Author: ALXnow.com

This is the staff byline for ALXnow, used by editors and other full-time staff. Launched in October 2019, ALXnow is the place for the latest news, views and things to do around Alexandria, Virginia.

News

Happy Thanksgiving from ALXnow

By ALXnow.com
Fall in Old Town (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Turkey day is almost here, traffic is terrible, and ALXnow is about to go on bit of a holiday break.

Before we do, however, we wanted to wish all of our readers a happy Thanksgiving. Since we launched in October, nearly 60,000 people have visited the site — exceeding even our most optimistic expectations. We are thankful for each and every one of you that have discovered us and hope you stop back often — and maybe even subscribe to our email newsletter.

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BREAKING: AFD Battles House Fire in North Ridge

By ALXnow.com
The scene of a house fire in the North Ridge neighborhood. Editor's note: some readers may find other photos in this gallery mildly disturbing. (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 3:10 p.m.) Firefighters from Alexandria and Arlington battled a house fire in the North Ridge neighborhood this afternoon.

Dark smoke was seen coming from a home on the 2900 block of Mayer Place around 1:45 p.m. Arriving firefighters reported finding an active fire on the first floor of the split level home, prompting additional units to be dispatched to the scene.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com
A man feeds birds at Waterfront Park in Old Town (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria Keeps High Bond Rating — “S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service have reaffirmed the City of Alexandria’s top bond ratings of ‘AAA’ and ‘Aaa,’ respectively, in advance of the City’s planned sale of $205 million in general obligation tax-exempt bonds to fund the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station and school facility capital projects.” [City of Alexandria]

More Phone Problems for City — A week after an issue with a fiber optic line knocked out incoming calls for most Alexandria non-emergency phone lines last week, the same issue with incoming calls cropped up yesterday. It was reported to be resolved later Tuesday afternoon. [Twitter/@AlexandriaVAGov]

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Alexandria Home Sale Prices Rise Above Arlington — “The Amazon HQ2 effect on home prices in Northern Virginia continues and, at least by one measure, the Alexandria housing market is now more expensive than Arlington County. At least it was in October, the most recent month for which data is available.” [WTOP]

Trampoline Park Hoping to Open By End of Year — “Management for Get Air Trampoline Park, an indoor recreation and amusement park, confirmed that the Alexandria location is scheduled to open in the second half of December. The space Get Air is occupying at 340 S. Pickett St. was formerly a U.S. Post Office in the West End Village shopping center.” [Alexandria Living]

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

T.C. Wins First Playoff Game Since 1990 — “T.C. Williams’ varsity football team won its first playoff game in almost 30 years [on Friday, Nov. 15], defeating West Springfield 21-20 and advancing to the district semifinals. While the Titans have gone to the playoffs as recently as 2017, this was the team’s first playoff win since 1990, according to athletic director James Parker.” [Alexandria Times]

T.C. Falls to South County — This past Friday, T.C. Williams’ playoff run ended with a 34-0 loss to South County High School. Mayor Justin Williams congratulated the team: “Congrats @TCTitanFootball on an amazing season… Well done.” [Twitter/@justindotnet]

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Alexandria to Receive $2.6 Million in Grants for Fire Department

By ALXnow.com

Alexandria is getting just over $2.6 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for upgrades to the city’s fire department.

Of the FEMA grants, one will provide $1.5 million over three years to add nine full-time firefighter/medics to the staff, allowing for the recommended four-person staffing on fire trucks and engines. Nine new fire cadets have already been hired, the city says.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Fox 5: No Additional Delays on Seminary — Alexandria’s Seminary Road controversy has taken another turn in the local TV news spotlight. This time, Fox 5 looked at the lane reduction issue and concluded that the brief periods of gridlock on the road during peak times are not, in fact, worse than it was when the Seminary was two lanes in both directions. [Fox 5, Twitter]

Population, Housing Continue to Grow — “Alexandria’s housing inventory is barely keeping up with its population growth. That’s a key takeaway from Alexandria’s recently released fiscal 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report… The city added an estimated 2,300 residents in the last year, climbing to 156,800, and roughly 2,900 total residential units, ending fiscal 2019 with 82,310.” [Washington Business Journal]

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JUST IN: Gas Leak Prompts Evacuation of GW Middle School

By ALXnow.com

(Updated at 10 a.m.) A suspected gas leak has prompted the evacuation of George Washington Middle School.

The school at 1005 Mount Vernon Avenue, near the Braddock Road Metro station, was evacuated shortly after 9:30 a.m. amid cool (45 degree) but sunny weather, due to an odor of natural gas inside the building. The fire alarm was said to be sounding as students walked out of the building.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Meeting About Detention Center Held Last Night — “Should a youth detention center in Northern Virginia stay open? That question spurred passionate debate at a series of public meetings this month, as the operators of the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center make decisions about the future of the facility… ‘I would like to see the facility stay open because it helps youth,’ said Bill Cleveland, former vice mayor of Alexandria.” [WTOP, Twitter/@AmyJacksonVA]

City Council Approves Waterfront Restaurant — “The Mill, a southern kitchen and market, gained approval to open in a historic Alexandria warehouse at 10 Duke Street on the waterfront. City Council voted on Nov. 16 to approve the special use permit and encroachment into the public right-of-way on Duke Street for a balcony, steps and signage.” [Patch]

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