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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

If you have a friend who buys Powerball at this Safeway at 8646 Richmond Highway, the next round at the bar is on them (photo via Google Maps)

What a busy week in Alexandria.

This week’s top story was all about money, with a $1 million Powerball ticket getting sold in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County.

On Monday we reported that an Alexandria resident was charged after a loaded gun was allegedly found in his carry-on bag at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The incident marked the third time last month that a firearm was confiscated from luggage at the airport.

Also Monday, Mayor Justin Wilson said in his monthly newsletter that the March 27 death of the Potomac Yard arena deal would likely mean a period of stagnation for that area of the city. Landowner JBG Smith, however, softened its stance after initially releasing a scathing opinion on the situation, and told the Washington Business Journal on Wednesday that it now envisions Potomac Yard as a tech corridor anchored by the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus.

In a Thursday poll, ALXnow asked whether Alexandria is better off without the Potomac Yard arena. The poll got more than 1,300 responses, with 65% voting “Yes,” 26% voting “No” and nearly 10% voting “I don’t know.”

Got a good spot to see the eclipse on Monday? Our second-most-read story this week showcases an eclipse viewing party being hosted by the city in Old Town.

The most-read stories this week were:

  1. Powerball ticket worth $1 million sold in Mount Vernon (7387 views)
  2. City of Alexandria hosting eclipse viewing party in Old Town (7375 views)
  3. Notes: Pizza and cocktail bar opening this week in Old Town (5997 views)
  4. Sign ordinance update tackling longstanding sign complaints from Alexandria businesses (5400 views)
  5. In wake of Potomac Yard arena implosion, Alexandria mayor says area will stay the same for ‘quite some time’ (5398 views)
  6. Alexandria gets federal grant for Duke Street transitway (4171 views)
  7. No arrest after woman stabbed in neck in Alexandria’s West End (3522 views)
  8. CIM Group sells apartment complex next to old Landmark Mall property for $225 million (3149 views)

Have a safe weekend!