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Morning Notes

Published December 19, 2019 at 8:00AM | Updated December 19, 2019 at 4:58PM

Water Skiing Santa to Return — “A little cold weather doesn’t stop one of Alexandria’s Christmas traditions: a waterskiing show on the waterfront. Santa and his helpers will return for the 34th year at 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24.” [Patch]

Alexandria Sets Holiday Closures — “All City government offices, libraries and recreation centers will be closed Dec 24 and 25. Regular trash/recycling collection on Dec 24, but not on Dec 25. Collection normally scheduled for Dec 25-26 will be delayed by one day.” [City of Alexandria, Twitter]

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published December 18, 2019 at 6:30AM

More on Alexandria’s New Fire Chief — Newly-appointed Alexandria Fire Chief Corey Smedley “is now working with the city manager’s office on a number of budget issues. He recently submitted a budget proposal to the city manager, and said that he is working to improve the pay for Alexandria’s first responders, which is among the lowest in the region.” [Zebra]

City Ready for Winter Weather — “Responding to winter weather events is a top priority for the City of Alexandria. City crews clear snow from more than 560 lane miles of roadway, 20 miles of City-owned walkways and trails, and 44 acres of municipal parking lots or City-owned squares.” [City of Alexandria]

News

Electrical Fire Fills Apartment Building With Smoke

By ALXnow.com

Published December 17, 2019 at 2:15PM | Updated December 17, 2019 at 3:40PM

(Updated at 3:40 p.m.) An apartment building in the West End filled with smoke Tuesday afternoon as a result of an electrical fire in the basement.

The fire was reported around 2 p.m. at the Foxchase Apartments, on the 100 block of N. Jordan Street, near Duke Street.

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published December 17, 2019 at 8:00AM

Alexandria Has a New Fire Chief — “After a nationally competitive recruitment effort, City Manager Mark B. Jinks has appointed Corey A. Smedley as fire chief for the City of Alexandria, effective immediately. Chief Smedley, who has served as acting fire chief since the retirement of Robert C. Dubé in June, will be the first African American to serve as permanent fire chief in Alexandria’s history.” [City of Alexandria]

Dog’s Artwork Sells at Auction — “A new artist has captured the attention of local art lovers selling 20 pieces of art in less than an hour at an auction. All it took has a little tail wagging, and the dog nicknamed Ricasso had a collection of masterpieces. Rico, a dog staying at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria for 15 months, raised more than $4,000 to help shelter pets like him at the sold-out Dec. 6 event.” [Patch]

Opinion

Poll: What Do You Think of Alexandria’s Glass Recycling Decision?

By ALXnow.com

Published December 16, 2019 at 9:55AM | Updated December 16, 2019 at 10:19AM

Last week it was announced that Alexandria would follow in the footsteps of neighboring jurisdictions in discontinuing curbside glass collection in recycling bins.

Glass will still be recycled and reused, but only if you drop it off at a designated collection bin. Otherwise, starting Jan. 15 glass will go into the trash and wind up where it had been going anyhow, since China closed its doors to the world’s refuse and the market for glass recycling evaporated: a landfill.

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published December 16, 2019 at 8:00AM

Alexandria Among Most Festive Xmas Cities — Thanks in part of the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade and the annual boat parade, Alexandria has made Wall Street 24/7’s list of the Most Festive Christmas Cities in the U.S. [24/7 Wall Street]

City Warns of PCP Overdoses — “The City of Alexandria has responded to eight overdoses related to suspected phencyclidine (PCP) use in the past two months, one of which was fatal. City officials are concerned about the potency and deadly nature of the PCP being distributed and used in the region.” [City of Alexandria]

News

BREAKING: Two-Alarm Fire in Del Ray Area

By ALXnow.com

Published December 13, 2019 at 10:30PM

The fire on the 400 block of E. Bellefonte Avenue was first reported just before 10 p.m. Arriving firefighters encountered heavy fire and sounded a second alarm.

The fire has since been extinguished, though a large emergency response remains on scene.

News

Michael Bloomberg Holds Campaign Event in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com

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.

News

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.

News

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]

News

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.