Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Car crashes into Inova Alexandria Hospital and damages entrance

Published September 11, 2024 at 2:45PM | Updated September 12, 2024 at 1:54PM

Car crashed into Inova Hospital (staff photo by James Cullum)

A vehicle crashed into Inova this afternoon, damaging a portion of the visitor’s entrance.

The crash occurred around 1:40 p.m. The scanner said “no patient care was needed” at the immediate scene with the hospital handling the driver involved in the crash.

News

Alexandria awarded $525,000 in grant funding to build a flood resilience plan

By Vernon Miles

Published September 11, 2024 at 2:05PM

Flooding on lower King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria has been awarded $525,000 to support planning for the city’s ongoing flood mitigation efforts.

The grant funding comes from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF). The funds will go to support the development of a “new comprehensive Flood Resilience Plan.”

News

Assessment reveals Alexandrians visit dentists less often than rest of NoVa (and other healthcare disparities)

By Vernon Miles

Published September 11, 2024 at 11:05AM | Updated September 13, 2024 at 12:59PM

Alexandria Health Department (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

On average, an Old Town resident could make it into their late 80s. Just a few blocks north, residents in the Braddock neighborhood would be lucky to make it out of their 70s (page 8).

As Alexandria gears up for a new Community Health Assessment — the first since the Covid pandemic — Mayor Justin Wilson highlighted the findings of the 2019 report in a newsletter.

News

Eisenhower warehouse hosting anime sale this weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published September 11, 2024 at 10:10AM

Collectors Anime warehouse (image via Collectors Anime/Facebook)

In case you missed Otakon last month, an anime merchandise vendor with a warehouse on Eisenhower Avenue is opening up the inventory for a sale this weekend.

Collectors Anime is hosting a warehouse sale at SaltBox (4700 Eisenhower Avenue) from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14.

News

Alexandria’s MetroStage producing play reading about author James Baldwin this month

By Vernon Miles

Published September 10, 2024 at 1:30PM

Jeremy Keith Hunter as James Baldwin (image courtesy MetroStage)

Local theatre company MetroStage is celebrating the birthday of James Baldwin with a show about the acclaimed author’s decision to flee America.

The show, Citizen James, is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 30, at the Lyceum (201 South Washington Street).

News

Alexandria hosting celebration this month for those who overcame addiction and mental health challenges

By Vernon Miles

Published September 10, 2024 at 10:00AM | Updated September 10, 2024 at 10:57AM

Recovery Month Celebration flyer (image via City of Alexandria)

The road to recovery from addiction or dealing with mental health challenges can be a long and arduous one, so the City of Alexandria is looking to lighten the mood with a celebration and show of support to include food trucks and games.

The Department of Community and Human Services is hosting a celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 3-6 p.m. at Ben Brenman Park where “all are welcome to show their support of recovery.”

News

Planning Commission says new West End plan’s affordable housing angle needs more work

By Vernon Miles

Published September 9, 2024 at 3:10PM

Housing Affordability in AlexWest plan (image via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria’s Planning Commission sent the new West End plan back for more work, particularly when it comes to the proposal’s lackluster affordable housing outlook.

The AlexWest Plan is a proposal to update land uses throughout the West End and could shape future development in the area for the next few decades.

News

Old Town Art Festival returns to Carlyle neighborhood this weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published September 9, 2024 at 11:15AM

Old Town Art Festival flyer (image via ArtFestival.com)

The somewhat misnamed Alexandria Old Town Art Festival is returning for its 22nd year this weekend.

The festival brings art together from across the country — a full list of participating artists is available online.

News

Police Department says 1/3 of speed camera tickets in Alexandria have gone unpaid

By Vernon Miles

Published September 9, 2024 at 10:05AM

Speed cameras (via ACPS)

Alexandria’s speed camera program in school zones started one year ago, but so far a significant number of tickets issued since then have gone unpaid.

APD Communications Manager Tracy Walker told ALXnow that since the program started in September of 2023, there have been 47,020 tickets issued.

News

Flipped car creates delays on I-395 near Alexandria

By James Cullum and Vernon Miles

Published September 6, 2024 at 7:00PM

Damaged car in a crash on I-395 (staff photo by James Cullum)

There’s significant backup along I-395 as workers clean up after a crash that flipped a car upside down.

“On I-395 at mile marker 2.3 in the County of Fairfax, motorists can expect delays due to a multi-vehicle crash,” the Virginia Department of Transportation said around 6:30 p.m. “The north right lane and exit 3A are closed.”

News

Alexandria nonprofits hosting fair this weekend to connect volunteers with worthy causes

By Vernon Miles

Published September 6, 2024 at 1:45PM

Marion Brunken, executive director of Volunteer Alexandria (on left), and Jenn Ayers, executive director of ALIVE!, celebrate reaching the goal of collecting more than 33,500 pounds of canned goods and cooking oil during the month of July (courtesy photo)

If you’re an Alexandrian looking for a way to support your community, a Community Volunteer Fair tomorrow (Saturday) will have over 40 local nonprofits helping you find a proper fit.

Volunteer Alexandria and JustServe are sponsoring a Community Volunteer Friday on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 3-5 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2810 King Street).