Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Police Respond to More Shots Fired in the West End

Published December 1, 2020 at 10:30AM

Police say there was another “shots fired” call in the city’s West End last night; the latest in a series of shootings in Alexandria this year.

The shots came from the 200 block of Century Drive, near Landmark Mall. Police say they found no victims or damage at the scene, but found spent shell casings.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published December 1, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated December 1, 2020 at 9:24AM

WMATA Considers Closing Two Alexandria Metro Stations — “The 19 stations that could face closure include those that are within one mile of other stations and those that are seeing the lowest usage. In Alexandria, that means the Eisenhower Station and Van Dorn Street station are on the list.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Local Program Supports Artists With Disabilities — “Coletta Collections, an artisan program for people with disabilities, is helping Alexandrians celebrate the holidays safely and sincerely.” [Zebra]

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New Report Recommends Making Voluntary Affordable Housing Contributions Mandatory in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published November 30, 2020 at 4:45PM

If you want to build bonus density, office-to-housing conversions, or continuum of care facilities in Alexandria, a new report says you should have to pony up a little extra cash to support affordable housing.

Trading density and other exceptions to zoning code for a contribution to the affordable housing fund has been a longstanding practice in Alexandria and other localities, but the new “Update to the City’s Affordable Housing Contribution Policies and Procedures” being presented at Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting includes a recommendation push for that system to be codified.

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Del Ray Christmas Tree Lighting Scheduled This Week

By Vernon Miles

Published November 30, 2020 at 3:30PM

Christmas tree (via Sapan Patel/Unsplash)

Not long after Old Town Alexandria’s official tree lighting, Del Ray is planning to rally virtually for its own annual tree lighting ceremony.

The Del Ray tree lighting a virtual program this year and is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. The program is hosted by Visit Del Ray and will streamed via the Zebra Press website. The family-friendly show is scheduled to include Santa and a performance by the Alexandria Singers.

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Alexandria Living Legend to Host Upcoming Kwanzaa Workshop

By Vernon Miles

Published November 30, 2020 at 1:30PM | Updated March 15, 2024 at 2:33PM

Alexandria Living Legend Lillian Patterson, a fourth-generation Alexandrian and former curator of the Alexandria Black History Museum (ABHM), is planning to host an annual workshop with the museum this weekend to discuss the holiday Kwanzaa.

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New West End Home for Alexandria Lighting & Supply Headed to Planning Commission

By Vernon Miles

Published November 30, 2020 at 10:30AM | Updated November 30, 2020 at 10:51AM

Alexandria Lighting & Supply, a feature of the Braddock neighborhood for the last 50 years, could be making the move to the West End of Alexandria if approved at a Planning Commission meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) and a City Council meeting after that.

After moving away from its current location at 701 N. Henry St, the store is planning to open in a new building called Avanti 550 at 550 South Pickett Street.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published November 30, 2020 at 9:00AM

Police Investigate More Shots Fired — “The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a “shots fired” call for service in the 5400 block of Richenbacher Avenue. Expect police activity in the area.” [Twitter]

Local Businesses Hopeful for Holiday Shopping Season — “Victoria Vergason, owner of a vintage barware store, says holiday shoppers this season could make or break some small businesses. ‘[It] is a very, very critical time for small businesses to be able to make their profits and run into the next year,’ she said.” [WUSA9]

News

Alexandria Health Department Director Lays Out Plan for Vaccination

By Vernon Miles

Published November 25, 2020 at 1:45PM

With a bit of luck, Alexandria Health Director Stephen Haering said the city could start to get its hands on a vaccine by December.

A limited supply of vaccine and a high public demand has led to national, state, and local plans on determining who gets the vaccine, when, and how. Haering outlined some of the plans for Alexandria at a City Council meeting last night.

News

Man Shot in Old Town, Police Increase Patrol Coverage with Spike in Shots Fired Calls

By Vernon Miles

Published November 25, 2020 at 11:30AM | Updated November 25, 2020 at 12:02PM

Alexandria police (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A 23-year-old man was shot in Old Town early Tuesday evening, as Alexandria Police continue to investigate an uptick in shots fired calls for service.

At around 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday (Nov. 24), police announced they were responding to a call for shots fired in the 1200 block of Wythe Street in Old Town — not far from a police shootout that killed one man last month.

News

Poll: What Should be the New Name for T.C. Williams High School?

By Vernon Miles

Published November 25, 2020 at 10:30AM

With the Alexandria School Board approving changing the names of two Alexandria schools, the question is what to call the school formerly known as T.C. Williams High School?

Several alternatives have been raised in online forums and in meetings. Some have suggested other local figures that could replace Thomas Chambliss Williams, including longtime former principal John Porter or Petey Jones, a member of the 1971 championship team and an employee at the school who died last year.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published November 25, 2020 at 9:00AM

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

Latest Torpedo Factory Plan Redesigns First Floor — “As far as the first floor, staff plans to make the space more interactive, which could involve relocating artists throughout the building. Specifically, Ruggiero mentioned relocating a print-maker studio from the third floor to the first, as well as the Art League’s art supply store.” [Alexandria Times]

Alexandria Offers Emergency Child Care for Low Income Families — “The Alexandria City Council approved a request in September from DCHS and the Alexandria Emergency Child Care Collaborative (ECCC) to utilize Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to support this child care initiative. The initiative is limited to 150 children total, who will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.” [City of Alexandria]