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Michael Bloomberg Holds Campaign Event in Alexandria

Published December 13, 2019 at 2:10PM

Former NYC Mayor and 2020 presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg delivers remarks at Blackwall Hitch in Alexandria (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 2:25 p.m.) Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg unveiled a new plan to cut carbon emissions at a campaign event in Alexandria this morning.

The billionaire owner of Bloomberg LP and former New York City mayor addressed a crowd of supporters and members of the media at Blackwall Hitch on the waterfront. Bloomberg was originally supposed to hold the event outside the gates of the GenOn power plant, but that plan was scuttled due to rain.

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T.C., Minnie Howard Campuses Secured After Report of Gunfire Heard Nearby

By ALXnow.com

Published December 13, 2019 at 12:20PM | Updated December 13, 2019 at 1:08PM

Update at 1:05 p.m. — Police are now investigating another report of gunshots heard along Richmond Highway, near Potomac Yard. Nothing has been found so far.

Update at 12:25 p.m. — The secured building status has been lifted, according to ACPS.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published December 13, 2019 at 8:05AM

A duck in the rain in the Potomac River in Old Town (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Apartment Fire on N. Patrick Street — “A six-month-old infant was rescued by firefighters during an apartment fire early Thursday morning in Alexandria, Virginia. The fire also left 19 people displaced, according to the Red Cross. The child was taken to the hospital for observation, according to fire officials.” [WJLA]

Runner Traverses Entire City — “It’s been said that there’s no better way to discover a city than to explore it by foot. Alexandria resident Stephanie Lasure took that piece of advice to heart. Between November 2018 and September 2019, Lasure ran every single street in Alexandria, logging 330 miles total. In November, city council presented Lasure with a proclamation recognizing her efforts.” [Alexandria Times]

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JUST IN: Presidential Candidate Coming to Alexandria Friday

By ALXnow.com

Published December 12, 2019 at 5:20PM | Updated December 13, 2019 at 2:17PM

Update at 2:15 p.m. — The event was held Friday morning. See our coverage here.

Earlier: Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg will be making a campaign appearance in Alexandria on Friday.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published December 12, 2019 at 7:30AM

Bus Barn Set for Demolition — “Located at 600 N. Royal St., the former Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) bus garage, a.k.a. bus barn, has remained vacant since August 2014… Demolition of the bus barn is scheduled to begin on January 2, 2020. In its place, a mixed use apartment building will be built.” [Zebra]

Prominent Local Pastor Announces Sabbatical — “After 30 years of preaching more than 5,000 sermons, the Rev. Howard-John Wesley stood in front of his congregation on Dec. 1 and admitted he needed a break from the Lord’s work… Wesley, 47, has been pastor of the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va., for the past 11 years, leading four services every weekend, averaging 4,500 in attendance and 50,000 viewers online.” [Washington Post]

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published December 11, 2019 at 8:00AM

ACPS Working to Improve Racial Equity — “Students and teachers in Alexandria still face racial bias, and now school officials are working with social justice advocates to expand training sessions and restorative justice practices. That’s some of the aftermath of an alarming racial equity survey conducted this year to prevent race and socioeconomic status from being predictors of academic success or opportunity.” [Gazette Packet]

Tim Carman Visits Smoking Kow — “Several readers (and the owner of the place himself) asked why Smoking Kow BBQ didn’t crack my top 10. I assure you there’s a very good reason for its omission: Until recently, I had never set foot in the original Alexandria location, nor its second shop in Arlington (2910 N. Sycamore St.)… Consider this column a mea culpa.” [Washington Post]

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published December 10, 2019 at 8:00AM | Updated December 10, 2019 at 9:25AM

Amazon Presence on Innovation Campus? — “Virginia Tech leaders and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) executives are working toward a partnership that could give the company’s cloud computing arm a home at the $1 billion innovation campus at Potomac Yard.” [Washington Business Journal]

Underage Drinking Prevention Town Hall — “On Dec. 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.), the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria will host a town hall discussion titled, ‘Healthy Youth, Healthy Families: Promoting Alcohol-Free Holidays.'” [Zebra]

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City Touts ‘Lowest-Ever Interest Rate’ on New Bonds

By ALXnow.com

Published December 9, 2019 at 4:25PM

The City of Alexandria is borrowing money for school projects and the new Potomac Yard Metro station at the lowest interest rates in its history.

The city received just over $200 million in bonds at a 2.67% interest rate, it said in a press release Monday.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published December 9, 2019 at 7:55AM

Historic Del Ray (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Catch on the Avenue Closing — “In a quick social media post on Sunday, December 8, 2019, Catch on the Avenue, 2419 Mount Vernon Avenue, announced it is closing. ‘It is with regret that we announce the permanent closing of Catch on the Ave. Thank you for all your support. We look forward to seeing you at our other locations.'” [Zebra]

Some Residents Want to Ban Waze — “A few residents asked why Alexandria can’t just ban Waze and other congestion-avoidance apps from allowing commuters through certain parts of the City where cut-through traffic is the worst. The reason Mayor Wilson gave: free speech. Other municipalities that have tried to block Waze have lost in court on the premise that Waze is simply providing data to the public and thus has some protection.” [Alexandria Living]

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JUST IN: Shoppers to Close Potomac Yard Store

By ALXnow.com

Published December 6, 2019 at 4:05PM

Shoppers is closing in Potomac Yard, its parent company announced today.

The supermarket, at 3801 Richmond Highway, is expected to close by the end of January. Other Shoppers stores in Manassas, Baltimore and Severn (Maryland) are also closing, and the company is selling 13 other locations.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published December 6, 2019 at 8:00AM

Slaughterhouse Lawsuit Dismissed — “Alexandria Circuit Court Judge Lisa Kemler ruled on Nov. 27 to dismiss a lawsuit filed against city council’s decision to approve a live poultry butcher shop at 3225 Colvin St. The hearing was in response to a complaint filed by 10 plaintiffs… Kemler ruled to dismiss the case, concluding that the alleged harms were ‘too speculative.'” [Alexandria Times]

Photos With Santa and AFD — “Get your holiday pictures taken with Santa! @IAFFLocal2141 Helping Hands Fund will host its Photos with Santa event at Fire Station 201 (317 Prince St.) from 11am to 3pm Sunday, Dec. 8 and again on Sunday, Dec. 15. Photos are $10 & proceeds benefit the IAFF Local 2141 Toy Drive.” [Twitter/@AlexandriaVAFD]