Author: James Cullum

Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.

News

Woman arrested for sending threatening texts and attacking roommate in Landmark area

By James Cullum
Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

A 30-year-old Alexandria woman was arrested last month and charged with making threats and domestic assault and battery against her roommate in the Landmark area.

The suspect was booked and released on July 14, and her court date is not yet publicly listed.

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WATCH: Noah Lyles wins bronze medal in 200 meters at Tokyo Olympics

By James Cullum

Alexandria sprinter Noah Lyles took home the bronze medal in the 200 meters in the Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday, August 4.

The 24-year-old clocked in at 19.74 seconds, behind silver medalist Kenneth Bednarek’s 19.62 seconds and Canada’s Andre de Grasse, who took home gold with 19.62 seconds — the fastest 200m in the world this year. Lyles previously ran the fastest 200m this year with the same time of 19.74 in the Olympic trials in June.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum
Alexandria Fire Chief Corey Smedley and acting Police Chief Don Hayes with neighborhood kids at National Night Out at Charles Houston Recreation Center in the Parker Gray neighborhood on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. The pair traveled to multiple cookouts around the city. "It's good because people are coming out, and we're glad to tell them that the police department is here for them," Hayes told ALXnow. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Capitol officer who committed suicide was from Alexandria — “Very sad news: @MikevWUSA @wusa9 reports MPD Officer Kyle DeFreytag died by suicide in July after defending the US Capitol on January 6. His obituary says he was a hiker, drummer, motorcyclist, and resident of Alexandria, who served with MPD for five years” [WUSA9]

Alexandria, neighboring health directors recommend wearing face masks indoors — “Today, all five Northern Virginia Health Directors issued a joint letter of interim recommendations for mask wearing in Northern Virginia. The letter was issued by Health Directors from the City of Alexandria, as well as Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties to Northern Virginia Mayors, Chairs and Chief Administrative Officers with the recommendation that individuals wear masks while indoors in government and other public settings, regardless of vaccination status.” [City of Alexandria]

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Fingerprints lead to 7-Eleven robbery suspect already jailed after DNA linked him to separate 7-Eleven incident

By James Cullum
Police car lights (file photo)

Fingerprints have linked a 59-year-old Alexandria man to a February 25 robbery at the 7-Eleven at 3412 Mount Vernon Avenue in the Arlandria area.

The same suspect, Stanley Rivers, was already in jail for allegedly burgling the 7-Eleven down the road at 2108 Mount Vernon Avenue on Friday, Jan. 22. He was arrested on June 16, nearly five months after DNA evidence linked him to the January incident.

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Noah Lyles to race for gold medal in 200 meters at Tokyo Olympics

By James Cullum
A cutout of Noah Lyles with his mother, Keisha, and brother, Josephus, at an Olympic watch party Alexandria City High School on Monday, August 2, 2021. (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated 9:30 p.m.) After advancing in two straight preliminary races, Noah Lyles will run for the gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday.

Lyles’s family is staying at a hotel in the area to watch the gold medal match, his mother Keisha Bishop said at a watch party at Alexandria City High School on Monday night.

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News

18-year-old arrested for firing gunshots at West End apartment building

By James Cullum

An 18-year-old Alexandria man has been arrested for allegedly firing a gun at the exterior of an apartment building in the West End on Thursday, July 29.

Mauricio Urquilla Escobar was charged with shooting into an occupied dwelling, illegally discharging a weapon and drug possession with the intent to distribute. Shell casings were recovered at the scene, according to police.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum
A cutout of Noah Lyles with his mother, Keisha, and brother, Josephus, at an Olympic watch party Alexandria City High School on Monday, August 2, 2021. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Vacant lot in Eisenhower could become pop-up events and market space — “At 2425 Eisenhower Ave., there’s more than 18,000 square feet of open, grassy space. Until recently, the lot, which is owned by Rubenstein Partners LP, has remained unused except for the occasional dog romping with its owner. The Eisenhower Partnership is working with the site owners to bring fresh life to the lot by creating a pop-up space that could be used for food trucks, markets, arts, musical performances and other recreational uses according to a recent application filed with the City.” [Alexandria Living]

There’s a new mural in Old Town — “When Erik Muendel took over the ESP Tea and Coffee Shop at 1012 King Street, he not only revitalized the hip location with a new spin on the name and increased offerings, the wanted to make a splash on the outside as well.” [Zebra]

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Alexandria midfielder Eryk Williamson plays in U.S. 1-0 upset over Mexico in the 2021 Gold Cup

By James Cullum

Alexandria midfielder Eryk Williamson was reportedly disappointed to not make the U.S. Olympic team, and instead found gold in the U.S. National Team’s dramatic 1-0 upset over defending champion Mexico in the in the Concacaf Gold Cup Final.

Williamson, a member of the state championship-winning T.C. Williams High School varsity soccer team in 2014, played most of the game Sunday in Las Vegas. This is the second straight tournament final won by the U.S. against Mexico, following their 3-2 win in June’s Concacaf Nations League Final. Williamson didn’t play in that game, however, as he was aded to the roster for the U.S. in the Gold Cup in July.

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Alexandria reports 204 COVID-19 cases in July, a big jump over last month

By James Cullum

Alexandria’s COVID-19 uptick continues to gain steam, as there have been 118 new cases reported in the last week, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

There were also 204 new cases reported in the month of July, a  343% increase over June, which only saw 43 new cases.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Mayor recommends residents try out slaughterhouse — “Excited to say hello to the DC Poultry Market on Colvin Street this afternoon. They’re now open and it’s wonderful to have a source for fresh, local, free-range chicken in our City. They’re open 7 days a week. Check them out!” [Facebook]

DASH unveils new 40-foot-long electric buses — “The Alexandria Transit Company DASH is committed to transitioning to an entire fleet of zero emissions vehicles. Today they moved closer to that goal with the debut of three new battery-powered electric buses.” [Zebra]

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