Vernon Miles | ALXnow

BREAKING: Shooting reported at Bradlee Shopping Center

Published April 17, 2023 at 4:35PM | Updated April 17, 2023 at 5:04PM

Police near the Bradlee Shopping center investigating a shooting (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated 5 p.m.) Police are responding to a shooting near the bus stop at the Bradlee Shopping Center (3660 King Street).

According to the scanner, multiple gunshots were reported by employees at the McDonalds at the Bradlee Shopping Center — where an ACHS student was murdered last year — around 3:40 p.m.

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Alexandria’s City Council approves zoning change for abortion clinics

By Vernon Miles

Published April 17, 2023 at 11:00AM

Alexandria City Council during April 15 discussions on abortion access (image via City of Alexandria)

After extensive public comment and a few interruptions, Alexandria’s City Council voted unanimously to approve a zoning change that would bring zoning requirements for abortion centers in line with other medical facilities.

The gist of the change is that abortion would be included with other healthcare-related uses for by-right approval in commercial and mixed-use zones.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published April 14, 2023 at 3:45PM

Bone-in ribeye steak at 1799 Prime Steak & Seafood in at 110 S. Pitt Street in Old Town. (Courtesy photo)

It was a busy week in Alexandria with discussion heating up around several city policy proposals.

Alexandria has been moving forward with Zoning For Housing/Housing For All, a suite of changes to Alexandria’s housing code that works to rectify some of the city’s historic housing segregation.

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Alexandria School Board seeking public input on significant elections changes

By Vernon Miles

Published April 14, 2023 at 11:00AM

ACPS headquarters and clock (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria could be making significant changes to the way the School Board is elected, from staggered terms to breaking alignment with the standard election cycles.

A new survey suggests that School Board elections could be changed to staggered terms, meaning school board members are elected across different years rather than all at once.

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Zoning change that makes abortion clinics easier to open in Alexandria draws ire of local Catholic leadership

By Vernon Miles

Published April 13, 2023 at 3:45PM

Pro and anti-abortion activists at Alexandria City Hall, June 28, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

A zoning change that would make it easier to open medical offices and clinics in Alexandria’s commercial and mixed-use zones has drawn the ire of local Catholic leadership over the inclusion of abortion services.

A staff report on the zoning text amendment in question says:

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Alexandria returning millions in grant funding after Taylor Run kerfuffle

By Vernon Miles

Published April 12, 2023 at 3:30PM

Taylor Run (Photo via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria is sending $3 million in grant funding back to the state after controversial stream restoration projects fell through.

When the stream restoration projects return later this year, city leadership made it candidly clear that Alexandria taxpayers will likely shoulder more of the cost thanks to the lost grant funding.

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Old Town steakhouse grilled by neighbors over proposed outdoor seating plan

By Vernon Miles

Published April 11, 2023 at 3:45PM | Updated April 11, 2023 at 10:23PM

The lobster roll at 1799 Prime Steak & Seafood in at 110 S. Pitt Street in Old Town (courtesy photo)

(Updated 10:23 p.m.) Residents adjacent to 1799 Prime Steak and Seafood (110 S. Pitt Street) urged the Planning Commission to strike down a proposed outdoor seating expansion, but the Planning Commission ultimately voted unanimously to recommend approval of the special use permit.

The Planning Commission recommended approval of the permit at a meeting on March 30. The proposal now goes to the City Council on Saturday, April 15, though city staff noted that may not be the end of the restaurant owners’ fight to get more outdoor seating at the frequently crowded location.

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Duke Street lane closures planned this week around Lincolnia and Landmark neighborhoods

By Vernon Miles

Published April 11, 2023 at 11:00AM

Stretch of Duke Street that will have closures this week while VDOT works on bridge rehabilitation (image via Google Maps)

Traffic might be a little slower around Lincolnia and Landmark this week due to lane closures on Duke Street.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) said in a release that there will be daytime closures on Duke Street between Oasis Drive and South Walker Street starting today (Tuesday) through Thursday.

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Alexandria seeking public input on Eugene Simpson Stadium Park overhaul

By Vernon Miles

Published April 10, 2023 at 11:00AM

Baseball practice in Simpson Field (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria’s Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) is looking for public comment on a plan to overhaul Eugene Simpson Stadium Park (426 E. Monroe Avenue).

RPCA said the community has identified several needs at the park that the new overhaul hopes to fix. Among major changes for the park is a change from natural grass and dirt to astroturf, along with changes like new trails, bleachers and more.

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