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.

News

Grant proposal could save Alexandrians’ sewer rate bill if approved on Monday

By Vernon Miles
AlexRenew headquarters (via Alexandria Renew Enterprises/Facebook)

A new state grant could help fund the city’s expensive, state-mandated RiverRenew project and offset some of the sewer rate increases for Alexandrians.

According to a press release, Alexandria Renew Enterprises (AlexRenew) — which runs the RiverRenew project — has been recommended to receive a $50 million grant to support construction on the project. The RiverRenew project is an overhaul of the city’s combined sewer system in Old Town that results in millions of gallons of sewage flowing into the Potomac River ever year.

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News

ACPS to decide next week whether to require face masks when school restarts

By Vernon Miles

As it was with the decision to reopen schools, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is a little behind its neighbors in deciding whether or not faculty and students will be required to wear face masks when school restarts next month.

In Fairfax County and Arlington County School Boards have both announced that masks will be required in classrooms when school starts.

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News

Torpedo Factory Art Center goes back to requiring masks indoors

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

Following new guidance from the Governor’s office and the CDC, the Torpedo Factory (105 N. Union Street) announced today that all visitors will be required to wear face masks.

The new requirement comes as Alexandria sees its first significant uptick in COVID-19 cases since May. The city issued new guidance recommending that even vaccinated residents begin wearing masks indoors again.

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News

Report details life of Black Alexandrians post-Civil War in home slated for redevelopment

By Vernon Miles
506 N. Overlook Drive (image via North Ridge Citizens' Association)

A new report from the Office of Historic Alexandria outlined the fascinating and tumultuous lives of the Black residents who carved out a life for themselves in the city after the Civil War — and whose home (506 N. Overlook Drive) could soon be faced with demolition and redevelopment.

There were a lot of unanswered questions and urban legends about the Hampshire Fractious house in North Ridge when redevelopment of the property started working through city bureaucracy, starting with approval of a plan to subdivide the property. Walt Whitman, for instance, was rumored to have worked at the house, but there’s no evidence to support this claim.

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News

Alexandria exhibition for vintage and bizarre cars returns this fall

By Vernon Miles
Car at the 2019 Old Town Festival of Speed & Style, photo courtesy Spotted MP

The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style, a celebration of eccentric mid-20th century vehicles, is scheduled to make a comeback this September.

The event started in 2019 and was a success, bringing thousands of visitors from the region to Old Town. The event, sponsored by Burke & Herbert Bank, was scheduled to make a comeback in 2020 but… you know. After several delays, the second annual Old Town Festival of Speed & Style is scheduled for Sept. 5 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

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News

Rep. Beyer: Calls to defund police ‘one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard’

By Vernon Miles
Rep. Don Beyer recognizing Arlington First Responders, via Arlington County

Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) swung by Arlington’s County Board last week to recognize 60 local first responders who responded to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

It’s the latest step in a complicated dance for the congressman as he faces a new primary challenger, and Democrats nationwide grapple over balancing public safety concerns as outcry over police killings and accusations of brutality continue.

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News

Alexandria City High School to host Olympics watch party to cheer on alumnus Noah Lyles

By Vernon Miles

From comic books to donuts, Alexandrians have been going all out for the Olympics this year — particularly with T.C. Williams High School graduate Noah Lyles competing in the 200 meter race.

Next week, Lyles’ alma mater — now called Alexandria City High School — will host a viewing party for the Olympic field day.

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Opinion

Poll: Do you plan on wearing a mask indoors again?

By Vernon Miles

The City of Alexandria has issued new guidance, following an announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that locals should return to wearing masks in all public indoor settings.

The ongoing spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 has led the CDC to recommend that communities with substantial or high transmission levels wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. A press release from the city noted that the city elevated its state of COVID-19 community transmission for the first time since early May.

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News

Three Dog Night, Tanya Tucker, and more coming to Birchmere next month

By Vernon Miles
Three Dog Night, via The Birchmere

Since Birchmere reopened last July, the venue (3701 Mt Vernon Avenue) has had a few hit shows like KT Tunstall and The Steeldrivers later this week (tickets are sold out, sorry).

Next month, likely the biggest headlining band is 60s/70s rock band Three Dog Night, performing on August. 28 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $79.50.

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News

Local Democrat challenges Rep. Don Beyer in 8th District Primary

By Vernon Miles
Photo via Victoria Virasingh/Facebook

Arlingtonian Victoria Virasingh has thrown her hat into the ring to challenge Rep. Don Beyer for the 8th District Democratic primary next year.

Beyer has held onto the 8th District, which includes parts of Arlington and Alexandria, since he won a crowded primary for former Congressman Jim Moran’s seat in 2014 and the general election later that year.

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News

UPDATED: Route 1 partially closed in Potomac Yard after vehicle crash

By Vernon Miles
Route 1 closure after vehicle crashed into a building, via Google Maps

(Updated 7:50 a.m.) Northbound lanes on Route 1 were closed earlier today after a vehicle crashed into a Jersey barrier at the Potomac Avenue and Route 1 intersection.

Police said the driver was taken to the hospital with life threatening injuries. The incident had earlier been reported by police as having been a crash into a building.

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