Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Rep. Beyer secures millions in funding for Alexandria affordable housing and police body-worn cameras

Published December 27, 2022 at 11:45AM

The Alexandria Police Department and local non-profits are getting a federal funding boost as part of the new omnibus funding bill.

Rep. Don Beyer (D) who represents the 8th District highlighted a few of the benefits to Alexandria in the FY 2023 omnibus bill approved on Friday.

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Hawaiian coffee chain sets late January opening for new Carlyle location

By Vernon Miles

Published December 27, 2022 at 10:50AM

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii is coming to Carlyle in March 2023 (courtesy photo)

Carlyle could be getting a new coffee spot early next year.

Hawaiian coffee chain Bad Ass Coffee Of Hawaii previously announced plans to open at 2466 Mandeville Lane in the Carlyle neighborhood sometime this past summer, but Ashburn-based news site The Burn reported the chain could now be eyeing a Jan. 31 opening.

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Alexandria mayor praises Youngkin’s new affordable housing plan

By Vernon Miles

Published December 27, 2022 at 10:10AM

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin speaks at the Safeway at the Bradlee Shopping Center on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. (Photo via Eli Wilson)

The tension between Alexandria’s leaders and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is not exactly a secret, but there have been a few surprising examples of overlapping policy goals.

Most recently, Mayor Justin Wilson shared vocal support for Youngkin’s new Make Virginia Home plan.

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JUST IN: More than 1,600 without power around Seminary Hill and Taylor Run

By Vernon Miles

Published December 23, 2022 at 12:25PM

Power outages in central Alexandria (image via Dominion Energy)

There are around 1,629 Alexandrians without power after this morning’s storms.

Most of those outages are in the city’s central Seminary Hill and Taylor Run neighborhoods.

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Where to take friends and family in Alexandria for the holidays?

By Vernon Miles

Published December 23, 2022 at 11:10AM

A man walks a dog at Fort Ward Park (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

It’s a holiday weekend and you aren’t sure where to take your friends and family.

If they’ve visited you before, you’ve probably already taken them to Old Town, and there’s a hint of disappointment in their eyes when you suggest revisiting the waterfront or Captain’s Row.

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BAR defers historic home modification decision, admits it is ‘a crappy situation’

By Vernon Miles

Published December 22, 2022 at 2:30PM | Updated December 23, 2022 at 11:48AM

Exterior piping at 319 North Alfred Street (image via City of Alexandria)

(Updated 12/23) Alexandria home owner Harold White paid a local contractor to install an extensive HVAC system to a historic home (319 North Alfred Street), and after a Board of Architectural Review (BAR) decision last night it seems likely he’ll have to pay to have it taken out again.

BAR members said the case serves as an unfortunate reminder to building owners in a historic district: always get city approval before making exterior modifications.

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Volunteers needed for New Year’s Day Mount Vernon Trail cleanup

By Vernon Miles

Published December 22, 2022 at 10:00AM

The Mount Vernon Trail near Daingerfield Island (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail are starting the new year with some improvements near Daingerfield Island.

The volunteer organization, which does everything from clearing the trial to fixing bumps and other issues, is hosting an event on New Year’s Day. The work area is the trail on Daingerfield Island near 615 Slaters Lane.

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VDOT: Consider holiday travel today, storms inbound on Thursday and Friday

By Vernon Miles

Published December 21, 2022 at 3:50PM

A snow plow drives down Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria, Jan. 3, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) says drivers heading out for the holidays should consider starting a little early, with heavy storms likely to affect travel over the next few days.

In an alert, VDOT said today is the best day to travel, given the forecast.

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Police investigating ‘suspicious death’ this morning in West End

By Vernon Miles

Published December 21, 2022 at 1:15PM

5500 block of Ascot Court (image via Google Maps)

A police investigation of a shooting early this morning in the West End has turned to a “suspicious death” investigation.

The Alexandria Police Department said the initial call for service was this morning (Wednesday) at 5:35 a.m. in the 5500 block of Ascot Court.

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Landmark redevelopment plans win City Council approval

By Vernon Miles

Published December 21, 2022 at 11:10AM | Updated December 21, 2022 at 12:59PM

Concept map for new Landmark Mall development (image via City of Alexandria)

(Updated at 1 p.m.) The first set of buildings in the West End project — the start of a massive redevelopment of what was Landmark Mall — were approved at a City Council meeting this weekend.

Developer Foulger-Pratt won the unanimous approval of four blocks of the sprawling development, consisting of residential, commercial and medical offices.

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Alexandria striving to make it easier for non-citizens to join law enforcement

By Vernon Miles

Published December 20, 2022 at 2:30PM

Police at the Bradlee Shopping Center where and 18-year-old was stabbed and killed on May 24 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Among the many topics covered in the legislative package, Alexandria is sending to the state is a proposal that could make it easier for locals who are not citizens to join the Police Department and Sheriff’s Office.

At a meeting last week, Legislative Director Sarah Taylor told the City Council about a proposal she received from Alexandria’s Sheriff’s Office.