media:

Accident with entrapment, N. Van Dorn Street near Kenmore Avenue.

— IAFF Local 2141 (@IAFFLocal2141) January 22, 2020

pic.twitter.com/wKlatesS4I

— IAFF Local 2141 (@IAFFLocal2141) January 22, 2020

https://twitter.com/DASHBus/status/1219982019419103233

Map via Google Maps

(Updated at 11:55 a.m.) A two-alarm apartment fire at 250 S. Van Dorn Street drew a large emergency response Thursday morning.

The fire was reported on the top floor of a four-story apartment building in the Landmark area, across from the Van Dorn Plaza shopping center, around 10:30 a.m. Smoke could be seen coming from the roof area, according to initial reports.

Firefighters from Alexandria, Fairfax County and Arlington responded to the scene. The fire was extinguished shortly before 11 a.m.

Thus far no injuries have been reported, but residents of several apartments are expected to be displaced due to fire, water and smoke damage.

2nd Alarm sounded, 200 Block of S Van Dorn Street, fire showing from a 4th floor apartment and thru the roof. Battalion 212 with the command.

— IAFF Local 2141 (@IAFFLocal2141) December 19, 2019

Amid the Van Dorn Street fire response, AFD alo responded to a small fire at a school in Old Town. The two simultaneous structure fire calls required some Arlington fire units to help fill in at Alexandria fire stations.

UPDATE: The Van Dorn Street fire is out. Firefighters are now also on scene of the Lyles-Crouch school at 530 S. St. Asaph Street, which has been evacuated after a fire in the boiler room, now reported to be out.

— ALXnow (@AlexandriaNow) December 19, 2019

Firefighters from Alexandria, Arlington and surrounding jurisdictions responded Friday night to a two-alarm fire in the Del Ray area.

The fire on the 400 block of E. Bellefonte Avenue was first reported just before 10 p.m. Arriving firefighters encountered heavy fire and sounded a second alarm.

The fire has since been extinguished, though a large emergency response remains on scene.

No injuries were reported. The Alexandria fire union said via Twitter that the fire is believed to have broken out in a dryer.

“Fire began in a dryer and extended through the walls into the cockloft area,” IAFF Local 2141 said via Twitter. “Crews worked quickly to keep the fire from spreading to multiple units.”

#Alert: Multiple units are assisting @AlexandriaVAFD with heavy fire in an apartment building near the 400blk of E Bellefonte Ave. A 2nd alarm has been requested. Follow @AlexandriaVAFD for updates. pic.twitter.com/lkziAaHWNo

— Arlington Fire (@ArlingtonVaFD) December 14, 2019

No citizens were injured during the fire however, several have been displaced. The incident brought mutual aid from @IAFF2800, @IAFF2068 , and MWAA.

— IAFF Local 2141 (@IAFFLocal2141) December 14, 2019

(Updated at 3:10 p.m.) Firefighters from Alexandria and Arlington battled a house fire in the North Ridge neighborhood this afternoon.

Dark smoke was seen coming from a home on the 2900 block of Mayer Place around 1:45 p.m. Arriving firefighters reported finding an active fire on the first floor of the split level home, prompting additional units to be dispatched to the scene.

As of 2 p.m. the fire was reported to be under control and firefighters were working to ventilate smoke from the structure.

Initial reports suggest a dog was found deceased inside the home. The family later arrived at the house and could be seen grieving over the dog, which was placed in a stretcher by firefighters.

Engine 203 arriving with smoke showing from a 2 story home in the 2900 Block of Mayer Avenue. Crews have located and extinguished a fire on the first floor. Battalion 212 with the command.

— IAFF Local 2141 (@IAFFLocal2141) November 27, 2019

Editor’s note: Readers may find some photos within the gallery mildly disturbing.

(Updated 1:30 p.m.) A chase by the Virginia State Police ended with a crash at the intersection of Fort Williams Parkway and Seminary Road

The car being chased wrecked shortly after noon and Virginia State Police took the suspect into custody “without incident,” according to Lt. Courtney Ballantine, a spokesman for the Alexandria Police Department.

Current scene on Seminary Road. @AlexandriaNow @AdamTuss @Marcella_Rob @fox5melanie @AlexTimesNews @AlexGazette pic.twitter.com/z2Ap4tnQ6K

— Jill Hoffman (@JHoffman_DC) November 27, 2019

State Police on the scene on Seminary Road indicated that they were in high-speed pursuit of a vehicle from I-395 that ended on Seminary Road just east of Fort Williams Pkwy. You can see a new sign from a pedestrian median refuge island on the front of the car. pic.twitter.com/X67zFzrTqy

— Jim Durham (@JimLDurham) November 27, 2019

The intersection was closed as of 1 p.m., but Ballantine said it should reopen shortly.

Police said Virginia State Police involvement meant the pursuit almost certainly started on one of the nearby interstates — the intersection is a mile away from I-395 — but the details on where and how the chase began were unclear.

NOTIFICATION :: The Alexandria Police Department is assisting the Virginia State Police in the intersection of Fort Williams Parkway and Seminary Road. The intersection closed. Expect police activity in the area.

— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) November 27, 2019

Photo via Google Maps

Due to an emergency gas repair, Alexandria Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) announced on Twitter than a portion of the 1000 block of westbound King Street.

The block is between Patrick and Henry Streets, the north and southbound directions of Route 1 through Alexandria.

T&ES warned that drivers in Old Town near the closure should expect backups and seek alternate routes if possible.

TRAFFIC: Due to an emergency gas repair, a portion of the 1000 block of westbound King St. is closed. This is in between N/S Route 1, so be aware of backups and use alternate routes if possible.

— Alexandria T&ES (@AlexandriaVATES) November 14, 2019

Photo via Google Maps

(Updated at 1:45 p.m.) Firefighters from Arlington and Alexandria are on scene of an apartment fire in Arlandria.

The fire broke out at a garden-style apartment building on the 3800 block of Old Dominion Blvd shortly before 1 p.m.

A second alarm has been sounded for the blaze, but initial reports suggest the bulk of the fire — which started in one of the apartments — is now out. One person is being brought to a local hospital for reported burns, while another is being evaluated by medics for possible injuries, according to scanner traffic.

Shortly after arriving on scene, firefighters worked to evacuate residents from the smoke-filled structure.

Officials on scene say at least five residents will be displaced by the fire.

Engine and Truck 209 arrived with smoke showing from a 3 story apartment building on Old Dominion Blvd. Engine 209 quickly extinguished a small fire in a terrace level apartment while Truck 209 and surrounding companies assisted several occupants from their apartments. pic.twitter.com/r2DVhsLzzm

— IAFF Local 2141 (@IAFFLocal2141) November 1, 2019