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Published March 15, 2020 at 12:15PM | Updated March 23, 2020 at 9:50PM

Kenmore Middle School (photo via APS)

Update at 3/23/20 — The number of meal distribution locations has been expanded to five.

Earlier: Arlington Public Schools will be offering free breakfasts and lunches to those who need them during the month-long school closure.

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BREAKING: Arlington County Declares Local Emergency

By ARLnow.com

Published March 14, 2020 at 10:50AM

(Updated at 11 a.m.) While sitting a safe distance away from each other, members of the Arlington County Board voted 4-0 to approve a declaration of local emergency this morning, amid the coronavirus outbreak.

County Manager Mark Schwartz signed the declaration of emergency at 7 p.m. Friday. He said the declaration will allow the county to more easily obtain state and federal funds, acquire needed goods and services, and hire staff as needed.

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JUST IN: Arlington Coronavirus Cases Now Up to Five

By ARLnow.com

Published March 13, 2020 at 3:55PM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:22AM

Coronavirus (photo via CDC/Unsplash)

The number of coronavirus cases in Arlington has reached five, according to the Virginia Dept. of Health.

The VDH website now lists 5 cases in Arlington, 6 in Fairfax County, and 1 in Alexandria. In total, there are 30 cases throughout the state and 10 hospitalizations.

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BREAKING: Arlington Public Schools Closing Monday Through Spring Break

By ARLnow.com

Published March 13, 2020 at 12:05PM

(Updated at 12:15 p.m.) Arlington Public Schools are closing starting Monday and are expected to remain closed through the end of spring break in April.

The school system made the announcement shortly after noon on Friday. APS previously cancelled or postponed non-essential events due to the coronavirus outbreak.

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Beyer Urges Administration to Let Federal Employees Telework

By ARLnow.com

Published March 13, 2020 at 11:40AM

While many companies have started requiring employees to work from home during the coronavirus outbreak, one really large employer is conspicuously absent from the telework trend: the federal government.

The Trump administration had previously been cutting back on telework, but Rep. Don Beyer, who’s currently in self-quarantine, says enough is enough — it’s time to send federal office workers home. He penned a letter to the director of the federal Office of Personnel Management today.

Around Town

Arlington Grocery Stores Packed as Residents Stock Up

By ARLnow.com

Published March 13, 2020 at 10:30AM

Scenes around the Ballston Harris Teeter store Thursday night, as shoppers prepare to hunker down for the coronavirus outbreak (staff photo by Ashley Hopko)

The most consistent advice regarding the coronavirus, besides frequent hand washing, seems to be to practice social distancing — stay at home, avoid crowded workplaces or events, and generally just hunker down.

In apparent preparation for long stays at home, Arlingtonians have been flocking to local stores and picking aisles clean of toilet paper, cleaning supplies, canned soup and even bananas.

Feature

Photos: Tiny House Built Near Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published March 13, 2020 at 9:30AM

Tiny house in the Clarendon area (photo courtesy Arlington Designer Homes)

An open house is currently scheduled this weekend to tour a new “tiny house” built in the Clarendon area.

Tours will be offered to interested members of the public from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, according to local home builder Arlington Designer Homes. The 860 square foot house, at 1031 N. Cleveland Street, was “custom designed and built for an environmentally-conscious family that values smaller, simpler living.”

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 13, 2020 at 7:30AM

AWLA Announces COVID-19 Policies — “Out of an abundance of caution, and in line with CDC recommendations, AWLA is cancelling all public events, classes, tours, and clinics for the rest of March. We feel that this in the best interest of our staff, volunteers, animals, and the public.” [Animal Welfare League of Arlington]

Rep. Beyer Couldn’t Get Coronavirus Test — “People ask ‘did @RepDonBeyer get tested for COVID-19?’ No he did not. We tried to get a test for him… But there aren’t enough tests, he didn’t meet the risk threshold.” [Twitter, Twitter]

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Arlington Youth Baseball, Softball Leagues ‘Suspended Indefinitely’

By ARLnow.com

Published March 12, 2020 at 9:35PM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:22AM

Arlington’s youth baseball and softball leagues, much like the major professional sports leagues, are going on an immediate hiatus.

“In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the diamond sports leagues in Arlington have suspended indefinitely all activities including practices, games, coaching clinics, and team meetings until further notice,” the local leagues said in a statement sent to ARLnow.

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ACFD Says It’s Prepared for Coronavirus

By ARLnow.com

Published March 12, 2020 at 4:45PM

Fire truck leaving Arlington County Fire Station 4 (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

With two cases now confirmed in Arlington, coronavirus is here and spreading. The Arlington County Fire Department, however, says it’s prepared.

“As other organizations begin taking steps to limit chances of exposure to coronavirus, we are prepared to respond to it,” the department said today on social media. “In consultation with [the Centers for Disease Control] and [Arlington Dept. of Human Services], we have the plans and equipment to safely handle potential cases while keeping our members safe.”

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