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

BREAKING: Potomac Yard Metro opening pushed back to September 2022

By Vernon Miles
The Potomac Yard Metro station under construction, April 2021. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

The Potomac Yard Metro station opening has been pushed back from spring to September next year .

After months of insisting that production was on schedule, WMATA announced today that the Potomac Yard Metro station’s opening will be pushed back five months.

Go to BREAKING: Potomac Yard Metro opening pushed back to September 2022 Read more
News

August sidewalk sale on track to be largest in city history

By Vernon Miles
Shopper at 2020 Sidewalk Sale, via Visit Alexandria/Facebook

The city’s annual sidewalk sale is scheduled for August 14 and 15, and according to Visit Alexandria, the program is on track to be the largest one so far.

According to Visit Alexandria, over 70 local boutiques have signed up for the seasonal sale. The sale is located along several city sidewalks in Old Town and Del Ray, with a focus this year on the pedestrian-only blocks at 700-1100 King Street. The stores will be featured in outdoor exhibits with deeply discounted merchandise.

Go to August sidewalk sale on track to be largest in city history Read more
News

One year of lane closures in Potomac Yard starts today

By Vernon Miles
Potomac Avenue closures, via Google Maps

(Updated 10:20 a.m.) Starting today, much of Potomac Avenue where it runs through the Potomac Yard neighborhood will be cut down from four lanes to two for over a year as construction continues on the Potomac Yard Metro Station.

The closures will run from E. Glebe Road, near the National Industries for the Blind, up to the city border with Arlington County.

Go to One year of lane closures in Potomac Yard starts today Read more
News

Alexandria track star Noah Lyles gets comic book biography in Washington Post

By Vernon Miles
Chasing Gold comic, courtesy Washington Post

A special insert to the Washington Post print edition today features a comic book adaptation of Alexandria track star Noah Lyles’ life.

The twenty-page comic book is accompanied by a special section in the print edition commemorating the Tokyo Olympics, with coverage on the athletes, game schedules and more.

Go to Alexandria track star Noah Lyles gets comic book biography in Washington Post Read more
News

Testing for Alexandria’s controversial stream restoration work starts next week

By Vernon Miles
Taylor Run (photo via City of Alexandria)

One of the biggest points of contention in the stream restoration debate was that models, and not actual testing of the streams in question, were being considered in policy discussions. Next week, the city is moving to rectify that.

The city announced in a press release that a consultant will be performing soil collection, sampling, and analysis tests at Taylor Run, Strawberry Run and Lucky Run — three streams being considered for restoration work.

Go to Testing for Alexandria’s controversial stream restoration work starts next week Read more
News

Two years after massive flooding, city moves forward with Holmes Run trail restoration

By Vernon Miles
A trail over Holmes Run closed in 2020 after flooding damaged the trail system (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Two years after historic floods wiped out swaths of the Holmes Run Trail, Alexandria is hosting a community meeting next week to provide an update on long-term repair efforts.

Parts of the trail in Dora Kelley Park have been inaccessible since flooding in 2018, but much of the rest of the trail has been in a state of disrepair since floods in 2019 undermined the structural integrity of two of the bridges and three stretches of trail.

Go to Two years after massive flooding, city moves forward with Holmes Run trail restoration Read more
News

Residents protest against conditions at West End apartment complex

By Vernon Miles
Protest outside Brookdale at Mark Center, via Tenants and Workers United/Facebook

Over a dozen local residents and supporters rallied yesterday (Tuesday) to protest what they described as unsanitary conditions Morgan Properties locations in Alexandria’s West End.

Residents, ranging from children to seniors, held up photos they said were taken in the homes — including nests of rats, filthy water flowing into a bathtub, mold and holes in the wall.

Go to Residents protest against conditions at West End apartment complex Read more
News

Poll: Have you been to the Winkler Botanical Preserve?

By Vernon Miles
Winkler Botanical Preserve, via NOVA Parks/Facebook

In the heart of the West End, nestled between I-395 and an apartment complex, is a 44-acre park described by NOVA Parks as an “oasis of nature and beauty” — but it’s also a spot Alexandrians may not know exists, let alone have visited.

The Winkler Botanical Preserve (5400 Roanoke Avenue) was created in 1981 to preserve a section of green open space in the middle of the Mark Center development. The park features multiple trails, streams, a private lodge and a waterfall.

Go to Poll: Have you been to the Winkler Botanical Preserve? Read more
News

VDOT looking for public feedback on improving Little River Turnpike/Duke Street

By Vernon Miles
Little River Turnpike, via Google Maps

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is looking at making some improvements to Little River Turnpike, one of the main arterial roads between Alexandria and Fairfax County.

Little River Turnpike (Route 236) runs through the Lincolnia neighborhood of Fairfax County, turning into Duke Street when it crosses into the West End. A study of crashes on the street from 2015-2019 showed that many of the crashes were clustered around the border between Fairfax County and Alexandria, where Little River Turnpike crosses I-395.

Go to VDOT looking for public feedback on improving Little River Turnpike/Duke Street Read more
News

Lee-Fendall House to throw speakeasy party to finance building repairs

By Vernon Miles
Speakeasy event, via Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden

Look, don’t go around telling people we told you this, but there’s going to be a little booze and a little dancing at the Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden in September.

The museum is hosting a “secret” speakeasy fundraiser that both pays homage to Old Town’s bootlegging legacy and will help raise money to support the rebuild of a collapsed historic wall on the property.

Go to Lee-Fendall House to throw speakeasy party to finance building repairs Read more
News

Local restaurants at the starting line for Olympic specials and events

By Vernon Miles
Olympic Donut, courtesy Elizabeth's Counter

With Alexandria being represented at the Olympic games, some local restaurants are celebrating with special events and meals.

According to a list put out by Visit Alexandria, there are some of the local specials and events planned for the Olympics.

Go to Local restaurants at the starting line for Olympic specials and events Read more
View More Stories