Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Driver who fatally struck pedestrian arrested by Alexandria police

Published November 19, 2021 at 9:45AM

Alexandria Police at night (staff photo by James Cullum)

The driver who struck and killed local resident Roy Saravia Alvarez on Saturday, Nov. 13, has been arrested by the Alexandria Police Department.

Police said that a warrant for involuntary manslaughter was issued and 45-year-old Fredy Ortiz-Dominguez of Hyattsville, Maryland, turned himself in to police custody yesterday (Thursday). Ortiz-Dominguez is being held at the Alexandria Detention Center without bail.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published November 19, 2021 at 5:00AM

School Board discusses SRO return, updating police MOU — “…the School Board discussed the short-term, and potentially long-term, future of the [School Resource Officer program] at a meeting on Nov. 11.” [Alexandria Times]

Restaurants in Alexandria offer Thanksgiving packages to go — “You can explore multi-course Thanksgiving menus and special to-go offerings from a variety of Alexandria restaurants.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

News

Inova to host blood drive in Old Town next week with Starbucks gift card as reward for donating

By Vernon Miles

Published November 18, 2021 at 2:45PM

Forget a cookie or a sticker: donors at a blood drive next week in Old Town can get a $10 Starbucks gift card for giving blood to Inova Blood Donor Services.

The blood drive is scheduled for 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24, outside City Hall (301 King Street). Those interesting in donating can book an appointment online. Inova also has an eligibility checklist available online.

Opinion

Poll: Are you optimistic about electric buses in Alexandria?

By Vernon Miles

Published November 18, 2021 at 11:00AM

Electric DASH bus, photo via DASH/Facebook

Electric buses have had a big boost this past month in Alexandria, with DASH laying out future plans for its all-electric fleet and Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) welcomed five new electric buses to the school’s fleet.

But electric buses have also faced some technological hurdles as well. DASH leadership noted that the buses struggle with hills and highways, and they also lack some of the heating of traditional diesel buses where the heat is supplied by the output from the engine.

News

Deterioration forces additional closures to Arlington-Alexandria bridge

By Vernon Miles

Published November 18, 2021 at 9:30AM

W. Glebe Road Bridge, with a weight limit (Image via Google Maps)

The West Glebe Road Bridge connecting Arlington and Alexandria is dropping down to one lane in each direction after an inspection found deterioration under the bridge’s sidewalk.

According to a press release from Arlington County, one northbound lane and one southbound lane will be open, with one northbound lane being converted into a pedestrian and bicycle path after the closure of the west sidewalk.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published November 18, 2021 at 5:00AM

Old Town Books to open ‘Juniors’ pop-up shop — “Old Town Books is opening a winter pop-up shop called Old Town Books Juniors this month.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Public invited to help lay wreaths at Alexandria National Cemetery Dec. 18 — “On Saturday, Dec. 18 — the same day as the wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery — there is another gathering planned for Alexandria National Cemetery.” [Zebra]

News

Alexandria City Public Schools add new electric buses to school fleet

By Vernon Miles

Published November 17, 2021 at 3:45PM

ACPS celebrates new electric buses (photo via Abdel Elnoubi/Twitter)

Alexandria’s bus service DASH isn’t alone in starting its electric conversion; yesterday Alexandria City Public Schools celebrated the addition of five new electric buses to the school system’s bus fleet.

At an event yesterday, ACPS and Dominion Energy leadership celebrated the launch of the new buses.

News

Alexandria libraries to offer free COVID testing kits

By Vernon Miles

Published November 17, 2021 at 1:30PM

The Kate Waller Barrett Branch of the Alexandria Library (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria is one of several localities around Virginia selected for a Virginia Department of Health (VDH) program that will be distributing free COVID testing kits from the local libraries.

Alexandria libraries could, this week, begin distributing COVID-19 testing kits, the VDH said in a press release.

News

Alexandria looks to improve Van Dorn Street bridge and Holmes Run Trail crossing

By Vernon Miles

Published November 17, 2021 at 9:50AM

S. Van Dorn Street bridge (photo via Google Maps)

The city’s hopes to extend the Route 1 Metroway a few blocks north have been dashed by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA), and now city staff is looking at other transportation projects (page 50) around town that could use state funding.

At a Transportation Commission meeting, city staff is proposing two alternative projects for NVTA funding: improvements to the Van Dorn Street bridge and replacement of a Holmes Run Trail bridge.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published November 17, 2021 at 5:00AM

Man Fatally Struck on Alexandria Sidewalk — “A man died after he was hit by a truck when its driver jumped a sidewalk on Saturday night in Alexandria, Virginia. His family wants to know why the driver is not behind bars and said they think the driver’s actions after the crash may have killed their loved one.” [NBC4]

Alexandria named second-biggest art-buying city in US by Artfinder — “Yesterday the company released a list of the top art-buying cities in the U.S. It appears that Alexandria residents love their art, because our city came in second place, behind Savannah, Georgia.” [Zebra]

News

New Montessori program headed to Landmark neighborhood

By Vernon Miles

Published November 16, 2021 at 2:45PM

Location of future Montessori School on S. Pickett Street (photo via Google Maps)

A Montessori program has filed a permit to open a new school in the city’s Landmark neighborhood.

National franchise Montessori Kids Universe is planning to open a “Montessori Kids Universe of Cameron Square”, currently under administrative review to open at 410 S. Pickett Street.