county government | ARLnow.com

County Scales Up Public Health Workforce

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.”

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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.

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County to Temporarily Resume Yard Waste Collection

By ARLnow.com

Published May 4, 2020 at 5:35PM | Updated May 4, 2020 at 8:45PM

(Updated at 8:45 p.m.) After abruptly announcing a suspension of residential yard waste collection Friday afternoon, effective Monday, the county is backtracking a bit and resuming it for a week.

“Arlington’s residential trash contractor has identified enough staff to offer curbside yard waste collection during regular routes tomorrow May 5, through next Monday, May 11,” the Arlington Dept. of Environmental Services said in a tweet Monday afternoon. “The service will be temporarily suspended again beginning Tuesday, May 12.”

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 4, 2020 at 7:30AM

Lightning over Virginia Square and Ballston (photo courtesy @EthanDevries_/Twitter)

County May Get Million from CARES Act — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam “is considering a plan to distribute $3 billion of CARES cash using a formula that considers in economic need, a way to send more money to places like Lee County or Petersburg and less money to places like Alexandria and Arlington.” [@MichaelLeePope/Twitter, WVTF]

Arlington Trail Usage Way Up — “Trail counts are up 50% above average, on the weekends. Try an alternative route. Protect yourself and others by avoiding crowded trails.” [@BikeArlington/Twitter]

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County Suspends Yard Waste Collection

By ARLnow.com

Published May 1, 2020 at 3:55PM

(Updated at 4 p.m.) With little notice, Arlington County is suspending its weekly collection of grass clippings, twigs and other yard waste.

The suspension is effective as of Monday, meaning that those whose green carts are already full will have to compost or figure out some other way to dispose of the contents.

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 1, 2020 at 7:30AM | Updated May 1, 2020 at 9:29AM

VHC Staff Honored by NYSE — Two radiation therapists at Virginia Hospital Center, Melinda Mack and Amanda Sprecher, were honored during the opening bell ringing at the New York Stock Exchange yesterday. [Twitter]

Tomorrow is Arlington’s ‘Community Day’ — “A beloved Arlington tradition, Neighborhood Day brings communities together to enjoy the great outdoors and strengthens ties between neighbors.  In our currently socially-distant world, Neighborhood Day 2020 (May 2) is swapping out the traditional outdoor get-togethers and focusing on how Arlingtonians can build community while staying apart.” [Arlington County]

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published April 30, 2020 at 7:30AM | Updated April 30, 2020 at 9:10AM

Rosslyn in the rain (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Northam Announces COVID Changes — Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesdays that, starting today, Virginia residents can start having nonemergency surgeries and dental procedures again. The governor also announced that the state Dept. of Health will soon start releasing ZIP code-level coronavirus case data. [WTOP, @kamamasters/Twitter]

County Announces New Housing Director — “Arlington County has selected Anne Venezia to be the County’s new Housing Director… She most recently served six months as the Acting Housing Director and was the Housing Finance Manager for four years prior. Venezia joined Arlington County in 2008.” [Arlington County]

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Arlington Still Charging Late Fees, Sending Letters Threatening to Turn Off Water Service

By ARLnow.com

Published April 27, 2020 at 4:45PM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:20AM

Arlington County is still sending letters threatening to turn off the water service of delinquent utility customers, though it actually stopped the practice last month amid the coronavirus outbreak.

On March 16 the Virginia State Corporation Commission ordered utility providers to stop disconnections of electricity, gas, water and sewer utility services as a result of the public health emergency. The next day Arlington announced that it was suspending water shut offs.

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published April 27, 2020 at 6:00AM

County Board Candidates So Far — “Announced Arlington County Board special election (to replace Erik Gutshall, who sadly was forced to resign while being treated for brain cancer) Democratic candidates… so far are: Barbara Kanninen; Chanda Choun; Nicole Merlene.” [Blue Virginia]

Arlington Allocates $300k for Emergency Help — “Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz has allocated $300,000 from the FY 2020 budget to meet increased demand for emergency financial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The money will be provided from the FY 2020 budget contingency fund to Arlington Thrive, a nonprofit that provides financial assistance to County residents who experience sudden crisis.” [Arlington County]

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Arlington Coronavirus Cases Now Above 700, Assisted Living Facilities Still a Major Concern

By ARLnow.com

Published April 24, 2020 at 12:25PM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:20AM

There may be initial talks about planning for a limited reopening of the regional economy, but coronavirus cases are still rising in Arlington at a steady clip.

According to the latest Virginia Dept. of Health data, there are now 722 known cases of COVID-19 in Arlington, 120 hospitalizations, 24 deaths and 2,784 test results received. That’s up from 686 cases yesterday (Thursday) and 485 cases a week ago.

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Arlington County Supports Planning for Regional Reopening

By ARLnow.com

Published April 23, 2020 at 9:45AM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:20AM

'Hope' is spelled out with room lights at the DoubleTree Hotel in Pentagon City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington County says it “strongly supports” a planning effort to “develop a coordinated, safe, and scientifically-informed strategy” to reopen the D.C. region.

In a statement Wednesday night, officials said there needs to be a unified plan for emerging from the coronavirus pandemic.

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Three More Coronavirus Deaths Reported in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published April 21, 2020 at 10:05AM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:20AM

(Updated at 10:15 a.m.) The reported number of people who have died from COVID-19 complications in Arlington increased by three overnight.

The death count rose from 20 to 23, according to the latest Virginia Health Department data. Arlington currently has 625 known coronavirus cases, 114 hospitalizations, 10 outbreaks and 2,487 tests conducted. There were 593 cases reported on Monday.