Gov. Northam issues stay-at-home order
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam issued a statewide Stay at Home order March 30 to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan had earlier issued a similar order. Northam’s Executive Order 55 directs people to stay home except for extremely limited circumstances. It takes effect immediately and will remain in place until June 10, … Continued
Gardeners urge Park Authority to reopen community garden plots
A sign closing the parking lot at Pine Ridge Park, barring access to the Bo White community gardens, as well as all other park facilities.. Many gardeners who rent plots from the Fairfax County Park Authority are unhappy that the community gardens are closed. All parks, athletic fields, playgrounds, picnic areas. and parking lots are … Continued
Walkway project, pedestrian signal planned for Little River Turnpike
A sidewalk will improve pedestrian safety on this stretch of Little River Turnpike. Planning is underway for a walkway project along the westbound side of Little River Turnpike in Annandale between High Place and Pinecrest Parkway, Mason Supervisor Penny Gross announced in her newsletter to residents. The project includes an 1,800-foot-long, eight-foot-wide concrete sidewalk, curbs … Continued
Daily COVID-19 deaths will peak in Virginia on May 6, researchers predict
A graph showing predicted COVID-19 deaths in Virginia. [Institute for Health Metricts and Evaluation] The number of daily COVID-19 deaths in Virginia will steadily climb, reaching a peak of 32 deaths on May 6. After that, the number of daily deaths will gradually decline, reaching 0 on July 6. Those projections are from a graph … Continued
Life in the time of coronavirus
Look what we found in a back corner of the CVS. How is coronavirus pandemic affecting our daily lives and local businesses? On a walk down Little River Turnpike on Friday afternoon, we found restaurants with all the tables pushed out of the way, people wearing face masks, and empty shelves that used to be … Continued
Falls Church Distillers now makes hand sanitizer
Michael Paluzzi of Falls Church Distillers. The boxes are full of ingredients for hand sanitizer. Instead of making vodka, gin, and other spirits, Falls Church Distillers is using its equipment to make hand sanitizer – another product much in demand during the coronavirus pandemic. “Sales have been astounding,” says owner Michael Paluzzi. The first batch … Continued
Health Department reports second COVID-19 death
The Fairfax County Health Department is reporting a second death of a person who recently tested positive for COVID-19. The individual was a male in his 60s who acquired the disease through travel. The cause of death was the result of complications of COVID-19. “This is a tragic loss and our hearts go out to … Continued
Fairfax County cuts back on solid waste services
Fairfax County sanitation workers face health risks during the coronavirus pandemic. The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is cutting back on solid waste services to protect sanitation workers during the coronavirus crisis. The changes apply to … Continued
Fairfax County school system to start distance learning for all students April 14
Caroline, a fifth-grader at Beech Tree Elementary School, found something productive to do while schools are closed. She is sewing face masks with help from her mother. She got the idea from Beech Tree mom Van Nguyen, who is making face masks for healthcare workers. [FCPS] Fairfax County Public Schools plans to begin distance learning … Continued
Coronavirus pandemic causes more hardships for immigrant communities
Immigrants collect donated food at Fairmont Gardens in Annandale before the social distancing rules took effect. [LAJC] While the coronavirus pandemic is hitting everyone pretty hard, it is causing especially challenging hardships for the local immigrant community. Immigrants living in the Culmore area of Bailey’s Crossroads “are concerned about the future. They are not working. … Continued
Inova offers curbside COVID-19 testing
Drive-up coronavirus testing in Arlington hosted by the Virginia Hospital Center. [Tyrone Turner/WAMU] Starting today, March 25, three Inova Urgent Care clinics – in North Arlington, Tysons, and Dulles South – will offer curbside coronavirus testing. People with a testing order from a physician can drive up to one of those sites where a clinician will … Continued
Board to hold hearing on proposed admissions tax
Movie tickets at the Angelika Film Center, currently closed, would cost a little more if Fairfax County approves an admissions tax. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 9-1 March 24 to advertise a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to establish an admissions tax. The ordinance would levy a 4 percent tax on performances, … Continued
Metro is closing 17 more stations
Metro is closing 17 stations indefinitely, including the East Falls Church station, effective March 26. The closures are being done because of low ridership during the coronavirus emergency and “to conserve critical resources and protect the health and safety of Metro employees and the public,” the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Pandemic Task Force announced March 24. … Continued
Recent crimes include robbery, break-in, DWI
Hamby [FCPD] Someone broke into the Millenium Care Pharmacy at 6305 Castle Place in Seven Corners and stole property, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. The burglary happened at about 9 a.m. on March 23. The suspect was described as a man wearing a light-colored shirt and dark-colored pants. There was a DWI arrest on … Continued
Fairfax County Schools expands meal distribution program
Grab-and-go lunches ready for pickup at Bailey’s Elementary School. Fairfax County Public Schools on March 24 expanded its grab-and-go free meal service to 34 schools, 12 pop-up sites, and at intersections along many school bus routes. FCPS has also changed the hours at school sites to 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday. Breakfast and lunch will be … Continued