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By GREGORY S. SCHNEIDER, FENIT NIRAPPIL AND OVETTA WIGGINS, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)
The shutdown of nonessential businesses will extend until May 15 in the District of Columbia and May 8 in Virginia, as leaders warned against letting up on efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who already had renewed his business ban for 30 more days until May 10, on Wednesday ordered residents to wear masks when they go out to stores.
By NATHANIEL CLINE, Loudoun Times
More than 20 staff members at Waltonwood assisted living community in Ashburn have gone on leave after a resident died and another tested positive for COVID-19. Loudoun County officials are investigating the situation after learning about the cases Tuesday evening. "It's important to get staff in there, because you can't have a situation in their memory care center where their most vulnerable clients live,” Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Phyllis Randall (D-At Large) said during a joint conference call Wednesday with U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.).
By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)
The need for more COVID-19 testing and protective gear will be at the top of the agenda for the first meeting of a new task force Gov. Ralph Northam created to help nursing homes and other long-term care facilities battle the spread of the coronavirus through their medically vulnerable population.
By JONATHAN EDWARDS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
Andy Revell feels responsible for his coworker and friend dying from the coronavirus last week. To try to make sure no one else dies, he’s leading a strike of shipyard workers. Revell and about 40 other General Dynamics workers didn’t show up for their Tuesday shifts because they believe the company isn’t doing enough to make sure the virus doesn’t spread in the Norfolk shipyard of BAE Systems.
WHSV
A group of people upset with Virginia's Stay at Home order and business closures put into place to limit the spread of COVID-19 is planning to protest in Richmond on Thursday. Groups known as ReOpen Virginia, End The Lockdown VA and Virginians Against Excessive Quarantine say they will have "thousands of concerned citizens" gathering at Virginia's Capitol Square on April 16 at 11:30 a.m.
By MEL LEONOR, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn is exploring remote, online voting for the chamber’s veto session and any special sessions that follow this year, in what would be an unprecedented setup for the 400-year-old chamber amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Virginia Public Access Project
VPAP has posted an interactive visual that shows the amount that candidates for Virginia's 11 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives raised during the first three months of the year. The visual also shows how much money each candidate reported in the bank as of March 31.
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The Virginia Public Access Project
Wednesday was the deadline for candidates in May 5 municipal elections, local candidates in November elections and all non-candidate political committees to disclose their financial activity during first three months of the year. VPAP makes it easy to look at top level numbers (such as amount raised and cash on hand) for any committee and to browse through a list of contribution and expenditures.
The Virginia Public Access Project
Data from the Virginia Department of Health shows a timeline of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and a statewide map showing the number of cases by locality. VPAP has added a map of deaths by health district and hospital utilization data from the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association. Updated each morning shortly after 9:00 a.m.
By MARIE ALBIGES, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
Seven northeastern states led by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo agreed Monday to form a multi-state council tasked with reopening their economies when health experts say it’s safe to do so. Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. aren’t included in that group, but officials say the effort to coordinate a regional coronavirus response isn’t new, even if their informal coalition doesn’t have an official name.
By MEL LEONOR, JUSTIN MATTINGLY, SABRINA MORENO AND SEAN GORMAN, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
Recreational and entertainment businesses in Virginia, including gyms and movie theaters, will remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic for an additional two weeks until May 8, Gov. Ralph Northam said Wednesday. The action extends an executive order Northam issued March 23 that had been set to expire April 23.
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
Gov. Ralph Northam on Wednesday extended the time that “recreation and entertainment” businesses in the commonwealth, including those selling services that can’t be done at a safe distance, must stay closed. On March 24, Northam said the businesses must close until at least April 23. On Wednesday, he extended that date to May 8. A separate stay-at-home order remains in effect until June 10.
Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
Republican leaders are urging Gov. Ralph Northam to ease restrictions on Virginia businesses, hours after Northam announced he would extend the mandated closure of entertainment and personal grooming establishments. “Far too many of Virginia’s businesses simply will not survive an indefinite closure, endangering the jobs of thousands of Virginians and potentially further crippling our economy,” Senate Minority Leader Tommy Norment, R-James City, said
By ADRIANNA HARGROVE, NBC 12
Governor Ralph Northam has called for additional volunteers to meet COVID-19′s health care demand. Governor Ralph Northam today announced additional details of a statewide effort in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health’s Virginia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) to recruit medical and non-medical volunteers in the fight against COVID-19. Up to 30,000 volunteers are needed ...
By KATE MASTERS, Virginia Mercury
More than a week after Gov. Ralph Northam announced a $27 million contract to procure more personal protective equipment for medical providers, state officials have yet to make a copy of the contract publicly available or provide specific details on the order. In response to a Freedom of Information Act request submitted last week by the Virginia Mercury, Jessica Killeen, deputy counsel to Northam, wrote Tuesday that “due to current events, including bill review, it is not practically possible to provide potential requested records within five working days.”
By RYAN MURPHY, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday that $70 million in federal money would be used to help child care efforts in Virginia during the coronavirus pandemic, as weeks of social distancing have forced hundreds of day cares to close their doors.
By CATHY JETT, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)
Fredericksburg’s City Council is facing a significant shortfall in revenue because of the impact of COVID-19 on local businesses and is reaching out to state legislators for help. It unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday asking the General Assembly to provide relief for local governments when it convenes its veto session next Wednesday. A major concern is the ability to fund state mandates during the economic downturn.
By BRENT SOLOMON, WWBT
A Virginia lawmaker tested positive for coronavirus and is sharing the painful diagnosis and her road to recovery. Delegate Delores McQuinn is on the mend now, but it’s been a painful few weeks. She’s kept quiet about it until now. First, her daughter tested positive. They’re both under the same roof. Then, Delegate McQuinn contracted it and so did her husband.
By JUSTIN MATTINGLY, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)
Republicans in the Richmond area will have a month and a half longer to pick a nominee to run against Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, in November. A Richmond judge on Tuesday granted a request from the Republican Party of Virginia to push the deadline for nominating a challenger from June 9 to July 28.
By JEFF E. SCHAPIRO, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)
The coronavirus pandemic is pushing the Virginia Democratic Convention into the virtual realm. Susan Swecker, state Democratic chairwoman, said in an email Wednesday that the 2020 convention - originally planned to be held in the Richmond Convention Center on June 20 – will, instead, be staged remotely that day.
By LAURA MCFARLAND, Powhatan Today
Days after Gov. Ralph Northam announced the delay of the state’s June primary elections for Congress by two weeks, local election officials are still faced with many unknowns about how events are going to unfold. . . . Even with the extra two weeks, Karen Alexander, Powhatan’s director of elections, said she and voter registrars across the state are experiencing widespread frustration with the Virginia Department of Elections for its inability to keep them updated on what decisions are being discussed as options.
By ALI ROCKETT, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
Youth criminal justice advocates say there is a COVID-19 outbreak among offenders at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center in Chesterfield County, and they are publicly condemning the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice’s response, calling it inadequate. “Advocates are now aware of several youth at Bon Air having tested positive for COVID-19, but DJJ has not made publicly available the number ...
By MARK BOWES, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
A loosely coordinated effort by law enforcement groups and individual officers, current and retired, to overturn a decision by Virginia’s Parole Board to release a man sentenced 40 years ago to life in prison for murdering a Richmond police officer is likely to go nowhere, officials say.
By SARAH VOGELSONG, Virginia Mercury
The State Corporation Commission has approved a rate increase for the roughly 30,000 Southwest Virginians who get their electricity from Old Dominion Power, with the bump set to go into effect May 1. In their April 6 order, regulators allowed the utility, which is the Virginia unit of Kentucky Utilities and the state’s smallest investor-owned utility, to increase its annual revenue by $9 million. The company has calculated that the average residential customer using about 1,250 kilowatts of power will see their monthly bill rise 15.4 percent, or $21.40.
By DAVE RESS, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)
Newport News Shipbuilding will move from running three shifts to two as part of its continuing effort to reduce the risk of spreading the new corona virus. The change, which will take effect May 4, will not involve layoffs, spokesman Duane Bourne said on Wednesday.
By JOHN R. CRANE, Danville Register & Bee
Grape growers can apply for incentives to expand their vineyard acreage under a Virginia Tobacco Commission grant program. The Vineyard Development and Expansion Program promotes the state's wine economy and agritourism growth with a cost-share award based on the grower's acreage.
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
Norfolk International Airport had about half as many passengers flying into and out of the region in March as it did a year ago because of stay-at-home orders and warnings related to the coronavirus. April is expected to bring an even sharper drop.
By HENRI GENDREAU, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)
Virginia Tech won’t require SAT or ACT scores for prospective students applying in the fall and winter, the university said late Tuesday. Tech joins a growing list of colleges nationwide that are going “test optional” for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle.
By ADELE UPHAUS–CONNER, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)
The University of Mary Washington, Germanna Community College and other higher education institutions in the Fredericksburg area are set to receive millions of dollars for students under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
By SIMON ROMERO, DANIELLE IVORY AND NICHOLAS BOGEL-BURROUGHS, New York Times (Metered Paywall - 1 to 2 articles a month)
After the first positive coronavirus test at a Virginia nursing home in mid-March, its administrator said, the staff restricted visitors, conducted temperature checks at the end of every worker’s shift and isolated residents who had tested positive into separate areas. Even so, there suddenly was another case. Within two weeks, dozens of others inside were falling ill.
By MICHAEL MARTZ AND SABRINA MORENO, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
A second resident has died of COVID-19 at a retirement community in Hanover County, as long-term care facilities in the Richmond area struggle to stop the spread of the coronavirus among vulnerable residents of nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, senior apartments and memory care units for people with dementia.
By STAFF REPORT, Tidewater News
New statistics reported by the Virginia Department of Health on April 13 show the Western Tidewater Health District has three outbreaks of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities, but state and facility officials are mostly remaining silent on which facilities those are. The state health department began this week to report the number of outbreaks in health districts and in what type of facilities those outbreaks were. But despite the public health concern, the department won’t identify which specific facilities have outbreaks, and most local facilities refused to answer direct questions about how many COVID-19 cases they have, if any.
By STAFF REPORT, Loudoun Times
Loudoun County Chairwoman Phyllis Randall (D) this week ordered the county flag to be flown at half-staff at county facilities to both honor local residents who have died of COVID-19 and recognize essential workers responding to the pandemic. Starting the week of April 19, the county flag will be flown at half-staff at county facilities every Monday from dusk to dawn until further notice. Seven Loudoun County residents have died as a result of COVID-19, ...
By CATHY DYSON, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)
Two more people have died from COVID-19 in the Rappahannock Area Health District, but public health officials are providing little information, except to say the deaths involved a woman in her 80s and a man in his 70s.
By ERIC KOLENICH, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
Dr. Jeff Brown’s organs were on the brink of failure. The local vascular surgeon had tested positive for COVID-19, and after three days in the hospital his health was only getting worse. The oxygen level in his blood was low, a condition known as hypoxemia, and respiratory failure was a serious concern. ... But thanks to some quick thinking by his doctor and a yet-to-be-approved treatment that is showing potential ...
By CALEB AYERS, Danville Register & Bee
Amid fear of contracting the novel coronavirus from health care workers or at the hospital, the number of 911 calls in Danville has dropped significantly in the past month. While some of those lost calls are from frequent flyers, others are from people who have needed serious care, said Alan Larson, Sovah Health president and Sovah Health-Danville CEO.
By RODNEY ROBINSON, VCU Capital News Service
Funds are being released from a collective, $4.2 million pool intended to help groups provide resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty-five regional organizations are receiving more than $1.1 million in grants. The grantees fall under four categories: safety net clinics, food access organizations, housing and education. The pool of money was created through a partnership between the Community Foundation and the Emergency Management Alliance of Central Virginia...
By ALEXA DOIRON, Williamsburg-Yorktown Daily (Metered paywall - 3 articles per month)
During a time of isolation, James City County and CrossWalk Church have teamed up to reach out to those most in need of social interaction. When the coronavirus first came to the area, Pastor Mark Morrow said volunteers with CrossWalk immediately looked for ways to help the community. After reaching out to the county, they learned there was a need with the CONECT program for friendly phone calls to check in with residents, especially the elderly, while they are social distancing.
By STACY PARKER, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
When the coronavirus pandemic has subsided and tourists return to Virginia Beach, artist Sam Welty wants people to remember the “helpers.” So he’s in the process of painting a 7,000 square-foot mural on the back wall of an Oceanfront hotel to honor healthcare workers, first responders and service providers.
By GORDON RAGO, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
Many in Hampton Roads woke up Wednesday to a nice surprise in their bank accounts: relief money from the federal government. They included attorneys, military moms and dads, government contractors and more who are working and living through the coronavirus pandemic plaguing the globe.
By HANNAH NATANSON, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)
Leia Surovell woke on Tuesday feeling hopeful. Everything was still horrible in the world the virus wrought, but it was the first day of online learning for Fairfax County Public Schools since campuses closed a month ago. To Surovell, a high school senior, it felt like a small return to normalcy. . . . She sat down at her laptop, pulled out a notebook and logged in. The first message arrived 30 minutes into AP Environmental Science. “. . . yiu smell like gay,” someone whose username contained several expletives wrote in a class group chat.
By JEFF CLABAUGH, WTOP
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a $2.5 million Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Fund that will provide loans of up to $20,000 to eligible Virginia businesses. The micro loans will be principle and interest-free for six months, and carry a six-year term with an interest rate of 3.75% after the initial six months.
By EMILY SIDES, Inside NOVA (Metered Paywall)
A leaner proposed Prince William County budget adds $5.2 million for the response and recovery to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as $3.7 million toward the county’s emergency fund. County Executive Christopher Martino presented the modified plan Tuesday for the fiscal year that begins July 1. “We don’t know everything that may come at us in the next few months,” he said.
By ALEX KOMA, Washington Business Journal (Subscription required for some articles)
Prince William County leaders are abandoning plans for a hefty real estate tax, while the coronavirus crisis continues, but are sticking with a proposed tax increase that would primarily affect data centers.
By JIM MCCONNELL, Chesterfield Observer
With the Chesterfield Planning Commission expected to meet electronically April 21 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the county is making procedural changes to ensure citizens have an opportunity to analyze zoning cases on the commission’s agenda and provide input prior to the virtual meeting. Some people say that’s not enough. They want the county to defer action on all proposed developments for the duration of the public health emergency.
By DAVID MACAULAY, Virginia Gazette (Metered Paywall - 4 Articles per Month)
James City County should consider reopening for business ahead of the rest of Virginia as it faces the loss of millions of dollars from the coronavirus shutdown, the vice chairman of the Board of Supervisors told the April 14 meeting. The meeting was dominated by COVID-19 as the board discussed the 2021-22 biennial budget. It will be fine-tuned based on the impact of the pandemic.
By SCOTT SHENK, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)
The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors has approved a three-week tax payment extension in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
By RICHARD CHUMNEY, News & Advance (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)
The city of Lynchburg is calling on state lawmakers to reject Gov. Ralph Northam’s proposal to move next month’s municipal elections to the fall. In a largely symbolic 4-3 vote Tuesday, Lynchburg City Council approved a resolution expressing the body’s opposition to Northam’s recommendation.
By ALICIA PETSKA, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)
Roanoke first responders are seeing a dip in emergency medical calls as people hunker down at home and venture out less. Fewer people circulating means fewer traffic collisions, slip and falls, and other calamities that lead to summoning an ambulance. Chief David Hoback credited that in part for a 12.5 percent drop in EMS calls seen across the city since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.
News & Advance (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)
The Nelson County Board of Supervisors approved an emergency ordinance Wednesday waiving the collection of personal property and machinery and tools taxes due June 5. The tax relief package — an unprecedented move by supervisors in response to the financial toll seen by many residents and businesses because of COVID-19 — is estimated to cost $2,051,542, according to the ordinance.
By YANN RANAIVO, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)
The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Monday to advertise a measure that would give taxpayers a 90-day grace period on their June real estate tax payments. The board, on another 7-0 vote, also agreed to transfer $200,000 for the provision of additional equipment in the local response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Roanoke Times Editorial (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)
The pandemic has given a big push to something that was already a trend: Voting by mail. Three states now hold all their elections by mail — Colorado, Oregon and Washington. Two more go all-mail this year — Hawaii and Utah. In all, 33 states have some kind of provision for voting by mail if you count states with “no excuses needed” laws to allow for “early voting” by absentee. ... In Virginia, there’s some urgency to the question.
Virginian-Pilot Editorial (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
On a cold, blustery morning in Blacksburg 13 years ago today, a 23-year-old English major went to a residence hall and, hours later, a classroom building on the campus of Virginia Tech, opening fire in each location. He killed 32 students and instructors, before taking his own life. Seventeen others were wounded in the attack and thousands of students — indeed, the whole commonwealth — were traumatized by the horrific event.
Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
Nearly two months before the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak was a pandemic, a U.S. nursing home outside Seattle already had a sense of helplessness. On Jan. 29, a nurse at the Life Care Center of Kirkland dialed 911. A patient in her 80s was struggling to breathe. The Seattle Times reported that this was the center’s first encounter with a critical COVID-19 symptom — shortness of breath. Life Care was a top-rated facility by Medicare ...
By JEFF E. SCHAPIRO, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
Maybe it’s COVID-19 overdraft protection. Amid Gov. Ralph Northam’s 181 proposed revisions in public spending are two — one for the current budget; the other for its successor — that would allow Virginia, facing huge shortfalls because of the pandemic, to turn to the debt markets to generate $1.5 billion to help cover the expenses of state and local government.
By RITSU KUNO, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost every facet of our lives. For many, the pandemic has forced us also to consider our own mortality. As a pulmonary and critical care physician, I often make decisions about life and death on a daily basis, but the current situation is unlike any I have faced before.
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