Libby Garvey | ARLnow.com

BREAKING: Arlington Officers Ordered to ‘Immediately Leave D.C.’

Published June 1, 2020 at 9:05PM | Updated June 2, 2020 at 11:29AM

Arlington police officers moving protesters in D.C. during June 2020 incident (screenshot via @thehill/Twitter)

(Updated at 9:50 p.m.) Arlington County police officers who were assisting U.S. Park Police during protests in D.C. have been ordered “to immediately leave,” County Board Chair Libby Garvey tweeted Monday night.

Officers in ACPD helmets could be seen in photos and video (below) assisting with the forceful removal of protesters from around St. John’s Church, an action that involved the deployment of tear gas. Shortly thereafter, President Trump walked to the church and held up a bible, a move dismissed as a photo opportunity by critics and criticized as “antithetical to the teachings of Jesus” by the Episcopal bishop of Washington.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 29, 2020 at 7:30AM

Reopening Starts Today — Arlington and Northern Virginia is starting Phase 1 of a gradual reopening of the regional economy today. You’ll be able to dine outside, get a haircut, and shop at non-essential businesses, with restrictions. Additionally, starting today, Virginia is requiring people to wear masks in indoor public spaces. Face coverings are also required in ART buses. [Arlington County, Arlington Transit]

Local Leaders Promote Mask Usage — Leaders of Northern Virginia’s local governments, including Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey, star in a new video encouraging the use of masks as the region reopens. [YouTube]

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 8, 2020 at 7:30AM

Unease About Va. Reopening — “Local leaders and business owners in Northern Virginia were uncertain about Gov. Ralph Northam’s announcement that parts of the state could begin reopening as soon as May 15. ‘Our first reaction was whoa wait a minute, talk to us,’ said Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey. David Guas, the owner of Bayou Bakery in Arlington County, said the state’s guidance on reopening business is becoming unreliable.” [NBC 4]

Republican Candidate Running for County Board — “The Arlington County Republican Committee, which in recent years has found it challenging to field candidates, announced May 7 that retired attorney Bob Cambridge had won the GOP nod for the special-election ballot. ‘Bob will bring a robust discussion of important local issues to this race – focusing on fiscal accountability, government transparency and planning for the future,’ GOP chairman Andrew Loposser said.” [InsideNova]

News

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.

Events

Group Holding Webinar With County Leaders to Discuss Coronavirus Response

By Vernon Miles

Published April 20, 2020 at 2:45PM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:20AM

Arlington’s Committee of 100 is planning a public webinar with county leaders to discuss the latest on COVID-19.

“Arlington has been one of the hardest-hit communities in the commonwealth for COVID-19,” the organization said in an event description. “Join us to learn more about how Arlington is responding and what you can do to stay safe and help others.”

News

Governor’s Plan Will Delay County Board Primary

By Vernon Miles

Published April 9, 2020 at 12:45PM | Updated April 9, 2020 at 2:45PM

(Updated at 2:45 p.m.) Gov. Ralph Northam announced a plan yesterday that will shift summer primary election dates across the state back by two weeks amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The previously-sheduled June 9 primary will now shift back to June 23.

News

County Officials Reminding Residents to Stay Out of Closed Parks, Maintain Distance on Trails

By ARLnow.com

Published April 7, 2020 at 2:30PM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:21AM

Arlington officials are reminding residents that it’s okay to go outside during the pandemic — as long as they maintain social distancing and stay out of closed facilities.

With the weather turning warmer, the Arlington Dept. of Parks and Recreation yesterday posted a reminder to Twitter about the closures and the need to maintain a 6-foot distance from others, including on increasingly crowded local trails. It has also been posting signs about social distancing around local parks.

News

JUST IN: Another Big Jump in Arlington Coronavirus Cases as County Encourages Masks

By ARLnow.com

Published April 7, 2020 at 10:55AM | Updated April 10, 2020 at 8:36AM

Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey demonstrates how to make and wear a mask (via Arlington County)

Arlington has confirmed another 34 COVID-19 cases since Monday, the county’s second-largest increase in cases since the outbreak began.

There are now 237 known coronavirus cases in Arlington, up from 104 cases a week ago.

News

County Commission Meetings ‘Cancelled Until Further Notice’

By ARLnow.com

Published April 3, 2020 at 3:00PM

Arlington prides itself on citizen participation in government, but public engagement is taking a backseat to practical necessity during the coronavirus crisis.

On Wednesday, members of Arlington’s galaxy of advisory commissions and boards were told that their meetings have been put on hold for the foreseeable future.

News

BREAKING: Reported Coronavirus Cases in Arlington Top 100

By ARLnow.com

Published March 31, 2020 at 10:45AM

Arlington's COVID-19 testing site on March 31, 2020 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The number of known COVID-19 cases in Arlington County has risen above the 100 mark.

There are currently 104 reported cases in the county, a 20% jump from just a day earlier. There are now 1,250 cases, 165 hospitalizations, 27 deaths, and 13,401 people tested statewide, according to new Virginia Dept. of Health data. Arlington’s larger neighbor, Fairfax County, is now reporting 244 cases.

News

Steady Rise in Arlington Coronavirus Cases Continues

By ARLnow.com

Published March 27, 2020 at 11:00AM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:10AM

There are now 63 known coronavirus cases in Arlington County, up from 54 yesterday.

That’s according to the latest data from the Virginia Dept. of Health, which now lists 604 cases, 83 hospitalizations, 14 deaths and 7,337 people tested statewide. The cases in Arlington as of Friday represent a nearly four-fold increase since a week ago.

News

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.