Author: ALXnow.com

Holiday Prompts Schedule Changes Today in Alexandria — “Indigenous Peoples’ Day, recognized on the federal Columbus Day holiday, will bring an array of closures and schedule changes to Alexandria. The holiday falls on Monday, Oct. 12, which will mean a three-day weekend for some employees and students.” [ALXnow]

Ethiopian Fall Festival, Paws in the Park to be Rescheduled — Due to Sunday’s rain, the Ethiopian Fall Festival was moved to Sunday, Oct. 18. Paws in the Park on Oct. 11 was cancelled, but the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is trying to schedule a new date. [ALXnow]

Personnel Investigation Cited Amid Policing Auditor’s Resignation — “A personnel investigation has been ongoing since at least Sept. 2, since [Independent Community Policing Review Board Chair Deborah] Porter confirmed ‘there was no staff available from the auditor’s office in September [for the Board’s Sept. 2 meeting] because of a personnel investigation.’ The Board’s Sept. 2 and Oct. 7 meetings were canceled. The October meeting was canceled following news of Kamara’s resignation, Porter said.” [Alexandria Times]

Samuel Madden Redevelopment Tops Out — “The six-story building replacing the Samuel Madden Homes in Old Town has reached its full height, a milestone developer Fairstead and its partners marked Wednesday with a topping-out ceremony. The $120 million project at 999 N. Henry St. will have 207 apartments reserved for families earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income.” [Alexandria Brief]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On October 8, 1943 U.S. Marine Corps Major General Charles Dodson Barrett, who had grown up in Alexandria, died in World War II in the South Pacific. Barrett was the first Commanding General of the 3d Marine Division. A new elementary school in Parkfairfax was name in Barrett’s honor not long after his death.” [Historic Alexandria]

Metro Adjusts Yellow and Blue Line Service Today — “From 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., trains will single track on the Yellow and Blue lines between Pentagon City and National Airport. All Yellow Line trains will run between Huntington and Greenbelt only.” [Metro/Bluesky]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On October 7, 1975, the historic Taylor-Fraser House was moved from 109 South Pitt Street to the southeast corner of Franklin and South Pitt. It was loaded atop a set of airplane tires and with the help of three modified military tanks, it was transported down Washington Street, a route selected because it minimized impact to power lines and trees.” [Historic Alexandria]

New Deputy City Manager Named — “The City of Alexandria is pleased to announce the appointment of Vanetta Pledger as its new Deputy City Manager, effective Tuesday, October 13. Pledger brings more than 20 years of dedicated public service experience to the role. For the last decade, she has served as the City’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Director of Information Technology Services … In her new role, Pledger will oversee planning, technology, community engagement, race and social equity, finance, tourism, and innovation.” [City of Alexandria]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On October 6, 1796, the City Tavern welcomed its new tavern keeper, John Gadsby. The Englishman had excellent credentials having previously run a tavern on Union Street. Gadsby remained as the proprietor of tavern on North Royal Street until 1808.” [Historic Alexandria]

Alexandria Driver Dies After Vehicle Hydroplanes — “Virginia State Police troopers responded at 4:40 a.m. on Saturday (Oct. 3) to westbound I-495 for a single-vehicle crash at the 170-mile marker near the interchange with I-95 and I-395, a tangle of highways often called the Springfield Mixing Bowl. ‘A 2025 Toyota Rav4 was travelling southbound (the correct direction of travel) on Interstate 495 when the vehicle hydroplaned and struck a traffic attenuator,’ the VSP said (Monday) in a press release.” [FFXnow]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On October 5, 1860, President James Buchanan, accompanied by none other than the Prince of Wales, passed through Alexandria on their way to pay the heir-apparent’s respects at the tomb of our nation’s first president, George Washington, at Mount Vernon. Earlier that year, Her Majesty Queen Victoria had sent her eighteen-year-old son, Albert Edward, also known as ‘Bertie,’ on his first Royal visit, a good will tour of Canada and the United States. Although the young Prince (later he became King Edward VII) had not yet developed his unusual sense of fashion and roguish behavior, he was indeed received as a ‘Royal Spectacle’ in the locations he visited, and Alexandria was no exception.” [Historic Alexandria]

What Streets Are on the Maintenance Schedule This Week — Roads scheduled for repaving and maintenance this week are North Beauregard Street (from Lincolnia Road to Sanger Avenue), North Overlook Drive (from Halcyon Drive to end) and North Chambliss Street (from Fillmore Avenue to end). [Alexandria T&ES]

More Single Tracking Planned on Metro Friday — “From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., trains will single track on the Yellow and Blue lines between Pentagon City and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport stations. The Yellow Line will run between Huntington and Greenbelt.” [Metro/Bluesky]

Appeal of 301 N. Fairfax Street Development Fails — “The Supreme Court of Virginia denial follows a denial of the residents’ appeal from the Virginia Court of Appeals. Nearby residents, led by Corzine, appealed the case after an Alexandria Circuit Court judge ruled in favor of the City of Alexandria, City Council and the 301 N. Fairfax St. property owner to proceed with the development after residents sued.” [Alexandria Times]