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.

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Street repaving heads to Potomac Yard, Arlandria and North Ridge

By Vernon Miles
Lynhaven Drive (image via Google Maps)

If you’ve been grumbling about potholes in Alexandria’s northern neighborhoods, there’s good news: relief is on the way.

The City of Alexandria released the lineup for upcoming street repaving and the list of prioritized streets is a whose-who of northern Alexandria residential avenues.

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Potomac Yard neighborhood backs parking restrictions ahead of Metro opening

By Vernon Miles
Potomac Greens neighborhood (image via Google Maps)

The Potomac Greens neighborhood has voted overwhelmingly in favor of new parking restrictions aimed at keeping the residential streets from being overrun by commuters.

The proposed parking district, which would encompass the Potomac Greens neighborhood, is scheduled for review at a City Council meeting  (item 17) on Tuesday, June 14.

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Planning Commissioners say study of discrimination impacts in Alexandria needed ahead of land use changes

By Vernon Miles
Southern Towers (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

As Alexandria prepares to launch its new West End plans, some in city leadership are saying the city should do more to take stock of how systemic racism and discrimination has affected housing city-wide.

At a Planning Commission meeting last night, city staff proposed the start of an update to a 1992 plan that outlines land use in the city’s West End.

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Alexandria needs volunteers for Torpedo Factory task force

By Vernon Miles
The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Changes coming to the Torpedo Factory Art Center have been among the more contentious discussions in Alexandria over the last few years, but the City of Alexandria is looking for two locals to serve on a board to help direct the art center’s future.

The city is looking for two at-large members for the Torpedo Factory Art Center Stakeholder Task Force.

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Mayor: Fire department resources to shift further west in coming years

By Vernon Miles
Fire Department recruits training on Feb. 14, 2020 (Staff photo by James Cullum)

As Alexandria’s population centers continue shifting westward, city leadership is looking at shifting more fire department resources toward the West End.

In his monthly newsletter, Mayor Justin Wilson outlined some of what’s ahead for the Alexandria Fire Department over the next few years.

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Douglas Development outlines plans for new King Street office overhaul

By Vernon Miles
Redesigned 515 King Street (image via GTM Architects/City of Alexandria)

After few months after purchasing 515 King Street — the big brutalist building in Old Town with a big clock on the side — Douglas Development is pitching a building overhaul to the city’s Board of Architectural Review (BAR).

The purchase of 515 King Street is just one of many recent acquisitions along King Street by Douglas Development.

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Man charged with brother’s murder in West End shooting

By Vernon Miles
Enoc Cruz Villafuerte, charged with the murder of his brother Jonathan Cruz Villafuerte (photo via Alexandria Sheriff's Office)

The Alexandria Police Department have charged Enoc Cruz Villafuerte, 22, for the murder of his brother Jonathan Cruz Villafuerte, 24, early this morning (Monday).

Enoc was arrested at the scene early this morning where Jonathan was found dead.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles
A candlelight vigil for Luis Mejia Hernandez on Thursday, May 26, 2022 -- two days after his fatal stabbing. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Last week’s murder of an Alexandria City High School student was still the top story this week, with one teenager arrested on Wednesday and charged with murder.

Also this week: Dominion Energy also said that widespread undergrounding in Alexandria would be too expensive despite calls from city leaders to look into it more.

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Parks and civic activist Judy Guse-Noritake dies at 68

By Vernon Miles
Judy Guse-Noritake (right) with her husband Rae Noritake (left) and grandson Theo (photo courtesy Alana Noritake)

Judy Guse-Noritake was a presence in Alexandria civic activism for decades; a lung cancer diagnosis in 2018 did little to slow that down until her death at 68 on Wednesday.

Guse-Noritake was a regular at many city commissions and hearings, where she advocated for better park space in Alexandria and better amenities for mixed-income communities. Judy Guse-Noritake was particularly impactful in shaping civic discourse in the Braddock and Old Town North neighborhoods, helping to found the Braddock Metro Citizens’ Coalition.

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