Cherry Blossom Access Restricted, Eased Restrictions | Top News

Patch has 32 sites in communities in northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. Here are some of the top posts from the past week related to the new coronavirus and other topics.

Gathering Sizes To Be Increased By Virginia Governor In April

Larger groups of people will soon be able to gather Gov. Ralph Northam said as he announced plans to further ease his Forward Virginia restrictions starting on April 1.

Northam Signs Historic Bill Abolishing Death Penalty In Virginia

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Wednesday signed into law a bill abolishing the death penalty, a dramatic shift in policy for a state that has executed more people in its history than any other state.

Park Service Limits Access To DC Cherry Blossoms Due To Pandemic

The National Park Service will limit all vehicle and pedestrian access to the Tidal Basin, East Potomac Park and West Potomac Park during the peak bloom period of the cherry blossoms to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, the park service announced Tuesday.

More Contagious California COVID-19 Variant Shows Up In Virginia

Several cases of COVID-19 variants from California have been identified in Virginia, according to the state Department of Health. These variants are expected to be more contagious but not more severe.

Washington Football Team Suggested Names Due By April 5

Fans are running out of time to suggest a new name and identity for the Washington Football Team. The team will stop accepting suggestions on its website after 11:59 p.m. April 5.

2 Pipe Bombs Recovered; Man Accused Of Making Death Threats

Arlington County Police recovered two pipe bombs Tuesday and charged a local man with making death threats and possessing explosive materials, according to a police release.

Local COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

• Here's What Getting A COVID Vaccine From A Fairfax Clinic Is Like
• Arlington Partners With Amazon On New COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
• Sameday Health In Tysons Helps Vaccinate Fairfax County Waitlist
• Fairfax Health Department Hiring Hundreds Of COVID-19 Vaccinators
• NoVA Leaders Urge Governor To Boost Vaccine Supplies For Region
• Quarter Of Virginia Population Has First COVID-19 Vaccine Dose
• No More Walk-Ins At COVID-19 Community Vaccination Center Events
• Loudoun County Vaccine Update: No More Waitlist For 65+ Group
• Herndon COVID-19 Update: Where To Get The Vaccine
• Fairfax City COVID-19 Update: Where To Get The Vaccine
• Arlington COVID-19 Update: Where To Get The Vaccine
• Vaccine Update: Guide To Getting COVID-19 Vaccine In Alexandria
• Vaccine Update: Guide To Getting COVID-19 Vaccine In Kingstowne
• Vaccine Update: Guide To Getting COVID-19 Vaccine In Burke
• Vaccine Update: Guide To Getting COVID-19 Vaccine In McLean
• Vaccine Update: Guide To Getting COVID-19 Vaccine In Vienna
• Vaccine Phase 1c To Begin For Rappahannock Area Health District
• COVID-19 Vaccination Wait Time About 20 Days In Fairfax County
• Mass Vaccination Site Begins Scheduling In Alexandria
• Free Krispy Kreme Doughnut Offered To Those With COVID-19 Vaccine

Also Worth a Look Today

• Truck Filled With Frozen Fish Crashes, Causes Stink On Beltway
• Natural Gas Pipeline Proposal Withdrawn In Prince William County
• Good Eats Emporium: Ghost Restaurant Sightings In Fairfax Corner
• Outer Perimeter Fencing Around U.S. Capitol Removed By Police
• Patch Survey: How Do You Feel About Virginia School Reopenings?
• Allison Silberberg To Run For Alexandria Mayor Again
• DC, 5 VA Cities Among Happiest In America For 2021: List
• New Sheetz To Open In Leesburg This Week
• Police Chase Of Stolen Truck In Stafford Leads To Charges
• Mount Vernon's Spring Wine Festival Moved To Summer
• Where To Find Easter, Passover Meals In 2021 Around Del Ray
• Where To Find Easter, Passover Meals In 2021 Around Vienna
• Cappies Review: 'Long Division' at Langley High School
• Prince William Schools Superintendent To Be Named By School Board
• Zandra's Taqueria In Manassas Expands, Adds Rooftop Bar
• Chainsaw Artist Preps For Sculptures In Fairfax City, Arlington
• Pickleballerz Donates Money To Fight Hunger In Fairfax, Loudoun
• Old Town Alexandria Garden Tour Returns In April 2021
• Elevation Burger Closes Over Weekend In Vienna
• Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt Begins In Sterling On Sunday
• Man Sought On Burglary Charges After Woodbridge Home Break-In
• Virginia Awards $2.1M In Homeless Grants To NoVA, Fredericksburg
• Styrofoam Banned In Virginia For Single-Use Food Containers
• Herndon Police Chief Welcomes Women Leaders To VA Summit
• Spring Break Travel Not Recommended By Loudoun County Officials
• Easter Bunny Comes To Dulles Town Center In Loudoun County
• VA Governor Orders Agencies To Stop Using Single-Use Plastics
• Bee Hotel Opens In Western Loudoun To Help With Pollinating
• Loudoun Restaurant Inspections: Violations At Two Schools
• DC Waterfront Community Hosts Springtime Celebrations
• Sparky The Fire Dog Accepts 70th Birthday Greetings In Anacostia
• Centreville Man Dies After Getting Struck In 7-Eleven Parking Lot
• Shooting In Dumfries Damages An Apartment And A Vehicle: Police
• Pet Of The Week: Cynthia Is looking For A Full-Time Belly Rubber
• Arlington Restaurant Inspections: 2 Violations At 16 Locations
• New Reston Eatery Wants To Hire 100 Team Members
• Medical Student, 21, Who Loved Helping Others Dies Of COVID-19
• What Was The Top MTV Show In Virginia? GoVerizon Tells All
• Robbery Victims Found Tied Up In West End Alexandria: Police
• Greenheart Juice Shop Sets Grand Opening For Vienna Location
• Man Accused Of Sexual Assault Of Woman In Tysons
• Where To Find Easter, Passover Meals In 2021 Around Alexandria
• You Can Eat 17-Year Cicadas Emerging In Virginia
• Anti-Asian Racism Condemned By Fairfax Supervisors' Resolution
• Anti-Asian Hate Condemned In Alexandria Council Resolution
• Real Estate Tax, Budget Approved By Leesburg Town Council
• Sexual Assault Of A Child Leads To Arrest In Woodbridge: Police
• Tom Wilson's '43 Burger' Lends Support To DC Central Kitchen
• 2 Herndon Brothers Charged In Fatal Shooting Of Reston Man
• Eased COVID-19 Restrictions Coming To Arlington In April
• Spring Arrives In Bursts Of Color Across The Area
• Assault Charges Filed After Argument At Clarendon Restaurant
• Whitlow's On Wilson To Close Its Doors After 26 Years
• City Council Approves Redesign For Fairfax Circle McDonald's
• Spring-Themed Loft At Lena's Concept Set To Open
• Alexandria Dog Born Without Front Legs Seeks New Wheels
• Modernized Zoning Ordinance Approved By Fairfax Supervisors
• Voter Satellite Office Approved For Burke Centre Library
• McClellan Vies For VA Governor Seat After 15 Years In Legislature
• Prince William County Schools Name New Superintendent
• Smithsonian Gets $1M Gift From Bank Of America For Latino Gallery
• Seven Japanese Treats For Marking The Start Of Cherry Blossom Season
• How Four Latina Food Entrepreneurs Found Their Way In D.C.
• D.C. Organizations Face Difficulties Supporting Vulnerable Children
• Shooting Outside Woodbridge Hookah Bar Kills One: Police
• Fundraiser Helps Teacher, Youth Coach After Strokes And Seizures
• Teen Arrested, Charged With Double Stabbing In Stafford: Police
• Beware Of New Phone Scam: Fairfax City Police
• Where To Get A COVID-19 Test In Arlington
• Child Sexual Abuse Charge Filed Against Northeast Man: Police
• Oakton House Fire Causes $137K In Damage, No Injuries
• Rescue Me: Diane and Darcy Hope You Have Room For Two
• Geraldine 'Gerri' Eleanor Brosius Gassek Of Mount Vernon Area
• Where To Find Easter, Passover Meals In 2021 Around McLean
• Hunter Mill Town Hall Planned On 2022 Budget Proposal
• Letter To The Editor: 5 Days In Schools With 3-Foot Distancing
• Arlington Sheriff's Deputy Indicted For Wire Fraud
• Help Give Fairfax High's Class Of 2021 A Great Send-Off