Stories for July 2020

Grab Your Library Card and Keep Reading in Arlington

You can keep on reading during the brave new world of coronavirus rules and restrictions.

Arlington Launches Review of Police Policies and Practices

• Fifteen-member citizen group to report back by end of the year

Police Investigate Fatal Pedestrian Crash in Aurora Highlands in Arlington

The Arlington County Police Department’s Critical Accident Team (CAT) continues to investigate a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred on Wednesday, July 15 in the Aurora Highlands neighborhood.

Police Investigate Triple Shooting in Arlington Heights, Make Arrest

The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit announces the arrest of two suspects for their involvement in a fatal shooting in Arlington Heights.

At the Crossroads

Lawmakers to slash the state budget and consider criminal-justice reforms.

The threadbare Franklin and Armfield office on Duke Street stands at the crossroads between racial injustice and economic crisis. It’s a ramshackle building now, but it was once the headquarters for the largest domestic slave trading firm in the United States, present at the creation of the systemic racism that plagues Virginia cops and courts. It’s also the city’s latest acquisition, and the state budget was to include $2.5 million to help transform it into the Freedom House Museum. But then the pandemic hit, and the governor hit the pause button on that line item as well as all the other spending priorities of the new Democratic majorities in the House and Senate.

In Search of Fireflies: She Got a Copperhead Bite Instead

Advice from an Arlington resident and Virginia Herpetologists

It was a beautiful summer’s eve in Arlington last July, and Sara Stepahin was walking with her partner to see fireflies at Fort C.F. Smith.

Virginia Adopts First-in-the-Nation Workplace Safety Standards for COVID-19 Pandemic

Gov. Ralph Northam announced statewide emergency workplace safety standards in response to the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.

Opinion: Column: Growing Pains

After more than six months away from the infusion center, due to the treatment for my papillary thyroid cancer stage II, I make my return on Wednesday, July 22.

Discarded Electronic Equipment Helps Seniors in Need

Handheld devices keep the elderly in contact with healthcare providers, family and friends.

On a recent summer morning, a group of college students gathered in Chantilly to sort and sanitize handheld devices ranging from smartphones to tablets.

Fun Things to Do this Summer in Northern Virginia

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Meet Marta Hill Gray, New Executive Director of Culpepper Garden

Marta Hill Gray wears one of her masks as she has her temperature taken, signs in with her own pen and walks through the door of Culpepper Garden on July 1.

What Is the Arlington Public Schools Plan for Reopening Schools for 2020-21?

At the June 25 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán presented the recommended APS plan for the 2020-21 school year based on state guidance for reopening Virginia schools.

AT&T Grants Arlington’s Bridges to Independence $20,000

Others like Joe have a chance to succeed thanks to grant.

Joe is on the autism spectrum and wanted to participate in the Bridges to Independence summer internships initiative.

Opinion: Commentary: Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorneys Voicing Support for Criminal Justice Reform

We are a group of Commonwealth’s Attorneys who represent and are responsible for the safety of over 40 percent of the population of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Opinion: Column: It's a Twofer

And not just Tuesday, either. All week in fact, I'll be waiting to hear the music.

Randolph-Macon Academy Fully Opening for Fall 2020 Semester

Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal, Virginia will open for on-campus operations for all students and staff for the Fall 2020 semester. All classes will be held in-person with full course schedules and teacher instruction.

A COVID-19 Summer Gives Time for Reading

From current events to mysteries, books can fill time and lead to lively family conversations.

During a recent 12-hour car ride to their summer home in Michigan, the Leland family finished two books, “Bridge To Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson and Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Arlington Announces Compliance with Virginia Community Policing Act

The Community Policing Act, Virginia House Bill 1250, takes effect July 1, 2020.

Arlington Police Investigate Fatal Motorcycle Crash

The Arlington County Police Department’s Critical Accident Team is investigating a fatal single vehicle crash involving a motorcycle, that occurred on the evening of July 3, 2020.

Arlington Neighborhood Sends Off a New Midshipman

Pandemic precautions color Plebe summer

At 7 a.m. on Thursday, July 2, more than forty neighbors gathered to line North Abingdon Street to send off Shane Tomb as he left to begin his “Plebe Summer” at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Growing, Bagging, Donating—Community Comes Together in Arlington

It is Monday morning, and eight vegetable bagging work stations are located more than six feet apart in the Rock Spring United Church of Christ Carpenter Room.

With 25 Percent of Previous Appointments, PT Offered Outdoors

Join the birds and the sunshine for physical therapy.

Two ceiling fans move the pleasant afternoon air on the front porch of Lisa Shimberg’s house where she has set up a physical therapy bed.

Calendar: Fun Things to Do this Summer in Arlington & Alexandria

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Send Photos for the Pet Connection

The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edition, will publish the last week of July, and photos and stories of your pets with you and your family should be submitted by Thursday, July 23.

Opinion: Column: Questions and “Canswers”

"Very interesting," to quote Artie Johnson from "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In," that "crazy-kooky" comedy show from the 70s.

A Summer Oasis

Pool house evolved into a space that incorporates the beauty of the outdoors into the interior design.

Transforming the expansive backyard into a summer oasis by designing a pool and adjacent pool house.

Opinion: Commentary: Preventing the Callous in Young Black America

Growing up in Birmingham, AL, I recall playing in the basement of 16th Street Baptist Church. The same church that was bombed in 1963 by the KKK, killing four young Black girls and injuring dozens.

Opinion: Commentary: Virginia State Legislature Will Vote on Policing Reforms

The events of the last 60 days have been troubling for America and our community.

Calendar: Fun Things to Do this Summer in Northern Virginia

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Opinion: Commentary: Moving Forward: The Anatomy of Racism in our Everyday Lives

In the past few weeks, many people, especially African Americans, have had to reconcile what they have seen in witnessing the murder of George Floyd and that of their own experience. I am no exception.

Opinion: Commentary: Public Demands Changes, Not Studies and Delays

Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus Police Reform and Criminal Justice Equity Plan

The deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor has awoken Americans and Virginians to long standing problems in policing in America.

Marta Hill Gray Named Executive Director at Arlington Retirement Housing Corporation

Susan Philp, Board Chair of Arlington Retirement Housing Corporation (ARHC), nonprofit owner of Culpepper Garden, announced that Marta Hill Gray was named the new Executive Director of ARHC and will begin on July 1, 2020.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Why I, a 20 Year Old, Decided to Vote for Susan Cunningham for Arlington County Board

This is an extremely important election in our history as a County.

Community Gardener Help with Food Insecurity in Arlington

Arlington food networks work together during coronavirus pandemic.

The South Four Mile Run Community Garden has changed its procedures due to the coronavirus pandemic, but tomatoes and peppers are still tangled with squash sporting yellow blossoms and remains of the sugar snap peas.