ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

It was a surprising week in Alexandria.

Our top story by far was on the venomous rattlesnake found in Old Town on Sunday. The timber snake, which also goes by the name American Viper, was discovered in the 400 block of Gibbon Street — a few blocks from the waterfront. It didn’t bite anyone, and was apprehended by the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s Animal Services team and later moved to a wildlife facility in Northern Virginia.

This Saturday, June 19,  is also Juneteenth, and the new federal holiday recognizes the end of slavery in the U.S. The City recognized Juneteenth on Friday, and most government offices and facilities were closed. This weekend, the Alexandria Black History Museum is partnering with Washington Revels Jubilee Voices — a group that preserves local Black traditions through a cappella music, dramatic performances and dance — for a virtual Juneteenth Celebration.

Meanwhile, in-person dramatic and musical performances are being planned for July. The Little Theatre of Alexandria is expanding capacity with their new lineup of shows, and the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra will resume in-person performing in a reduced program at the City’s birthday celebration on the waterfront on July 10.

In other good news, a pair of T.C. Williams High School Titans raised more than $4,800 to attend the Outdoor Nationals at the University of Oregon on July 1.

In this week’s poll, we asked readers how they think the millions of first allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds should be spent, as City Council will conduct a public hearing on how to spend it on Saturday. After a rash of flooding incidents last year, a majority of the respondents want the funds prioritized for waterway maintenance.

This Sunday is also Father’s Day, and a number of Alexandria businesses are offering unique specials.

Important stories

• ACPS Superintendent Hutchings wins contract renewal with enthusiastic support from School Board
• No cut-through traffic relief in new Duke Street plan, but it could be addressed this fall
• Volunteer Alexandria contends with pandemic aftershock, needs help now more than ever
• Towering east Eisenhower development headed to Planning Commission next week
• UPDATE: Man found in West End after Alexandria Police issue Critical Missing Person Alert
• Local construction worker gets a second chance at professional baseball
• New flood mitigation committee sizes up deluge of city stormwater problems
• Alexandria Black History Museum secures grant to bring city’s civil rights history online
• Pedestrian struck by vehicle in Carlyle and taken to hospital
• Grocery delivery chain Foxtrot coming to Old Town
• Alexandria’s COVID-19 cases barely trickling in, 10 new cases reported last week

Top stories

1. JUST IN: Rarity as American Viper Rattlesnake found in Old Town
2. Captain Sean Casey wins Democratic primary and is running unopposed for Sheriff in November
3. Woman assaulted by mob and pepper-sprayed in Old Town North
4. Man dies of apparent overdose at coworking office in Old Town
5. T.C. Williams High School’s final graduating class walks the stage
6. Alexandria Fire Department rescues woman from stalled car, Flash Flood Watch in effect
7. City launches Duke Street transit overhaul process
8. For Taco Bamba owner, newly announced Landmark location is a homecoming
9. Shortened Alexandria Birthday celebration is still on for July 10
10. Here’s what to do when you find dead birds amid recent epidemic
11. Java Grill closed until further notice in Old Town

Have a safe weekend! 

Courtesy AWLA/Twitter