Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Future of Controversial Confederate Statue Unclear After Latest Crash

Published December 16, 2019 at 4:25PM

"Appomattox," the Confederate statue at Washington St. and Prince St. in Old Town, after being hit by a car over the weekend (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A driver in Alexandria may have inadvertently contributed to a long-running fight to get the Appomattox statue commemorating Confederate soldiers removed from its pedestal.

Someone crashed into the statue at the intersection of S. Washington Street and Prince Street this weekend, Alexandria police confirmed to ALXnow.

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Police: Safeway Near Bradlee Shopping Center Robbed at Knifepoint

By Vernon Miles

Published December 16, 2019 at 3:15PM

Safeway near the Bradlee Shopping Center (photo via Google Maps)

The Safeway near the King/Braddock/Quaker intersection and the Bradlee Shopping Center was robbed early this morning morning, according to police.

Police spokesman Lt. Courtney Ballantine said the robbery took place around 3 a.m. at the Safeway at 3526 King Street.

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Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Embraces ‘ALX’

By Vernon Miles

Published December 16, 2019 at 2:00PM

(Updated at 2:10 p.m.) Last week the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce unveiled a new look for the brand that includes a shift towards “ALX” as a moniker for Alexandria, like all the cool kids are doing.

At a meeting on Dec. 10, the group unveiled a new logo that shortens the organization’s monicker to The Chamber ALX.

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Elected Officials Visit Alexandria Businesses to Discuss Paid Family and Medical Leave

By Vernon Miles

Published December 16, 2019 at 11:45AM

Rep. Don Beyer (left) and State Sen. Jennifer Boysko (right) with Lori Leetz, owner of Lori's Table (center) (photo courtesy Women Effect Fund)

Three elected officials visited businesses across Alexandria as part of an effort to drum up support for a paid family and medical leave bill.

Rep. Don Beyer, Del. Carroll Foy and State Sen. Jennifer Boysko — all Democrats — visited three businesses on Friday (Dec. 13) and spoke with business owners who were supportive of the bill. The trio visited Lori’s Table (1028 King Street), Bishop’s Boutique (815 King Street) and Let’s Meat on the Avenue (2403 Mount Vernon Avenue).

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Alexandria Bans Electronic Scooters from All City Sidewalks

By Vernon Miles

Published December 16, 2019 at 10:45AM | Updated December 16, 2019 at 11:14PM

Electric scooters’ tempestuous relationship with Alexandria sidewalks has just come to an end.

At the City Council’s public hearing on Saturday, Dec. 14, the council voted to approve a second phase of the pilot program with a few notable changes from the current program.

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Yates Pizza Palace May Finally Open Next Summer Along Duke Street

By Vernon Miles

Published December 13, 2019 at 3:20PM | Updated December 13, 2019 at 4:54PM

Yates Pizza Palace (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

(Updated 4:45 p.m.) If everything goes to plan, husband and wife team Jeffrey Jr. and Kelly Yates may finally be able to open the pizza restaurant that’s been “opening soon” since early 2014.

The dream of Yates Pizza Palace started in 2014 when Jeffrey Yates Sr., owner of the Yates Car Wash and recent purchaser of Table Talk (1623 Duke Street), purchased the space on the 3000 block of Duke Street that had been local pizza and pasta institution Generous George’s.

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Big Elf at the Alexandria Animal Shelter Looking for a Home for Christmas

By Vernon Miles

Published December 13, 2019 at 11:30AM

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria wants to find a home for a big elf this Christmas.

Technically, Marshmallow is a dog, but Animal Welfare League spokesperson Gina Hardter called him a “reluctant elf.” Marshmallow is available for adoption at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter (4101 Eisenhower Avenue).

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Del Ray Restaurant Embraces Every Alexandria Controversy in a New Contentious Sandwich

By Vernon Miles

Published December 13, 2019 at 10:30AM

Holy Cow Del Ray has taken all of the outrage and fury of Alexandria’s most controversial issues and put them between two buns.

The restaurant at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue announced its new “burger of the moment,” the Seminary Road-Dockless Scooter-Waterfront Development-Halal Butcher-Bike Lane Sandwich, on Facebook.

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Nonprofit to Offer Free Lyft Rides in Alexandria to Prevent Drunk Driving

By Vernon Miles

Published December 13, 2019 at 9:30AM | Updated December 19, 2019 at 8:59AM

Starting on Dec. 20, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) will offer its annual Holiday SoberRide program nightly from 10 p.m.-4 a.m., until Jan. 1.

In addition to Alexandria, the program is offered to rides in D.C., Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland, and Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties in Virginia.

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Substance Abuse is Down, E-Cigarette Use Is Up Among Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published December 12, 2019 at 3:15PM | Updated December 13, 2019 at 8:42AM

(Updated 12/13) The results are in for the Department of Community and Human Services’ five-year study of the well-being of Alexandria’s children.

While much of the Children and Youth Master Plan’s five-year report showed improvement, there were several areas where the situation worsened, including abuse of e-cigarettes.

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Tony’s Garage in Braddock Could Become Senior Housing and Restaurant

By Vernon Miles

Published December 12, 2019 at 2:00PM

Rendering of Aspire Alexandria (image via City of Alexandria)

An auto garage near Braddock could be converted into a new 133-unit residential building for seniors.

The applicant, BRG Tony’s Gulf, LLC, is proposing a 70-foot tall structure called Aspire Alexandria at 1112 First Street, where Tony’s Auto Service is today. The new development would also include a 4,550 square-foot restaurant on the ground floor. The restaurant would be operated by the same management company but would be open to the public.