coronavirus | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published August 18, 2020 at 9:00AM

Lower King Street in Old Town, Alexandria, in June 2020. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Tech Firm Raises $1.1 Million in Seed Funding — “Clowder has quickly become the leader in modern member communication. Our apps are able to take organizations who’ve long relied on web and email-based engagement strategies and place them in the 21st century with an on-hand tool that provides instant access.”[Clowder.com]

Metro Expands Train Service Hours — “The pandemic has posed challenges never before faced by Metro, and I want to extend my thanks to our customers – especially essential workers – for their understanding as we took unprecedented action to protect our essential frontline workforce and the public health.” [Zebra]

News

Unemployment Hits Four Month Low in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published August 17, 2020 at 4:45PM

After a brief uptick in the unemployment figures a few weeks ago, the city’s figures have been trending down both in both initial and continued claims, according to data from the Virginia Unemployment Commission.

The city has 5,042 continued unemployment claims as of the week of Aug. 8. That’s the lowest number of continued claims since April 25 when there were 4,881 claims.

News

Alexandria Libraries Reopen With Safety Precautions and Limited Capacity

By Vernon Miles

Published August 17, 2020 at 1:30PM

The Charles Beatley library in Alexandria (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

After months of limited curbside service, Alexandria’s libraries have reopened today with some safety modifications.

The protective measures are standard for what many other locations have been doing to open indoor operations safely as the city still struggles with coronavirus.

News

Alexandria Now Has 61 COVID-19 Deaths and 3,130 Total Cases

By James Cullum

Published August 17, 2020 at 10:15AM | Updated August 17, 2020 at 10:36AM

There have been 61 deaths due to the coronavirus in Alexandria, and there are now or have been 3,130 cases, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

The city surpassed the 3,000 case mark with last week, and the most recent fatality was reported on Friday, but occurred months ago, according to the city. The victim was a man in his 50s.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 17, 2020 at 9:00AM

Exercising near the closed GenOn power plant in Alexandria near the Potomac River. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Beyer Says House Democrats Working to Protect Postal Service — “So many of you are writing, calling, and urging us to act to protect the US Postal Service. We share your anger and frustration about what Trump is doing and your alarm about what it could mean for the election. And we ARE working to stop him.” [Twitter]

Noah and Josephus Lyles Win First and Second in 200 Meter Race in Monaco — “Lyles raised a black, fingerless-gloved right fist before getting into the blocks to win a 200m in his first international race of the season, conjuring memories of the famous 1968 Olympic podium gesture. He clocked 19.76 seconds, leading a one-two with younger brother Josephus.” [NBC Sports]

News

ALXnow’s Top Stories This Week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 14, 2020 at 5:15PM

These summer weeks are flying by, and another one is in the books in Alexandria.

This week, readers responded to a number of issues in the city, including the tragic story behind the city’s first murder, crime in Arlandria and another protest outside of the acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary’s home.

News

ACPS Prepares for the Ripple Effect on a Condensed Sports Season

By Vernon Miles

Published August 14, 2020 at 4:30PM

Alexandria City Public Schools is preparing to go back to school with an all-online model, school administrators are working to adapt the school systems’ athletics program to a new, condensed schedule.

James Parker, Director of Athletics and Student Activities, said that like the rest of the state, Alexandria sports will have a modified schedule with sporting events currently planned to start again in January.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 14, 2020 at 9:00AM

Former Councilman Bob Calhoun Dies — “Bob Calhoun, a former Republican state senator and city councilor, died on Aug. 6 of prostate cancer. He was 83.” [Alex Times]

ACPS Staffer at John Adams Elementary Registration Site Tests Positive for Coronavirus — “The site has currently been closed for cleaning and ACPS will follow all guidelines for ensuring that our facilities are clean and safe prior to reopening. The risk to anyone who was in contact with this individual at the school site has been deemed low, due to the specific circumstances of this case, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and physical distancing.” [Facebook]

News

City Suspends Vehicle Inspection and Registration Enforcement Until October 31

By James Cullum

Published August 13, 2020 at 5:15PM

Worried about driving and parking with expired tags? Alexandria is suspending its vehicle registration, safety inspection and emissions inspection requirements through October 31, and any parking tickets issued after July 19 will be voided and payments will be refunded.

“This follows the City’s prior suspension of enforcement, from mid-March through July 19, of the requirement to display a valid state safety inspection sticker while parked,” notes a city release. “Any parking tickets that were issued by the City for safety inspection violations after July 19 will be automatically voided, and any payments will be automatically refunded by October 16.”

News

Northern Virginia Community College Announces Limited On-Site Classes This Fall

By Vernon Miles

Published August 13, 2020 at 3:20PM

Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC, though the school also calls itself NOVA), which has a campus in Alexandria’s West End at 5000 Dawes Avenue, has announced that there will be some in-person classes this fall when classes resume on Monday, August 24.

“While much remains uncertain about the future impacts of COVID-19, NOVA has outlined safety considerations for limited on-site instruction, services and operations during the fall semester,” the school announced on its website. “This plan is grounded in a commitment to follow all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) guidelines for COVID-19 safety.”

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 13, 2020 at 9:00AM

Bookstore Operator Denies Raiding Little Free Libraries for Stock — “A Nextdoor site dedicated to Del Ray in Alexandria has been roiled by allegations that the operator of a nonprofit used bookstore slated to open next week in Alexandria was visiting Little Free Libraries to obtain stock for his shop.” [Washingtonian]

City Extends Public Feedback Deadline on Accessory Dwelling Units — “The public is invited to watch the City’s latest presentation on ADUs and provide feedback through Aug 19 here. There will be a virtual open house on ADUs scheduled before the Planning Commission and City Counsel hearings this fall.” [Alexandria Living]