News | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published March 20, 2020 at 7:30AM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:10AM

APS Creates Learning at Home Guide — “We have created a Learning at Home webpage that pulls details on instruction, additional educational resources for families, activities and resources for coping with stress. If you have questions, please send them to [email protected].” [Arlington Public Schools, Twitter]

How to Report Price Gouging in Virginia — “If you see excessive price increases for coronavirus (COVID-19) necessities, report it to Attorney General Mark Herring’s office.” [Facebook, Attorney General Mark Herring]

Officials Say Testing Held Back by Limited Supply

By Vernon Miles

Published March 19, 2020 at 10:15PM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:21AM

(Updated at 10:25 p.m.) In a small press conference, local officials explained that the second day of drive-in coronavirus testing went well but efforts are hamstrung by a lack of coronavirus tests.

“We’ve been able to process 63 patients,” said Melody Dickerson, Virginia Hospital Center’s Chief Nursing Officer. “We are training more laboratory staff to help with the process. The limiting resource is the testing supplies. That is a finite resource and we continue to monitor that closely.”

Arlington Officials Scramble to Rethink Budget, Urge Additional Action from State

By ARLnow.com

Published March 19, 2020 at 5:25PM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:21AM

While reducing the human toll of the coronavirus outbreak is a top priority, Arlington officials are also trying to determine its impact on the upcoming county budget.

Given that the length and depth of the economic fallout from the outbreak is unknown at this point, county leaders are not sure how exactly it will affect the budget, which has to be approved before the start of the new fiscal year on July 1.

JUST IN: Arlington Add Three Coronavirus Cases, Now Highest in State Again

By ARLnow.com

Published March 19, 2020 at 12:25PM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:10AM

There are now 17 known coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Arlington, again giving the county the highest case count of any individual locality in the state.

That’s up from 14 cases in Arlington yesterday. There are a total of 94 COVID-19 cases statewide, according to the Virginia Dept. of Health, after 1,923 tests administered. Across the Commonwealth, two people have died from the disease.

U.S. Attorney Lauds ACPD for Robbery Arrests

By ARLnow.com

Published March 19, 2020 at 11:20AM

The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia — the top federal prosecutor for Northern Virginia — is lauding Arlington County Police for its response to a robbery in Pentagon City last night.

The incident happened around 5 p.m. Wednesday. Police say a group of juveniles approached a taxi driver near the Pentagon City Metro station, began rifling through the cab, and then punched the driver and took his phone and cash.

Arlington Launches Coronavirus Hotline

By ARLnow.com

Published March 19, 2020 at 10:30AM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:22AM

Arlington County has established a new hotline to answer questions from the public about the coronavirus outbreak: 703-228-7999.

Officials announced the new hotline last night, on the same day that Virginia Hospital Center and the county opened its new drive-through testing site.

Pentagon City Mall Has Closed Temporarily

By ARLnow.com

Published March 19, 2020 at 9:30AM | Updated March 19, 2020 at 10:31AM

The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City closed last night and is expected to remain closed until at least the end of the month.

Mall owner Simon Property Group announced yesterday that it would close all of its U.S. shopping centers, including the Pentagon City mall, which has one of the company’s busiest and most profitable food courts.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 19, 2020 at 7:30AM | Updated March 19, 2020 at 10:42AM

More on Arlington’s Drive-Through Testing — “Arlington County and the Virginia Hospital Center launched a coronavirus sampling site Wednesday, but a short supply of test kits and limited lab processing ability are forcing them to be selective with who they see.” [WAMU]

Grocery Stores With Senior-Only Shopping Hours — “Some DC-area grocery stores are offering or plan to offer special shopping hours for senior citizens, and in some cases other vulnerable people, during the coronavirus crisis. [Washingtonian, Twitter]

Arlington Nonprofits Collaborate to Combat Coronavirus Impacts

By Vernon Miles

Published March 18, 2020 at 3:55PM | Updated March 18, 2020 at 4:23PM

(Updated at 4:25 p.m.) As Arlingtonians scramble to stock up on emergency supplies to weather the coronavirus pandemic, some local nonprofits that are helping those most in need are starting to see the strain on the county’s most vulnerable populations.

“We’re still trying to get used to the new reality,” said Andrew Schneider, executive director of Arlington Thrive, a nonprofit that provides emergency funding to people in crisis. “We’re trying to figure out how dire the situation is for Arlingtonians, not just [in terms of] health but also economic [situations].”

Occupancy Restrictions, Parking Changes in Effect for Restaurants, Gyms

By ARLnow.com

Published March 18, 2020 at 3:25PM

Line at Gold's Gym in Ballston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

It’s a brave new world, at least temporarily, for any operator of any bricks-and-mortar retail location.

The coronavirus outbreak has ushered in the era of social distancing, and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has ordered all restaurants, gyms and theaters to reduce capacity to 10 or close. Arlington County officials, meanwhile, have urged restaurants to close their dining rooms completely.

NEW: One Additional Coronavirus Case in Arlington, As Trickle of Cars Arrive at Testing Site

By ARLnow.com

Published March 18, 2020 at 12:30PM | Updated March 18, 2020 at 3:42PM

Scenes from the coronavirus testing site on N. Quincy Street (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 3:40 p.m.) The number of coronavirus cases in Arlington has risen by one, to 14 cases.

That’s according to the latest figures from the Virginia Dept. of Health, which reported 77 cases statewide but only 1,278 people tested so far.

Tonight: Arlington Resident to Compete on Jeopardy

By ARLnow.com

Published March 18, 2020 at 11:15AM

If you’re sheltering in place at home and need something to do tonight, you could root on an Arlington resident as she competes on Jeopardy.

Emmy Crawford, a program officer from Arlington, will appear as a contestant on “America’s Favorite Quiz Show” tonight. She’ll compete against a research compliance manager from Silver Spring, Maryland and — the winner of Tuesday night’s episode — an adjunct professor from New York City.