Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Alexandria Mayor pushes back on Virginia Attorney General’s characterization of violence in ACPS

Published August 29, 2022 at 11:20AM | Updated August 29, 2022 at 1:24PM

Students get on school buses lined along W. Braddock Road on Dec. 10, 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated 1:20 p.m.) Alexandria’s Mayor Justin Wilson and School Board Chair Meagan Alderton are pushing back against a top ranking state official’s characterization of Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) as rife with violence.

Prompted by the murder of a student earlier this year and several instances of violence in ACPS, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares said in a letter to Wilson and to the Alexandria School Board that he urges Alexandria to work closely with law enforcement to strengthen the city’s School Resource Officer (SRO) program.

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VDOT: No HOV or toll restrictions over Labor Day weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published August 29, 2022 at 9:30AM

I-395 between Duke Street and Edsall Road (image via Google Maps)

To help ease congestion, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) said it will suspend work on many highway projects and lift lane restrictions on interstates and other major roads.

VDOT said in a release that Labor Day is one of the busiest travel days of the year. Past traffic data suggested the congestion is heaviest from noon to 7 p.m. on Friday and intermittently throughout the holiday weekend, Monday included.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published August 26, 2022 at 3:30PM

Landmark-area sports bar Alley Cat (image via Alley Cat)

The big news this week was some favorite local restaurants and bars going away.

Both Mackie’s Bar and Grill and Elizabeth’s Counter are set to close in the next couple weeks. Owner Rob Krupicka is planning to replace the latter with a new comfort food restaurant called Railbird Kitchen sometime later this year, but the spot’s famed handmade donuts won’t be returning.

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Help needed for Mount Vernon Trail work this weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published August 26, 2022 at 1:30PM

Kudzu removal on the Mount Vernon Trail (photo via Friends of Mount Vernon Trail/Twitter)

Part of the Mount Vernon Trail through Alexandria has gotten overgrown with kudzu, and locals are needed to help clear it out.

Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail posted on social media asking for volunteers to help remove it this Saturday (Aug. 27).

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VDOT announces new toll-option for 395-Seminary Road exit

By Vernon Miles

Published August 26, 2022 at 9:45AM

HOV-+3 exit at I-395/Seminary Road (photo via Google Maps)

The south-facing exit from I-395 onto Seminary Road has been for high occupancy vehicles (HOV) only since 2019, but solo drivers will have an option to take the exit ramp for a toll starting early next month.

The ramp off the express lanes currently has an HOV-3+ restriction, meaning the cars must have at least three occupants. Transurban, which operates the express lanes, said it is the only ramp along the corridor closed to toll-paying customers.

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Landmark bar Alley Cat closing early next month

By Vernon Miles

Published August 25, 2022 at 3:55PM

Landmark-area sports bar Alley Cat (image via Alley Cat)

Landmark neighborhood sports bar Alley Cat is closing early next month, local news site Annandale Today first reported.

The bar first opened in 2009 and, according to the bar’s website, the last day of business will be Sunday, Sept. 4.

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Alexandria Fire Department takes to the streets for muscular dystrophy next week

By Vernon Miles

Published August 25, 2022 at 10:45AM

Alexandrians are likely to see more firefighters on the streets next week as the Alexandria Fire Department (AFD) launches its “Fill the Boot” campaign to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disease that causes the progressive loss of muscle mass. The campaign is an annual fundraiser for the AFD, raising money for treatment and other forms of support for those dealing with muscular dystrophy.

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SCOOP: Elizabeth’s Counter closing, leaving donut hole in Braddock neighborhood

By Vernon Miles

Published August 24, 2022 at 2:35PM

In 2015, former Virginia state Del. Rob Krupicka left state politics to focus on running a donut shop in Alexandria. Seven years later, a combination of economic factors is forcing Krupicka to give up the dream and leave a donut hole in the Braddock neighborhood.

Krupicka announced on Twitter that Elizabeth’s Counter (formerly Sugar Shack), will close on Sunday, August 28. Krupicka is planning on shutting down the store and reopening with a new restaurant called Railbird Kitchen later this year.

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Alexandria puppy with incurable cancer finds loving home for final months

By Vernon Miles

Published August 24, 2022 at 10:50AM

Gelato (photo courtesy Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

Gelato is a playful puppy who enjoys hanging out with other dogs, but the puppy also faces an incurable medical condition that means he likely only has months to live.

It’s a tall ask for any family to adopt a pet knowing that their time with the dog will be brief, but Gina Hardter, director of marketing and communications at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA), said the shelter was flooded with calls from locals offering to give Gelato the home he deserves — however briefly. Now Gelato has found his new family.

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Alexandria releases guide to surviving the upcoming Metro shutdowns

By Vernon Miles

Published August 24, 2022 at 9:30AM

Construction work at Potomac Yard Metro station, photo via City of Alexandria

Like waiting for a Yellow Line train to Huntington, Alexandria’s Metrorail riders are bracing for a ride to disappointment.

Early next month, the first of two Metro shutdowns affecting Alexandria is scheduled to hit the city. All told, the city will have some level of suspended service until next spring.

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Burglary suspect charged with July double homicide

By Vernon Miles

Published August 23, 2022 at 1:20PM

Two people were killed in the 200 block of Century Drive on Saturday, July 16 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After being arrested for suspected burglary, Francis Deonte Rose, 27, has officially been charged in connection with last month’s double homicide at a West End apartment complex.

Rose is charged with the murders of Adrian Dejesus Rivera Guzman and Juan Carlos Anaya Hernandez on Saturday, July 16, in the Assembly Alexandria apartment complex on the 100 block of Century Drive.