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Welcome to Tuesday, readers. Although the last week of February can certainly feel dreary, temperatures in the 60s—and a projected high of nearly 80 on Thursday!—might warm your spirit. Sorry, snow lovers, but the chances of significant snowfall before the start of spring are low.
Now onto the news you may have missed while celebrating Presidents’ Day and/or NBA All-Star Weekend.
COVID Testing Continues, Library Distribution Ends
DC Public Schools are on February break this week, but students and staff will have to produce a negative result on a COVID-19 test to return to their campuses next week. Although COVID levels in D.C. are low at the moment, according to the CDC, DCPS leaders say that this testing system allows them to keep students learning in classrooms, where they believe most students will learn best. Tests were distributed at schools before classes let out last week.
Community members can also continue to pick up take-home COVID tests at the District’s eight COVID Centers, where they can also get a vaccine, boosters, or a PCR test. And for one more week, anyone can pick up at-home PCR tests or a rapid test kit at any D.C. library. DC Health is ending that program on Feb. 28, citing the increased availability of tests and treatments at medical offices and pharmacies throughout the District.
Red Line Races Ahead
If you’re one of the many Metro riders who relies on the Red Line to get through town, this week brings you good news. As of this morning, Red Line trains will run every eight minutes on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. Riding after 9 p.m.? Well … you still might have to wait 15 minutes for a train, but progress is progress, right?
Also making progress: WMATA and the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission. Tensions between the transit agency and its oversight body last month nearly prevented a plan for increased service from going into effect. But at an oversight hearing last week, both parties agreed to work together to improve service and safety for those of us who actually rely on Metro.
Recreation Rebounds
• Since it will be so warm on Thursday, consider soaking up the sun at the renovated lower level of Malcolm X Park in Columbia Heights. It’s been closed for three years, but returning visitors will find new landscaping, repaired walkways, and more accessible ramps. The fountain is still not working but should be ready to go in the spring.
• Wilson Aquatics Center remains closed for emergency repairs. DC Health initially ordered its closure last Tuesday after inspectors found multiple critical violations, including improper water temperatures in sinks and showers and leaking pipes.
—Caroline Jones (tips? cjones@washingtoncitypaper.com)
Locker Room Fight Between Cops Raises Questions About Housing Authority Police Accountability
For several weeks last summer, D.C. Housing Authority police officer Dylan Floyd and special police […]
- To see today’s COVID-19 data, visit our coronavirus tracker.
- Thieves stole middle school students’ sneakers after school let out Friday at Eliot-Hine Middle School. Police say a red Kia pulled up to the school and stole three pairs of shoes right off the students’ feet. [NBC Washington]
- For non-English speaking people, navigating D.C.’s healthcare and hospital systems can range from difficult to impossible. [DCist]
- D.C. Police released body camera footage of Officer Alex Rosario-Berroa shooting a man who he incorrectly believed was the suspect in a previous assault. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is evaluating whether to bring charges against the officer while he is on administrative leave. Police later arrested a man suspected of the previous assault, but the USAO is not pursuing charges. [WUSA9, MPD]
By City Paper staff (tips? editor@washingtoncitypaper.com)
‘Cluster**** of a Situation’: Ex-Staffers Say Karim Marshall’s Council Campaign Dogged by Delayed Paychecks, Managerial Dysfunction
Karim Marshall blames delays at OCF for payment issues. Former staffers say the at-large Council […]
- Mayor Muriel Bowser’s initial budget proposal would see about 20 schools lose funding, which is the exact outcome a recently passed Council bill aims to avoid. Chairman Phil Mendelson is urging her to make big changes before the full budget goes to lawmakers next month. [Post]
- The developer aiming to remake the old Wardman Park hotel hasn’t engaged with the city at all about making portions of the massive Northwest project affordable. D.C. planning officials are already embracing new methods to inspire more cooperation from Carmel Partners, but could the Council opt for more aggressive steps? [Post]
By Alex Koma (tips? akoma@washingtoncitypaper.com)
- Zooz, a fancy cocktail bar styled after Vanderpump Cocktail Garden in Las Vegas, is coming to the Wharf. [Eater]
- French flavors top Tom Sietsema’s list of favorite places he ate in February. [Post]
- With changes planned for Eden Center, a young generation of Vietnamese Americans is fighting to preserve the community and support business owners. [DCist]
- The DMV area’s grocery stores: ranked by customers. [Post]
By City Paper staff (tips? editor@washingtoncitypaper.com)
Mosaic’s Bars and Measures Is Too Real to Be Believed
Truth is stranger than fiction, and sometimes it’s hammier, too. Idris Goodwin’s musical drama Bars […]
- Loyalty Bookstores’ Silver Spring location was targeted by a hate group protesting a Drag Story Hour event on Saturday. Amanda Michelle Gomez reports that members of the Proud Boys attended the protest and resorted to physical violence against counterprotesters who arrived to protect kids and families from hate speech. [DCist]
- It’s finally happening: Construction on the new visitor space underneath the Lincoln Memorial “should begin next month,” according to the Park Service. The $69 million project will not close the memorial, and is expected to be ready for visitors in 2026. [Post]
- Arena Stage’s production of Ride the Cyclone, the musical with a growing cult following, uses props from the playhouse’s past productions—some dating as far back as the 1970s. The play runs through March 5. [The B-Side]
By Sarah Marloff (tips? smarloff@washingtoncitypaper.com)
- DC Defenders returned to Audi Field for the first time since the XFL was suspended in 2020 due to COVID. They defeated the Seattle Sea Dragons 22-18. But while the team is back, the Beer Snake—assembled by fans in the stands with empty beer cups—was dismantled by stadium security. Fans provided their feedback by throwing lemons onto the field. [SB Nation, SI]
- The Wizards’ Thomas Bryant is one of the most expensive bench players in the NBA, earning nearly $20,000 for every minute he plays in a game. [Oblong]
- Three D.C.-area high school basketball stars have earned trips to the McDonald’s All-American Game. Bullis’ Riley Nelson, Sidwell Friends’ Jadyn Donovan, and Shabach Christian’s Laila Reynolds will travel to Houston for the game next month. [NBC Washington]
By City Paper staff (tips? editor@washingtoncitypaper.com)
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