Author: Vernon Miles

Vernon Miles is the ALXnow cofounder and editor. He's covered Alexandria since 2014 and has been with Local News Now since 2018. When he's not reporting, he can usually be found playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons with friends.

News

Alexandria hits grant funding jackpot for new electric bus fleet

By Vernon Miles

A pair of grants totaling $38 million should help boost Alexandria’s electric bus fleet ambitions.

The City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) have been awarded $24 million from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in grants to expand its electric bus fleet and continue high-frequency bus service.

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News

Did you know: Alexandria briefly served as a capital of Virginia during the Civil War?

By Vernon Miles
St. Paul's Episcopal Church during the Civil War (photo via City of Alexandria)

Little fun fact about Alexandria: last week marked the 160th anniversary of Alexandria becoming the capital of Alexandria — kind of.

The Office of Historic Alexandria’s weekly newsletter noted that June 20, 1863, marked the start of Alexandria serving as the capital of “the Restored Government of Virginia.”

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News

NEW: Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued for Alexandria

By Vernon Miles
Clear skies on June 26, but thunderstorm watch issued for this evening (staff photo by James Cullum)

Might want to stay inside: a severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Alexandria and other nearby localities.

The watch is in effect until 9 p.m. but the National Weather Service said the storms are forecast to hit the I-95 corridor during evening rush hour and storms could persist overnight.

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News

Alexandria wins fight against water company over surcharge

By Vernon Miles
Tap water in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria residents might notice a slight dip in their water bill soon thanks to a recent fight in the State Corporation Commission (SCC).

In a release, the City of Alexandria said city attorneys successfully objected to water overcharges by the Virginia American Water Company (VAWC) from 2019-2021.

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Opinion

Poll: Do you support replacing Simpson Park’s fields with synthetic turf?

By Vernon Miles
Simpson Park overhaul plans (image via City of Alexandria)

Eugene Simpson Stadium Park is going from natural turf to artificial turf, and feelings in the community seem decidedly mixed.

At a meeting this past Saturday, the City Council voted unanimously in favor of a new plan that will replace the field with synthetic turf. Sentiment in the public hearing was mixed, with some concerned about issues like creating a heat island and others saying the synthetic turf will make the fields more usable.

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News

Alexandria City Council settles turf war over Simpson Park

By Vernon Miles
Simpson Park overhaul plans (image via City of Alexandria)

Eugene Simpson Park is getting a set of synthetic turf fields as part of a broader overhaul with city leaders saying the added usability outweighs the detriments of the artificial grass field.

At a meeting this past Saturday, the City Council unanimously voted in favor of a large-scale renovation (item 20) to eugene Simpson Stadium Park (426 East Monroe Avenue).

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News

Upcoming Mount Vernon Trail night-tour includes firefly and bat-watching

By Vernon Miles
A runner on the Mount Vernon Trail at sunset near Daingerfield Island (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail have done a lot of work on the eponymous trail, and now the group is offering a unique new way of experiencing it.

The group is hosting a “Fireflies and Bats Walk” on Saturday, June 24, from 8:45-9:45 p.m. The tour is free but attendees can get tickets and make an optional $10 donation online. The tour starts at 615 Slaters Lane.

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News

Arlandria bar Hops N’ Shine emerges from City Council battle with mixed results

By Vernon Miles
Map of Hops N' Shine and associated outdoor space (image via City of Alexandria)

(Updated 3 p.m.) After taking a beating at the Planning Commission, Arlandria bar Hops ‘N Shine (3410 Mount Vernon Avenue) came out of a City Council meeting a little better off.

The bar faced some intense criticism from the Planning Commission over racking up violations of the bar’s zoning conditions, mainly for allegedly continuing to utilize outdoor spaces for trivia nights even after being told to stop by the city.

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