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Hope Calls for State to Release More Outbreak Data

Published May 7, 2020 at 12:15PM

Del. Patrick Hope, who represents parts of Arlington in the Virginia House of Delegates, is pushing the state to be more transparent about coronavirus outbreaks.

Hope, an attorney who works in the medical field, went on a tweetstorm last night, calling out the Virginia Dept. of Health for keeping the location of individual outbreaks — particularly hard-hit long-term care facilities — confidential, while also failing to scale up testing in vulnerable communal settings.

Around Town

Ireland’s Four Courts Reopening for Takeout

By ARLnow.com

Published May 7, 2020 at 11:00AM

Ireland’s Four Courts will once again be serving shepherd’s pies and fish and chips, starting Friday.

The long-time Courthouse watering hole closed on March 15, devastatingly just before St. Patrick’s Day. But customers have rallied around the pub and donated nearly $35,000 via a GoFundMe campaign to benefit Four Courts and its laid off employees.

Opinion

Morning Poll: Should Arlington Parks Reopen for Passive Recreation?

By ARLnow.com

Published May 7, 2020 at 10:15AM

Arlington County’s parks are closed, a safety precaution intended to prevent overcrowding and the spread of the coronavirus.

While trails are open, the closure of parks has reduced recreation options for those seeking to get outside as the weather gets warmer. That, along with the county deciding against closing vehicle lanes for extra space, may be factors contributing to more crowded sidewalks and trails.

News

BREAKING: Takis Karantonis Selected as Democratic Nominee for County Board Special Election

By ARLnow.com

Published May 7, 2020 at 9:20AM

Takis Karantonis, the former director of the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization, will be the Democratic nominee for County Board in the upcoming July 7 special election.

With just days to select a nominee ahead of Friday’s court-set filing deadline, the Arlington County Democratic Committee — despite efforts to get the election date pushed back — opted for a ranked choice voting process among party insiders.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 7, 2020 at 7:30AM

Amazon Orders Thousands of Meals from Freddie’s — “Amazon has hired Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant, which is widely known as an LGBT establishment, to prepare and deliver 10,000 meals in the month of May for front line healthcare workers and first responders in Arlington and nearby Alexandria who are dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement released to the Washington Blade, Amazon said it was investing $200,000 to pay for the 10,000 meals.” [Washington Blade]

VRE Ridership Down 97% — “First, the good news, such as it is: Ridership on Virginia Railway Express stabilized in April as the public-health pandemic rolled on. The bad news: The ridership decline is now averaging 97% compared to normal times.” [InsideNova]

News

Potential Designs for Park Next to HQ2 Revealed

By ARLnow.com

Published May 6, 2020 at 3:55PM | Updated May 6, 2020 at 9:57PM

Potential Amazon banana stand in Metropolitan Park (via Arlington County)

(Updated at 4:25 p.m.) The well-known design firm working to reimagine Metropolitan Park in Pentagon City has revealed some of its initial design concepts.

James Corner Field Operations, the firm behind New York City’s High Line, presented the designs in a virtual public meeting last week, alongside representatives from Amazon — which is footing the bill for the design work and park renovations — and Arlington’s Dept. of Parks and Recreation.

Feature

Arlington Pet of the Week: Shytakee

By ARLnow.com

Published May 6, 2020 at 12:30PM

Arlington Pet of the Week Shytakee (photo courtesy of Brian)

Arlington’s newest Pet of the Week is Shytakee, a 16 year old cat who loves nap time and cuddling.

Here is what Shytakee’s owner had to say about his long life here in Arlington:

Around Town

Arlington’s Mexican Restaurants Were Swarmed on Cinco de Mayo

By ARLnow.com

Published May 6, 2020 at 11:45AM

With cabin fever setting in after weeks of mostly staying at home, large crowds gathered yesterday, on Cinco de Mayo, to pick up to-go tacos, margaritas and other Mexican fare at restaurants across Arlington.

Among the popular spots: Uncle Julio’s in Ballston, District Taco in Rosslyn, Guapo’s in Shirlington, and TTT and Don Tito in Clarendon. For some, it was a welcome boost for some local businesses. For others, it was an unnecessary danger.

News

County Scales Up Public Health Workforce

By ARLnow.com

Published May 6, 2020 at 10:30AM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:13AM

Arlington County government headquarters in Courthouse (file photo)

(Updated at 11:15 a.m.) Arlington County has grown its public health workforce more than 10x since January amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“At the start of this emergency in January, we had approximately 15 members in Public Health leading response efforts,” Arlington Public Health Director Dr. Reuben Varghese tells ARLnow. “We have since expanded to more than 250, including many resources from other parts of the Department of Human Services, temporary reassignments from other County departments and community volunteers.”

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 6, 2020 at 7:30AM

Hope for Arlington Summer Camps — ” As summer is approaching, we know many families are anxiously awaiting information on Summer Camp 2020. While we hope to operate summer camp this year, the ultimate decision will be based on our ability to operate safely within national and state guidelines.” [Dept. of Parks and Recreation]

County Board Primary Cancelled — “The Democratic Primary for County Board, originally scheduled for June 9, 2020 and subsequently delayed until June 23, 2020, will not be held… Accordingly, Libby T. Garvey is the Democratic nominee for County Board in the General Election to be held on November 3, 2020.” [Arlington County]

News

County: No Plans to Close Lanes for Extra Bike and Pedestrian Space

By ARLnow.com

Published May 5, 2020 at 4:30PM

People walking in the street near Crystal City (Photo courtesy Aurora Highlands Civic Association)

Those who want to see Arlington close lanes or whole streets during the pandemic will have to keep waiting.

County officials say they don’t have the resources to close lanes in order to create extra space for social distancing among cyclists and pedestrians.

News

BREAKING: Grocery Store Fight Leads to Suspect Stop on Route 50

By ARLnow.com

Published May 5, 2020 at 2:45PM | Updated May 6, 2020 at 11:20AM

Police activity on Route 50 near Courthouse (photo courtesy Savannah H.)

(Updated at 11:20 a.m.) A fight in the Penrose Square Giant led to a series of events that closed portions of two major roads and prompted a massive police response.

Police were dispatched to the grocery store around 2:30 p.m. for a report of a disturbance in the store, potentially involving a weapon. After arriving, an officer was nearly struck by a fleeing vehicle.