This Week’s Highlights
Dear Neighbors,
As our community continues to face the impacts of the snow emergency and freezing temperatures, I want to share an update on the District’s response and how my office is advocating for our community. I share the same anger and frustration I’ve heard from hundreds of Ward 4 residents, and remain focused on pushing for clear communication and progress on clearing snow from our neighborhoods. Performance oversight hearings began this week and budget oversight is just around the corner, so I also have important updates on hearings and our upcoming Ward 4 budget forum.
Community News
Updates on DC’s Emergency Snow Response
As Ward 4 continues to navigate the snow emergency and prolonged freezing temperatures, I want to share a brief update on what we know, what the District is doing, and how my office is responding. I’ve heard from hundreds of neighbors who are frustrated and concerned about lingering snow, delayed services, and unclear communication—and I want you to know those concerns are valid and shared.
Residents deserve transparency about conditions on the ground and what to expect moving forward. This afternoon, the Mayor’s team provided an update on the District’s progress and ongoing response. Here is the latest:
- DPW’s focus is clearing areas that still need service, especially those flagged through 311. If your street hasn’t been addressed, please submit a 311 request.
- Residential trash and recycling collection will resume this weekend, starting with residents who receive front-side collection. If you receive front-side collection and your collection day is Monday, service will resume tomorrow. If your collection day is Tuesday, service will resume Sunday.
- DPW is working to bring on additional equipment to restart alley collections as quickly as possible. Crews will begin clearing alley pathways this weekend, with the goal of resuming regular alley service on Monday, although this will highly depend on progress made this weekend.
- By Sunday, we expect to have more information from the Mayor’s office and DPW regarding collection schedules for next week.
- Sidewalk shoveling enforcement also begins Monday. DPW will have locations set up across the District where residents can pick up salt to clear sidewalk ice.
- The Department of General Services continues to prioritize snow clearance at essential public facilities, including police stations, shelters, and recreation centers.
- My office is actively escalating streets in Ward 4 that have not yet received service and will continue to do so until we see meaningful progress.
Over the past several days, I’ve been seeing conditions firsthand and helping triage urgent cases as they come in. At the same time, I’ve heard concerning reports of faulty heating systems in DCPS schools and have been working with DGS to ensure these issues are resolved. Hearing directly from neighbors and seeing these challenges up close continues to guide how my team prioritizes service requests and escalations.
There are also some positive developments to share. Most DC Public Library locations have reopened, and DCPS schools resumed operations with a two-hour delay yesterday and today. We’ve experienced very few power outages citywide, and the recreation centers that were placed on standby for warming and shelter have not been needed.
I am deeply grateful to the many neighbors who have stepped up—shoveling sidewalks, checking on one another, and lending a hand wherever possible. I also want to acknowledge DPW crews who have been working around the clock in extremely difficult conditions. Their efforts matter, and we must continue supporting them with the resources they need to finish this work safely and effectively.
At the same time, I remain especially concerned about seniors, residents with disabilities, and others who are most vulnerable. Icy sidewalks, blocked alleyways, and mounds of ice in front of crosswalks and curbs are not minor inconveniences—they are serious safety hazards. My office continues to prioritize calls involving vulnerable residents, and I encourage you to reach out if you or a neighbor needs assistance. You can also support these efforts by volunteering to shovel snow through the Ward 4 Volunteer Corps (email ward4volunteercorps+subscribe@groups.io) or by joining the DC Volunteer Snow Team.
Finally, it’s clear that District agencies must do better in preparing for and responding to storms of this scale. As performance oversight hearings continue in the coming weeks, I will be pressing for answers on preparedness, coordination, and accountability so we are better equipped moving forward. I also encourage you to share your experiences by signing up to testify or submitting written testimony.
Thank you for your patience, your advocacy, and most of all, your care for one another. I will continue to share updates as we receive new information.
Council News/Legislative Updates
Ward 4 Budget Forum Set for February 10th
On Tuesday, February 10th at 2pm and 7pm, I am hosting virtual budget forums to hear neighbors’ priorities for the upcoming FY27 budget process. This is your opportunity to speak about programs and projects that need funding and help guide my work advocating for Ward 4. To RSVP, visit janeeseward4.com/budgetforum.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Study Act
As this past week has shown, the extreme weather effects of climate change are not a distant threat for DC – they are already shaping our daily lives, and we need better data to meet that reality head-on. This week, I was proud to introduce the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Study Act, requiring the District to study the economic costs of greenhouse gas emissions on public health, natural resources, biodiversity, agriculture, economic development, flood preparedness, and housing.
At its core, the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Study Amendment Act is about readiness. It is about ensuring that the District has the tools it needs to plan for the future with clarity, transparency, and confidence—even as the climate becomes more unpredictable. We cannot eliminate uncertainty from the climate itself, but we can eliminate uncertainty from how we plan for it. This study is a critical step toward doing exactly that, and I look forward to advocating for this bill’s passage.
Performance Oversight Hearings Begin!
This was the first week of performance oversight hearings, and I was grateful to join several hearings to advocate for the needs and priorities of Ward 4 residents. On Wednesday, I joined the hearing for the Office of Unified Communications, which manages DC’s 911 and 311 systems. From public safety incidents to snow emergencies, our community needs an effective and reliable emergency response system, and Wednesday’s hearing helped clarify how OUC detects, identifies, and responds to problems when they arise. On Thursday, I chaired the Committee on Facilities’ first performance oversight hearing of the year, where we heard from residents on the Department of General Services. Hearing feedback from the community about how our public facilities are managed—from schools, to parks, to rec centers—was extremely helpful and will inform our oversight work moving forward.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll join hearings for agencies across District government, and discuss the issues I’ve heard from speaking with Ward 4 neighbors over the past year. If you can, please sign up to testify at a hearing on the issues that matter most to you and help guide oversight priorities for the year to come. All you need to do is visit dccouncil.gov/hearings and register to testify in person or virtually.
Community Resources
DC Health Link Open Enrollment Deadline
The open enrollment deadline for DC Health Link is this Saturday, January 31st! DC Health Link has partnered with Ben’s Chili Bowl to host “Enroll at the Bowl,” an onsite enrollment marathon event happening now through Saturday, January 31st midnight. Residents will have the opportunity to enroll during lunch, after-work, or evening hours until 11:59pm. Free expert enrollment support will be available with specialists who will answer questions, help residents complete the enrollment process and share information about plan options such as Essential Plans and Healthy DC Plan. For more information, visit DC Health Link’s website.
ANC 4D Community Grants Program
Learn how to apply for a Community Grant from ANC 4D! Join for a webinar next Tuesday, February 3rd, at either 2 or 7pm. Grants range from $100-$2,000 and community groups and nonprofits can apply. ANC 4D also wants to fund block parties! Get ready to apply by March 1st for projects that start in the spring or early summer. Click one of the times below to register for the webinar (both will be the same):
Register for the webinars, learn more about grants, and contact ANC 4D at http://www.anc4d.org/community-grants. Please share!
Justice Access at Shepherd Park Library
On Sunday, February 1st from 1:30 to 3:30pm, community members are invited to Juanita E. Thornton-Shepherd Park Library to speak to a law librarian with Justice Access. Justice Access is a nonprofit mobile law library providing print and online legal information resources. Join to get help finding the right answers to your questions, understand possible steps to resolve your issue, and receive information and referrals. Be advised that Justice Access librarians provide legal information only, never legal advice.
Updates on Chevy Chase Civic Core
Last week, the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) released its development plans for the Chevy Chase Civic Core. As we work to make sure this project meets the needs of our community, I encourage neighbors to submit feedback on the current plan. All comments can be submitting in writing via email to Daniel.lyons@dc.gov.
Neighborhood Events
Petworth Peanuts Book Exchange and Winter Carnival
Due to snow, Petworth Peanuts’ Book Exchange and Winter Carnival has been postponed to Sunday, February 15th from 2 to 6pm at Hook Hall. This fun event will include over a thousand donated kids’ books available for free, plus, tons of free kids’ entertainment, giveaways, and more. Check out the full map of porch locations where book donations can be dropped off, and the event page for more details for attendees.
Black History Month Exhibit at Zenith Gallery
From now until February 28th, Zenith Gallery is hosting a Black History Month exhibit, featuring works from more than a dozen artists. Artist talks will take place every Saturday at 2pm at Zenith Gallery, 1429 Iris Stret NW.
Gethsemane Baptist Church Clothing & School Supply Giveaway
On Saturday, January 31st from 11am to 2pm, Gethsemane Baptist Church (5119 4th St NW) is hosting a Winter Clothing and School Supply Giveaway. There will be women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing, coats and jackets, career wear, backpacks, and school supplies for Ward 4 residents in need. Please share with a neighbor!
Important Reminders
Office Hours in the Community
Ward 4 office hours are happening every Wednesday afternoon at Fort Stevens Rec Center from 12 to 1pm, followed by office hours at Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center from 1:30 to 2:30pm. Community members can stop by and speak one-on-one with a member of our team about DC government services or our work in the Ward 4 community.
Support for Federal Workers
As many in our community face unprecedented challenges, I’m grateful to everyone who is stepping up to support neighbors. The Office of the Mayor has rolled out fedsupport.dc.gov, sharing resources for federal workers who have been laid off or impacted by recent cuts. I also want to remind neighbors of resources on my website for federal workers impacted by recent actions and neighbors facing the threat of immigration enforcement, compiled with the help of Councilmember Nadeau. DC government and the DC Council are also hiring for a range of positions, and I encourage community members to take a look at the open positions and share with a neighbor.
Ward 4 in the News
FOX 5: Workers, volunteers push to clear ice and snow from DC streets
Petworth News: A fun Book Exchange & Carnevale at Hook Hall, hosted by Petworth Peanuts
Next Stop…Riggs Park: February 2: Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association Public Meeting
Next Stop…Riggs Park: DC 2026 Summer Youth Employment Applications Now Open – Apply by March 6, 2026
PoPville: Your Fourth and Final Round of Snow/Sleet Dogs 2026!!
The 51st: Your water bill could soon go up. Here’s why.
Petworth News: Apply for a Community Grant with ANC 4D and help make a local difference!
Ward 4 Dispatch: Supporting Our Neighbors Through the Winter Storm
These are news articles that mention Ward 4 or pertain to events in our community. Councilmember Lewis George does not write or endorse their content but shares them for community awareness.
Over the last few weeks, I have been devastated and outraged by the violence caused by the federal government’s crackdown on immigrant communities in Minneapolis and across the country. Local communities deserve accountability and justice for ICE’s heinous actions, and this can only happen if Congress refuses to continue funding their illegal activities. My heart goes out to everyone who has been impacted by this violence, and I encourage neighbors to contact members of Congress to let them know our community demands accountability.
This week, DC Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton announced her retirement after more than three decades faithfully representing the District on Capitol Hill. From the civil rights movement to the halls of Congress, Rep. Norton has been a relentless champion for justice, dignity, and full democracy for our city. We owe Congresswoman Norton a profound debt of gratitude and will carry her legacy forward in our continued struggle for justice and self-determination.
Have a good weekend and check back next week for more updates!
Yours in Community,
—Janeese
