DC Government

“The 2020-2021 (DC Public) school year will begin, either in-person or at home, on August 31, 2020”

By Prince Of Petworth

From Mayor Bowser’s press conference today:

“-Summer School will be June 22-July 24 and will include a K-8 enrichment program, as well as programming for English language learners and students with disabilities

-If DC enters Phase 2 of reopening, there will be an in-person summer bridge program for grades 3, 6, and 9 beginning in August

–The 2020-2021 school year will begin, either in-person or at home, on August 31, 2020

-The DC Deputy Mayor for Education will launch a family engagement survey to gather feedback”

From a press release: (more…)

MPD Memorial Day Weekend Reminder About “Enforcing the Mayor’s Stay-at-Home Order”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Metropolitan Police Department:

“As the Memorial Day weekend approaches, we wanted to take a moment to encourage everyone to stay safe and healthy during this unique period in our history. Many of the food and restaurant venues in the First District will be open for take-out service and we hope our small businesses receive your support. However, remember that the Mayor’s Stay-at-Home Order is still in place. Last weekend we saw some unacceptable gatherings and crowds outside some venues, in some parks, and in some neighborhoods. If not engaged in essential activities, everyone is still required to remain at home. That means returning home after picking up food and not lingering in public areas, even if the weather is nice. When you are engaged in essential activity, when in public or common areas, remember to practice social distancing and to wear a mask.

The Mayor’s Order specifies that residents may only leave their residences to: (more…)

“How many emergency no parking signs do you need to cover a full block?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

How many emergency no parking signs do you need to cover a full block?

Example: On the 900 block of 1st St SE, there are two emergency no parking signs at the north end of the block (denoted with an “S” in the attached image) that claim they reserve all the spaces on the entire block. I was towed today from the other end of the block (the spot denoted with a C in the attached) for allegedly violating those signs. It seems nuts that a sign 150-200 feet away from my car could properly serve as notice that I can’t park there – but I don’t know what the actual threshold is.

Bonus Q: After I discovered my car was gone, I called 311 and went through the process to see if the city knew where I’d been towed to. They had no record of me being towed, (more…)

“Today’s wild VIDA update. Says they’re opening on June 24” – “although we are working to get that date moved forward”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Ted Eytan

Thanks to Jack for passing on the latest Vida update:

“To our VIDA Fitness Members,

I want to thank you for your many heartfelt thoughts and suggestions for our reopening effort. The health and safety of everyone that enters our clubs continues to be our top priority. That has been our primary focus since March 15th and your recent input has made our plan even better. I am grateful for your insights. (more…)

“we now see animals going in and out of the house and have just recently heard animals behind the party walls from inside our house”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

We live next to a vacant rowhome, that DC won’t declare a vacant property because a kind neighbor mows the lawn. We filed a number of 311 complaints over the years but to no avail. But we know the owner has been in a long term facility for over 6 years and would occasionally send a friend or worker to co into the house. The house is in super bad shape and any reasonable passerby can tell it’s vacant However we now see animals going in and out of the house and have just recently heard animals behind the party walls from inside our house. (more…)

“Ward 2 Election?” and Have those who’ve requested absentee ballots gotten them?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Eric P.

“Dear PoPville,

I’m all in for getting rid of the overwhelming stench of Jack Evans and his pay-to-play version of public “service” (groan), but I’m a little overwhelmed by the number of candidates running to replace him. I fear that Jack will squeak back in with all the anti-Jack votes split between the candidates. Candidate forums ain’t happening these days, so what suggestions do you and/or your readers have for how I can make a good decision?

Given the volume of full-color flyers I’m getting in the mail, the candidates are spending some serious bucks to get my vote . . .”

And while we’re on the subject:

“Dear PoPville,

My husband and I requested absentee ballots for the upcoming primary and general elections via the “Vote 4 DC” app. I received my ballot a few days later, voted, and as of this morning the DC BOE has posted on their website that they have accepted my ballot. It couldn’t have been easier. However, my husband, again using the same app, address, and no new updates since the last election, has not had any reply. He tried again this morning on the app and only got a generic absentee ballot request form to print out and mail in to the BOE.”

Breaking: “situational update for today says the District’s stay at home order is extended through June 8”

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to all who sent from today’s situational update.

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued Mayor’s Order 2020-066 to extend the District’s public emergency and public health emergency and continue to require individuals to stay home through June 8, 2020. The Mayor’s Order can be found here.

“The continued sacrifices by residents and businesses are saving lives and helping us get to the other side of this incredibly difficult time for our city,” said Mayor Bowser. “Together, by staying home a little longer, soon we will be able to reopen DC safely and sustainably.”

As the District continues to prepares to #ReOpenDC, the Mayor today outlined several criteria based on federal guidance that the District must meet before beginning phased reopening: (more…)

“Delayed Unemployment Benefits in DC?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

After losing my DC retail manager job due to COVID-19 closures, I filed for unemployment insurance (UI) in DC in mid-March on the DOES website, and was approved quite quickly, and have continued to file every week for UI every week since mid-March.

With the CARES Act passed by Congress at the end of March, an additional $600 per week was to be added to whatever people qualified for with UI. My original UI amount was $200; I still have a part-time job based in Maryland that I can do remotely, and with that pay I make just too much to receive for any UI money in DC. But according to these DOES calculations  (see question 8), with the additional $600, I should get a total of $800 in UI, and after subtracting what I make with my Maryland job and taxes on UI, I should get around $400. (more…)

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