As public health concerns continue to grow surrounding the coronavirus, Attorney General Mark R. Herring is urging Virginians to be wary of any coronavirus related scams. Scams could include selling products that purport to prevent the coronavirus, spreading misinformation, or pretending to solicit donations for victims of the disease.
“Unfortunately, scammers oftentimes take advantage of natural disasters or public health fears like the coronavirus to make a buck,” said Attorney General Herring. “It is so important that Virginians stay vigilant and do their research before giving their money to anyone purporting to sell preventative medications or raising funds for victims. I would also encourage all Virginians to take the necessary healthcare precautions to protect against the coronavirus and prevent it from spreading.”
Today, in a letter to Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) expressed concern over how the U.S. government has mobilized to combat the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), including how the Administration is communicating with state, local and federal officials, and Americans impacted by the virus. In his letter, Sen. Warner urged the Vice President to devote the resources, expertise and manpower needed to prevent this virus from spreading while also improving the government’s communication with Congress and the American public.
“I am concerned that the Administration’s response to date has not been aggressive enough to effectively combat the virus and fails to underscore the threat posed by this virus,” wrote Sen. Warner. “I have been deeply frustrated with the U.S. government’s communication with Congress, my constituents and their family members impacted by the virus, and the American people more broadly. I understand that individuals at the State Department, including in embassies around the world, the CDC and other federal agencies, have been working around the clock. Yet despite this flurry of efforts, the U.S. government has not established an effective communication plan that tracks specific cases and communicates out guidance to individuals, their family members and Congressional offices working to get them help. Nor has it effectively pushed back on disinformation around the coronavirus or given adequate information to the American public.”
Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) issued the following statement:
“I want to thank Pete Buttigieg for his thrilling and historic candidacy. Pete and his brilliant team accomplished things no one would ever have thought possible for the mayor of a small city in Indiana. Pete, Chasten, and Team Buttigieg are wonderful people who have so much to be proud of. I remain honored to call Pete Buttigieg my friend, and look forward to what he will accomplish in time to come.
The Arlington County Board allocated $8.23 million in funding last week to help redevelop AHC Inc.’s Arlington View Terrace apartment community at 1420 South Rolfe Street. The allocation includes a $7.25 million loan from the County’s Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF) and $984,000 of Transit Oriented Affordable Housing (TOAH) grant funds.
Located on the eastern end of Columbia Pike, Arlington View Terrace is a garden-apartment style community with seven two- and three-story red brick buildings. The redevelopment will demolish the largest building on the site, which includes 30 apartments, and replace it with a new EarthCraft Certified Gold structure with 77 apartments.
In a nationwide competition, The Reevesland Learning Center (RLC) has been awarded a grant by the Texas-based Whole Kids Foundation in support of the RLC’s unique, volunteer-led program of educating kids and adults about growing food, knowledge and community.
“We are thrilled with the timely, national recognition of our exciting educational work with Ashlawn Elementary students, teachers and neighbors,” said Sandra Kalscheur, chair of the RLC board of directors, and Mary Ann Penning, RLC vice chair, in a joint statement. “This year we will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of LAWNS 2 LETTUCE 4 LUNCH, the community engagement component that led to the formation of the Reevesland Learning Center. So the timing is perfect.”
Hello Airport Assistant. Goodbye, Airport Chaos!!! SkySquad is launching this week at Reagan Airport to improve the airport experience for anyone who needs an extra hand. Travel is stressful for most people, especially families with young kids; and senior citizens who need extra support. SkySquad’s mission is to make travel less stressful and more enjoyable. SkySquad assistants meet customers at their car upon arrival, and help them carry bags, carseats, strollers, etc and get them to the ticketing counter, help check bags, and through the security line. Security often causes families extra stress with all of the extra items that come along with young children. SkySquad assistants are trained to help anticipate the needs of the families to ensure that parents are not frazzled during the process. Once through security, SkySquad assistants guide their customers to their gate, where they help the family with children, go get snacks, watch luggage while the family uses the restroom, etc. SkySquad assistants stay with their customers until they board their plane.
Additionally, SkySquad assistants are fluent in English, Spanish, Russian, French, and Romanian, and can help travelers who need help speaking English.
An Arlington man was sentenced today to five years in prison for robbing two Falls Church pawn shops of nearly $800,000 in jewelry and watches.
According to court documents, in July 2014, Budder Khan, 30, entered Route 50 Gold and Jewelry Exchange, forced the store’s employees to the ground using what appeared to be a real firearm, smashed the business’s glass display cases, and took jewelry and watches worth over $650,000. Later, in April 2015, Khan entered Top Pawn, again used what appeared to be a real firearm to intimidate the store’s employees into submission, smashed the business’s glass display cases, and stole jewelry, watches, and cash worth over $143,000.
This Sunday, Feb. 23, marks 75 years since brave Marines raised the American flag over Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima. The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, which depicts the historic moment, has been completely rehabilitated. Two new videos launched today tell the stories of the historic flag raising and the sculpture itself.
The rehabilitation of the sculpture and surrounding parkland, the specially designed onsite exhibits and the new videos were made possible through a generous $5.37 million donation from businessman and philanthropist David M. Rubenstein to the National Park Foundation. Rubenstein made the donation to honor his father’s service in the U.S. Marine Corps.
AHC Inc., an Arlington, VA-based affordable housing developer, deposited more than $710,000 this week into the County’s revolving low-interest loan program, the Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF). This year’s annual repayment boosts AHC’s total repayments to more than $45 million since the AHIF program began in 1988. The payments vary from year to year. Last year, AHC returned $4.9 million to the fund.
“Arlington’s loan fund is absolutely essential for building or preserving affordable housing in our competitive real estate environment,” said AHC Inc. President and CEO Walter D. Webdale. “Without the AHIF program, many of Arlington’s affordable apartments would not exist today.”
After an extensive national search, and at the recommendation of the search committee, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Catholic Diocese of Arlington, has named Mr. William Crittenberger the new Head of School at Bishop O’Connell High School, effective July 1, 2020.
“Mr. Crittenberger brings an extensive amount of experience and a demonstrated passion for assuring excellence in education rooted in our Catholic faith. I am confident he will continue to build upon the good work and legacy at Bishop O’Connell High School,” said Bishop Burbidge. “I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the members of the search committee for their great work and Sister Lorraine McGrew, IHM, for her dedicated leadership during this interim period.”
In a landmark session, the Virginia House of Delegates today voted for the first time to approve HB 1547, a bill which would expand in-state tuition eligibility to undocumented students at Virginia’s public colleges and universities. The bill, also known as the Virginia Dream Act, was introduced by Delegate Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington) and passed after many years of advocacy and hard work.
“This is an incredible victory for so many young people across Virginia who want nothing more than the opportunity to earn a higher education,” said Lopez. “Thousands of young people in our state are locked out from an affordable college education, which has a dramatic impact on the long-term ability of those students to earn income throughout their lifetimes. Expanding eligibility for in-state tuition fulfills the promises and investments made in these students, many of whom were brought to our Commonwealth at a young age through no fault of their own.”
Congressman Don Beyer partnered with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Saturday to host a REAL ID application event for constituents of the 8th District at Wakefield High School in Arlington. DMV Connect, the department’s mobile “office in a suitcase,” processed REAL ID applications for residents.
“More than one million Virginians now have their REAL ID,” Congressman Beyer said. “If you have not already obtained your REAL ID, now is the time to decide if you will need one. If you do, please apply soon to avoid the last-minute rush and ensure you have the identification you will need when new requirements take effect in October.”
