coronavirus | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published October 19, 2020 at 9:00AM

Drug Take Back Day is October 24 — “Safely dispose of your unused and expired medicines during Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drop off locations will be available at APD Headquarters, Fire Station 210, and the Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray.” [Twitter]

Council Approves Real Estate Tax Deferral — “Yesterday Council approved a resolution providing for a ‘hardship deferral’ option for payment of Alexandria’s second half real estate tax payment. Upon request, this allows an individual taxpayer to defer payment of the November 16th payment until March 1.” [Twitter]

News

ALXnow’s Top Stories this Week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published October 16, 2020 at 5:00PM

What a week it’s been in Alexandria.

Our top story this week was the report that Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr. sends one of his children to Bishop Ireton High School. In case you missed it, the story first broke in Theogony, the T.C. Williams High School newspaper.

News

Superintendent Presents Phased Approach to Reopening Alexandria City Public Schools

By James Cullum

Published October 16, 2020 at 2:45PM

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

Alexandria City Public Schools are planning on slowly reopening their doors to students and teachers next month.

On Thursday, Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr. formally unveiled his phased approach to reopening the city’s public school system. Desks will be outfitted with sneeze guards and students and teachers will have to wear face masks and maintain distancing.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published October 16, 2020 at 9:00AM

Seminary Road Sidewalk to Remain Incomplete — “VDOT denies Alexandria’s grant request for the $1 million sidewalk.” [Alexandria Living]

Alexandria Now Has 4,077 Cases of COVID-19 — “The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in Alexandria is now 4,077, including 73 fatalities. Detailed data, including data on age, race and ethnicity, is available through links at alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus.” [City of Alexandria]

News

Alexandria Health Department Hosting Virtual Daycare Parent Town Hall Tonight

By James Cullum

Published October 15, 2020 at 3:45PM

A mother and child at a food distribution outside Casa Chirilagua in Arlandria on Thursday, May 21, 2020. Casa Chirilagua is one of the recipients of the ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

If you are a daycare provider or have kids in child care, the Alexandria Health Department will conduct the first of virtual two town hall meetings on the subject starting tonight (Thursday, Oct. 15) at 6 p.m.

“Guardians will be reminded of the steps they can take to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and share resources,” notes a city release.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published October 15, 2020 at 9:00AM

Virginia Voter Registration Deadline Extended to Thursday Night — “BREAKING: Virginia’s voter registration deadline has been extended until Thursday, October 15 at 11:59pm. If you still need to register or update your information, you can do it online at vote.virginia.gov–you can also register and vote early at your registrar’s office.” [Twitter]

City Asks for Feedback on Adding Affordable Housing to Arlandria — “At a virtual meeting Tuesday night (another meeting is set for Wednesday night), members of the Alexandria Office of Planning and Zoning presented their vision to improve affordable housing in the Arlandira-Chirilagua area.” [Alexandria Living]

News

ALIVE! Hosting Free Food Distributions this Saturday in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published October 14, 2020 at 1:15PM

ALIVE! handed out four bags of food apiece at its drive-thru food distribution at Cora Kelly School and John Adams Elementary last Saturday morning. (Photo via ALIVE!/Facebook)

ALIVE! is hosting three free food distributions this week in Alexandria, and the nonprofit is offering shelf stable groceries, produce and eggs for hungry families.

“In response to food insecurity caused by impacts of COVID-19, 1.6 million meals have been distributed throughout Alexandria since Mid-March,” the city said in a release. “To maintain contactless food distribution, residents are encouraged to drive through and remain in their cars. Walk-up customers should maintain six feet of physical distance, wear a face mask, and bring carts or reusable bags to carry food home.”

News

Superintendent Proposing Phased Reopening of Alexandria City Public Schools Starting in November

By James Cullum

Published October 14, 2020 at 11:45AM

George Washington Middle School (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Desks with sneeze guards, social distancing and face masks — those are a few of the recommendations that the Alexandria School Board will receive at its meeting on Thursday as Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr. is set to unveil his phased approach to reopening the city’s public school system.

The pandemic forced Alexandria City Public Schools to send students home in March. Under the proposal the school system would open its doors to the city’s most vulnerable students starting next month. There are more than 400 students needing specialized instruction that would be phased into the school Between Nov. 5 and Nov. 30.

News

City Council to Consider No Penalty on Paying Real Estate Taxes by March 2021

By James Cullum

Published October 14, 2020 at 10:30AM | Updated October 14, 2020 at 3:30PM

Alexandria City Hall (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated at 12:30 p.m.) The Alexandria City Council on Saturday will consider extending the deadline for paying the second installment of real estate taxes until March 1, 2021.

Council will consider the extension at its public hearing on Saturday, October 17.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published October 14, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated October 14, 2020 at 10:37AM

Fall colors along Interstate 95 south in Alexandria (Staff photo by James Cullum)

U.S. Secretary of Education Commends ACPS Superintendent for Sending Child to Private School — “How great that Superintendent Hutchings is able to make this choice for his child. Every family in Alexandria, VA, and across the entire country, should have the same freedom to choose where, when and how their kids learn.” [Twitter]

Beyer Says Trump Lying About Health Care Plan — “rump has no health plan. He’s been lying for five years, always saying there’s this amazing plan just around the corner. Meanwhile he’s suing to get the health law that protects Americans with preexisting conditions struck down by the Supreme Court.” [Twitter]

News

POLL: Are You Traveling This Holiday Season?

By James Cullum

Published October 13, 2020 at 5:00PM

At Gravelly Point, a man in a folding chair reads a book as planes land outside Reagan National Airport (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The 2020 holiday season is before us, but the Alexandria Health Department is advising residents to stay home.

For thousands of residents, the annual fall and winter celebrations are heartwarming chances for friends and family to reconnect, however this year has been all about limited gatherings.