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Justin Wilson Named One of Six U.S. Mayors ‘Making a Difference’

Published January 23, 2020 at 9:25AM

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson is one of six mayors who are making a difference and “shaping urban America,” at least according to The Hill newspaper.

Wilson made the list, which was published Wednesday, alongside the mayors of Kansas City (M0.), Tampa, Brooklyn Park (Minn.), Minneapolis and Phoenix.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published January 23, 2020 at 8:00AM

New Office to Residential Conversion — “A Mark Center office building in Alexandria is now set to be converted into apartments. D.C. real estate investment firm PRP LLC plans to convert 4900 Seminary Road, a 12-story, 209,000 square foot building, into residential… PRP wants to put 213 market-rate units into the building, which also has room for about 4,100 square feet of ground-floor retail.” [Washington Business Journal]

Mayor Reacts to Retrocession Suggestion — “With Democrats now in control of the Virginia Statehouse, Republican Delegate Dave LaRock says he is concerned that liberal values are taking over so he’s calling for Arlington and Alexandria to be split off and given to D.C… Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson calls LaRock’s statements a ‘comical clown move.'” [Fox 5, Twitter]

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UPDATED: Serious Crash Closes N. Van Dorn Street

By ALXnow.com

Published January 22, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated January 22, 2020 at 9:09PM

Aftermath of crash along N. Van Dorn Street (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 9:10 p.m.) A serious crash blocked N. Van Dorn Street just west of Seminary Road Wednesday morning.

The two-vehicle crash happened at the intersection of Van Dorn and Kenmore Avenue around 7:20 a.m. One person was trapped in a vehicle after the wreck but was later freed and brought to a local hospital, according to the Alexandria fire union.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published January 22, 2020 at 8:00AM

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge at sunset (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Seminary Road Saga Continues — Despite suggestions “that the Alexandria Fire Department had significant input into the Complete Streets Design Guidelines and whether to narrow Seminary Road, documents obtained by city residents under the Freedom of Information Act reveal this was not the case.” [Alexandria Times]

Sushi Restaurant Coming to ‘West Alex’ — “Sushi Jin Next Door, which opened its first restaurant in Silver Spring in 2006 and now has a second location in Woodbridge, is opening a third location in Alexandria, Virginia. The new location will be part of the West Alex mixed-use development at King Street and North Beauregard Street.” [WTOP]

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Alexandria Sheriff’s Office Warning of Phone Scam

By ALXnow.com

Published January 21, 2020 at 9:35AM

An iPhone (file photo)

If someone calls and claims to be from the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office while demanding money, it’s a scam.

That’s the message local law enforcement is trying to get out, as more city residents report receiving phone calls from scammers. It’s not a new scam, but it’s pervasive, leading officials to continue to spread the word.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published January 21, 2020 at 6:00AM

The Mount Vernon Trail near Daingerfield Island (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Lead in Soil Near Oronoco Bay Park — “Research for the Combined Sewer Overflow remediation project uncovered a mysterious cache of lead along the waterfront… It was during exploration at CSO-001, the outfall near Oronoco Bay Park, that RiverRenew came across the lead… RiverRenew is taking extra precautions to remove the impacted soil.” [Alexandria Times]

T.C. Teacher Goes Extra Mile — T.C. Williams 11th grade English teacher Corrina Reamer, who teaches immigrant and international students with limited English proficiency, has raised money for a library of 1,000 books “so her students would learn to love reading.” [Washington Post]

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published January 17, 2020 at 8:00AM

A flock of birds congregate on powerlines in Old Town (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

New Environmental Academy in Alexandria — “‘It’s that time of year again – Academy Time and there is a brand new Academy this Spring, the Eco-City Academy (promoting sustainability in the City), bringing the total to seven academies,’ exclaims Elaine Scott, Senior Community Liaison in the City’s Office of Communications and Public Relations.” [Zebra]

Seaport Foundation Looking to Expand — “The small, timber-frame building along Alexandria’s waterfront is noticeable — and it may be joined by another building as the Alexandria Seaport Foundation looks at expanding its space and services… The foundation wants to build a second waterfront building on the north side of the pier near their current location, allowing it to serve more youth and have space for larger projects.” [Alexandria Living]

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published January 16, 2020 at 8:00AM

A flock of geese head north near the George Washington Parkway in Alexandria (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Absentee Voting Starts Today — “Absentee voting for Virginia’s March 3 Democratic Party Presidential Primary Election begins on Thursday, January 16. Many Alexandria voters are eligible to vote absentee.” [City of Alexandria]

Opening Nears for New Waterfront Coffee Shop — “According to Misha’s General Manager Graham McCulloch, the coffee roaster hopes to open their new waterfront location in April, weather and construction permitting. Misha’s new waterfront coffee shop, the company’s second location, will be at 6 Prince St., the former home of Olde Town Gemstones.” [Alexandria Living]

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Worker Falls Through the Roof of Dry Cleaning Business

By ALXnow.com

Published January 15, 2020 at 3:30PM

Accident at King Dry Cleaner (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A roofer fell through the roof of a building along King Street this morning.

The incident happened around 10:45 a.m. at King Dry Cleaners (3425 King Street) on the corner of King Street and N. Quaker Lane, near Fairlington.

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Did a Woman Jump Off the Wilson Bridge Yesterday and Survive? It’s Unclear.

By ALXnow.com

Published January 15, 2020 at 2:15PM

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge at sunset (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria firefighters and the city’s fire boat, along with vessels from the D.C. fire department and the U.S. Coast Guard, conducted searches below the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Tuesday afternoon after reports of a person in the water.

Initial reports suggested that a woman had jumped off the bridge, on the southern end of the Beltway, into the water below. Rescuers, however, did not find anyone in the river.

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published January 15, 2020 at 8:00AM

Light trails of passing cars at sunset near Suburban Cleaners on Washington Street in Old Town (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Whole Foods Donating to Local Nonprofit — “Now through the June 1, 2020, you can support The Child & Family Network Centers (CFNC) in Alexandria when you bring your own bag at Whole Foods at 1700 Duke Street. By bringing your own bag, you’ll save on the five-cent bag fee, which will automatically be donated to CFNC.” [Zebra]

Art Program for Residents in Recovery — “This fall, the Alexandria Residential Treatment Center (ARTC) partnered with Heard, a local nonprofit, to offer art workshops for individuals in recovery. An Alexandria-based creative arts initiative, Heard partners with nonprofits and local governments to provide marginalized and at-risk adults the opportunity to be heard through art and creativity with workshops in creative writing, visual arts, poetry, dance, etiquette and improvisation.” [City of Alexandria]