Vernon Miles | ALXnow

City Council backs Eisenhower Avenue sidewalk and bike lanes against neighbors’ appeal

Published October 22, 2024 at 1:50PM | Updated October 25, 2024 at 2:15PM

Concept design for Eisenhower Avenue bike trail from Metro Road to the Holmes Run Trail (image via City of Alexandria)

The overhaul of the Van Dorn Street/Eisenhower Interchange will move forward after the City Council struck down an appeal from nearby residents.

At the City Council meeting this week, the Council voted 5-2 in favor of a series of design changes on Eisenhower Avenue and nearby roads, denying an appeal from residents near the project of an earlier Traffic and Parking Board Decision.

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Alexandria Cider Festival returns next month

By Vernon Miles

Published October 22, 2024 at 11:30AM | Updated October 22, 2024 at 12:58PM

Assorted ciders, beer and mead (image via Meritt Thomas/Unsplash)

Like pumpkin picking and Thanksgiving dinner, the Alexandria Cider Festival is one of those great fall activities and it’s scheduled to return next month.

The Alexandria Cider Festival is a special cider tasting event complete with live music, tavern games, a food truck and more.

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Alexandria hosting webinar this week on ‘eviction landscape’ in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published October 21, 2024 at 4:10PM

A rally to extend the moratorium on rent evictions in front of the Alexandria Courthouse on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s Office of Housing is hosting a meeting Thursday (Oct. 24) afternoon to discuss the “Eviction Landscape in Alexandria.”

In the wake of the Covid pandemic, there was a sharp uptick in evictions in Alexandria as previous protections established at the start of the pandemic expired. The meeting on Thursday will look at eviction trends in the City and how eviction trends have continued over the last few years.

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Regional nonprofit combatting drunk driving with free Lyft rides for Halloween parties this weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published October 21, 2024 at 2:50PM

Halloween decoration in Arlington (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Anyone out celebrating Halloween this weekend should remember: the Nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) is sponsoring free Lyft rides to prevent drunk driving.

According to a release:

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Woodrow Wilson Bridge opening Monday night

By Vernon Miles and James Cullum

Published October 21, 2024 at 11:55AM | Updated October 21, 2024 at 1:53PM

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge at sunset (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Late-night travelers should be aware: there may be some delays caused by the opening of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge tonight.

According to an alert system, the bridge will be opening tonight (Monday) at 10 p.m. to allow for the passage of the “Deep Playa Boat”. The opening should not last longer than 15-20 minutes, but there could be other openings due to scheduled maintenance later that night.

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BREAKING: Massage therapist at Shoppes at Foxchase spa arrested for sexual assault

By Vernon Miles and James Cullum

Published October 21, 2024 at 10:40AM | Updated October 22, 2024 at 9:43AM

Alexandria Massage Envy (image via Google Maps)

A massage therapist at Alexandria Massage Envy (4539 Duke Street) in the Shoppes at Foxchase shopping center has been arrested and charged in relation to sexual assault against two clients.

According to the Alexandria Police Department (APD):

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Sen. Tim Kaine visits Cameron Station to chat with West End businesses

By Vernon Miles

Published October 18, 2024 at 1:45PM

Canek Aguirre and Sen. Tim Kaine (image via Tim Kaine/Twitter)

Sen. Tim Kaine (D) paid a visit to Cameron Cafe in Cameron Station yesterday for a talk with local business owners and local leaders.

City Council member Canek Aguirre, who also attended the meeting, said conversations focused on the diverse businesses throughout Alexandria’s West End. While much of the public attention focuses on Del Ray and Old Town, Alexandria’s West End is home to an eclectic range of businesses, from an acclaimed Ethiopian restaurant to an indoor climbing gym.

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Alexandria seeking funding North Ridge flood mitigation project but warns grant program is in jeopardy

By Vernon Miles

Published October 18, 2024 at 11:30AM

Civil engineers work on new stormwater mitigation projects in Parkfairfax (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The City of Alexandria is seeking $2.5 million in state funding to help prevent flooding in the North Ridge neighborhood.

The Valley Drive Storm Drain Improvement project will improve the drainage system in North Ridge and capture floodwater before it accumulates in low-lying areas.

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Former Alexandria Vice Mayor appointed to new AI Task Force

By Vernon Miles

Published October 17, 2024 at 2:45PM

Former Vice Mayor Bill Cleveland at a protest at City Hall, Aug. 28, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Former Vice Mayor Bill Cleveland is not the most tech-savvy person, but he says he’s eager to bring his perspective in law enforcement and city legislating to the new AI Task Force.

Cleveland, who emphasized that he is “still learning about AI”, is one of ten members of a new task force assembled by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to tackle policy questions about artificial intelligence.

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Notes: Old Town and Del Ray businesses featured on dating show ‘Love is Blind’

By Vernon Miles

Published October 17, 2024 at 10:05AM | Updated October 17, 2024 at 12:20PM

Garrett Josemans (left) and Taylor Krause (right) with Michele Hatty Fritz (center) (photo via Penny Post/Facebook)

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Expect partly sunny skies and a high of approximately 60 degrees. As the night rolls in, the sky will remain clear, with the temperature dropping to an estimated low of 41 degrees.

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Eisenhower Avenue overhaul heading to City Council review after local residents appeal proposed changes

By Vernon Miles

Published October 16, 2024 at 4:10PM

Proposed left turn changes at S. Van Dorn Street and Eisenhower Avenue inter change (image via City of Alexandria)

A roadway overhaul on S. Van Dorn Street and Eisenhower Avenue is heading to the City Council this week after 40 nearby residents signed an appeal.

The city’s plan is to reconfigure the area where S. Van Dorn Street intersects with Eisenhower Avenue and connects to Metro Road.