2020 was ALXnow’s first full year, having launched last fall, and we put together a list of the top stories to celebrate.
Thanks for reading!
10. Massive Power Outage Reported in Alexandria (9,559 views)
Around 12,750 residents and local businesses were left without power during a large power outage in October, one of several this year. The October outage covered Del Ray, Potomac Yard and Arlandria.
9. Poll: What Should Be Done With the Confederate Statue in Old Town? (10,257 views)
ALXnow breaking the story about the longtime Confederate statue’s removal didn’t crack the top ten list — it was number 16 — but a poll in April when it’s removal was authorized did. Those polled voted overwhelmingly that the statue should stay in place, with 4,247 votes favoring keeping it in place.
8. BREAKING: Murder Suspect Was Released After COVID-19 Court Delay, Allegedly Kills Former Girlfriend Before Trial (11,543 views)
Ibrahim Bouaichi, the Maryland man suspected of murdering Karla Elizabeth Dominguez Gonzalez before killing himself, had been released on bond awaiting charges that he’d assaulted and raped Gonzalez. A GoFundMe for Gonzalez’s memorial service ultimately raised $11,596.
7. BREAKING: Woman Dies After Falling Off Seminary Road Overpass to Van Dorn Street (12,230 views)
A woman fell from an overpass off Seminary Road and was declared dead at the hospital. The incident shut down traffic in the nearby area as police investigated.
6. Muay Thai Champ Gets Racist Threats at Jones Point Park (15,865 views)
Amine Ballafrikh was finishing up a workout video at Jones Point Park when he was harassed on camera and received racist threats.
5. Alexandrians with Joe Biden Yard Signs Get Anonymous Letters Saying Biden is a Pedophile (23,365 views)
Several Alexandrians who had posted signs supporting Joe Biden received anonymous letters claiming — without providing any evidence — that Joe Biden was a pedophile and anyone who voted for him was condoning pedophilia.
4. Customer Spits on Old Town Coffee Shop Owner and Vandalizes Store After Being Asked to Wear a Mask (29,229 views)
Abyssinia Market owner Lily Damtew was harassed and ultimately spit on by a person who entered, refused to wear a mask, and mocked Damtew for following required COVID-19 restrictions.
3. BREAKING: Student Arrested at T.C. Williams for Double Homicide (35,922 views)
Mohamed Aly, a student at T.C. Williams High School, was arrested for the murders of Ntombo Joel Bianda, 21, and Ayanna Munne Maertens Griffin, 19. Earlier this month, Aly pleaded guilty to shooting both after they’d given him a ride to visit a friend in southern Virginia.
2. BREAKING: Barricade Situation, Suspect Firing on Police on Main Line Boulevard (59,823 views)
Police entered a full-day standoff in Potomac Yard after a woman opened fire on police. Police ultimately arrested a suspect around 3 a.m. after she fell asleep.
1. Activists Protest at Alexandria Home of Acting DHS Chief Chad Wolf (60,924 views)
This summer, local activists — including City Councilman John Taylor Chapman — expressed outrage at the federal response to nationwide protests by rallying outside the Alexandria home of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf.
Staff photo by James Cullum
Recent Stories
At a town hall meeting last Sunday, most City Council members said — in no uncertain terms — that they are opposed to a ward system in Alexandra. Currently, all…
Alexandria is bracing for a federal government shutdown at midnight on Sunday (Oct. 1). The city is preparing a package of services for impacted city residents, should Congress not come…
Shuttles are running between the Potomac Yard Metro station and National Airport Metro station after a derailment this morning. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) said there were no injuries…
Just Listed includes a 1 BD/1 BA freshly painted condo with an in-unit washer/dryer, hardwood floors and built-in cabinetry.
If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.
If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!
We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
